The perfect away weekend

Weston-super-Mare FC makes for the perfect away-day or, better still, a fabulous weekender for football fans.
The North Somerset seaside town is awash with great pubs and boasts a lively nightlife as well as a cracking live music and comedy scene. 
There are numerous hotels and bars along the seafront – while the sandy beach is perfect for families – making the National League South side the ideal choice if you’re looking for a family and football weekend combo.

Reasons to Visit

There are so many reasons why Weston-super-Mare FC should be hot on your list of grounds to visit this season. As well as the football, there are so many other great things to do in Weston that it's no wonder so many visiting fans turn a visit to the Seagulls into a full weekender.  

The Ground

Weston’s well-appointed Optima Stadium – built on the site of the former Westland Helicopters plant and airfield - is a short taxi ride or a 25-minute walk away from the town centre, train station and sea front.
The 3,500 capacity stadium which has two areas of seating, including one behind the goal, has three bars and two catering outlets. All the food and beverage outlets inside the ground are card only payments.
Card payments are also preferred on the turnstile, with only one turnstile accepting cash admissions.
There is a car park at the ground, priced £2 per car. If that is full, two nearby industrial estates offer good alternatives.
Most matches at the Optima Stadium are unsegregated although, depending on the opposition and the size of their away support, this may sometimes be subject to change.

The team

Weston-super-Mare are known as The Seagulls. The black and whites play in the National League South.
The club has only been relegated once in its entire history. Not even giants like Manchester United with their record of five demotions can get close to that. The Seagulls, who were formed in 1887, had a perfect unblemished record until the 2018-2019 season when they were relegated from the National League South - a league they have now returned to.
England international Ollie Watkins – the man who scored the goal to take England through to the 2024 Euros Final in Germany -  first cut his teeth in men's football at Weston-super-Mare while on loan from Exeter City. Aston Villa’s £28 milllion forward had a 25-game spell with the Seagulls during which he notched ten goals in National League South. Signed shirts from Watkins are on display in the boardroom.

What to do around the footy

You will definitely want to spend more than just 90 minutes in Weston. Many visiting fans build a whole weekend around their team’s fixture and it’s easy to see why.

Pubs

Weston is bursting with pubs. It’s got popular football bars with big screens such as Allstars, Legends and Vinnies showing all the big live matches. Real ale fans are also well-served with a Magnificent Seven hostelries in the town’s popular Real Ale trail, two micro pubs and a micro brewery.
There’s also backstreet boozers just waiting to be discovered as well as karaoke bars and three nightclubs Pop World, The Loft and Electric Banana.  

Live Music

Live music is something of an institution in Weston-super-Mare with several town centre clubs and bars pumping it out. For a unique experience check out the famous Brit Bar with its outdoor stage and heated open-air courtyard. The Brit Bar also holds an annual Yardi Gras festival.

Attractions

Experience the same feeling of weightlessness that astronauts get by taking on the Freefall Ride on the Grand Pier – one of many rides in our massive indoor entertainment venue which juts out into sea. Here you can also go-kart on a split-level track, ride the dodgems or feel the thrill of being an F1 driver on a Formula One simulator.

Alternatively, take on the UK’s highest vertical drop slide or the daring Leap of Faith at the Clip ‘n Climb indoor climbing centre.
If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, you could challenge your mates to a game of crazy golf – with a difference. We’ve got indoor glow in the dark miniature golf at the Revo Bar & Kitchen. 
You could even try your hand at Axe Throwing or step into the future at the Laser Quest combat zone where it is a question of fire first or get zapped as you navigate your way through the chambers. 
There’s also ten-pin bowling at the Allstars complex, darts, snooker and pool.
We’ve also got Europe’s biggest helicopter museum.
And if you still want more, there’s two cinemas, two theatres – The Blakehay and The Playhouse – as well as the absolutely buzzing Front Room fringe theatre.

Bring the Family

With so much happening in Weston-super-Mare, why not make it a proper family weekend. There's indoor and outdoor attractions to keep everyone amused.

Major Events

If you’re lucky, your team’s visit to Weston may coincide with one of our big blockbuster events. 
The mustn’t miss Weston Carnival – which is the west country’s answer to the Rio Carnival – is on Friday, November 8, 2024.
The Weston Beach Race – which is described as one of the maddest beach motorbike races anywhere on the continent takes place on October 11-13 – and is one of the highlights of the sporting year in Weston.