With its two-mile stretch of golden sands, iconic pier, flat, accessible seafront and unique venues, Weston-super-Mare is a great place to hold a conference, event, meeting or team building experience.
Delegates benefit from convenient transport links to an inspiring coastal destination.
Weston has a number of events spaces right on the seafront, along with several venues dotted throughout the town centre, and more just off the motorway.
Five reasons why Weston is the perfect place for your event:
Weston-super-Mare is located on the North Somerset coast, just a 25-minute train ride from Bristol Temple Meads (40 mins drive), with regular direct trains running from London Paddington (around two hours), and trains from Manchester (around 3.5 hours).
The main Weston train station is an easy 10–15 minute walk from the main conference venues and the beach.
There are plenty of parking options if travelling to the town by car – the main car park for the seafront, and for overnight parking is available at The Sovereign.
The A3 Airport Flyer connects Bristol Airport to Weston-super-Mare hourly. Buses have onboard wifi and run from 3am-11pm from Weston, and from 4am-midnight from Bristol Airport, 364 days a year.
2. Unique conference, exhibition and meeting venues
The Grand Pier stretches out over the beach into the sea, offering stunning views of the Bristol Channel to Wales.
Just a 10-minute walk from Weston Train Station, this versatile attraction is one of the largest venues in the South West without pillars, making it a great space for presentations and events.
The Pier has played host to many events including BBC Children in Need, BBC Make a Difference Awards, Antiques Roadshow, Flog It, Don’t tell the Bride and a regional heat of Miss Great Britain.
Fair Trade and locally sourced produce is used where possible. The venue is on the path to achieving Plastic-Free Champion status as part of a town-wide initiative.
The Grand Pier was honoured with Commended Status in the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award category at the Bristol Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards 2023. It has accessible entrances and restrooms, wheelchair access lifts and can cater for anyone with other specific access requirements.
Designated blue badge parking is available a short walk away at a multi-story car-park with lifts at 12 Carlton Street (BS23 1UA), The Sovereign, as well as the and outdoor pay & display car park at Marine Parade (BS23 1BE).
Find out more about accessibility at The Grand Pier.
(Top right, The Grand Pier, photos Neil O’Donoghue)
Parking is available at 12 Carlton Street (BS23 1UA), The Sovereign, and Marine Parade (BS23 1BE). For comprehensive information about getting here by public transport, visit TravelWest. Coaches are welcome to drop off passengers at the bus stop near the entrance of The Grand Pier, coach parking is provided further south along the seafront or on Locking Road.
Find out more about The Grand Pier
For bookings & enquiries please contact the Grand Pier events team on 01934 646 155 or events@grandpier.co.uk
The Winter Gardens Pavilion is a beautiful heritage building overlooking the seafront, just two minutes walk from the Grand Pier entrance.
It has played a major part in Weston’s history, hosting everyone from The Beatles, to international ballroom dancing competitions. The main function room has a spectacular circular shape and can seat up to 550 delegates banquet-style.
Like the Grand Pier, Fair Trade or produce from local businesses is used where possible. The venue is on the path to achieving Plastic Free Champion status as part of the town-wide initiative.
All areas accessible to disabled delegates and visitors with mobility lifts into the ballroom. A Hearing Loop is also installed.
Parking is available at The Sovereign, behind The Winter Gardens. Weston Train Station is around 10- 15 minutes walk from the Winter Gardens.
The Food WorksSW offers a range of conference and meeting rooms for hire. From small meeting rooms for up to two people, through to larger conference facilities seating up to 100 people.
Meeting and conference attendees have the added value of free onsite parking, complimentary WiFi, refreshments or catering on request, and access to projectors, audio equipment, video conferencing equipment and flip charts.
Visitors also have access to the onsite coffee shop and engagement centre with a seating lounge for breakout space, hot desking, networking or an informal breakfast/lunch meeting alternative.
For those wishing to deliver food-related demonstrations, the meeting rooms can be hired alongside the state-of-the-art development kitchens on-site to facilitate your presentation.
Food WorksSW is accessible to wheelchair users and provides ramp/level access, toilets and parking areas for disabled visitors. Assistance and guide dogs are welcomed and there are facilities for hearing impaired visitors.
Weston Museum’s splendid architecture and curated collections create an elegant backdrop for your event.
Weston Museum offers three hire spaces – The Courtyard, with striking glass roof and serious ‘wow’ factor, Function Suite and The Learning Space – which are suitable for private and corporate hire, including exhibitions. A dedicated team is also on hand to help fulfil your vision and onsite Clara’s Cafe offers a wide range of event menus.
There is on-street meter parking around the Museum. The closest car park is the The Sovereign a 5-10 minute easy walk away. Weston train station is a 10min walk from the museum.
There is a lift suitable for wheelchair users to access the main upper floor galleries. A carpet runner is available for those with limited mobility who might find it difficult to walk across the cobblestones. More info here.
(Right, Beautifully Proud launch)
The Royal Hotel is an independent, family-run business on the seafront just a few minutes walk from the Grand Pier and Winter Gardens. The Georgian hotel opened in 1810 and is something of a local landmark. Set in its own extensive lawns, it has beautiful views overlooking the bay and Bristol Channel.
Birnbeck Suite is the largest of their conference rooms and can seat up to 180 people depending on room style. The suite’s extensive bay windows look out over the lawns, and as well as a bar, there is an Aperitif Lounge, which can be used for registration or as a breakout room.
The Regent Room is a luxurious conference suite with capacity to seat six delegates in a boardroom-style set-up.
The hotel has 150 car parking spaces.
Accessibility
The hotel has a lift and several rooms with accessible bathrooms and different elements of in-room accessibility, it has assistive listening devices and a wheelchair-accessible registration desk
For any further information, download their meetings brochure or to book your conference, call the hotel reservations team on 01934 423100 and choose option one.
Overlooking the sea, The Grand Atlantic in Weston-super-Mare is a spectacular hotel with limestone turrets.
There are 72 bedrooms which range from standard to superior- some with sea views – and three event spaces which can host weddings and business events for up to 200 guests. The largest function suite has a built-in stage.
3. Seafront accommodation in Weston
Weston-super-Mare has a diverse selection of good-value accommodation options, with mainly independently-owned hotels, plus an abundance of B&Bs and guest houses.
The Royal Court Hotel (with 44 bedrooms) and The Grand Atlantic Hotel (72 bedrooms) are located right on the seafront, near the main conference and events spaces, making it easy for delegates to walk to their accommodation from Weston Train Station.
Good value parking is also available throughout the town and along the seafront, and many businesses have their own car parks.
4. Team building and corporate away days
From golfing in glorious North Somerset countryside, to unforgettable outdoor activities in the nearby Mendip hills, you’ll find a number of companies that are able to provide engaging experiences, designed to inspire and excite while making the most of Weston’s coastal location.
In the Grand Pier itself, you’ll find a thrilling karting experience with brand new state-of-the-art go-karts, boasting the latest battery technology, smart technology, and innovative design.
(Right Cafe Mambo Weston-super-Mare beach, photo Luke Craddock)
Weston’s Clip ‘n Climb is the town’s only indoor climbing activity centre and has the highest drop slide in the UK.
Lock and Code Escape Rooms have two rooms (with more to come) to challenge your teams.
A 15-minute drive from the centre of Weston, Mendip Activity Centre offers a dry ski slope for snow sports, frisbee golf, archery, axe throwing, climbing, bushcraft, canoeing, paddleboarding, caving and more.
It’s also a short hop from Weston to Cheddar Gorge and the Mendip Hills, where teams can try everything from climbing and caving, to walking and orienteering.
Each year there is a fantastic Beach Rugby and Beach netball competition with corporate and social teams coming from far and wide to compete.
(Left Mission Impossible, photo Mendip Activity Centre)
Choose from not one, but three golf courses, including one with a fabulous ‘links’ course with sea views at Weston-super-Mare Golf Course.
Meanwhile, perched over the beach, Revo Glo Golf, offers nine holes of glow-in-the-dark crazy golf with fun themes at each hole, and a restaurant/bar next door.
5. Diverse selection of things to do in Weston
Spectacular sunsets, a jam-packed event programme, year-round marine lake swimming, stunning coastal cycle paths, countryside walks, independent restaurants, microbreweries, adrenaline sports, theatres and live music – Weston has it all.
If you’ve got free time outside of the conference, take a look at the top things to do in Weston and make sure you check out these fantastic eateries to dine out in around the town.
Accessibility in Weston
North Somerset Council offers free two-hour rental of a beach-friendly wheelchair between 10am and 4pm from the Tropicana office on Marine Parade. Advance booking is recommended. You can do so by completing the application form here.
You can hire mobility scooters and wheelchairs for the day or longer, from the Dalesway Mobility Centre on Carlton Street beside the Premier Inn and Dolphin Square. Call 01934 642002 to arrange your hire.
Visit Weston has up-to-date general information on accessibility in Weston-super-Mare from accessible accommodation and attractions to radar keys.