13 beautiful places outside Bristol

By TravelWiseJan 8, 2024 04:50 AMNews
Share:
13 beautiful places outside Bristol
13 beautiful places outside Bristol. Source: Pinterest

Sometimes you need to relax and get away from the noise of the big city. And traveling outside of it is the best way to do that. Everyone knows about Bristol, but few people know about the beautiful places outside of it, in the countryside.

There you will find numerous restaurants, pubs, cozy places and various attractions that are worth your attention. Bristol Live has compiled a list of 13 villages that are suitable for a little road trip and are easily accessible by car.

Castle Combe

This charming village will impress you with its quiet streets and cottages made of Cotswold stone. This place has attracted the attention of film crews - it was used as a filming location in such films as Stardust, Steven Spielberg's War Horse and the original Dr. Doolittle.

13 beautiful places outside Bristol
Castle Combe. Source: Wikipedia

Chew Magna

This is the largest village in the Chew Valley in Somerset, with many beautiful buildings. You can take aesthetic photos for your social media against their backdrop.

To get the most positive and memorable experience, head to the south of the village and then to the stunning Chew Valley Lake, which is a reservoir owned by Bristol Water.

There is a parking lot here, so it will definitely be necessary to leave your vehicle. Therefore, we recommend you to take a coffee, take a walk and observe everything you see around you.

13 beautiful places outside Bristol
Chew Magna. Source: Wikipedia

Freshford

Ideal for those travelers who want to relax among nature, not skyscrapers. It is surrounded by green forests, pastures, and the River Form. And it takes about 45 minutes to get here from the center of Bristol.

You will be amazed at what the village looks like inside: stone cottages and villas, gardens with roses that "weave" around the fences. There are very picturesque landscapes here that will make you stop and take a photo. We especially recommend visiting The Inn at Freshford, an old inn with an incredible garden.

The local pub, which is open all day, is definitely worth a visit. It serves classic dishes, as well as delicious beer and wine.

13 beautiful places outside Bristol
Freshford. Source: Wikipedia

Ilmington

The village is known for its honey-colored limestone and old architecture. It will surprise you with old stone cottages and greenery, as well as a village shop and an old church with bells tolling over the orchard.

It is just 15 minutes south of the famous Stratford-upon-Avon, home to the UK's largest tropical butterfly farm. You can take a stroll along the River Avon or take a boat trip.

Ilmington is the farthest from Bristol on this list - about an hour and a half - so if it's too far, you can stay in small hotels.

13 beautiful places outside Bristol
Ilmington. Source: Wikipedia

Lacock

Lacock, famous for its "unspoiled beauty", is located just 5 kilometers from Chippenham. The tiny medieval market town is home to just over a thousand people and is perfect for a day trip.

Lacock is known not only for its nature: it is home to an Augustinian abbey, the birthplace of photography, and has often been the setting for various film and television productions. In particular, the BBC's Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and The King's Mistresses were filmed here.

13 beautiful places outside Bristol
Lacock. Source: Wikipedia

Nuneaton

Called "the most beautiful village in England", this quintessential English village is just an hour away - with postcard-like beauty. Its magnificent French-style medieval castle with a moat is located in the center of the village. It was built for Sir John Dalavere in 1373 and is said to have been based on the Bastille in Paris.

Today, tourist attractions include the ruins of Nunney Castle, the historic church, and ducks roaming the streets by the river. The village hall is home to the Nunney Acoustic Café, which offers live music, home-cooked food, a bar, and children's art activities on the second Sunday of every month (except July and August).

13 beautiful places outside Bristol
Nuneaton. Source: Wikipedia

Pensford

The largest village in the civil parish of Pablow in Somerset, England. It is located in the Chu Valley, about 11 kilometers south of Bristol. It is a wonderful place to walk among stunning stone cottages, woods and meadows before passing the stone circle at Stanton Drew.

There are three pubs in Pennsford: Travellers Rest, Rising Sun and George and Dragon. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Pennsford was an important staging post for stagecoaches, which stopped at the George and Dragon and the Rising Sun. The George and Dragon dates back to 1752 and is a listed building.

13 beautiful places outside Bristol
Pensford. Source: Wikipedia

Stanton Drew

It is a small village located between Pennsford and Chew Magna, just over 20 minutes' drive from Bristol. It is known for its stone circles, which are considered the third largest complex of prehistoric stones standing in England.

According to myths and legends, "the stones are the fossilized participants of a wedding and its musicians, lured by the devil to celebrate on the Sabbath and thus punished for their revelry."

13 beautiful places outside Bristol
Stanton Drew. Source: Wikipedia

Saltford

The riverside village of Salford is located near Keynsham in north-east Somerset.

Visitors can head to the water to go paddleboarding or canoeing along the river. You can also grab a bite to eat at the Riverside Inn's restaurant, which overlooks Saltford Marina. There is an outdoor playground, so the place is suitable for a trip with children.

There are four pubs in the village: "The Bird in the Hand, The Merry Sailor, The Crown, and The Riverbank. There are several buildings in Saltford that are listed as monuments.

13 beautiful places outside Bristol
Saltford. Source: Wikipedia

Sandford

The village is famous for its Thatchers cider and the Sandford Railway Station Heritage Center.

The Railway Inn gastropub has been operating in the center of Sandford village for over 140 years, offering drinks and food. It also runs regular cider tours to Myrtle Farm in Somerset.

The village's old train station has also been transformed into a small cultural center where people can buy refreshments and learn more about the village's history.

13 beautiful places outside Bristol
Sanford. Source: Wikipedia

Sherston

It is a village located 8 kilometers west of Malmesbury in Wiltshire. It is a great place to live and relax.

Every year, a carnival is held on the Saturday closest to July 14. The main attraction of the area is a bowling tournament and a musical evening with local bands.

Sherston has a football team, a cricket team and a scout troop. The village has a shop and post office, a hotel/restaurant (the Angel Hotel) and two pubs: Rattlebone Inn and Carpenters Arms. Another pub, the Holford Arms, is located in the extreme northwest of the parish in Knockdown, Gloucestershire.

13 beautiful places outside Bristol
Sherston. Source: Wikipedia

Wick

The pretty village of Wick in South Gloucestershire is home to the Wick Valley Golden Nature Reserve, where you can take a walk through beautiful woodlands. In addition to the nature reserve, there is the Rose and Crown pub, which has an outdoor patio where you can cool off on a hot day or go inside to sit in front of the fireplace in winter.

13 beautiful places outside Bristol
Wick. Source: Wikipedia

Winterbourne

The famous writer and author of Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, grew up here, which is located about 13 kilometers from the center of Bristol.

The modern village is mostly built on top of a hill with woods and fields encompassing the urban features. The River Frome flows through the valley between the village and neighboring Frampton Cotterell.

There is the medieval Winterbourne Barn, which recently reopened after extensive renovations. Not far from the High Street there are shops and various cafes where you can refresh yourself after a long walk.

13 beautiful places outside Bristol
Winterbourne. Source: Wikipedia
Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Facial recognition scan on man's face with processing overlay

Facial Recognition Boarding Now in Use at JFK Terminal 1

Jul 9, 2025 17:43 PM
Emirates aircraft taking off from runway

Emirates Adjusts Gulf Travel with New Aircraft on Key Route

Jul 9, 2025 09:29 AM

Planned Rail Works to Impact Night Trains Between Llandudno and Holyhead

Jul 9, 2025 07:36 AM

Manila Sapporo Air Route Restored This Winter Boosting Winter Travel Choices

Jul 8, 2025 20:42 PM
Two Greater Anglia trains at a station under overhead electric lines

Ipswich Train Services Updated to Handle Large Crowds During Ed Sheeran Concerts

Jul 8, 2025 18:37 PM
WestJet airplane landing with extended flaps against blue sky

WestJet Expands Winter Flights, Unlocking New Warm-Weather Destinations for Travelers

Jul 8, 2025 16:24 PM
Transavia aircraft taking off under clear blue sky

Transavia opens early booking for popular summer 2026 routes

Jul 8, 2025 14:41 PM
Rail workers conducting maintenance inside a tunnel at night

Severn Estuary Rail Closure to Disrupt Summer Travel to Key Outdoor Spots

Jul 8, 2025 10:38 AM
Modern hotel room with neutral tones, large bed, and floor-to-ceiling curtains

Central Turin Gains New Accommodation Option in Historic Setting

Jul 7, 2025 23:29 PM

New Nonstop Route Links UAE and Southern Germany

Jul 7, 2025 19:33 PM

Italy Faces Rail Disruptions Amid Nationwide Strike in July

Jul 7, 2025 17:44 PM
Vietnam Airlines plane flying against a partly cloudy sky

Nonstop Flights Between Hanoi and Xi’an Make Cultural Journeys Easier for Travelers

Jul 7, 2025 16:27 PM
Modern hotel room with neatly made bed and ambient lighting

New Hotel Project Near Berliner Tor Set to Expand Hamburg Accommodation

Jul 7, 2025 15:51 PM
A man shouting into a megaphone during a protest with a crowd in the background

Finnair Strike Cancels 100 Flights Disrupting Travel at Helsinki Airport

Jul 6, 2025 19:42 PM
Bridge and colorful buildings in central Copenhagen near the canal

Rotterdam, Copenhagen and Munich Offer Direct Access to Active Public Zones

Jul 6, 2025 17:35 PM

New Summer Route Links Liverpool with Türkiye’s Southern Coast

Jul 5, 2025 23:25 PM

Expect Train Delays as Shrewsbury–Crewe Route Closes for Repairs

Jul 5, 2025 21:41 PM
KLM aircraft preparing for takeoff on a clear day

Six New Cities Added to KLM’s 2025 Network amid Growing Summer Traffic

Jul 5, 2025 19:38 PM
A steam train crossing a small stone bridge through a green countryside valley, releasing white smoke

Steam Train Journeys Return with New Routes for Exploring Britain’s Nature and History This Summer

Jul 5, 2025 17:56 PM
Two Greater Anglia trains at a station platform under electric lines

Greater Anglia Introduces Fare Offers Ahead of Summer Festivals in East Anglia

Jul 5, 2025 16:43 PM
AirAsia airplane wing with logo against clear sky

AirAsia’s New Fleet Set to Unlock More Direct Long-Haul Flights for Travelers

Jul 5, 2025 15:39 PM
Rail maintenance machinery working on train tracks near passenger trains

Calabria Rail Maintenance Weekend Disrupts Key Travel Routes

Jul 4, 2025 23:27 PM

Finnair Reminds Passengers of Carry On Rules Ahead of New EU Liquid Restrictions

Jul 4, 2025 21:56 PM

Cardiff Rail Upgrades Will Disrupt Weekend Travel and Affect Passengers

Jul 4, 2025 19:31 PM
Croatia Airlines aircraft in flight against a clear sky

Croatia Airlines Resumes Zagreb and Bucharest Flights Enhancing Travel Options for Passengers

Jul 4, 2025 17:28 PM
Covered outdoor area at Munich Airport

Munich to Casablanca Flights Resume, Opening Door to West Africa

Jul 4, 2025 15:45 PM