24 hour Itinerary

Weston-super-Mare is a 24-hour resort where the fun doesn’t need to stop when the sun goes down. Its nightlife is as widespread and varied as its daytime activities are. With so much on offer planning is key, because even with 24 hours at your disposal you may not be able to cram in everything you want to do.

If you’re driving into the resort it’s perhaps best to start off at one of the town’s major outlying attractions.

The Helicopter Museum is en route to the town centre and seafront from the M5 motorway on the site of the former Weston Airport. Back in 1938, the airport used to operate the most frequent route in the world with 58 services per day across the water to Cardiff. During the five days of the August Bank Holiday that year some 4,872 passengers went through the airport – a world record at the time. Now the helicopter museum is a record breaker in its own right as the largest helicopter museum in the world. Amongst the collection are the Somerset-made Westland Lynx G-LYNX helicopter, which still holds the helicopter world speed record at 249.1 miles-per-hour record set over the Somerset Levels.

If aviation isn’t your thing, then just the other side of the motorway is Puxton Park offering water pursuits, adventure areas and soft play areas. With fun for all the family, Puxton Park is an award-winning year round experience, whatever the weather. It also has a well-stocked farm shop and butchers, as well as a reasonably priced restaurant.

It’s then time to head into town itself and start lapping up all the traditional seaside activities and more. There are more than 3,000 parking spaces in the town, but if you’re coming with the kids, head straight for the additional beach parking on the sand. Picture their excitement as you park on the sand; it’s also mega-convenient! You can unload your picnic hamper and tuck in to your sarnies right next to your car without having to lug it for miles. If you haven’t brought a picnic don’t worry, there are more than enough cafes, coffee shops and eateries close by to suit every taste and budget.

Don’t eat too much just yet though, particularly if your first port of call is the funfair at the end of the town’s famous Grand Pier. The rides include what’s believed to be Britain’s smallest rollercoaster. But don’t underestimate it; what the Robocoaster lacks in size, it makes up for in stomach-churning thrills. As well as the traditional rides, there are also go-karts a laser maze, freefall experience, hundreds of arcade games as well as places to eat, drink and be entertained.

If you fancy a slower ride than the Robocoaster, the seafront ferris wheel offers a bird’s eye view of the town and as far as afield as up to 20 miles away on a clear day.

Weston is famous for its miles of sand so don’t miss the spectacular Sand Sculpture Festival which has been coming to the town for the past 13 years. It has a different theme each year and although the exhibits change, the craftmanship is always superb.

Follow that by browsing the traditional seaside stalls where you can even purchase garlic-bread flavoured seaside rock if that takes your fancy. If not, there’s a wide array of tea-rooms offering anything from traditional high teas on tiered cake-stands to cream teas or a simple cuppa.

It’s then time to head to your hotel, bed and breakfast or campsite to brush up and prepare for that evening out…..once, of course, you’ve decided what to do, and that’s not easy with so much choice!

No matter what you fancy for dinner, Weston will have it. There’s loads of restaurants serving excellent food and each offering a different ambience.

After dinner you may want to catch a show at one of Weston’s two theatres. The Playhouse attracts some big names and popular shows while the Blakehay Theatre provides an alternative option. Film fans are also well-served with two film houses in the town centre, the four-screen Odeon and the eight-screen Cineworld complex.

Bingo players can also hit the jackpot in Weston. There is a large Gala Bingo Hall on the edge of town, while the town centre Luda Weston in Dolphin Square offers bingo, slots as well as poker and karaoke.

Whatever you choose, make sure you leave time to visit one of the pubs and sample that west country speciality, a pint of cider. Pubs are plentiful and diverse. There are the usual high street chains as well as the intimate traditional pubs serving a variety of foods and ales and offering traditional entertainment like that Somerset favourite skittles. There are also places where you can unwind with a glass of wine or a cocktail.

However, depending on your hotel, you may not even need to venture out after your evening meal  because some of the hotels offer their own in-house entertainment.

For some it will be time to head for bed now but, for the night owls, the fun is only just beginning and with three nightclubs and several of the pubs having music and late licences the party is only just beginning.