BEST DAY TRIPS FROM BRISTOL

Bristol is one of the most exciting cities in the UK, with loads going on and plenty to see. However, it’s always nice to have a break and see somewhere new for a change. If you fancy a change of scenery and doing something different, there are plenty of places not far from the city that you can visit.

Suspensions bridge – photo by Jarred Clapperton – Unsplash

The whole of the South West of England, as well as many parts of Wales, are just a short journey away from Bristol. Most of the places on this list are within driving distance, but you can also take a train for a faster and more relaxing journey. You can find all of the best prices on travel at Omio, which also lets you quickly book through the website.

Bath
Bath is not far from Bristol at only 21 kilometres or 30 minutes in the car. It’s also a fantastic place to visit with a lot of historical sites available to see. The city gets its name from the Roman-era bathhouses that were built here, and you can still see most of them today. Beautiful architecture, a rich architectural heritage, and charming streets lined with tiny stores and eateries are all on display.

The city is located in the River Avon’s valley in Somerset County and is ideal for a day trip or even a long break. Couples, groups of friends, and families will all enjoy Bath because it has so much to offer. But notably, those who are interested in Roman history will adore the city and have a great time there. The best way to get to Bath from Bristol is by train, with relatively cheap and regular services available every day. You can drive too, but it will mean you’ll have to pay for parking.

Berkeley Castle
Berkeley Castle is located in Gloucestershire and is around 45 minutes north of Bristol city centre. Dating back to the 11th century, this impressive-looking castle is a Grade I listed

building, and although it’s currently occupied by the Berkeley family, many of the rooms inside are open to the public. That means you can explore inside and around the grounds, taking in the history and spectacular views.

Interestingly, Berkeley Castle was once used as a prison for King Edward II, and it also hosted the likes of Sir Francis Drake and many other kings, queens and important people over the years. More recently, it’s also been used to film TV shows such as Poldark and Wolf Hall. You can reach Berkeley Castle driving on the M5, and you may also be able to enjoy an event here if you check the schedule.

Cheddar Gorge
Not far from a small village called Cheddar, you’ll find an incredible limestone gorge known as Cheddar Gorge. This area is steeped in history as the site of the world’s oldest complete skeleton, which was estimated at 9,000 years old. Cheddar is around 31 kilometres from Bristol and about 40 minutes in the car. As well as taking in the history of the gorge and taking some great photos, you can also see the village itself.

You might have guessed from the name, but the village of Cheddar is famous for its history of cheese making. You can sample some of the finest locally made cheddar in the country, and the area is also great for strawberry picking in the summer. If you enjoy being adventurous, there are also plenty of limestone cave systems worth seeing.

Cotswolds Water Park
The Cotswolds is a largely rural area of southern England which spans nearly 800 square miles. It’s considered an area of outstanding natural beauty and is home to some of the most picturesque villages in the country. It’s also home to the Cotswolds Water Park.

If you love getting out on the water and enjoying sports such as wakeboarding, water-skiing, swimming and boating, you’ll love this park. There are 180 lakes over 42 square miles and activities for everyone to enjoy. You can reach the water park from Bristol by car or train, and it’s a 50-minute drive away on the M4.