Avon Meads Retail Park

Hmm… a retail park is never going to be the most exciting of destinations, but this one at least has the plus points of a bowling alley and a cinema. Before the Showcase Cinema de Lux opened in Cabot Circus, this was the closest large-​scale film house in the vicinity. It’s a little redundant now, however, and with The Lanes open in town, the bowling isn’t really worth the trek anymore either. Still, there are a few massive chain stores to look around and a couple of nasty restaurants to eat in (probably a bit harsh, but I’m sticking with it), so I guess it’s not bad — if that’s what you’re into (I’m not).

So, it’s come to this, Cabot CIrus just hasn’t got the choice your after, broadmead can’t seem to give you what your seeking, Bedminster is missing the important item, Park street just hasn’t got the selection, Clifton can’t help you, Eastern is too diverse… what do you do?! Well, go on Amazon and find it! … or head to Avon Meads!
Almost every massive retail outfit you can shake your fist at as well as a Cinema to boot, this retail park is sure to have what you are after, and with a sainsburys just over the road you can do your food shopping on the way home.
A car is a pretty much must have in order to access this place (as well as transport what you have bought). You are also getting exactley what you see, you miss the personal touch that an idependant store gives you, it somehow feels less homely thaan the smaller chain shops in the City centre, but the selection is just a bit bigger.

Don’t you just love these ugly out of town meccas to all things capialist? No, me neither but I still seem to go to them every now and then and sometimes I even buy stuff (sometime stuff I even like!). This one sits in their usual habitat (a massive concrete car park), though it does boast a flyover arcing overhead (classy).
Contained within are the usual suspects — cinema, bowling alley, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Chiquito — plus a load of warehouse sized shops (Boots, Comet, Currys, Brantano Footwear, JJB Sports, The Range and, er, a small Marks and Sparks for some reason). These places usually get the single star treatment though this receives an extra one simply for being the one that’s near my house.

Avon Meads is a fairly limited retail park but does have its advantages.
It has a cinema and bowling alley with free parking, along with about 5 big shops and a few restaurants.
It can get quite busy at the weekend there and the fact it only has one way in and out is not the best sometimes.
Definately worth a stop if you want to go to a cheap cinema.

Plenty of choice, currently being upgraded with new stores being built. TGI Fridays is now an M & S food store. and Deep Pan has now changed to a nice mexican. No where near as big as Cabot circus or the Mall at Cribs Causeway, but with the showcase cinema and Bowling you could easily spend a saturday afternoon/​evening here.

There’s loads to do at Avon Meads Retail Park — you have a choice of shops — Boots, Brantano (shoes), Comet, Currys, JJB Sports, Mothercare, Outfit (things like Warehouse, Miss Selfridge, and Topshop inside here) and Staples.
If you want to do something at night or just have a bit of fun during the day there is a Hollywood Bowl bowling alley with plenty of lanes and Showcase cinema with loads of current films to choose from.
In terms of eating there is Deep pan pizza, McDonald’s and TGI fridays too.
It’s good for a day out if you’ve never been there before… or just a few hours every now and then if you have!