The 10+ Best Places to Visit Near Bath: A Local’s Guide

Are you planning a trip to Bath and looking for nearby places to visit? The area of England surrounding Bath is full of beauty, culture and history. With plenty of charming towns, stunning landscapes, and historic landmarks just a short drive away.

Whether you’re interested in exploring the countryside, discovering local culture, or simply relaxing in a picturesque setting, you’ll be sure to find something fun to do. From the caves at Cheddar Gorge, to Banksy Street Art in Bristol. There’s tons to do in this area of England.

As a local to Bath and Somerset for over 20 year, I’ve put together this guide to help you find the best places near Bath that I personally recommend adding to your travel itinerary.

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Visit Bristol from Bath

If you only have time for 1 day trip from Bath, I really recommend making it a day trip to Bristol. The cities are only 10 to 20 minutes apart, but are quite different.

Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its Roman Baths, Georgian architecture, and Jane Austen. You can spend hours exploring the city’s museums, galleries, and shops, or take a stroll through the beautiful Royal Victoria Park.

Bristol, on the other hand, is a bustling city known for its street art, music scene, and vibrant nightlife. Whilst in Bristol you could take a walk along the Harbourside and visit the SS Great Britain, a historic ship turned museum. You can also check out the Clifton Suspension Bridge, one of Bristol’s most famous landmarks.

Here’s some other things you may enjoy whilst in Bristol:

• See the Concorde at Aerospace, plus there’s hundreds of other planes, helicopters etc on show. It’s a great day out and suitable for all ages.
• Take a tour of St Nicholas Market and see the Air Raid Shelter, or just take a walk around St Nich’s and enjoy some of the amazing food available here. St Nich’s is open Monday to Saturday, 9:30am to 5pm.
• Explore Bristol’s History and Street Art including Banksy on this walking tour.
• Go on a ghost tour around Bristol and learn about it’s paranormal history.
• See the wildlife at The Wild Place
• Watch an indie film at the Watershed.

Plus there’s so much more to do in Bristol. To discover more things to do check out this guide.

Take a trip to Cardiff, South Wales

Take a trip across the Severn Bridge to explore the stunning countryside and vibrant cities of South Wales.

Cardiff is about 1 hour 30 by train and 1 hour by car. The city offers plenty of things to see and do, from visiting Cardiff Bay to exploring the historic Cardiff Castle.

If you’re a fan of Doctor Who and Torchwood, I recommend checking out Cardiff Bay as this is where some of the episodes were filmed. Torchwoods headquarters were based in the bay, underneath the water tower in the Roald Dahl Plass.

You could also take a Doctor Who themed walking tour that’ll take you to many of the filming locations used in the TV series. Book the tour here.

If you’re a fan of Gavin and Stacey, you could take a tour of Barry Island which is about 20 minutes drive from Cardiff. This tour will take you around Barry and show you where the series was filmed, including Stacey’s home.

If you’re traveling with kids, I highly recommend visiting Techniquest. It’s an interactive science museum which is really fun for kids of all ages. As a child I loved going there on school trips and with my family.

VIsit the beach at Weston-Super-Mare

If you’re looking for a traditional British seaside experience, I recommend heading to Weston-Super-Mare. It’s 1 hours drive from Bath or about 1 hour on the train.

The town has a long sandy beach and a famous pier, the Grand Pier, which has mini-golf, arcade games, funfair rides & more. There’s also the mini-golf a Revo Golf which is more suited for older children and adults.

Weston also has some really good fish and chip shops, my faveorite being Papas. Their chips are really delicious plus the servings are huge. They are quite popular so you might want to reserve a table or get a takeaway. Nearer the seafront, there’s Number 1 Fish & Chips which does a good value takeaway.

Longleat Safari and Adventure Park

For a fun-filled day out, head to Longleat Safari and Adventure Park. Located in Wiltshire, just a short drive from Bath, Longleat is a safari drive-through zoo. There’s also a jungle cruise where you get to ride on a boat and see the Gorilla’s, plus it’s famous hedge maze.

Tip: If you have a hire car or don’t want your car damaged, don’t go into the monkey drive-through enclosure. Although a fun experience, the monkey’s will try to damage your car and normally they’ll succeed. They have been known to steal wheeltrims, radio antennas and more.

Longleat also has a stately home, that is home to the Marquess and Marchioness of Bath. The home is beautiful and really worth visiting if you have the chance. You can learn more about taking a tour here.

Day trip to Oxford

Oxford is a beautiful city with a rich history and is just a short train journey from Bath.

While in Oxford you could take a stroll around the historic colleges, including Magdalen College, Christ Church College, Trinity College, and All Souls College.

You could also take a guided tour of the city and University which is ran by an Alumni Guide. You’ll get to see all the historical colleges plus the Bodleian Library. Book the tour here.

If time allows, I recommend exploring more of Oxford’s historical architecture and culture by visiting many of it’s best historic sights such as:

• The Oxford Castle and Prison: Learn more about Oxford’s history through this castle, and prison that was also a religious site. You could climb St. George’s Tower and enjoy views over the city before visiting the 900 year old crypt.
• Go on a walking and punting tour: Tour the colleges, before heading on a 30 minute punting tour where you’ll relax as you cruise along the River Cherwell, whilst someone pushes you along the river with a stick (known as a punt pole).
• Visit the Ashmolean Museum: During your visit you’ll be able to see the collection of art and archaeology from different cultures. The museum is free to enter.

You may also enjoy seeing the Tom Tower, Marytr’s Memorial, or touring the The Oxford Artisan Distillery.

Countryside and Natural Beauty

If you’re looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, the countryside surrounding Bath and Bristol is the perfect place to explore. From rolling hills to quaint villages, there’s something for everyone.

The Cotswolds are a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and it’s easy to see why. This picturesque region is dotted with charming villages, many of which are easy to get to from Bath.

Some of the best villages near Bath include: Castle Combe, Badminton and Little Badminton, Westonbirt and Tetbury all of which offer a glimpse into traditional English life.

Each village has it’s own highlights and hidden gems. Here’s some things you could do in these villages:

• Castle Combe: See Doctor Dolittle’s House that was featured in the 1967 release. Go for a walk along Water Lane, then afterwards you could enjoy afternoon tea at The Manor House.
• Badminton and Little Badminton: Tour the gardens at the Badminton Estate, enjoy a pint or bite to eat at the The Fox and Hounds pub or visit the rare bookshop; Matthew Butler Books.
• Westonbrit: Visit the The National Arboretum, play a round of golf at the Westonbirt Golf Course or get a bite to eat at the The Beaufort Restaurant.
• Tetbury : Admire the art at the Tetbury Goods Shed Arts Centre, enjoy a milkshake or hot chocolate at Cafe 53 or visit the Tetbury Police Museum.

Mendip Hills

South of Bath and Bristol, the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a must-visit destination. The rocky peaks, limestone hills, and ancient woodland make for a stunning backdrop to your countryside walks.

If you’d like to go for a walk, or enjoy cycling I recommend following The Strawberry Line. This is a 14.5km (9 miles) long heritage trail that is named after the train line that ran between Cheddar and Yatton up until the 1960s. Since the railways closure, the line was converted into a trail and is now home to a diverse range of wildlife. Learn more about The Srawberry Line here.

I also recommend visiting eithe the Black Rock Nature Reserve near Cheddar, or the Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve. Both these nature reserves offer a range of walking routes, through the beauitful Somerset countryside and you can spot a range of wildlife along the routes.

I also recommend going to the Deerleap ViewPoint, which is near Ebbor Gorge. This viewpoint gives you an amazing view over Somerset. You’ll be able to see Glastonbury Tor, Brent Knoll and so much more. It’s one of my faveorite places to bring visitors to the area as the view is incredible. The viewpoint has a free car park, and you don’t need to go far to enjoy the view (just a few meters from your car).

Cheddar Gorge, caves and cheese

Don’t miss the chance to explore the world-famous Cheddar Gorge. Whilst visiting you can climb up one of the hiking paths or wallk up the Jacob Ladder’s staircase. From the top, you’ll have an amazing view over the gorge and Somerset.

I also recommend combing a visit to the gorge with Cheddar Gorge Caves. The caves are steeped in history, and you may have heard of them due to the Cheddar Man, a Mesolithic skeleton that was found in the caves in 1903.

Cheddar is also where the world-famous Cheddar cheese originates from. The village has been making cheddar for hundreds of years, using the caves to age the cheddar. Whilst you’re here I really recommend visiting the the Cheddar Gorge Cheese shop, where you can taste the authenic cheddar. You could also book a VIP experience to learn more about how the cheese is made, and see the cheese maturing.

Wiltshire’s Attractions

Wiltshire is a neighboring county that is home to some of the UK’s most famous attractions. Stonehenge is a must-visit if you’re interested in ancient history, while Salisbury and its stunning cathedral are well worth a visit.

The Salisbury Plain and Avebury are also popular destinations for walkers and nature lovers. If you do visit Avebury, make sure to check out the Avebury Stone Circle. Which is similar to Stonehenge, but a lot of us local to the area prefer it as it’s less touristy and less crowded.

Glastonbury and the Tor

Glastonbury is a small town that is steeped in history and legend. It’s said to be the final resting place of King Arthur and the site of the Holy Grail. Whether you believe in the legends or not, there’s no denying the town’s unique atmosphere. Be sure to visit Glastonbury Abbey and the Chalice Well while you’re there.

You could also walk up one of Somerset’s most iconic landmarks, Glastonbury Tor. Did you know that Glastonbury Tor is actually the hill, and not the tower at the top? Many people believe the Tor is the tower at the top of the hill, but that’s actually called St Michael’s Tower. Once at the top, you’ll get an amazing view over Somerset.

Glastonbury Highstreet also has a good selection of independant shops that I recommend checking out, some of my faveorites are:

• Wildwood
• Labyrinth Books
• Dicketts the Stationers Ltd
• Imaginarium

Overall, Bristol is an amazing, vibrant city and one of my faveorite places in the UK. The countryside around Bath is really beautiful, and full of history + nature. It’s well worth exploring, even if you can only spend half a day, or the afternoon at one of the nature reserves or in Cheddar Gorge.