The Boy in the Bubble Bands, Bridges & Chips in Bath

By Austen Dack The Boy in the

Bands, Bridges & Chips in Bath

Iam passionate about visiting the very best fish & chip shops across the UK. I also love to combine this with a weekend break in cities across Europe. Recently I chose to vacate to Bristol & Bath.

If ever there was a city with a story to tell, it’s Bristol. Enveloped in the hills of Southwest England, it has its own unmistakable identity, carved out by passionate locals and spirited fans.

Discover things to do in Bristol born out of the city’s centuries-old heritage and irrepressible creative spirit. Seek out world-class street art and follow the sound of live music flowing into cobbled streets. Devour the feast of food and drink in Bristol that covers sumptuous street food, superstar chefs and everything in between.

We stayed in the wonderful Radisson Blu. Housed in an iconic 18-storey high rise, the hotel places you at the centre of one of England’s most captivating cities, close to a number of popular attractions. It’s the city’s tallest hotel so please if you stay ask for a room near the top to take in the breath-taking views.

In the afternoon we took in Bristol’s Christmas Market. Home to over 40 unique stalls with a line-up of traders selling seasonal delights, crafts and unique items perfect for those hunting for that special Christmas gift. There was a wide range of delicious food available, from traditional Bratwurst to crepes, and plenty of sweet treats.

Later we visited King Street which is a 17th-century street in the historic city centre of Bristol. With an array of bars, and a lively outdoor seating area I recommend you stop by soon.

The main reason for our trip on the Friday was to see a band I have loved since 1989. They are called the Blue Aeroplanes, and they once supported REM on their Green album tour. They are native to Bristol, and more often than not play at The Fleece. Their Christmas gig is a must see, and along with support band Karen, they did not disappoint. Their action packed ‘flight’ lasted over 90 minutes and they incuded main stays Jacket Hangs & Breakin’ In My Heart.

In the morning with a hint of frost but a bright blue sky we headed off to the Clifton Suspension Bridge. This worldfamous bridge was designed by the great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The bridge’s spectacular setting on the cliffs of the Avon Gorge has

Bubble!

made it the defining symbol of Bristol, drawing thousands of visitors a year just to stroll across for views of the ancient Avon Gorge, elegant Clifton and the magnificent city beyond.

By lunchtime we headed off by train to Bath. A city founded in 1AD, and now a UNESCO World Heritage site, Bath is a city that oozes history and culture from every stone.

Our reason for the stop was to visit The Scallop Shell in the city. Marco Pierre White said of the shop “My favourite restaurant in all of Wiltshire and Somerset is, without question, The Scallop Shell – it serves just the finest food.”

Driven by a passion for seafood, Garry Rosser returned to the city where his career as a chef began to open The Scallop Shell in 2015. He is passionate about promoting the quality and provenance of seafood from UK shores and carefully sources his fish from small artisan day boats who land and sell their catch at leading markets on the south coast, as well as from Peterhead and Tarbert on Loch Fyne.

When the markets allow, they offer a platter of the freshest shellfish, designed to share, served with homemade dips and sauces. These change daily and are available most days. They also have fish to share, such as wild, line-caught sea bass, Cornish monkfish tail or whole brill.

We ordered the Scottish Haddock, chips and homemade mushy peas. We quickly devoured the wonderful soft, white meaty (but flaky) haddock, the beautiful light, crisp batter and perfectly cooked chips, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

The Scallop Shell is a wonderful place to visit for Britain’s favourite meal. With an open plan well organised kitchen, well drilled attentive staff, a galley like two floor restaurant it delivered on all fronts and gave us a perfect end to our weekend away.

www.scallopshell.co.uk