Just for having some of the best pubs, clubs and restaurants, there’s nothing quite like the buzz of city life. But sometimes we need a little escape from the heaving crowds and endless barrage of events. These quaint and picturesque villages and towns – all of which are only a day trip from Bristol – offer the idyllic retreat we were looking for. If you need an escape, check out the prettiest towns and villages near Bristol.
1. Lacock
You might recognise this rural Wiltshire village. It has become a regular filming location over recent years due to its beauty, featuring the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice, several Harry Potter films, Downton Abbey and Wolf Hall. Lacock is owned almost in entirely by the National Trust and is home to the stunning Lacock Abbey. Thanks to its almost untouched appearance, it attracts thousands of visitors all year round. But takes on a special magical quality during winter. Many are drawn to it in the summer months too as a fantastic outdoor swimming spot with River Avon passing through.
📍 How to get there: 40 minutes by car.
2. Cheddar
Cheddar is known around the world for its cheese and its spectacular gorge, and there is plenty to do during a day out at this Somerset tourist spot. The village itself offers quaint tea rooms, cafes and riverside walks, as well as gift shops, the Cheddar Toy Museum and Cheddar Reservoir. Once on the Cheddar Gorge cliffs, there are several points where you can see magnificent views of Cheddar, Glastonbury Tor, the Somerset levels and Bridgwater Bay.
📍 How to get there: 40 minutes by car.
3. Mells
One of the prettiest villages in Somerset, Mells can be found not far from Frome and is incredibly picturesque for those looking for a lovely stroll outside of Bristol. Known for its lovely architecture, ancient streets and traditional thatched cottages, Mells is bursting with history. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086; and the Grade I listed Manor House of Raymond Asquith, 3rd Earl of Oxford and Asquith, dates back to the 16th century. Plus, every Easter Monday people travel from far and wide to attend the village’s annual Daffodil Day. Daffodils and cute cottages- what’s not to like?
📍 How to get there: 55 minutes by car.
4. Sandford
Home to one of the most famous ciders from Somerset, Thatchers Cider, Sandford offers great views, walks and of course there are regular visitor tours of the farm too. What other reasons do you need to visit this peaceful part of Somerset? The Railway Inn, a gastropub located in Sandford village, is run by Thatchers and is bursting with character inside, with huge beams propping up the ceiling and a sunny conservatory-style dining area. The village’s old railway station has also been turned into a small heritage centre, where people can buy refreshments and learn more about the local history.
📍 How to get there: 35 minutes by car.
5. Wedmore
Nestled in the Somerset Levels, Wedmore is as picturesque and perfect as the prettiest villages come near Bristol. Several annual festivals take place in Wedmore including the village’s Real Ale Festival in September. Lovers of cider should make a stop off at Wilkins Cider Farm, a short drive from the village. The village is also well-known for its fashion shops and nearby 18th-century flour mill, Ashton Windmill, an 18th-century flour mill, where you can expect spectacular views over the Somerset Levels, Cheddar Gorge and Mendips.
📍 How to get there: 50 minutes by car.
6. Little Badminton
Best known for the grand Badminton Estate and the annual Badminton Horse Trials, this Cotswold village boasts an impressive collection of chocolate-box cottages. From almshouses to thatched cottages, farmhouses and country cottages painted yellow, dwellings in the village date back to the 18th and 19th centuries and form a picture-perfect scene. Check out the hamlet of Little Badminton which, built around the village green, also houses the remnants of a sunken medieval village.
📍 How to get there: 30 minutes by car.
7. Pensford
Just seven miles from Bristol, Pensford is famous for its disused viaduct. You can’t miss it as you explore the village. If you walk down to the church, you will see the viaduct in the background. It was unsafe, however, and closed in 1968 after the great flood of Pensford. The last train to cross the viaduct was in 1964 and now it’s a beautiful grade ll listed building. Nearby, you’ll find the cutest round house in Stanton Drew and its very own Stonehenge.
📍 How to get there: 25 minutes by car.
9. Chew Magna
With the Chew Valley Lake and the Mendips on your doorstep, you’re in a special location when you visit Chew Magna. It’s the largest village in the Chew Valley (and the “poshest” according to The Sunday Times) filled with beautifully, intricate buildings. Make sure to fill up on food from The Pony Chew Valley, Jar’s Deli and the Lazy Lobster; sample a tipple or two from the local Wilding Cider and Limeburn Hill Vineyard; before exploring some of the prettiest countryside around.
📍 How to get there: 25 minutes by car.
9. Castle Combe
Castle Combe is arguably one of the prettiest villages in England and one of the best places to visit in the Cotswolds, just 20 miles from Bristol. This honey-coloured village offers chocolate-box perfection. You’ll find rows and rows of quaint cottages. Plus, a 14th-century market cross, a medieval water pump, the 13th-century church of St Andrews and a peaceful stream. Check out our guide to the prettiest UK villages which includes Castle Combe and more.
📍 How to get there: 35 minutes by car.
10. Wells
Alright, so Wells isn’t a village. It isn’t even a town. It’s in fact England’s smallest city, but it did play a village in Edgar Wright’s action comedy, Hot Fuzz. Grab a pint at The Crown or chase swans around Market Square for a movie experience. Also, check out The Swan Hotel where Simon Pegg’s Nicholas Angel stays, or the local newsagent City News.
Wells Cathedral – described as “the most poetic of the English Cathedrals – and the breathtakingly medieval, The Bishop’s Palace were, for obvious reasons, left out of the movie however. Be sure to visit The Palace Gardens. Its 14 acres feature waterfalls, springs, trees and flowers, plus a swan-filled moat. Outside of old stuff, this city is jam-packed with modern cafes, restaurants and pubs – including the veg-led eatery Root (yes, it’s the same as we have here in Bristol).
📍How to get there: 45 minutes by car.