The Best Day Trips from Bristol

What to Do Within an Hour of Bristol by Car, Train or Bus

Bristol is packed with culture, shopping, history, and entertainment, making it easy to spend your time exploring the city. But the surrounding towns, countryside, and coastline make day trips from Bristol a real treat. Whether you’re drawn to historic landmarks, scenic nature, or charming market towns, there’s plenty to discover right on your doorstep.

For those living at Brabazon, getting out and exploring is simple. With excellent road links and a growing network of public transport - including the new North Filton train station - a wide variety of destinations can be reached by car, coach, train, or bus in under an hour.

Read on for our top picks for the best day trips from Bristol, however you choose to travel.

Go Abroad!

The Perfect Day Trip from Bristol to Wales

Cross the Bristol Channel into Wales for a taste of history and dramatic scenery. Less than an hour by bus (T7 service from Cribbs Causeway) and not even half an hour by car, Chepstow Castle stands high on a limestone cliff above the River Wye. One of the finest examples of William the Conqueror’s castle-building campaign, it provides a fascinating glimpse into medieval engineering nearly a thousand years ago.

Prefer travelling by train? You can reach Chepstow via Severn Tunnel Junction with one change from Bristol Temple Meads, though the journey takes just over an hour.

After a bite to eat in one of Chepstow’s many cafes or restaurants, head up the Wye Valley to Tintern and in less than half an hour by bus (Newport Bus’ 69 service) or car, you’ll find yourself marvelling at yet another remarkable edifice – the 900-year old Tintern Abbey.

While the roof of the abbey has long since disappeared, the remaining structure retains its splendour. Finish the day with a cup of tea next to the river and take in the calm waters as they drift towards the Severn estuary.

Go Behind the Scenes!

The Best of Wiltshire’s Day Trips

Jump in the car and arrive in the picturesque village of Castle Combe after a short 30-minute drive from Brabazon.

Film and TV buffs will recognise it from numerous productions, from Dr Dolittle (1966) to more recent titles like War Horse, Poirot, Slow Horses, and episodes of Top Gear. The village’s charming streets and historic buildings make it a perfect backdrop for on-screen storytelling.

From Castle Combe, drive just twenty minutes to the equally famous village of Lacock, home to Lacock Abbey and the high street featured in the Harry Potter film. Stop for refreshments at one of the village cafés or pubs before making the journey back to Bristol.

If you wish to do this journey via public transport, take the direct train from Bristol Temple Meads to Chippenham, then the 95 bus service to Castle Combe. To travel between Lacock and Chippenham, the X34 bus service runs in both directions, making this a seamless day trip from Bristol by public transport.

Go Georgian!

A Bristol to Bath Day Trip

No day trip from Bristol would be complete without a visit to Bath.

Just 12 miles from the city, a direct train from Temple Meads will have you in Bath in under 15 minutes, making it perfect for a day trip from Bristol by train.

Spend the day exploring the city’s stunning Georgian architecture on foot, including the Royal Crescent, the Circus, and Pulteney Bridge — one of only four bridges in the world with shops and cafés on both sides across its full span above the River Avon.

Bath’s charm isn’t limited to the Georgian era. Bath Abbey showcases exquisite Gothic architecture, while the Roman Baths, dating back almost 2,000 years, offer a fascinating glimpse into the city’s history and the therapeutic powers of its thermal springs.

You won’t be short of options for brunch, lunch, tea or dinner while in Bath. Step back in time with a bun at Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House, with recipes dating back to the late 17th century, or stay up to date with a fine artisan coffee in one of the many hip establishments around the city.

 With its mix of history, architecture, and culinary delights, Bath remains one of the best day trips from Bristol.

Go to the Seaside!

Beaches Within an Hour of Bristol

Feel the sea breeze on your face and clear the cobwebs with a classic seaside escape — one of the easiest and most popular day trips from Bristol.

In less than an hour by bus (the X14 service from central Bristol) and less than twenty minutes by train, you can be sitting on the seafront in Weston-super-Mare, tucking into fish and chips at one of the UK’s most quintessential Victorian beach resorts.

History buffs won’t be disappointed, with plenty to marvel at around the town, such as a fantastic museum charting the town’s importance to holidaymakers for nearly two centuries.

No visit would be complete without building a sandcastle or two in the shadow of one of Weston’s most famous landmarks, its pier. Dating back to 1867, it is an iconic landmark not just in the town but in the region as a whole. Currently undergoing a long-awaited restoration, it's an outstanding example of Victorian engineering, and is the only pier in the United Kingdom which links the mainland to an island. 

If beaches are your thing, our handy guide will help you discover even more options, with beaches within two hours of Bristol to explore.

Go Discover!

Explore the Very Best of Bristol’s Day Trips from Brabazon

With these and so many other possibilities, there’s really nothing to stop you from making the most of the region’s rich tapestry of historical sites, towns and countryside. And with Brabazon being so conveniently positioned at the intersections of transport links, this part of the world really is your oyster. Whether you depart
Bristol by car, bus, or train, go forth and explore!

Looking to go a little further? We’ve also rounded up some of the best weekend getaways from Bristol, perfect when one day just isn’t enough.