If you want to get out of Bristol there are plenty of places you can visit by public transport or hire car

Day trips by public transport

• London - the capital city is the political, economic and cultural capital of Britain. You can visit the Queen's official residence at Buckingham Palace and tour the Houses of Parliament. There are so many things to see and do in London; shows, shopping, events, festivals, markets, fantastic food … Click the link and check out the website to find out more. (1 hour 45 minutes by train)
• Bath - famous for its beautiful architecture, iconic sights and fascinating history. Bath is very close by and a wonderful place to relax with original roman style baths and hot spas. (10 minutes by train)
• Weston-Super-Mare - a traditional seaside resort with a long sandy beach where you can do watersports, have a traditional donkey ride or take a boat trip around the bay. There is also a SeaQuarium and a new pier. (40 minutes by train)
• Cheddar - the home of delicious Cheddar Cheese and Cheddar Valley cider! Cheddar also has England’s largest gorge, with spectacular views and specialised plants and wildlife. (90 minutes by bus)
• Cardiff - the fantastic capital city of Wales offers a wide range of attractions. There is great shopping  and a lively sports and entertainment scene; be sure to check the website and see what’s on. (50 minutes by train)
• Exeter - a university city and the capital of Devon. There are plenty of museums and art galleries to see as well as excellent shopping. (1 hour by train)
• Weymouth - a popular seaside holiday resort and host venue of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing events. The bay offers views across the horizon of the World Heritage Jurassic Coastline. (2 hours 20 minutes by train)
• Cheltenham - a Regency town full of beautiful architecture, award-winning gardens, shops and restaurants. It is in the centre of the Cotswolds and very famous for its horse racing. (40 minutes by train)
• Chepstow Castle - a Norman Castle situated in the south of Wales. The stones of this magnificent clifftop fortress, stretched out along a limestone cliff above the River Wye, trace 600 years of history. (1 hour 30 minutes by train)
• Clevedon - a beautiful old seaside town on the Bristol Channel. It was a very popular holiday resort during the Victorian era and many of the buildings date from this time. There is also a beautiful old pier opened in 1869. (50 minutes by bus)

Day trips by car

• Cotswolds - home to some of the most unspoilt, historic and famous towns and villages in the country. Some of these you can reach by public transport, but to get the most out of these beautiful spots we recommend travelling by car. (Approx. 1 hour's drive to Painswick)
• Mendip Hills - an area of outstanding natural beauty. This is the perfect place to come if you you are looking to get some fresh air in the country and go walking. (Approx. 45 minutes' drive)
• Chew Valley - a lush, green haven full of Sites of Special Scientific Interest. In the valley you will find countless beautiful villages and Chew Valley Lake, the largest lake in the South West, great for water sports and picnics. (Approx. 45 minutes' drive)
  
• North Devon and Exmoor - North Devon is made up of long sandy stretches, high cliffs, Victorian seaside towns and picture postcard fishing villages. The Exmoor National Park is a beautiful and peaceful area of wild countryside. Depending on where you go, it takes from 1 hour 45 minutes to 3 hours to get there, so you may want to stay overnight or for the weekend.
• South Devon - South Devon is made up of little inlets and estuaries and its climate is milder and warmer than the North's thanks to the shelter of the surrounding South Hams hills. Between 1 hour 45 minutes and 3 hours' drive away, there is plenty to do so you may want to spend the night or the weekend there. For more information about Devon and the beautiful neighbouring county of Cornwall, please click on Devon or Cornwall.
• Quantock Hills - the first place in England to be classed as An Area of Outstanding National Beauty. A place of wilderness and tranquility, it is perfect for exploring on foot. (Approx 1 hour 15 minutes' drive)
• National Trust sites - The National trust is an organisation that 'works to preserve and protect the coastline, countryside and buildings of England, Wales and Northern Ireland'. There are several fantastic places to visit in the local area, including castles, manor houses and beaches.