Cotham Park Rugby Club, located in Bristol, is a rugby club and events venue that prides itself on being inclusive and welcoming to players of all levels. Whether you have never played before or are an experienced veteran of the game, Cotham Park is the place for you. The club is particularly popular among players who are inspired to take up the game, resuming after a break, or relocating to Bristol and looking for a new club.
Situated just 2–3 minutes from the Suspension Bridge, Cotham Park is the closest rugby club to Clifton, making it a convenient choice for Bristol University students based in the area. The club offers an excellent location and a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for players to enjoy their rugby journey. Seniors training sessions take place on Tuesday evenings at 6:45pm, followed by a chance to relax and socialise with fellow players in the clubhouse.
Matches are held on Saturday afternoons, with the 1st XV competing in Gloucester 2 and the 2nd XV in the Gloucestershire Reserve League. Every effort is made to ensure that all players who want a game get one.
Cotham Park has a rich history, dating back to its formation in 1901 through the amalgamation of Bristol East and Redland Park rugby clubs. Over the years, the club has played at various grounds, including the Downs, Gloucester County Cricket Ground, and Southmead Hospital fields, before finally settling in its current home at Failand. The club has had its fair share of notable individuals, including Len Corbett, a renowned centre who played for England, and Reg Quick, a speedy winger who represented Bristol and Gloucester and later became the club's president.
In addition to its rugby activities, Cotham Park also offers camping facilities during the Bristol Balloon Fiesta. Motorhomes, campervans, caravans, and tents are all welcome to stay at the club, which is conveniently situated just off Beggar Bush Lane, a short 30-minute walk from the main Balloon Fiesta site. Amenities provided for campers include showers, flush toilets, changing facilities, outdoor drinking water access, washing up facilities, and a well-stocked bar with a late licence throughout the weekend. A kitchen is also available to serve hot meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a selection of snacks, bags of ice, and cold drinks available for purchase.
Camping pitches at Cotham Park are generously sized at 9m × 6m (30' x 20'). The minimum stay is two nights, and pitches are available for check-in from 1pm on the day of arrival until 1pm on the day of departure. In addition to the camping pitch, any additional vehicles can be parked separately in the club's car park for a nominal fee of 5 per night.
For more information and updates on camping during the Bristol Balloon Fiesta, visitors are encouraged to check the official Fiesta website and the Cotham Park Rugby Club's social media platforms.