Best Man speech guide, tips & ideas – How to write a Best Man’s speech

Best Man Speech

Being given the job as best man is one of the highest honours you would likely to achieve in your life time! Your friend fully trusts you to be there on the day with the ring and the best man speech of the century... not to mention organising the best stag do ever!

Here is our guide to writing the best speech possible with a little help from our freinds at Speechy...

What is West Country Games?

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West Country Games embraces all the stereotypes of the West Country in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Find out more...

Create That Perfect Best Man's Speech

You sit down at your computer, with a blank piece of paper by your side, and you do the common mistake most men commit by searching “best jokes for a best man speech”. Chances are, even if you go to the depths of your Google search, the ‘jokes’ will illicit groans rather than genuine laughter.

The truth is, you’re not alone as most best man speeches have become a clichéd mess, often leaving the best man feeling embarrassed (rather than the groom!).

In order to achieve a speech that is both witty and heart-felt, the writing experts at Speechy have told us their tips for writing a best man speech.

Avoid 'Wedding Jokes'

Nobody wants to hear overused jokes about how the newlywed couple are off to Bangor, or how the wedding cake is already in tiers from your speech. Ditch those sort of jokes immediately.

Instead, focus on the groom. What is it about him that makes him unusual? His out of proportion Tex-Rex arms, his obsession with avocadoes or his reluctance to give up his Adidas Tree Stripes? Spot the quirks that are truly ‘him’ and you’re onto a winner.

Get The Evidence

Instead of wasting your time on PowerPoint creating a collage of all of his worst haircuts, spend your time researching everything you can about the groom. This isn’t to say you don’t know him, but make sure you’re taping into every resource available.

Get his other mates involved and utilize his folks – they’ll definitely be able to tell some tales.

If the bride isn’t giving a speech, she might also like to supply some damning evidence of his poor hygiene habits or questionable quirks.

Less Is More

The rule of thumb is to aim for around 8 to 10 minutes – hopefully with a bit of added time for laughter and ad-libs. Nobody ever said they ‘wished it were longer’ – at least, not when referring to a best man speech.

Be strict with yourself and make sure your material is punchy and snappy. You can mention certain memories, but TMI is never good. For example: you can mention the stag do, but it might be best to leave the trip to the strip club and his private lap dance out. We don’t want to give Granny any ailments.

Make It A Proper Tribute

Above all else, the speech is a heartfelt tribute to a true friend. Don’t resort to clichés about him being a ‘world-class mate’ without providing the evidence to back it up.

What’s with his fascination with Sex and The City? How did it take him 9 times to pass his driving test? How is he the only one of your mates to know what’s going on with Brexit? You get the gist, just remember to keep it NUT – Nice, Unique, and True(ish)

Don't Forget The Bride

You have to remember that two people have gotten married, so make sure you spend a minute or two focused on the bride, maybe mention some antics on the hen weekend and how they complement each other’s personalities perfectly.

Definately don’t do the clichéd line saying the groom promised to let you be best man at his next wedding if you did well this time round.

If you don’t know the bride well, do some research so you can say more than the typical platitudes. How has she turned the groom into a better person? Has she converted him to a chai latte fan?

Confidence Is Key

Believe it or not, most best men get nervous prior to addressing the guests. Nobody wants to be remembered as the boring one when it comes the speeches, but try to relax. A lot of confidence comes from simply faking it, so fake it!

Body language has a lot to do with how others perceive confidence so don’t look down and try to keep the shaking to a minimum. Make eye contact and remember to smile. It’s scientifically proven to be infectious, and those scientists seem to know stuff. So much of the humour for a speech relies on the delivery so make sure you talk slower than feels natural and pause where you expect laughter. It will come!

Enjoy It!

Overall, it’s important to have fun and remember that you’ve been chosen to give this speech because of how much you mean to the groom.

Avoid alcohol prior to delivering the speech – disappointingly, Dutch courage is a myth.

Make sure your speech is something both you and the groom can look back on in your later years, and laugh at – rather than grimace!

Get More Advice

Check out more of Speechy’s Tips for Writing A Best Man Speech. They offer Best Man Speech Templates, a Speech Edit Service and their team of TV comedy speechwriters can even write the whole speech for you!

Festive Events in Bristol

Festive Events In Bristol - Our Guide To The Best Of Christmas Festivities In And Around Bristol

It’s December, which means it’s socially acceptable to mention the big C, and get involved in some festive events in Bristol!

Bristol has celebrated the onset of the festive event period by looking like its had an accident with an oversized snow globe. Wherever you look there are twinkling lights and signs of merriment that could thaw out the coldest of hearts.

Whether you’re looking for shopping opportunities or activities to get you in the Christmas spirit we can point you in the right direction.

Lets start with Santa because let’s be honest, without him, Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas.

What is West Country Games?

Play Video

West Country Games embraces all the stereotypes of the West Country in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Find out more...

Santa

If seeing Santa at a local shopping centre isn’t floating your boat, you’re in luck. The big man seems to have upped his game and can be found in connection with every type of venue and transport you can imagine.

He’s in the usual grottos and winter wonderlands from Weston Pier to Tyntesfield as well as sharing breakfast and tea with families and hanging out with animals around the county.

Not only will he be travelling by sleigh but if boats, trains or helicopters are more your thing, he’s got you covered.

Christmas Markets

Bristol is the perfect place to find gifts from independent sellers, festive food (and plenty of festive drinks too) and an atmosphere that makes you want to skip along the street full of goodwill to all men.

Walk away from the computer and online wishlists and you’ll find the perfect present that everyone will love but they didn’t even know they wanted.

Pick the right day and you can mooch around all of the markets just pausing for long enough to talk to the people who have made the products and refill your cup with mulled wine.

One of the best festive events in Bristol, and a firm favorite of the West Country Games team, is the Christmas market, located in the centre of Bristol from the 10th to the 24th December. With wooden chalet style stalls, homemade crafts and German foody treats, it wont take too much imagination to feel like you are miles away and surrounded by snow.

The appropriately named St Nick’s market is an amazing place to go any time of the year, again an opportunity to support independent retailers selling almost anything you could need and making sure you don’t go hungry while you’re there. Add in an extra Christmas market which is open from the 13th December until Christmas, catering for the more organised shopper to the last minute Christmas Eve crew and you’re in the right place.

If you’re putting in the hours at the weekend rather than a quick pop to the Christmas markets in your lunch break, the Harbourside Christmas Market is a great place to go. 45 stalls under the bustling Covered Walkway will be selling their wares every weekend from the 25th November up until Christmas Eve. Of course, there will be live music and once again a plethora of food and drink and Bristol festive fun.

Also keep an eye out for pop up shops and smaller markets, including those at; The Island, Colston Hall, and The Architecture Centre to name but a few.

Festive Fun

You’ve finished your Christmas shopping and been to see Santa and it’s only the middle of December, let’s check out what else you can do in Bristol to keep up the Christmassy vibes going.

It’s time to make the most of the chance to ice skate in Bristol again.

In Millennium Square there’s something for all the family; a fair, the Big Wheel, ice skating and not forgetting an Apres Bar to snuggle up in afterwards. The ice rink will be there from the 18th November until the 16th January so could even be a fun activity between Christmas and New Year with visiting family and friends.

At this time of year it is also home to the Spiegeltent. As the name suggests, it’s a tent but no festival pop up job, it is a huge round tent with carved panels and stained glass windows, hosting Christmas parties, masquerade balls, baby discos and lets not forget, Santa.

If you are looking for something out of town, Santa’s Enchanted Ice Castle at the Mall might have what you’re looking for. That is if you are looking for Santa, light displays, train rides and ice skating all in a Winter Wonderland. You’ve got until Christmas Eve to see Santa and the 7th January for all of the other shenanigans.

For an escape from the city, take a trip to Westonbirt Arboretum. Wrap up warm and wander through the trees to see a magical light display along the trail. While you’re there, there’s a Christmas Village, Father and Mother Christmas and a choir.

Just thinking about all that Bristol has to offer over the festive period makes me wish that it could be Christmas every day..! Happy Christmas one and all.

Bristol Street Art – Bristol street art graffiti scene guide

Bristol Street Art

Bristol is a modern, cosmopolitan city with a vibrant past. It’s a place where old-world charm harmoniously meets urbanism – a concoction that continues to lure people from all over the world.

As well as its historic past, part of what makes Bristol’s iconic landscape so familiar (and yet ever changing) is the street art.

Evident throughout the city, Bristol’s graffiti and street art scene is one of the largest in the UK. It’s a mesmerising medley of colours, ideas, styles and cultures – a visual simile of the city itself.

If you want to experience the Bristol street art graffiti scene for yourself you can just take a walk, paint the town red (excuse the pun) and keep your eyes peeled.

But if you fancy something with a little more focus, there are several events and organisations that will help you find the best street art Bristol has to offer.

What is West Country Games?

Play Video

West Country Games embraces all the stereotypes of the West Country in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Find out more...

The Bristol Street Art Graffiti Scene

Where The Wall

Inspired by the lively Bristol street art scene, Where the wall offers a cultural, artistic experience for kids and adults alike.

The award-winning company provides street art tours throughout the city, one of which is the longest running in Bristol.

For two glorious hours, Where the wall will guide you through the city streets every Saturday and Sunday, to ogle at 30 years of fantastic and visually mesmerising Bristol street art, which you may have otherwise missed.

Their intimate knowledge of the graffiti – and the artists – steams from a passion of the art form, as well as their personal expertise (some members of the team have even grown up with Banksy).

Where the wall also offers unique team-building events (either at their HQ or at your chosen location), giving your team or party the chance to make their very own street art stencils, or work together to create a giant masterpiece.

It’s a great option for any stag do or hen weekend, who are looking for a completely unique activity for their stay in Bristol.

Graft Workshop

Another great activity option for Bristol stag and hen weekends is Graft. Their customised packages will undoubtedly get all of your party involved; start with a walking tour of the best Bristol street art before you get your hands dirty and give street art a whirl!

As well as pre-nuptial parties, Graft offer workshops for all ages, for all the budding Banksy’s out there!

Banksy; Bristol’s Father Of Street Art

Recognised around the world as the master of street art, Banksy was born and bred on the streets of Bristol. He wealds a spray can like no other, and has sold his works all over the world for thousands of pounds.

Banksy’s politically fuelled art appears across the city, where he’s chosen to bless his hometown with some of his most iconic Bristol street art pieces.

Take the Banksy tour through Bristol and keep your eyes peeled for much-loved work, such as the Well Hung lover, The Mild, Mild West and the Grim Reaper.

Banksy’s hidden identity undoubtedly adds to his allure, but his popularity and success is rooted in his unquestionable talent.

Upfest

Upfest, Europe’s largest free street art and graffiti festival has called Bristol home for a number of years, and only gets more popular with the passing of time.

Take place on a biannual basis, gifted graffiti artists from 50 countries pile into the city to paint 60,000 square feet of surfaces for the Bristol street art weekend.

Spread over 50 locations south of the river, the event welcomes 50,000 visitors, who flock to the streets and enjoy live music, workshops, art sales and delicious street food.

From independent food and drink retailers, to hair graffiti, homemade produce and high quality clothing, the streets are filled stalls that offer something for everyone.

Many of the bars and pubs along Bristol’s North street in Bedminster take part in the festival-esque spirit, and welcome street artists to spruce up their walls inside and out with live spray painting (outside) and framed pictures donning the interiors.

Hen Party Ideas – How to plan a Hen Party

The Ultimate Guide To Organising A Hen Weekend

When your best friend calls you, you already have a feeling what she’s going to tell you. After discussing details of romantic proposals, talk turns to the hen do. She doesn’t even need to ask you to be her chief bridesmaid, you’ve both always known the line-up.

Here’s the ultimate guide to making sure that you do your friend proud with an unforgettable weekend of fun and bonding.

What is West Country Games?

Play Video

West Country Games embraces all the stereotypes of the West Country in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Find out more...

The Lady Of The Moment

The most important place to start is to arrange a time with the hen to go through details. Although it is great to have a surprise weekend, you want to make sure that it’s a surprise weekend that she’s going to love.

What is the most important part of the hen do for her? Is it to make sure she has as many of her family and friends there to celebrate or to go abroad for a week long holiday for some pre-wedding sunshine?

You won’t want to have an itinerary from her but you need to know the style of weekend that she will enjoy, there’s no point booking a spa and cheer leading class type weekend if she is more of an outdoor events kind of a girl. It’s also important to make sure that her friends have similar tastes to her before you book anything as it only takes a couple of unhappy people to bring down the mood of the weekend.

Getting the details of the other bridesmaids at the start gives you a good opportunity to get to know her other close friends and to pool ideas so you have the perfect weekend for your bestie.

Party Goer List

The hen’s availability is obviously crucial but you want to have a range of dates so as many of her nearest and dearest can be there too. You’ll need to make sure that she gives you a full list of email addresses and phone numbers of the people she wants to invite.

If there are some key people it’s a good idea to contact them first to check that they will definitely be there and have a secondary list of people who are given less choice of the date as it might be difficult to find one that is perfect for everyone.

Getting In The Numbers

Weddings can get expensive for everyone, not just the happy couple. As the chief organiser the responsibility of getting as many people as possible to turn up to the hen weekend lies with you, no pressure! It’s worth considering the stage of life of the hen do attendees before you start planning luxury escapes if it’s going to exclude half of the guest list. The same goes for the destination, if that’s going to be a deal breaker for people maybe a venue not too far from home would tick all the boxes.

The chances are the most important aspect for the hen will be having all of her friends together for a good ol’ knees up so the more the merrier.

If you can secure a list of definite people or who will be at each part of the weekend if dipping in and out is an option, it will make the planning far easier. Having a budget planned at the start helps keep things under control and allows people to decide their limitations before committing and they might be less likely to drop out.

If you plan activities or book accommodation for a certain number and people do drop out it might be left to the other people share out the extra cost.

Accommodation

As a base for your hen weekend this needs careful consideration, you need to think about the type of weekend that you have planned.

Are you going to book a city break or an activity packed weekend with the accommodation just being used as a place to stumble back to in the early hours and sleep off a hangover before dragging yourselves back out for more action? If this is the case, maybe a hotel would be the best option. If you are you going to be looking for a place which is a feature of the hen weekend or a pad to relax and spend time together, a big house, camping or glamping might be better suited to you.

Just keep thinking back to the hen and the other types of people who will be partying with you for the weekend. If most of party goers are going to be city birds who baulk at the idea of getting mud on their pristine white stilettos, a weekend of camping and quad biking might not be the right approach.

Activities

A good hen weekend needs a fun activity in the day time. It’s a great time for everyone to get to know each other and gives the weekend some structure. There are so many different options that its worth exploring alternative ideas before going straight for the obvious activities that everyone has done before, you don’t want 12 cocktail making experts by the end of the weekend. Likewise, horse riding across Dartmoor followed by camping might not be the right activity if Great Aunt Maud is a key player.

Try to keep within the guidelines given by the hen as it is her hen weekend and it is all about making it as fun as possible for her, not planning your own ultimate weekend. Chatting to the bridesmaids throughout is a great way to rein it in and keep on track with your best buddy in mind.

Packages

If life is busy or you just like the idea of someone sorting it all out for you, you could always look to the experts and get West Country Weekends on board. Not only do you have experienced help and keep it simple but often you end up getting more for your money than booking everything individually. Additional benefits include:

Allocation on hotels meaning instant confirmation upon booking
VIP nightclub entry
VIP Casino entry
Private dining
Restaurants suitable to groups
Local knowledge of an area you might not know
Additional activities – add on a second activity you may not have thought of yourself
Only a £50 deposit to pay initially
Individual payment system – this means that you don’t need to collect money from the group, they just pay their share directly saving you all that annoying chasing

And Lift Off

You’ve done it, you’ve booked the ultimate hen weekend that will just serve to remind your friend of how close you are and that you possibly know her even better than she knows herself.

Sending an email to everyone before the weekend with the finer details such as timings, specific clothing for activities, fancy dress, how much cash people will need if its rural break for taxis etc will mean you have less questions to field and people will be more prepared. The hen will also need enough details to bring the right stuff and feel comfortable and you will need to bear in mind any spare clothes for her if it’s a messy activity and you don’t want to spoil the surprise.

Plan the finer details such as taxis and food arrangements so people aren’t hanging around and looking to you all weekend to make decisions, you want to be busy having fun and not having to arrange anything as you go.

Success List:

Always think back to the hen and other people going to the hen weekend
Know who are the most important people when arranging dates
Consider budgets and logistics when you decide on the destination
Get people to commit before securing bookings for accommodation and activities
Do as much booking as you can before the big weekend, people like to know that it’s all under control and when you’re away you’ll just have to worry about where the next tray of Jager bombs are coming from
Have her back – make yourself the responsible person for getting your friend home at the end of the night , put a pint of water by the bed and have hangover snacks ready for the morning after recovery.
Have fun!

The ultimate Best Mans Guide to organising a stag do

The Ultimate Best Man’s Guide To Organising A Stag Weekend

You knew it might be coming, you just didn’t know when. So you your best mate has kindly asked you to be his Best Man for the wedding, and now expects you to arrange an all-guns-blazing stag do that will give him the time of his life on his last night of freedom. No pressure then.

Fear not, our Ultimate Best Man’s Guide will help navigate your way through the mother of all to do lists and set you up for the greatest stag do known to man or beast.

What is West Country Games?

Play Video

West Country Games embraces all the stereotypes of the West Country in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Find out more...

1. Finding Your Feet

A good sit down session in the pub with the groom always makes a good start. Try to glean as much information as possible. What dates suit his availability and are a safe distance before the wedding (remember, eye brows need some time to grow back)? How long does he want to be away for? What style of weekend is he expecting? What sort of activities would he like to do?

You will also need to know who on the invite list are his best friends and must be accommodated to ensure attendance. Therefore, it’s always best to find out two or three weekends you are both free to attend the stag.

Remember, you will always want to keep plenty up your sleeve for the weekend, so this is an information finding process only. It’s always a lot more fun to keep the destination secret, but this may not suit him so find out his expectations during the chat.

You will also need a full invite list (with email addresses and phone numbers).

2. Who’s Coming Then?

It’s now time to fire off an email to find out who is available and willing to attend. You need some firm commitment from the group to make things easier for the organisation that will come later, so you may want to consider your wording to ensure you do not receive too many “maybe” responses. It may be worth offering two or three dates and going with the majority.

3. Time Constraints, Budget & Destination

You will need to consider the group’s likely budget and time constraints. There’s no point in organising a week-long trip to Vegas if only 4 from 20 people sign up. So it may be worth proposing a first option and see who is keen to attend, before then re-evaluating if necessary.

But whatever you do, don’t give the group too many options or you’ll get just as many wide ranging opinions in reply. Many people who have organised these things before will tell you: keep it simple!

When considering destination, always think of logistics for each attendee. You won’t be a popular man if a large number of the stag’s mates cannot attend because they are too far from the proposed destination.

4. Accommodation

Once you’ve decided on your destination, it’s now time to organise some suitable accommodation. You might want to consider hotels, cottages, glamping, camping. Hotels are often the easiest option.

If people drop out over the coming months then it’s a lot easier to reduce the number of hotel rooms than to ask the whole group to contribute more towards a 14 bed cottage when only 10 can attend come final payment.

5. Activity

Once you’ve nailed the destination and accommodation, it now time to turn your attention to a Saturday activity. The expectation on most stag weekends is to take part in some form of fun filled activity.

It’s important to consider an activity that is likely to appeal to most people, and to do something that people have not done before. Paintballing is good fun, but may be a bit dull if 80% of your group have already done it on another stag do. So be original and you’ll make it a weekend to remember.

6. Packages

To take the pressure off, you may want to organise the entire weekend as a package through another company. West Country Weekends can help in this respect and you often get a lot more for your money than booking everything by yourself. The benefits of booking a package are plentiful when you think of all these inclusions:

Allocation on hotels meaning instant confirmation upon booking
Individual payment system – this means that you don’t need to collect money from the group, they just pay their share directly saving you all that annoying chasing
VIP nightclub entry
Lap dance club entry
Additional activities – add on a second activity you may not have thought of yourself
Private dining
Restaurants suitable to groups
VIP Casino entry
Only a £50 deposit to pay initially

7. Final Thoughts

So just to recap, here is your Best Man’s Stag Weekend to do list. Don’t be too overwhelmed by being the Best Man, after all it’s a real honour of the lasting friendship you’ve made!

To Do List

Speak to the Stag and find out who he wants to attend, what he expects from the stag weekend and potential dates.
Find out how many people will be on the stag do and their level of commitment
Decide on a destination based on time restraints, budget and logistics
Ensure everything is booked for the stag do from, accommodation to activities. Book as a package through an outside company if you’re short on time and want to take the pressure off yourself. Try and do this as early on as possible to get the best deals and availability
Look after the stag over the course of the weekend – remember you’ll have the Bride to answer to if you really mess things up!
Enjoy your best mate’s last night of freedom!

Bristol Balloon Fiesta – Our guide to Bristol Balloon Fiesta

Bristol Balloon Fiesta - Guide To Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

It always comes to that classic question; which came first, Bristol or the hot air balloons? Welcome to our guide to the famous Bristol Balloon Fiesta, all you need to know.

Ok, so it might not be quite so well known as that chicken and egg one, but Bristol and hot air balloons do go hand in hand, with many an iconic Bristol scene being photographed with hot air balloons floating on by.

This perfect photo opportunity will be back in Bristol in August, with over 130 balloons set to take to the skies across the four-day festival, a great Spectacle if you are visiting for a Hen Weekend, or Stag do. The Bristol Balloon fiesta has stayed true to its 1979 vision, to provide a free show for the public, funded by local corporate sponsorship.

With just 27 balloons in the first year of the Bristol Balloon Fiesta, hot air balloons now being synonymous with the Bristol skyline and it being Europe’s largest meeting of hot air balloons is an impressive feat.

(Please note the absence of predictable puns about numbers rising, people being blown away by the festival or it receiving glowing reports – it was hard to resist…!)

What is West Country Games?

Play Video

West Country Games embraces all the stereotypes of the West Country in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Find out more...

Not All Hot Air - Our Guide To The Bristol Balloon Fiesta

Thursday 11th August 2022

The Fiesta’s first day opens at midday with Hot Air Balloons tethering through the afternoon. As we reach 6pm, our pilots are briefed on the weather for the first mass ascent of the Fiesta. At 9pm as dusk sets 25 of our hot air balloons turn into huge lights bulbs, glowing in time to our specially commissioned soundtrack, ‘Bristol’s Glowing’. Our evening finishes with a fantastic firework finale

12:00 FIESTA OPENS BALLOON TETHERING – LAUNCH FIELD
18:00 MASS HOT AIR BALLOON LIFT
21:00 NIGHTGLOW AND FIREWORK FINALE
22:30 FIESTA CLOSES

Friday 12th August 2022

The Fiesta’s second day includes two mass hot air balloon lifts and an afternoon of Balloon Tethering.

06:00 FIESTA OPENS AND MASS HOT AIR BALLOON LIFT
11:30 MODEL HOT AIR BALLOON COMPETITIONS
13:00 HOT AIR BALLOON TETHERING
18:00 MASS HOT AIR BALLOON LIFT
20:30 FIESTA CLOSES

Saturday 13th August 2022

The Fiesta’s third day includes more mass hot air balloon lifts and our infamous nightglow and firework finale.

06:00 FIESTA OPENS AND MASS HOT AIR BALLOON LIFT
11:00 MODEL HOT AIR BALLOON COMPETITIONS
18:00 MASS HOT AIR BALLOON LIFT
21:00 NIGHTGLOW AND FIREWORK FINALE
22.30 FIESTA CLOSES

Sunday 14th August 2022

The Fiesta’s final day includes more mass hot air balloon lifts and model hot air balloon competitions.

06:00 FIESTA OPENS AND MASS HOT AIR BALLOON LIFT
11:30 MODEL HOT AIR BALLOON COMPETITIONS
18:00 MASS HOT AIR BALLOON LIFT
20:30 FIESTA CLOSES

Balloons Everywhere...

One of the most unique things about The Bristol Balloon Fiesta is that you can enjoy it without even having to turn up.

This is where all the hills in Bristol are a real bonus, as the city boasts some prime spots with amazing views of the balloons and as you guessed it, being high up is the best place to be. At this time of year, you’ll see large groups of people out in the evenings in open, high, green spaces, and those people will all be in the know.

Rather than waiting for you to stumble across these groups of people to find out where you should be to get the best views of the balloons, now is the time to divulge. Not only do you get to check out a sky full of balloons, but it gives you the chance to really appreciate the incredible views over our beautiful city.

Whether you’re in North or South Bristol we have some great balloon spotting sites for you.

To get the best view of the hot air balloons you’re slightly at the mercy of the wind direction, but the places we have identified are reliable for seeing them when they go up from the Bristol Balloon Fiesta at Ashton Court.

Bristol Balloon Fiesta Night Glow Balloon

Where To See The Balloons Outside Of The Fiesta

In South Bristol, there are two great places, firstly, Bedminster Down. The evidence of this, even before the balloons go up, is the amount of people there.

There are so many people that burger vans often rock up to cash in on the opportunity.

Bedminster Down has a view over Ashton Court so whatever the wind direction you’ll always be able to see the hot air balloons.

As the next one is my local balloon viewing spot I feel a little reluctant to share it far and wide but here goes…Perrett's Park.

There, I’ve done it. The park is a natural amphitheatre and faces towards the Bristol Balloon Fiesta so is a great place to be. With a playground there too and people cracking out the barbies, it has a real family feel and always has a great atmosphere as people await the first glimpse.

Seeing So Many Hot Air Balloons Is Incredible

Time to head over the river for the classic Bristol hot air balloon view locations, both of which need no introduction or real explanation.

The Clifton Suspension Bridge and The Downs are the best spots in North Bristol and are, surprise surprise, high up and close enough to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta to guarantee a great view and even more so, an amazing photo opportunity.

Seeing so many hot air balloons is incredible but there is more to the Bristol Balloon Festival and for that you need to get yourself down to Ashton Court at all sorts of times of the day.

The Fiesta kicks off on Thursday at midday with balloons tethering through the afternoon in preparation for the first mass ascent planned for 6pm.

That’s not it for the day though. As dusk sets, tethered hot air balloons light up in time to music followed by fireworks. That’s just day one!! If you miss the night glow on Thursday night, you get the chance to see it and the fireworks again on Saturday night.

It's All About Timing

If early mornings are your thing, or even if they’re not, you should take the chance to join some early birds huddled up with their bacon sandwiches watching the 6am mass ascent.

Not only is it the perfect chance to see an amazing sight of all of the balloons in the relative peace of the early morning but there’s always a feeling of solidarity and achievement when there’s a bunch of you who have all made it out at a time when you would otherwise be snoozing away.

Whatever time you get yourself to Ashton Court the Bristol Balloon Festival will not disappoint as there is plenty of entertainment and activities on site as well as with the sights.

Although the Fiesta itself is free, if you want to check it out, your transport will definitely need some planning as some roads will be closed and the parking there will need to be pre-booked.

Our Top Tips

I have one more option here for you which combines the excitement of being at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta itself and the incredible views of the huge number of balloons soaring over Bristol.

Why not take to the air and go up in one of the balloons. This might not be the cheapest of options but would be an amazing opportunity to get an up close and personal view.

However you choose to be a part of this key date in Bristol’s calendar, you can be sure that it will be impressive and that you won’t be alone. The Bristol Balloon Fiesta always captures the imagination of the city and brings people together for four days of anticipation and enjoyment.

For more information, why not visit the official Bristol Balloon Fiesta website.

Top 5 Reasons To Have A Party In Bristol

Top 5 Reasons to have a party in Bristol

We know that choosing where to have your last big bash before married life is a big decision. You will, only do it once after all. We are here to help ensure that you have the best send-off possible.

This is one decision you don’t want to get wrong so head to Bristol to party for the weekend – you won’t be disappointed!

What is West Country Games?

Play Video

West Country Games embraces all the stereotypes of the West Country in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Find out more...

The place to party...

Located on the South West coast of England, Bristol is a thriving city with plenty of things to do. From cocktail making to West Country Games, Bristol has something for everyone. The city is famous for its annual Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, which attracts millions of visitors to the city each year.

Whether you're visiting Bristol for the first time, or you're a local, there are plenty of things to do. You can find a thriving music scene and some of the best clubs in England. Whether you want to dance, drink, or have a quiet drink, there's something for everyone.

1. Accommodation

First thing to organise for any successful Hen or Stag do is a warm bed to stagger home to after one too many drinks. Whether you are saving all the pennies for the big day or want to indulge and treat yourself, Clifton Hotels will be able to help. Choose from four hotels which cover a range of price points, The Washington Guesthouse, The Clifton Hotel, The Rodney Hotel, the Berkeley Square Hotel and luxury apartments – Berkeley Suites (if you are feeling a little indulgent).

With this Bristol-born, independent hotel group, you can be sure of quality customer service and a great nights sleep, if that is you decide to get any! All are able to offer discounts for group bookings which will come in handy when you need to stretch the budget to pay for another round!

2. Activities

No Hen or Stag do would be complete without some sort of activity that will make you all look ridiculous and keep you in stitches retelling the stories for the rest of the year. West Country Games offers just that.

Nine hilarious West Country inspired games, from Cider Run to Wurzel Knockout and our personal favourite, Welly Wanging. We recommend booking this nearer the start of the trip, it all look looks a bit much to tackle on a hangover; however we are sure some of you will be lad enough to take on that challenge…

3. Boats

This may seem like a bit of strange one, but with the River Avon running right through the middle of the city we had to mention the wonderful array of boats you can wander onto and explore. If a civilised affair is what you have in mind, be sure to book a table at Glassboat. A delicious meal with lit up views over the river is probably just the thing to recover from a day wanging wellies. Alternatively head to Thekla for one of their infamous Pop Confessional nights if you feel up to it, where it will be guilty pop pleasures until 4 in the morning.

If you like the sound of this then we do recommend you head to Three Brothers for a very large burger to line your stomach beforehand! Trust us, you’ll be thanking us in the morning!

4. Cocktails

When is comes to cocktails, this is one thing that Bristol does not take lightly. Whatever your tipple may be there will be something heavenly waiting for you in one of the many speakeasies hidden across the city. These places are strictly need to know, but we’re sure your maid of honour/best man will be up to the challenge and will be able to get hold of the information easily…no pressure!

Our favourites include The Milk Thistle and Red Light, (there may be a clue in the name to one of those but we’ll leave that to you). If you want to get a bit more hands-on head to The Square Club where they offer the option of not one, but two cocktail master classes to suit your specific needs.

Be sure to pay attention though as there will be competition at the end of the class to test your knowledge and there’s a bottle of bubbly in it for the winner!

Turtle Bay also needs a shout out. If you’re starting early then this one is ideal as it’s two for one on all cocktails from 12-7pm.

5. Breakfast

When you wake up with a dry mouth and a sore head from partying a little too much the night before, craving anything and everything fried, breakfast will be King. And our vote for King of the hangover breakfast in Bristol is Racks Bar and Kitchen.

They serve breakfast until 10am which means you can savour a bit of extra time horizontal before attempting to stand up! Stomach the full English with all the trimmings or take it easy and go for poached eggs on sourdough with a choice of toppings.

With Bloody Marys on offer why not opt for hair of the dog and we’re sure you’ll be feeling ready for the day in no time!

Take a chance on Weston – The glamorous gran of the West

Take A Chance On Weston – The Glamorous Gran Of The West

You have been entrusted to organise a hen party for your best friend. This seems a simple enough task except the hen wants to keep costs down. This will mean that flying to one of Europe’s hot spots is totally out of the question, especially so with the current exchange rates.

Basically you will have to look a little nearer to home and be at the mercy of the British climate. That said, finding somewhere fun for the hen weekend shouldn’t be an issue as there are numerous destinations that cater for hen parties.

You could follow the party crowd to Newquay, Newcastle or Brighton, or you could try somewhere a bit different that offers a seaside atmosphere, but is also within striking distance of a number of outdoor activities to keep the girls entertained.

With no further ado, let me introduce you to the number one seaside hen party destination in the west of England, Weston-super-Mare!

Don’t let the critics of Weston (and there are a few, quite a few actually) put you off. We are talking about a town that has a ‘glamorous grandma’ feel about it. Yes she has seen better days, but there is still life in the old girl yet.

Life’s about taking a chance, so take a chance on a Weston-Super-Mare Hen Weekend. What’s the worst thing that can happen (apart from the hen choking on her scampi)?

What is West Country Games?

Play Video

West Country Games embraces all the stereotypes of the West Country in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Find out more...

Getting To Weston Super Mare

Couldn’t be easier! Trains, planes, automobiles. No problem! It’s on the main London line and easy to get to from nearby Bristol Temple Meads.

The nearby summer car park, otherwise known as the M5 motorway passes close to the town. You could even fly to Bristol airport if you are coming from further afield. It might even work out cheaper than the train. Bristol airport is actually very accessible to Weston.

Accommodation In Weston

Lots and lots to choose from. The budget concious bride-to-be will love you. Weston is as cheap as chips. It also has cheap chips too, and scampi! Seriously though, all budgets in Weston are catered for and there are some lovely little traditional B&Bs near the beach, which is where you want to be right?

As per usual, it pays to book as far in advance as possible. Weston can be booked out solid during the silly season.

Activities In Weston And Surrounds

In Weston itself the main activities would centre around the beach and pier.

The historic pier is certainly worth a few hours of the girls time. There are lots of fun and games that are not just targeted at children. It’s so much fun that it might even keep the thirstier hens out of Wetherspoons, for a while anyway.

There is a £1 entry fee and £15 unlimited ride pass that some people find a little on the steep side, possibly due to the fact that in Weston you could be thigh high in chips and prosecco for considerably less.

With a traditional British seaside pier there is always the chance of winning back your entry fee. There are the penny slots and bingo. Hang out with those wise old blue rinses and it might just be your lucky weekend!

If you are prepared to take a trip out of Weston then you could sample the nostalgic delights of an ‘It’s a Knockout’ themed games. West Country Games are located nearby towards Bristol and offer a fun filled couple of hours which will likely be the most memorable event of your Weston super mare stag & hen weekend.

In fact the West Country Games experience might even be more memorable than the wedding itself! They cater for groups sized from 8 to 30 or more. With your own Activity Host and 9 different games, you'll be well set for a few hours of fun!

Perhaps after the more active stuff you could take the girls out for traditional afternoon tea in one of Weston’s many tearooms. The areas you need to head to are Grove Park, Ashcombe Park and Clarence Park. Think of it as somewhere to go that offers a little ‘calm before the storm’ wind down action. Cake is also a nice way to line those stomachs!

Weston Super Mare At Night

There are plenty of places to eat in Weston and all budgets are catered for, well perhaps not a Saudi prince, but the girls will no doubt be full and happy!

There are the usual brand restaurants like Nando's but Weston also has a large number of independent places too, after all, the crowds still flock to the old girl for their summer holidays.

Of course you cannot leave Weston without sampling some of the best fish and chips in the world! What kind of hen party would miss out on a fish supper?

As for drinking, there are lots of pubs and clubs which are usually quite busy on Fridays and Saturday nights. We are also talking about cheap drinks here. This is not Monte Carlo, but don’t let that put you off.

All New & Exciting – West Country Indoor Games

You don’t need an Olympic gold medal to take part in West Country Indoor Games.

Regardless of whether your second home is the gym or you last exercised with Mr Motivator in the 1980’s, everyone is back on the same level when it comes these games!

Age also holds no barrier, with rave reviews from the most youthful to the most senior of participants, you certainly don’t have to be a millennial to enjoy the West Country Indoor Games experience!

What is West Country Games?

Play Video

West Country Games embraces all the stereotypes of the West Country in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Find out more...

West Country Games are an activity company celebrating all things “West Country”! Their hilarious events have been drawing in people from far and wide since 2011 and they have earnt themselves the #1 spot for outdoor activities in Bristol on Trip Advisor.

Hugely popular with stag and hen groups visiting Bristol and Bath, West Country Games’ outdoor events welcome over 400 people a day at the height of season. On the back of this success, the popular Bristol-based activities outfit are now moving indoors.

Their barn-themed venue plays host to the indoor version of their West Country shenanigans and has been running since 2016. West Country Indoor Games runs on Saturdays between October and March every year. Starting times are 10:30am or 1:30pm, subject to availability.

8 INDOOR GAMES

PERFECT FOR A STAG DO, HEN WEEKEND OR BIRTHDAY PARTY

The activity day features up to 8 themed activities, each of which is dafter than the next! Each game uses a selection of large inflatables, catapults, skittles, wellies and even a ride on sheep.

Games include The Cider Run, Sheep Shenanigans, West Country Wipeout and Wurzel Knockout. From podium battles with giant pitch forks to jumping over a sweeper arm operated by somebody on an exercise bike, the side-splitting games are guaranteed to have you rolling in the hay with laughter all day long.

For the competitive ones amongst you, points mean prizes! So knuckle down and battle it out with your friends or colleagues as the person in your group with the highest score will win a prize. Don’t forget to do your lunges and hamstring stretches beforehand as your instructors will be looking for the most accurate Welly Wangers, the most determined Cider Runners and the fiercest Vicky Pollard Handbag wrestlers out there.

SO MUCH FUN...

Once the day is finally done, you may fondly reminisce about the time you were gripping onto a sheep’s back for dear life or battering your friend with a handbag. Fear not if your memory is a little hazy as you can prompt it with your free group photographs.

Your enthusiastic Activity Host will gladly snap away as you take on each of the games and will be sure to capture some winning shots of you all in your finest moments of athletic achievement! Make sure you're dressed in your finest fancy dress to look your best for the photos, or at least ensure the stag or hen looks a proper picture!

Snacks and drinks are available throughout the day and there are changing facilities and free parking on site.

HOW TO BOOK YOUR GROUP ACTIVITY

West Country Indoor Games runs between October and March every year. Prices are £43.00 per person and you can book with just a £50 deposit with the final balance being due 6 weeks before your activity day. A minimum group size of 8 people applies. Go to our indoor games webpage for more information.

Stag Do Fancy Dress

Stag Do Fancy Dress – The Best Stag Do Costumes

Having an epic stag do is about more than just getting drunk. It’s about having a laugh with your mates, it’s about trying new activities and it’s about the most hilarious, embarrassing stag do costumes you can possibly think of! Back in the day, a stag do was just a night out in the pub with a few pints of lager but today? Well, the sky’s the limit… literally! You want to go skydiving dressed like Superman? Go on then. How about a whole group of you driving a tank in terrible nun stag costumes? Why not!

Although each stag do is different, there are a few common stag do themes you can choose and the only limit is your imagination when it comes to dressing up. Once you’ve grabbed a great bunch of mates and decided where to go then the only thing left to worry about is which stag do costumes will cause the most embarrassment to the stag! We’ve put together a few of our favourite stag do fancy dress ideas to help you on your way.

What is West Country Games?

Play Video

West Country Games embraces all the stereotypes of the West Country in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Find out more...

The Great Tradition of Stag Do Fancy Dress

Stag fancy dress has evolved over the years, and what was once just a chance to dress up like a woman and get drunk is now big business. As early as the 1800s, men were heading out in groups to have a drink or three before one of their number got married, and right from the start there was fancy dress involved. Stag do fancy dress ideas were slightly lacking back then though so it was often just making someone wear the wrong hat for their type of suit (true story)!

Nowadays it’s a rite of passage to grab a set of matching stag costumes and head out on the town, and you’ll rarely see groups of lads out drinking the last of their freedom away without some kind of fancy dress. Which leads us on to a very important consideration…

Fancy dress to embarrass the stag

This is only going to happen once, right? And the groom was a dick to you at school so this is your chance to get your own back! There are hundreds of embarrassing stag costumes to choose from, and picking the worst will make sure that it’s a night to remember for all the right reasons. Well… for you, anyway!

Try to work with their personality. Are they really image-conscious? Put them in something that makes them look horrendous; a baby’s bonnet to ruin their hair, or a mankini to leave nothing to the imagination. Or do they love being one of the lads and hate being told they’re under the thumb? A massive ball and chain might do the trick, followed by posting a million photos on Facebook! The best stag do costumes are the ones that cause maximum embarrassment to the stag while making you and your mates laugh the hardest.

What can you get away with (in public)?

The stag do fancy dress ideas we’ve mentioned so far have been pretty tame, because sadly there’s a limit to how much you can get away with in public. If you’ve hired a villa somewhere and it’s just you guys then that’s a different story, just don't forget that infamous Prince Harry photo in Las Vegas and think through your choices a little!

The basic rule for stag do costumes is this: embarrassing? Yes. Offensive to others? No! If you want to make the groom spend the night in a lady’s thong then crack on, but just be aware that you might not get let into bars, and if there are children around then you might get more than just complaints!

The same goes for anything that’s more offensive than just the groom’s naked body- needless to say, nothing sexist or racist please - just something that pokes fun at the man of the hour rather than offending a whole class of people.

Our top 5 original stag do themes and costumes

So on to the good bit - our run-down of the best stag night costumes around. Take a look through our top five fancy dress themes, perfect for groups. With just the right balance between humour and humiliation, take your pick and get ordering ready for the big weekend!

Number 5 – May The Force Be With You

This is one of the best stag do themes- Star Wars. It sounds a bit random but think about it- loads of you get to dress up as Storm Troopers, the one with the best beard gets to be Chewbacca and the groom has to dress up as Princess Leia in her famous bikini! You can always make yourself Darth Vader and force the rest of them to buy you drinks all night.

Number 4 – Avengers Assemble!

It’s everyone’s childhood dream! Becoming superheroes! These are pretty versatile stag do costumes, as it’s up to you whether you go the whole way and rent the padded suits or just pick up a few logo t-shirts at Primark. Either way, when there’s loads of you dressed like it you’re sure to get some attention!

Number 3 – More Tea?

Our choice at number 3 is the ever-popular tarts and vicars. What it loses in originality, it gains in hilarity; obviously the groom needs to be a tart, and it’s up to you whether all of the rest of you just go demure and laugh at him while fully-dressed as vicars or join into the exposure game! Expect plenty of jokes about where he’s keeping his wallet

Number 2 – I’ve Got A Brand-New Combine Harvester!

This the West Country classic- farmers. Everyone loves a yokel and this is one of the easiest stag do costumes to create from what you’ve already got at home. If you’ve got a checked shirt, braces and a flat cap then you’re already 90% of the way there so all you need to do is perfect your Somerset drawl and hit the bars! Alright, my luvver!

Number 1 – Ladies’ Night

Our top pick, beating all comers as the classic must-do stag night costume, it’s dressing up as women, whether it’s schoolgirls, old ladies or the groom’s bride-to-be! It’s worth saying that this last option is one of the highest risk stag do fancy dress ideas, as it comes with the distinct possibility that the groom might call the wedding off if he’s too repulsed… Short skirts, wigs and fishnet stockings are all obligatory, and at least one of your mates will shave their legs for the occasion, we guarantee it.

Where to purchase your stag do fancy dress

Now you’ve got some great stag do fancy dress ideas, you need to know where to buy the costumes. Jump on Google and take a look for local fancy dress shops; even if there isn’t information on the website, most places will have a good selection of ready-to-buy costumes if you head in for a visit.

Alternatively the internet is your best friend for this one. eBay has a seemingly unlimited selection of stag fancy dress, and you can usually buy 15 or 20 of the same costume at the same time to save everyone shopping separately. Our only warning here is to order it all in advance and then try it on before you want to wear it- the sizing can be weird and you don’t want to get stuck trying to force yourself into lady’s skirt at the eleventh hour! That said, maybe that’s your whole costume… we’re not judging!

Get that Stag Dressed!

So, there you have it! A great stag do starts with great stag fancy dress, and now you’ve got the lowdown on how to smash out the best stag night ever.

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