12 Incredible Day Trips from Bristol, England

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Are you looking for the best day trips from Bristol? From tours to Stonehenge to hiking Cheddar Gorge, this is what to do near Bristol.

I’ve been to Bristol a number of times now, and I absolutely love it. It’s one of those cities I keep coming back to. Between the harbourside, the street art and the food scene, there’s always something going on.

But one of the best things about Bristol is what’s right on its doorstep. The city is surrounded by rolling hills, dramatic gorges and coastal villages, so if you can drag yourself away, there’s so much natural beauty to enjoy.

I’ve done a number of these day trips myself, including Stonehenge and Cheddar Gorge, so this guide is a mix of places I’ve been to and places I’d happily recommend to a friend. From ancient monuments and old-fashioned towns with historic pubs to grand landscapes, safari parks and underground adventures, there are day trips from Bristol to suit every budget and interest.

What’s even better is that Bristol has great public transport connections, and there are plenty of tours from Bristol too. That means you can reach most of the places on this list even if you don’t have your own car. I’ve included journey times by public transport and by car for every one, so you can plan your day properly.

For me, Bristol is the perfect base for exploring the West Country. One day you could be feeding a giraffe at Longleat, and the next you could be climbing Glastonbury Tor or wandering the Georgian streets of Bath.

So, if you’re heading this way and wondering what to do near Bristol, here’s my list of the 12 best day trips from Bristol. Pick any one of them and I guarantee nothing but good times ahead.

For plenty more ideas on how to fill your time in the city, check out my guide to the fun things to do in Bristol.

How many days do you need in Bristol?

I’d say three days is the sweet spot for Bristol. That gives you two full days to explore the city properly and a third to escape on one of the day trips below.

Spend your first day around the harbourside. Wander Wapping Wharf, step aboard Brunel’s SS Great Britain and grab lunch from one of the shipping container kitchens at Cargo. On day two, head up to Clifton for the suspension bridge and the views from Clifton Observatory, then work your way back down to Stokes Croft for street art and a few drinks.

Day three is where Bristol’s location really pays off. Bath is just 15 minutes away by train and Weston-super-Mare is around half an hour, so you don’t even need a car. Cheddar Gorge is about 40 minutes by road, and you could be standing in front of Stonehenge by late morning.

With four or five days, I’d add a second day trip. Pair Glastonbury with Wookey Hole for a proper Somerset day, or cross the Severn Bridge into Wales for Tintern Abbey and a walk along the Wye Valley. Stay a week and you’ll still have plenty left over for your next visit.

Quick overview

If you’re travelling by train or bus, you can check times and compare ticket prices on Omio, which brings together routes from different rail operators so you can book everything in one place.

Day trips from Bristol

Visit Stonehenge

Ahhh, the mysterious beauty of Stonehenge. For the last 4000-5000 years, the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge has delighted people from all over the world. As one of the most iconic monuments in the United Kingdom, a trip to Stonehenge is always one of the most popular trips from Bristol.

Let someone else take over the driving and book a Stonehenge tour from Bristol. Rabbie’s runs a small group day trip in a 16-seat minibus, with Stonehenge entry included. After the stones, you’ll head to Avebury, the largest prehistoric stone circle in the world, before finishing in the Cotswold villages of Lacock and Castle Combe. Tours leave from the DoubleTree by Hilton on Redcliffe Way at 9am and get back to Bristol around 5.45pm. If you’d rather have the day to yourselves, Stonehenge Tours also runs private guided trips from Bristol.

Alternatively, you can pick up a ticket to Stonehenge that includes a queue jump here. This is great for those of you who are short on time and like planning ahead.

By public transport: Around 2 hours by train from Bristol Temple Meads to Salisbury, then the Stonehenge Tour bus from Salisbury station.
By car: About 1 hour 20 minutes from Bristol.

Bristol boat trip with afternoon tea

How does learning about the fascinating maritime history of Bristol while taking in the sights from the water and indulging in a scone and a nice cup of tea sound to you? If you answered “Great!”, then the Bristol Packet cream tea cruise is for you.

The cruise lasts two hours and follows the original course of the Avon through the Floating Harbour, with live commentary the whole way. It’s known for being funny as well as informative, and you’ll see what I mean once you’re on board. Your ticket includes a freshly baked scone with clotted cream and jam, a slice of cake and a cup of tea or coffee. Adult tickets are £23.50

Cruises leave at 2.15pm from the Bristol Packet office next to the SS Great Britain, and they run every Wednesday, Sunday and bank holiday Monday from March to October. I’d book in advance to avoid being disappointed, especially in summer.

By public transport: Around 20 minutes on foot from Bristol Temple Meads, or take the Bristol Ferry from Temple Meads to Wapping Wharf.
By car: About 10 minutes from Bristol Temple Meads, although city centre parking is limited so I’d leave the car behind.

Longleat Safari and Adventure Park

Longleat opened in 1966 as the first drive-through safari park outside Africa, and today it’s home to more than 120 species. Lions, giraffes, zebras, hippos and monkeys are all waiting to greet you, and it’s the only place in Europe where you can see southern koalas.

Anne, the Asian elephant rescued from a circus in 2011, lives here too. She’s now in her seventies and tends to stay in the warmth of her indoor house these days, so don’t be too disappointed if you don’t spot her.

Aside from an abundance of animals, the park provides mazes, boat cruises, Longleat house and gardens, and a kid’s adventure playground. You can even hand feed birds and giraffes too. It goes without saying, but this really is one of the best activities for kids around. There are so many learning opportunities for them, so it’s fun and educational.

Conservation is at the heart of what Longleat does, and many of the species here are endangered or critically endangered. Its keepers have even helped share the osteopathy techniques used to treat Anne’s arthritis with people caring for rescued elephants in Thailand.

Just 30 miles away, this safari is very easy to do in a day. You can purchase a ticket for the on-site bus tour, or feel like you’re on a real adventure and drive your own vehicle through.

By public transport: Around 1 hour 15 minutes by train from Bristol Temple Meads to Warminster, then a short taxi ride.
By car: About 1 hour from Bristol.

Westonbirt Arboretum

Located in the Cotswolds, the Westonbirt Arboretum boasts an amazing collection of trees from all over the world. Spend your day exploring some of the many nature trails, identifying flora and fauna using the Westonbirt Arboretum’s Plant and Flower Spotter’s Guide, or snap drool-worthy photos along the Picture Perfect trail.

While this is an amazing place to cool down in summer, there are also fun activities for all seasons, including a Christmas light show, a tree top walkway and Gruffalo trail for the kids. The site also features an on-site shop, restaurant and outdoor play areas. Basically, there really is something for everyone here which is why we love it!

By public transport: Around 1 hour by train from Bristol Temple Meads to Yate, then a 20-minute taxi.
By car: About 45 minutes from Bristol.

Cheddar Gorge

Cheese and nature lovers unite and make your way to Cheddar Gorge! At 137m (449ft) deep and 4.8km (2.98 miles) long, Cheddar Gorge is the largest gorge in England. This is also the place where Cheddar Man, the oldest complete human skeleton in Britain was found. Two records in one!

Surrounded by natural beauty, the best way to enjoy this gorge is by taking a circular 4-mile walk. The national trust recommended route takes you past the pinnacles and caves, and provides stunning views.

After some good fresh air, make your way to a cheese making tour and learn the history of the iconic cheese named after the area. Don’t forget to try a few samples too.

By public transport: Around 1 hour 30 minutes by train from Bristol Temple Meads to Weston-super-Mare, then the 126 bus to Cheddar.
By car: About 40 minutes from Bristol.

Glastonbury Tor Walk

If you’re looking for breathtaking views and a full day’s entertainment without splashing any cash, this is the one for you. The Glastonbury Tor Walk, for example, is one of the best hikes in Somerset, and that’s saying something! This popular walk takes you from the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey to the summit of Glastonbury Tor.

The circular walk is around 2 miles and there is a fairly moderate climb to the top of the hill. At the top you’ll find St Michael’s Tower, an old 15th century church tower with some of the best views of England.

One of the best bits about this walk is you’ll end up in Glastonbury itself. That means you can finish off your walk with a pub lunch or afternoon tea.

By public transport: Around 1 hour 40 minutes on the direct 376 bus from Bristol bus station.
By car: About 1 hour from Bristol.

Bath

With its gorgeous 18^th century Georgian architecture, Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage City, in fact the only one in the UK. Located just 13 miles away, Bath is very easy to get to from Bristol. What makes this day trip even better is that there are great public transport connections between the two cities and it is very easy exploring Bath on foot, so you don’t need a car for this one.

The Roman Baths are of course a key place to visit, however Bath offers so much more. While you’re here, take a stroll through Queens Square, enjoy the architecture of the houses in Circus and Royal Crescent areas, visit the Bath Abbey and enjoy the views at Pulteney Weir.

One of the best ways of experience Bath is on a walking tour of the city. On a tour like this you’ll see all the top sites – this tour also includes entry into the Roman Baths afterwards too which is a bonus.

Bath easily deserves a full day, and I’ve put everything you need into my guide to the perfect day trip to Bath.

By public transport: Around 15 minutes by direct train from Bristol Temple Meads to Bath Spa.
By car: About 40 minutes from Bristol, depending on traffic on the A4.

Cotswolds

Have you been picturing yourself tiptoeing down cobbled streets, surrounded by quaint stone houses with thatched roofs? Or perhaps taking cream teas by the river? Then the Cotswolds are the villages near Bristol to visit for you.

Located 55 miles north-east of Bristol, the Cotswolds are made up of many villages and towns, each seemingly more gorgeous that the last! But where to start?

With a small river running through the centre, boutique shopping and cream teas a plenty, Burton-On-Water is a great pick. For quintessential cobbled streets, stone houses, thatched roofs, and English pubs, make your way to Castle Comb. Go to Stow-on-the-Wold for tea rooms, manors and museums, or Tetbury for a round of antiquing. You can discover the best villages in the Cotswolds in our blog post here.

By public transport: Around 2 hours by train from Bristol Temple Meads to Cheltenham Spa, then the Pulhams 801 bus to Bourton-on-the-Water.
By car: About 1 hour 15 minutes to Bourton-on-the-Water, or 40 minutes to Castle Combe.

Weston-Super-Mare

Just 18 miles south-west of Bristol, and conveniently connected by public transport, sits the Victorian seaside town of Weston-Super-Mare. Providing long stretches of beach, ice cream stands and donkey rides, a day trip here should be on your list of what to do near Bristol. Especially during the summer when it is a real holiday hotspot.

The town itself has plenty to keep you entertained too. The Grand Pier is an indoor amusement park set out over the water, and it’s great for families on rainy days. Then there’s The Helicopter Museum, which is home to the world’s largest collection of helicopters. You can get up close to more than 100 of them, including two from the Queen’s Royal Flight, a Vietnam War Huey and a Russian Hind gunship. The star of the show is G-LYNX, which set the helicopter world speed record over the Somerset Levels in 1986, a record that still stands today.

It’s open Wednesday to Sunday, and the 126 bus from Weston’s bus interchange stops at the museum in around 15 minutes.

By public transport: Around 30 minutes by direct train from Bristol Temple Meads to Weston-super-Mare.
By car: About 35 minutes from Bristol.

Wookey Hole

Looking for something fun for the whole family? Then come and explore the world from underground at Wookey Hole. Wookey Hole’s main attraction is a system of underground caves. In fact, they are the largest show caves in England!

Now lit up and equipped with walking paths, this system of caves was once home to cavemen thousands of years ago. More than just caves, admission includes access to mini golf, mirror mazes and a fairy garden. You can also walk through the valley of dinosaurs, play on vintage penny arcade machines and enjoy indoor and outdoor play areas. As I said, this is such a great place for families – all you big kids will love it too.

By public transport: Around 1 hour 45 minutes on the 376 bus from Bristol bus station to Wells, then the local 67 bus or a short taxi.
By car: About 45 minutes from Bristol.

Salisbury

The city of Salisbury, on the south eastern side of Wiltshire is steeped with history. In fact, the Salisbury Cathedral is home to one of the original Magna Cartas! The medieval cathedral itself is the place of pilgrimage for hundreds of thousands each year, and it has the tallest spire in Britain.

Be sure to take some time wandering the streets and admiring the buildings that have stood here for hundreds of years. Including a stroll through the High Street Gate, built in the early 1300s and was once used to lock up convicted criminals. Then head over to 700-year-old The Haunch of Venison for a spot of lunch that will delight your taste buds.

By public transport: Around 1 hour 10 minutes by direct train from Bristol Temple Meads to Salisbury.
By car: About 1 hour 30 minutes from Bristol.

Tintern Abbey

Just over the border in Wales on the banks of the River Wye sits the Tintern Abbey. This majestic ruin was founded in 1131 by Walter de Clare, Lord of Chepstow for Cistercian monks.

In 1536 the abbey was dissolved and has since been left to nature’s forces. Though roofless, the walls are standing and you can still spot many distinctive features of this Early English to Decorated Gothic style structure. Take a guided history tour, wander through the surrounding countryside and enjoy refreshments at the on-site cafe.

By public transport: Around 1 hour 30 minutes on the T7 bus from Bristol bus station to Chepstow, then the 69 bus, which stops outside the abbey.
By car: About 40 minutes from Bristol via the Severn Bridge.

Looking for another weekend break in the UK? Then check out my guides to Bristol, Cambridge, Durham, Norwich and York.