Amazing Day Trips From Bristol UK

It’s difficult to get bored in Bristol. The city is overflowing with culture, and there’s no shortage of interesting things to see and do. However, if you’re minded to get out of the city for a day, there is plenty in the surrounding area to keep you occupied. Below are some of the best options for a day trip in the Bristol area.

1. Symonds Yat

Natural Feature

The hand-pulled cable ferry across the River Wye at Symonds Yat, Herefordshire UK

The entire Forest of Dean is well worth a visit, but Symonds Yat is particularly special. Nestled right across the Wye Valley, walking routes provide some of the best views of the forest you can get, and from the village itself you can book out kayaks, for those feeling adventurous. Symonds Yat is an hour’s drive north of Bristol, via Wales.

2. Wookey Hole

Natural Feature

No, this isn’t anything to do with Star Wars, but it’s certainly a great option for anyone seeking a thrill. Wookey Hole is a series of limestone caves that cut through the Mendip Hills by the River Axe. A day pass to Wookey Hole will give you the chance not only to explore the caves and surrounding woodland trails, but also get in a round of mini-golf on-site and to navigate the famous mirror maze. A magical day out looking at some of the best natural attractions in the area. Wookey Hole is in Somerset, 45 minutes south of Bristol.

3. Bath

Natural Feature

For those interested in history, few towns in the UK can rival Bath. The only town in the UK to be awarded UNESCO World Heritage site status, it cuts a beautiful skyline, and many of the old Roman structures are very much intact. Helpfully, it’s also small enough that you can easily get around it in a day. Make sure to not only appreciate the local architecture, but to also indulge in some time at the city’s famous Roman Baths. Bath is southeast of Bristol, reachable by car in about half an hour.

5. Westonbirt Arboretum

Forest

A great destination no matter the time of year, Westonbirt Arboretum is home to some 2,500 different types of tree, many of them endangered. Its history goes back to the 1850s, and many of the walkways are exactly as they were then. For a squirrel’s-eye view, you can even take the STIHL treetop walkway, which is very safe and gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience this magical forest. Westonbirt is a 35-minute drive northeast of Bristol.

6. Virtual Warfare

Laser Tag

If nature and history aren’t your forte, why not head out for a day of real-life gaming? Just outside Salisbury, you can engage in what is known at Battlefield Live. It’s a laser tag-style game, with a lot of care and attention put into the props, scenery and atmosphere. In the case of Virtual Warfare, that means 11,000 square metres (118,000sq ft) of arenas that are suited to various scenarios and feature laser guns with an effective range of up to 305 metres (1,000ft). Virtual Warfare is just over 90 minutes south of Bristol by car.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.