13 beautiful places outside Bristol
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
