Day Trips from Bristol. Excursions, Nearby Cities, Tours

Accessible Locations & Transport

Bath: A UNESCO World Heritage city with Roman Baths, Georgian architecture, and Bath Abbey.

Cotswolds: An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with picturesque villages, rolling hills, and charm.

Wells: England's smallest city, featuring Wellthe Main church of and from the middle ages Vicars' Close.

Glastonbury: A town of myths and legends, with Glastonbury Tor and Glastonbury Abbey ruins.

Cheddar Gorge & Caves: Britain's largest gorge, offering breathtaking scenery and show caves.

Transportation Options

Bath: Frequent train services from Bristol Temple Meads (15-20 mins) or regular bus services (30-45 mins).
Cotswolds: Best explored by car (approx. 1-hour drive to southern edge). Organized tours are available.
Wells / Glastonbury / Cheddar: Regular bus services from Bristol Bus AND Coach Station (45-60 mins). Car is also ideal.
Cardiff: Very frequent train services from Bristol Temple Meads (45-60 mins).

Natural Escapes

The countryside surrounding Bristol holds stunning natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor activities.

Parks & Scenic Views

Mendip Hills AONB, Wye Valley AONB, and the Forest of Dean all offer landscapes for walking, cycling, and exploring.

Explore Nature's Beauty

Mendip Hills AONB: Rolling hills, limestone gorges, ancient woodlands.
Wye Valley AONB: Dramatic river scenery, ancient woodlands, Tintern Abbey.
Avon Gorge & Chew Valley Lake: Spectacular views and birdwatching opportunities.

Coastal & Rural Areas

Nearby coastlines offer various beach experiences, from Victorian piers to traditional sandy resorts.

Coastal Getaways

Clevedon: Victorian pier and Marine Lake, a tidal pool for swimming.
Portishead: Marina, coastal walks, and a heated open-air lido.
Weston-super-Mare: Traditional sandy beach resort with pier and amusement arcades.

Seasonal Natural Phenomena

Spring & Autumn

Spring: Ancient woodlands burst with wild garlic and bluebells.
Bird Migration: Coastal reserves and Chew Valley Lake are active during migration.

Winter & Summer

Winter: Colder weather may affect some outdoor activities.
Summer: Coastal areas and open spaces are popular and can attract crowds.

Travel Considerations

Independent Travel:Maximum flexibility for planning and pace.
Organized Tours:Transport and guide included, often covers multiple sites.
Best for Independent:Bath and Cardiff (direct public transport).
Best for Organized:Cotswolds, Stonehenge (restricted public transit).

Bath:Full day (6-8 hours).
Cotswolds:Full day (8-10 hours).
Wells & Glastonbury:Full day (8-10 hours).
Cheddar Gorge:Half to full day (4-6 hours).

Helpful Tip

Organized tours make day trips to areas with limited public transport simple. Find alternatives at GetYourGuide Day Trips.

Cultural Excursions

Expand historical and cultural understanding with excursions to sites outside Bristol.

Stonehenge

An iconic prehistoric stone circle and UNESCO World Heritage site.

Lacock Village & Abbey

A beautifully preserved village often used as a film set, with a middle ages abbey.

Berkeley Castle

A historic, family-occupied castle having a rich and sometimes dark past.

Historical Sites

These sites offer deep dives into ancient history and from the middle ages life in the region.

Explore History

Stonehenge: Iconic prehistoric stone circle (1 hour 15 minutes drive).
Lacock Village & Abbey: Picturesque village and medieval abbey (45 minutes drive).
Berkeley Castle: Historic family-occupied castle (45 minutes drive).

Rural Charms & Pilgrimage

Idyllic villages and spiritual sites near Bristol provide unique cultural insights.

Village & Spiritual Sites

Cotswold Villages: Castle Combe, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water.
Somerset Villages: Traditional villages with thatched cottages.
Glastonbury Tor & Abbey: Legendary spiritual site (A one-hour journey by car/bus).

Multi-Day Extension Ideas

South West England Loop:Bristol, Bath, Wells/Glastonbury, Cheddar Gorge.

Cotswolds Exploration:2-3 days staying overnight in a charming village.

Dorset Coast:2-3 days exploring Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.

London:Excellent rail connections for urban exploration.

Cornwall & Devon:Continue west for dramatic coastlines and seaside fishing communities.

Welsh National Parks:Brecon Beacons or Snowdonia for hiking.

Planning Longer Stays

Consider a rental car for maximum flexibility in rural regions.
Explore different regions of the UK after your Bristol visit.
Book accommodation and transport in advance for peak seasons.
The South West Coast Path is a good option for outdoor lovers.
Organized tours can simplify multi-destination trips.

Multi-Day Extensions

For those with more time, Bristol serves as a starting point for longer regional explorations.

Regional Loops

Combine Bristol with explorations of the immediate region, or explore the Cotswolds.

Beyond Bristol

South West England Loop: Bristol, Bath, Wells/Glastonbury, Cheddar Gorge (1-3 days).
Cotswolds Exploration: 2-3 days, staying overnight in a charming village.

Coastlines & Parks

Extend your trip south to the Jurassic Coast in Dorset or venture into Welsh National Parks.

Natural Wonders

Dorset Coast: 2-3 days exploring Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.
Welsh National Parks: Brecon Beacons or Snowdonia for hiking and outdoor activities.

Transportation & Connectivity

Bristol has rail and bus connections to major UK cities. Car rental provides flexibility for rural areas.

Travel Modes

Rail and Bus: Excellent connections to major UK cities.
Car Rental: Most flexibility for exploring rural regions plus tinier villages.

Suggested Routes

Combine your Bristol visit with scenic routes through the South West or into Wales.

Longer Journeys

South West Coastal Path: Drive or hike sections of this dramatic coastline.
Wye Valley & Brecon Beacons: Explore Welsh landscapes and outdoor activities.
Heart of England Tour: Bristol, Bath, Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford.

Further Explorations

Cities like Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon are accessible for cultural discovery.

Oxford

Home to a prestigious university and historic colleges.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Birthplace of William Shakespeare.

London

The capital city, easily reachable by train.

Maximizing Your Trip

Bristol serves as a launching point for a wide range of regional adventures.

Travel Essentials

Prepare for your day trips with some considerations.

Planning Your Day Trips

1

Research Destinations

Look into attractions, opening times, and any booking requirements for your chosen day trip locations.

2

Transportation Logistics

Decide between train, bus, car rental, or organized tours based on availability and convenience.

3

Pack Smart

Bring comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, water, and snacks.

Travel Tools

Google Maps for navigation and public transport routes.
National Rail Enquiries (nationalrail.co.uk) for train times and tickets.
First Bus (firstbus.co.uk) for local bus schedules in Bristol and surrounding areas.
GetYourGuide for booking day trips and tours in advance.
Consider an unlocked mobile phone and an ESIM from Airalo for connectivity.
Solis Wi-Fi for portable internet access.

Airport Services

Priority Pass for airport lounge access.
Compensair for flight delay or cancellation compensation.
Information desks at Bristol Airport for local transport and queries.
Vehicle hire services available at the airport for onward travel.
Taxi and bus services directly from the source from the airport to Bristol city center.
Onward connections to train stations for broader UK travel.

Considerations for Extended Stays

Accommodation

Look for serviced apartments or Airbnb for a more homely feel during longer visits.

Local Integration

Explore lesser-known areas, join community groups, or take local classes for a experience.

Regional Travel

Plan longer trips to Wales, Cornwall, or other UK regions with Bristol as your base.

Flexible Exploration

Day trips from Bristol serve varied interests and travel styles, from historical cities to natural wonders.

Day Trips from Bristol