Best day trips from Bristol: our go-to places for a day out

Looking for the best day trips from Bristol? Some of our favourite days start with a train or short drive out of the city and end with a very good meal somewhere new, usually with a few coffee stops, shops and a wander in between.

Bristol has a so much going on, but sometimes it’s nice to get out for the day or even the weekend. These are some of our go-to spots near Bristol that we keep coming back to.

Bruton

One of our favourite Somerset day trips from Bristol, and somewhere we’ll always recommend. Bruton has that perfect mix of countryside calm, cool design-led spots, and genuinely great places to eat, drink and shop. You can easily spend the day wandering between independent shops, stopping for a long lunch, and of course no visit is complete without a stop at Hauser & Wirth — the world-renowned gallery set in the Bruton countryside. It’s one of the best day trips from Bristol if you’re after food, art and a slower pace. If you’ve got the time, it’s even better as a slow weekend away, with plenty of beautiful places to stay.

Our fave spots in Bruton

STAY - Number One Bruton

EAT - Briar Restaurant

DO - Hauser & Wirth

EAT / DRINK - At The Chapel

SHOP - Farm Shop

Getting from Bristol to Bruton: Around 1 hour 10 by train or 1 hour drive

Castle Combe & Lacock

A proper countryside day trip from Bristol, and one that feels like you’ve gone much further than you actually have. Castle Combe is about as picturesque as it gets. Honey-coloured cottages, quiet little streets, and (unsurprisingly) often named one of the prettiest villages in England. Lacock is a perfect addition to the day, with a handful of lovely independent shops, cosy cafés and cobbled lanes to dip in and out of. If you like walking, try the Castle Combe Circular, a route with some of the best countryside views in the area. You can do the full loop or shorten it depending on how long you want to be out.

Our fave spots in Castle Combe & Lacock

EAT / STAY - The Castle Inn

SHOP - Lacock Shop & Deli

SHOP - Quintessentially English

STAY / DO - Campwell

Getting from Bristol to Castle Combe/Lacock: 35 - 45 minute drive

Frome

Frome is one of our go-to towns near Bristol for a day trip. It’s packed with independents, great food and drink spots, and always has a good atmosphere. If you can, time your visit with the Frome Independent Market, the whole town fills up and it’s such a good one to wander. But even if it’s not market day, there are so many great businesses to explore.

Easy to do in a day, but also worth staying over if you want to explore a bit more. Frome is also really easy to get to from Bristol by train, which makes it a great no-car day trip option.

Our fave spots in Frome

EAT - Owen’s Sausages and Ham

EAT / DRINK - Rye

SHOP - Ground

DRINK - Palmer Street Bottle

EAT - Little Walcot

Getting from Bristol to Frome: Around 1 hour by train or drive

Bath

One of the easiest day trips from Bristol by train, and always a lovely day out. Bath is ideal for a wander, think beautiful streets, independent shops tucked between the big names, and plenty of places to stop for food. You can keep it simple with a coffee, a stroll and some shopping, or book somewhere for dinner and turn it into a slightly longer stay.

Our fave spots in Bath

EAT - Solina Pasta

EAT / DRINK - Dos Dedos

EAT - Emberwood

EAT - The Dashwood Lounge

STAY - The Yard in Bath

Getting from Bristol to Bath: 15 minutes by train or around 40 minutes drive

The Cotswolds

A classic day trip from Bristol for a reason. When we’re heading to the Cotswolds, we usually pair Bourton-on-the-Water with Stow-on-the-Wold, a mix of riverside wandering, shops, and a long pub lunch. Definitely one to turn into a weekend if you can, with loads of great places to stay across the Cotswolds. A countryside stay only around an hour from Bristol.

Our fave spots in the Cotswolds

EAT - Knead Bakery

SHOP - Domestic Science

SHOP - Daylesford Farm

EAT / STAY - The Feathered Nest Inn

Getting from Bristol to The Cotswolds: Around 1 hour 10 to 1 hour 30 drive

Cheltenham

A really easy train day trip from Bristol, with a slightly different feel to the others. Think wide streets, Regency buildings, and a good mix of shopping and food spots.

It’s great for a slower day of wandering, dipping in and out of shops, and stopping somewhere nice for lunch. Also a good option if you wanted to stay over and explore more of the surrounding area.

Our fave spots in Cheltenham

DO / STAY - Cowley Manor

EAT / DRINK - DEYA Brewery

SHOP - Little Interior Co

SHOP - The Union Project

Getting from Bristol to Cheltenham: 35 minutes by train or around 50 minutes drive

More day trips from Bristol

There are so many great places near Bristol for a day trip, whether you’re after countryside walks, coastal escapes, or towns full of good food and independent shops. We’re always on the lookout for new spots to add to our list, usually centred around a really good meal, a great coffee, or somewhere worth travelling for.

If you’ve got a favourite day trip from Bristol we should know about, let us know, we’re always looking for new places to try.