Reasons to bring your event to Bristol in 2020

The new decade brings a fresh round of venues and experiences in 2020, with more reasons than ever to bring your meeting or event to Bristol – here are some of them. 

Hotel upgrades and new openings
Artist Residence is due to open a new hotel, its fifth, in Bristol in 2020. Housed in a former boot factory in Portland Square between St Pauls and Cabot Circus shopping centre in the heart of the city, the new hotel is a continuum of the bohemian Artists Residence style: an eclectic fusion of art and vintage.

The former Edward Everard printworks in the Old City, an impressive example of Art Nouveau architecture, is to become a four-star Clayton Hotel with 250 rooms, a restaurant, gym and extensive conference facilities. The building’s Doulton-tiled, Grade II* listed exterior will form the entrance to the hotel, which is due to open in winter 2020.

A number of boutique and branded hotels are scheduled to open during late 2020 and 2021 – sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest information.

The food
Introduce your delegates to the world’s Best Culinary Destination, a title Bristol won at the 2019 Food Trekking Awards. Also named a ‘foodie hotspot’ by the Good Food Guide, Bristol has the third highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK. Casamia, in the centre of the city, secured a top-ten spot in the latest Harden’s 100 diners’ poll, one of the most respected lists of the UK’s best restaurants.

Bristol’s food and drink scene continues to gain widespread recognition and there is a broad mix of food and beverage-focused experiences that can be incorporated into events and incentive trips.   

Casamia, credit John Arandhara-Blackwell

The surfing
Yes, you read that right. An exciting surf lake on the edge of Bristol has brought the seaside sport to the city. The Wave opened in November 2019 and the 40-acre site includes a sensory wave garden with inland ‘cove’ as well as a café, education centre and retail experience.

The latest wave-making technology generates up to 1000 waves per hour and provides an inclusive surfing adventure for everyone from beginners to professional surfers – perfect for an office away day. Glamping in surf pods and safari tents will be added this year.  

The Wave, credit Global Shots

Easy rail travel from London
Last year also saw the introduction of Great Western Railway’s super-fast train services between London and Bristol. Launched in December 2019, the new services have reduced the journey times from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway, meaning you can travel between the cities in as little as 1 hour 8 minutes. The changes have provided 35,000 additional seats a day through the two Bristol stations.

Anniversaries
In 2020, Bristol will celebrate the 175th anniversary of the SS Great Britain’s first trip to New York in 1845. One of Bristol’s premier attractions, the Victorian ship also celebrates 50 years since her return to the city where she was built.

Image credit - SS Great Britain

Other key anniversaries in Bristol’s 2020 calendar include:

• 250 years since the death of Thomas Chatterton, the Bristol-born boy poet whose short life (1752-1770) and inspirational work was a leading influence on literature’s Romantic Movement. A series of celebrations running from March to November will shine a light on his legacy.
• 100 years since Bristol-born Archie Leach’s emigration to New York, where he began his journey to becoming Hollywood icon Cary Grant.
• 100 years of Bristol Packet’s river cruiser the Tower Belle. Built in 1920, it’s one of four traditional boats that make regular excursions around the city’s Floating Harbour.

Feel inspired to arrange an event in Bristol this year? Get started with free professional help from our team – make an enquiry now.