Hospitality

Friday Paella!

You are welcome to arrive from 1.00 pm onwards on Friday 12th July for the in-person flash fiction festival, 12th -14th July at Trinity College, Bristol.

What’s happening on Friday afternoon this year?

From 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm another fantastic three hour pre-fest workshop by acclaimed teacher and writer from the US, Kathy Fish. Open to festival participants and those who can’t make the whole weekend (£50) This workshop is now sold out.

Cole Beauchamp at paella stall in 2023

We have arranged for Luciano from https://www.paellacaluciano.com/ in Bristol/Portishead to come and cook fresh paella for us again. Advanced booking for this is now closed (19th June) I will ask Luciano to make a few extra if any latecomers want one. Vegan paella, £12.00. Chicken paella £14. (both Gluten Free). Contact us asap if you would like one of these

There is no other catering on Friday afternoon, but you can also bring a picnic to eat in the extensive grounds. The bar will be open and free coffee and tea is available (please bring your own re-usuable mug) Thanks.

Other Friday Events:

Bar (run by Trinity College)

Karaoke ready to go in 2019

Badger’s Pouch, the bar, will be open from 2.00 pm
After the Friday evening readings and mini-book launches, Karaoke entertainment will be available from 8.30 pm in the bar, organised by Helen Rye and Christopher Allen. Chill out room for quiet chats also available.
Bookshop
The festival bookshop will be open from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm in the Tyndall’s room, by Reception in the main building. There will also be a meet and greet session for newcomers in the bookshop and also the bar.
Official Welcome, Flash fiction readings and mini book launches 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm in Dining Room.

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Accommodation options

Outside Trinity College

The 2025 flash fiction festival will be held at Trinity College, a Theological College, in the Stoke Bishop area of Bristol.

There are single budget bnb (basic breakfast) rooms at Trinity College to book as part of the festival package plus 20 camping spots with facilities in the grassy area in front of the college and we have blocked booked rooms for the festival place/accommodation package at Churchill Hall, a Bristol University Residence only a few minutes walk away from the college, in a lovely setting opposite the Bristol Botanical Gardens. You can see Churchill Hall and its proximity to Trinity on our location map on the menu.

The rooms are bnb (continental breakfast). An example of one is pictured below, along with a picture of the hall and an area of the shared bathroom. They are quite spacious and for single occupancy only.

You can also book your room for Thursday and Sunday nights in both Trinity College and Churchill Halls
More details and for a link to the booking form on our booking page

The Area and Other Accommodation Options (thank you to former festival director, Diane Simmons, for compiling this list originally. Updated by 2023 team member, Damhnait Monaghan 2023).
Stoke Bishop is a pleasant area not far from the Downs (a large open park land)) and is under two miles from the Clifton suspension bridge, built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. If you don’t mind a walk, Clifton Village is about a 30 minute walk from Trinity College and is a beautiful area of Bristol to stay in. It has quite a few hotels and guest houses. Please note that areas of Bristol are very hilly.

The city centre too has lots of hotels to suit all budgets, as well as some hostels. It is particularly attractive round the waterside area. The city centre is approx 2.4 miles from Trinity College. Redland and Henleaze areas are also attractive parts of Bristol not too far away.
There is a plenty of free parking in the grounds of Trinity College. Please note that traffic can be very heavy in Bristol.

You may find this website helpful: https://visitbristol.co.uk/

Caravans, Campervans and Tents
There are 6 available caravan/campervan spots at Trinity College for people with their own caravans/campervans. There are electricity points. The cost is £20 per night. Toilets and showers available.

There is space for 20 tents in Trinity grounds (without electricity).The cost is £20 per night. Toilets and showers available.
If you would like to book a place for your van or wish to camp, you can book a space via our booking form.

Other Caravan sites:
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/townlisting.asp?town=Bristol
Airbnb
Airbnb is a good way of finding affordable accommodation. If you are unsure about the area, please email for advice. The link for Stoke Bishop, Bristol is below: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/s/Stoke-Bishop–Stoke-Bishop–United-Kingdom/homes?adults=1&place_id=ChIJk_zJ1YSNcUgRD32b4q2v_3A&refinement_paths%5B%5D=%2Fhomes&checkin=2022-07-08&checkout=2022-07-10

Hotels, Hostels and Bed and Breakfasts
Please note that I have not visited any of these hotels listed below, so can’t vouch for them being any good, but the ratings system should help. Please check my estimated walking times are correct before booking. I would recommend going on www.booking.com, www.trivago.co.uk or www.expedia.co.uk as bargains can be found.
Hostels
Bristol Youth Hostel, 14 Narrow Quay, Bristol, BS1 4QA, United Kingdom. 2.5 miles, 55 mins walk https://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-bristol Private rooms available. Dorms not available at time of writing, but may be open by July.
Couchsurfing:
https://www.couchsurfing.com/places/europe/england/bristol

Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts and Apartments

Nearest to Trinity College (within 2 miles)

The Washington, Clifton. 1.7 miles from Trinity – 35 mins walk. Available from booking.com. Described as ‘cheap and cheerful’. More info from booking.com & also available on visit Bristol site: https://visitbristol.co.uk/accommodation/the-washington-p7201

The Rodney House Hotel, 4 Rodney Place, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4HY – 1.7 miles and 35 mins walk from Trinity College. Available from booking.com. Their own website here: https://cliftonhotels.com/bristol-hotels/rodney
The Regency Bristol Hotel, 40-44 St Pauls Road, Clifton BS8 ILR
35 mins walk, 1.7 miles

The Channings Hotel, Clifton Bristol – 31 min walk. You can book direct from their site or on booking.com etc. https://www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/avon/channings-hotel/

Number 38, Clifton, 38 Upper Belgrave Rd, Bristol BS8 2XN. Less than a mile. Also available from booking.com About a 17 min walk. Hotel website: http://www.number38clifton.com

Victoria Square Hotel, Clifton. 1.8 miles. 37 mins, http://www.victoriasquarehotel.co.uk/en/default.html
Also available on booking.com etc.

Beaufort House apartments, Clifton. 1.2 miles and a 25 min walk – on booking.com etc

The Alma Tavern, 18-20 Alma Vale Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2HY
Rooms are bookable through Airbnb. 29 mins walk. 1.4 miles. Rooms also available through booking.com

Within an Hour’s Walk (or nearly)

Holiday Inn, Bristol city centre https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186220-d1983528-Reviews-Holiday_Inn_Bristol_City_Centre-Bristol_England.html 52 mins walk. 2.9 miles.

The Bristol Hotel https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186220-d191631-Reviews-The_Bristol-Bristol_England.html 56 mins walk. 2.6 miles.

Best Western Henbury Lodge Hotel, Station Rd, Henbury, Bristol BS10 7QQ,
https://www.bestwestern.co.uk/hotels/best-western-henbury-lodge-hotel-83915 2.7 miles, 58mins walk.

Bristol Marriott Hotel, https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186220-d192930-Reviews-Bristol_Marriott_Royal_Hotel-Bristol_England.html
51 mins walk. 2.3 miles. www.marriott.co.uk

Travelodge, Anchor Road, Bristol. 52 mins, 2.4 miles. One of a chain of basic hotels. https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/78/Bristol-Central-hotel

Mercure Bristol Holland House Hotel & Spa. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186220-d628111-Reviews-Mercure_Bristol_Holland_House_Hotel_Spa-Bristol_England.html
3 miles, 1 hr 4 mins walk. https://all.accor.com/hotel/6698/index.en.shtml

Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel 2.3 miles, 51 mins walk. https://all.accor.com/hotel/A0I2/index.en.shtml

Brooks Guest House, Bristol, St Nicholas Court, St Nicholas Street, Bristol
Looks cool accommodation – retro roof top caravans. 53 mins and 2.4 miles.

The Ibis, Explore lane, Bristol BS1 5TY
https://all.accor.com/hotel/5547/index.en.shtml
2.5 miles. Around 53 mins walk to Trinity.

The Crafty Cow, 65 Gloucester Road, Bristol BS7 08J. 53 mins walk, 2.7 miles.

Norfolk Guest House, 575 Gloucester Road, Bristol BS7 0BW. Booking.com 2.5 miles, 50 mins walk

Other Options
For budget options, there are Premier Inns: https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/home.html May not always be in the most scenic parts of the city. None are particularly close. Premier Inn has one in Filton, but traffic can be busy around there

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Friday Evening Pizzas at The Festival

Are you booked or are you a workshop leader at our third Flash Fiction Festival and arriving at the Festival on Friday afternoon 28th June? Or attending the pre-festival workshop with Kathy Fish and think you might need a meal when you have finished? We’ve arranged Bristol’s wood-fired mobile pizza outfit, Wood Chop Pizza to come along and serve their pizzas cooked on the spot in their wood – fired oven from about 4.30 pm – 6.30 pm.

The simple menu pictured here gives a choice of vegetarian and a meat based pizza. And there is also a vegan option not listed. Hospitality director Diane Simmons and Festival Director, Jude Higgins have sampled a pizza and they are very tasty. We need advance payment to secure Wood Chop Pizza’s services. And if you want one, it would be helpful to us if you paid via paypal or any card below asap and then contact Diane Simmons to say which one you have chosen. Four choices, Margherita, Portobello, Vegan (not listed on the menu but instead of cheese, sundried tomatoes and artichokes) and Salami and Chorizo. £8.50 each.

Pizza orders now closed.

The bar will be open from 2.00 pm on Friday serving wine, beer, prosecco, soft drinks and snacks. If you don’t want a hot pizza, you are welcome to bring your own picnic food to eat in the lovely grounds and the building that houses the bar.

The evening of readings begins at 6.00 pm.

Not booked yet? Places are going fast now. Join the crowd from all parts of the UK and other enthusiastic flash fiction writers from Ireland, USA, Canada, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Cyprus, New Zealand and Australia. We’d love to see you there. All welcome, beginners and experienced alike.

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