52 must-do day trips from Bristol
Living in Bristol, we’re spoilt for family days out. The West Country, South Wales, the Cotswolds and the coast are all on our doorstep and you can be at a safari park, a clifftop castle, an underground cave or a sandy beach in well under 90 minutes from the city. After more than a decade of exploring with my Bristol brood, this is my guide to the very best day trips from Bristol: 52 family-friendly days out – one for every weekend of the year – all within roughly two hours’ drive of BS postcodes, organised by type.
From dinosaur-filled adventure parks and toddler-friendly farms to fairytale forests, splash pads, steam trains, Harry Potter villages and the smallest city in England, here are my tried-and-tested favourites for 2026 – including the brand-new African Forest habitat at Bristol Zoo Project, what to do on a rainy day near Bristol, and the best days out from Bristol by train if you’d rather leave the car at home.
Table of Contents
Day trips from Bristol at a glance
Skip to the section that fits your day:
- Animal attractions & wildlife days out near Bristol
- Castles & heritage days out near Bristol
- Caves & underground adventures near Bristol
- Theme parks & adventure parks near Bristol
- Heritage railways & nostalgic days out near Bristol
- National Trust & countryside days out near Bristol
- Stately homes & gardens near Bristol
- Beaches & seaside day trips from Bristol
- Towns & cities near Bristol worth a day trip
- Best day trips from Bristol by train
- Day trip picker: best for…
- Tips for planning a family day trip from Bristol
- FAQs
Animal attractions & wildlife days out near Bristol
1. Bristol Zoo Project – 15 mins from the city
The wildlife conservation park, formerly known as Wild Place, has had a transformative few years and is now one of the most exciting family days out near Bristol. In 2019, Bristol Zoo Project reintroduced four species once extinct in Britain – European brown bears, wolves, Eurasian lynx and wolverines – to UK woodland for the first time in hundreds of years. A raised walkway through the trees and 180-degree glass viewing den let you watch them in what feels like a open, natural enclosure.
New for 2026: the permanent Central African Forest habitat opened on 1 April and is home to gorillas, slender-snouted crocodiles and African grey parrots – well worth a return visit if you haven’t been since the bear reintroduction. After dark, the brand-new Wild Lights illuminated trail runs in autumn 2026.
The rest of the park is themed by habitat – giraffes, red river hogs, cheetahs and zebras in a recreated Cameroon, lemurs in a “Madagascan village” you can practically reach into. Don’t miss the Barefoot Trail (bring a towel for muddy days), the indoor Fun Fort soft play, the huge grass meadow with its clock tower (made by the same dude, Dent, who created Big Ben!) and the 25ft Leap of Faith swing.
Insider tip: if you’re going to visit twice in a year, a Bristol Zoo Project membership pays for itself in two visits and is a great Christmas gift idea.
2. Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, Wraxall – 25 mins
One of the most fun-packed days out from Bristol with kids, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm sits in 100 acres of Somerset countryside and packs in elephants, giraffes, rhinos, lions, tigers, meerkats and red pandas alongside Britain’s longest hedge maze, 15 indoor and outdoor play areas, an indoor adventure barn, animal feeding sessions, daily keeper talks and a tractor ride. Realistically, you’ll need 4-6 hours to do it justice.
There’s something here for every age, from the under-5s’ soft play to climbing nets and zip lines for older kids. Save 10% by booking online at least five days ahead.
3. Longleat Safari Park – 1 hour
The UK’s number one safari park is 30 miles from Bristol and well worth the trip if you’ve got animal lovers in your brood. Beyond the world-famous drive-through safari (or air-conditioned safari bus from £5pp if you’d rather not let monkeys refashion your car), there are fairground rides, a giant maze, an enormous adventure playground with splash park, a butterfly house, farm animals and the only koalas in England.
Our favourite extras: giving the lorikeets a drink and feeding the sea lions from a boat in a hippo-filled lake. Pre-book online for the best prices and skip-the-queue tickets – last-minute on the gate can sting. Check tickets and 2026 events at Longleat.
4. Old Down Country Park – 25 mins
A lovely day out near Bristol in Gloucestershire countryside, Old Down Country Park has farm animals, wandering peacocks, a brilliant adventure playground, trampolines, an assault course, a fairy garden, a yurt (we saw Elsa in there once!) and a really good restaurant. Keep an eye out for their festive lights trail at Christmas.
5. WWT Slimbridge – 45 mins
For family days out near Bristol, WWT Slimbridge ticks every box. Famous for its birds, you can also spot otters, water voles, field mice and other British wildlife. Grab a £1.50 bag of bird feed for instant little-leg motivation, then head to Welly Boot Land (Make sure you take a swimming costume or waterproofs for little ones!) – one of the best splash parks I’ve ever been to, with a winding stream, obstacle course, slide, roundabout and picnic tables.
Older kids will love hiring a canoe for an extra charge and going on a water safari. More splash pads and outdoor water parks near Bristol.
6. Puxton Park – 35 mins
Set in 40 acres of Somerset countryside, Puxton Park is wall-to-wall fun for kids: tractor rides, bouncing pillow, trampolines, miniature train, crazy golf, playgrounds, bumper boats, pedal karts, diggers, a boating lake, dodgems-style cars, high ropes and animals. If the weather turns there’s indoor soft play, a discovery barn, two restaurants and a farm shop. Your biggest problem is trying to fit it all into one day!
For more in this corner of the county, see our sister site Down Somerset Way’s guide to things to do in North Somerset.
7. Cattle Country Adventure Park – 25 mins north
If you’re after farm-animal-themed Bristol day trips, Cattle Country Adventure Park is brilliant for under-8s. Visitors can meet calves, pigs, chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs and take part in calf and lamb feeding, plus there are assault courses, jumping pillows, indoor play barns, trampolines, a boating lake with canoes, a water play area, a splash pool and a Berkeley-Castle-themed playground.
8. Avon Valley Adventure Park – 25 mins
Half an hour’s drive from Bristol, Avon Valley is mostly about the animals, a lot about the rides (tractor, train, jeeps, boats) and a good chunk about the boinging (jumpy pillows) and a good smidge about the playgrounds. (and indoor soft play). New for 2026: the expanded Dinosaur Valley is now home to the largest collection of animatronic dinosaurs in the South West, including a 15m T-Rex you can walk right up to.
School-holiday events are a real draw – enchanted trails (we’ve stroked an actual unicorn here…well, a pony with a rainbow-dyed mane, but still!), lambing events, character meet-and-greets and a Christmas extravaganza.
9. Chew Valley Animal Park – 35 mins
In the heart of Mendip countryside, this family-run “zoo” (as they call themselves) is one of the most joyous places to visit near Bristol with young animal-lovers – especially in spring when the lambs and piglets are tiny.
You can meet pygmy goats, pigs and chickens, book one-on-one animal interactions, and let kids who are a bit nervous around furry creatures build their confidence (witnessed first-hand with our creature-fearful six-year-old). There’s also a playground and beautiful views over Chew Valley Lake. More on Chew Valley Animal Park.
Castles and heritage days out near Bristol
10. Berkeley Castle – 35 mins
Princess-enthusiasts and knight-lovers will be in their element at the enchanting 12th-century Berkeley Castle. Surrounded by Gloucestershire countryside, a walled garden and a spectacular lily pond, it’s hard to believe the grizzly history this still-lived-in fortress has witnessed – a peek into the dismal dungeon where King Edward II was imprisoned and murdered will send chills down even the bravest spine.
The castle hosts regular medieval-themed days – falconry, archery, meet-and-greets with famous Tudors, plus dressing-up, a delightful Yurt Tea Room and a Butterfly House.
11. Sudeley Castle – 1 hour
Once upon a time, four Queens of England (Anne Boleyn, Katherine Parr, Lady Jane Grey and Elizabeth I) walked the gardens of Sudeley Castle admiring the roses. Today, Katherine Parr – the last of Henry VIII’s six wives – lies entombed here, making Sudeley the only private castle in England to have a queen buried within its grounds.
The gardens are quite delightful, and include an exquisite knot garden, ancient ruins and Cotswold views. For families, there’s a huge adventure playground and brilliant school-holiday events – see my reviews of their Enchanted Halloween and festive Spectacle of Light.
12. Chepstow Castle – 25 mins
Just 25 minutes away in Monmouthshire, Chepstow Castle is a magnificent ruined fortress on the cliffs of the River Wye – one of the earliest stone castles in Britain and home to the oldest castle doors in Europe. Imagining the medieval and Tudor lords who lived here in days of yore is an incredible experience. After exploring the ramparts and gift shop, check out the lovely pub next door.
13. Tintern Abbey – 40 mins
Ten minutes north of Chepstow, the ruined Cistercian masterpiece of Tintern Abbey stands roofless against the Wye Valley – and is every bit as romantic as Turner painted it. Easy walking, a riverside picnic spot and tea at the Anchor Inn make this one of the prettiest budget-friendly days out near Bristol. Cadw membership pays for itself fast if you’re a Welsh castles family.
14. Cyfarthfa Castle, Wales – 1 hour
Over an hour away in the Welsh Valleys is Grade I-listed Cyfarthfa Castle — the best example of a 19th-century Ironmaster’s residence still standing in South Wales. The 65-hectare grounds include flower gardens, woodland, lakes, an animal trail, splash pad, miniature train, museum, adventure playground and café. Perched high above Merthyr Tydfil with views over the emerald valleys, it’s a brilliant Welsh day trip.
15. Stonehenge & Salisbury – 1 hr 15 mins
The world’s most famous stone circle is just 46 miles from Bristol via the A36/A303, sneaking comfortably into our day trips from Bristol within 2 hours. Pre-book a timed-entry ticket directly with English Heritage (or use your membership). The visitor centre, neolithic houses and audio guide make this genuinely engaging for primary-aged kids.
Salisbury is the natural pairing – just 10 minutes from the stones, with its magnificent 13th-century cathedral (home to one of only four surviving original Magna Carta documents), a charming market square, riverside walks and good cafés. Trains from Bristol Temple Meads run hourly, so this is also a brilliant day trip from Bristol by train if you’d rather leave the car at home.
16. Avebury – 1 hour
Not only is World Heritage Site Avebury one of the wonders of primeval Britain, it’s the largest megalithic stone circle in the world – and older than Stonehenge (and slightly closer to Bristol). Free to walk around (you can literally touch the stones), with a pretty village, a charming pub and the National Trust manor on site. A perfect free-entry pairing with a paid ticket to Stonehenge.
17. Lacock Village & Lacock Abbey – 50 mins
One of Britain’s prettiest villages and a frequent filming location for Harry Potter, Pride & Prejudice and Wolf Hall, Lacock is owned almost entirely by the National Trust. Wander the timber-framed High Street, peek into the medieval abbey (Hogwarts!), then have lunch at the Red Lion. It’s free to walk the village; the abbey, cloisters and Fox Talbot photography museum need a ticket or NT membership.
18. Castle Combe – 50 mins
Often called the prettiest village in England, Castle Combe is a tiny honey-coloured Cotswold gem with a 14th-century market cross, a Norman-towered church and a brook running through it. There’s not much to do here per se, but the walk along the By Brook to Long Dean is beautiful with kids and dogs, and a cream tea at the Castle Inn or White Hart caps it off perfectly. Pair with Lacock for a Cotswold double-bill.
19. American Museum & Gardens, Bath – 40 mins
The American Museum and Gardens at Claverton Manor near Bath is a several-hundred-year journey through American history from early settlers to the 20th century – cowboys, gold miners, pioneers, hand-made quilts, Founding Fathers, Native Americans, Civil War. Outside, you can walk through a replica of George Washington’s Mount Vernon garden and take in views across the Limpley Stoke Valley.
Caves and underground adventures near Bristol
20. Cheddar Gorge and Caves – 45 mins
You’ve seen the Avon Gorge – pretty good, isn’t it? But did you know England’s longest gorge is just a 45-minute drive from Bristol? Cheddar Gorge and Caves sits in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so above-ground views are breathtaking, and underground you’ll find spectacular rock formations, ancient caverns and mysterious chambers.
Adrenaline-junkies can pre-book caving or rock climbing; for something gentler, the Museum of Prehistory tells the tale of how our ancestors survived the Ice Age. Don’t miss the cheese cellar where the original cave-aged cheddar is still matured. For more Somerset days out worth the drive, our sister blog has the full local’s lowdown: the 50 best places to visit in Somerset.
Active families can hop on the Strawberry Line cycle path for a flat 11-mile traffic-free ride from Yatton through to the foot of the gorge.
21. Wookey Hole Caves – 45 mins
I was amazed how much my kids (then four and two) enjoyed the guided tour of Wookey Hole’s underground caverns – or perhaps they were on their best behaviour – 100% convinced of the Witch of Wookey’s existence…. A 45-minute drive from Bristol, these limestone caverns on the southern Mendips also have animatronic dinosaurs, 4D dinosaurs, circus shows, soft play, a Victorian-style arcade, fairy garden and Witchy theatrics. The caves themselves are spectacular and the extras are great fun on a rainy day.
22. Clearwell Caves, Forest of Dean – 1 hour
Clearwell Caves beneath the Forest of Dean is a natural cave system that has been mined for iron ore for more than 4,500 years. Nine atmospheric caverns descend 100ft underground; older kids can book group adventure caving in advance. Atmospheric events run all year – film screenings, theatre, parties and the legendary Christmas Fantasy spectacular.
Theme parks & adventure parks near Bristol
23. Crealy Theme Park & Resort, Devon – 1 hr 30 mins
Crealy in Devon is the South West’s largest theme park: 60+ rides, splash park, farm animals and adventure playgrounds for tots to teens. The newer Sooty Land zone (dedicated to the world’s longest-running children’s TV show) features daily Sooty Show performances, four rides geared at younger kids, 10 indoor attractions, themed restaurants and accessible play equipment. Arrive early to fit it all in.
24. Diggerland, Cullompton – 1 hr 45 mins
If you’ve got a digger-obsessed kid, Diggerland in Devon is paradise. Children (and brave grown-ups) can actually drive real JCBs, dumper trucks and excavators, scoop sandcastles with diggers and ride a giant skid steer roller-coaster. It’s on the edge of my two-hour cap, so a good day out with an early start.
25. Cotswold Country Park & Beach – 1 hour
Britain’s largest water park, just an hour north-east of Bristol, the Cotswold Country Park & Beach has 150+ lakes carved from gravel pits, an inland sandy beach, swimming lagoon, paddleboards, kayaks and the AquaVenture inflatable course for kids over six. Family entry from around £10 per car off-peak, with picnic spots and barbecue pitches.
26. Techniquest, Cardiff – 1 hour by train + walk
If you’re a local you might wonder why one would bypass Bristol’s We The Curious and head to Cardiff’s Techniquest instead. Well, firstly, we visited on a Bristol half-term when Wales wasn’t off, so the place was beautifully quiet. Two floors of hands-on interactive exhibits, a science theatre, planetarium and lab – but yes, We The Curious is hard to beat. Great for a change of scene though.
Heritage railways & nostalgic days out near Bristol
27. Avon Valley Railway – 25 mins
This heritage steam line choo-choos you along three miles of track through beautiful South Gloucestershire countryside, between Oldland Common and Avon Riverside. Open mainly at weekends and during school holidays, with themed events all year -Teddy Bears’ Picnics, Chocolate Sundays and the popular Santa Specials in December (book by early November or miss out – they always sell out).
28. West Somerset Railway – 1 hr 15 mins
The longest standard-gauge heritage railway in England, the West Somerset Railway runs 22 miles between Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) and the Victorian seaside town of Minehead. The full route takes around an hour and a half each way through the Quantock Hills, past Dunster Castle and along the coast – buy a day rover, hop on and off at the prettiest stations.
29. Perrygrove Railway, Forest of Dean – 1 hour
If steam-train fans in your brood are still small, Perrygrove is the perfect introduction. This privately-owned narrow-gauge steam railway runs through a mile of woodland with stop-off stations where kids can run around an indoor village, hunt for treasure, climb a treetop walkway and tear through the warren adventure tunnel maze. Right across the road from Puzzlewood, so easy to pair into a Forest of Dean double-bill.
National Trust & countryside days out near Bristol
30. Westonbirt Arboretum – 30 mins
If you’re craving countryside day trips from Bristol by car with extras for kids, Westonbirt Arboretum is a perennial favourite. Acres of strolling space, Gruffalo sculpture hunts, natural-wood playgrounds, nature activities and a treetop walkway that takes you through the canopy. Breathtaking in spring (bluebells and blossom) and autumn (fiery Japanese maples), and the December Enchanted Christmas is my favourite of the festive light trails near Bristol.
31. National Trust Tyntesfield – 25 mins
For acres of countryside, child-friendly activities and an adventure playground within easy reach of Bristol, Tyntesfield ticks all the boxes. Handsome Victorian mansion, two cafés, seasonal events year-round. My favourite times: spring blooms, autumn pumpkin display, Christmas Victorian decorations. So pretty much any time of the year then. Discover more National Trust places near Bristol.
32. National Trust Dyrham Park – 25 mins
Dyrham Park is phenomenally beautiful – a 17th-century mansion with a Cotswold hills backdrop, elegant gardens, deer roaming. Family hot tips: head to the Old Lodge natural play area with under-5s first (ancient tractors, bug hotel, ride-on diggers, kiosk), then downhill to the gardens behind the house. If you’re peckish and picnic-less, the Courtyard Tea Room does kid’s meals, cream teas and babyccinos. Free shuttle bus from car park to house – always a hit with little ones.
33. Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean – 1 hour
Only an hour from Bristol, Puzzlewood feels like a magical fairytale world. J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth is said to have been inspired by these woods, and Star Wars (the Force Awakens forest), Doctor Who, Merlin and Tree Fu Tom have all filmed here. Add a playground and farm animals, and pair with the Perrygrove Railway across the road (see #29) for a brilliant Forest of Dean double-day.
34. Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail – 1 hour
If it’s enchanting woodland walks you’re into, the Forest of Dean has plenty. Eight minutes from Puzzlewood is the 4.5-mile Sculpture Trail at Forestry England’s Beechenhurst picnic site. Amazing what a few sculptures and a spot of chestnut foraging can do for the walking capabilities of a reluctant three-year-old. Our favourite is a stained-glass window hanging in the trees like the centrepiece of an invisible church. Shorter loops available if little legs can’t manage the full route.
35. National Trust Westbury Court Garden – 50 mins
Westbury Court Garden is one of the only surviving 17th-century Dutch water gardens in the UK. Originally planted with flowers, vegetables and fruit trees to be productive as well as pretty; a canal stocked with fish; a rabbit warren still in residence today. Time it right and you can wander down to the river to watch the Severn Bore pass through. More National Trust day trips from Bristol and Bath.
36. Bath Soft Cheese Company, Kelston – 30 mins
Nestled in idyllic countryside on the edge of Bath, Park Farm – home of the Bath Soft Cheese Company – is an unexpectedly brilliant family day out near Bristol. The farm’s bucolic location, well-looked after Holstein Friesian cows and entirely organic methods have a lot to do with that.
You can watch the cheese being made through the café windows, sample award-winning artisan cheese in the onsite restaurant and let the kids loose in the upstairs indoor play area or outdoor playground. Don’t leave without trying the milkshakes or filling an empty bottle with the super-creamy organic milk to take home. Pair with the short circular Kelston riverside walk before refuelling at the café.
37. Symonds Yat, Wye Valley – 1 hr 15 mins
One of the most spectacular viewpoints in the UK, the cliff at Symonds Yat Rock looks down on a horseshoe bend of the River Wye and is a known peregrine falcon nesting spot (RSPB volunteers usually have a telescope out from spring to summer). Add a hand-pulled chain ferry across the river, easy riverside walks, kayak hire and the Wye Valley Adventures wild swimming bay for a brilliant active day.
38. National Trust Stourhead – 1 hour
One of the world’s great landscape gardens, Stourhead is a Capability-Brown-era masterpiece of lakes, classical temples, follies and grand vistas – like walking through a painting. Keep little ones spotting bridges, statues and grottos around the lake circuit, then warm up at the Spread Eagle Inn. Particularly magical in autumn when the colours catch fire, and at Christmas when the trees are lit.
39. Brean Down (NT) & Brean – 45 mins
A mile-and-a-half-long promontory jutting into the Severn Estuary, Brean Down has a Victorian fort at its end, dramatic clifftop walks and panoramic views over the Welsh coast. Pair with the beach below, the rock pools at low tide, or – if the kids vote – the fun of Brean Splash Water Park nearby.
40. Glastonbury Tor & town – 50 mins
The conical hill rising out of the Somerset Levels with its lone tower on top is one of England’s most iconic sights. Combine with the legend-soaked town below (independent shops, Chalice Well, Glastonbury Abbey ruins). Plan your Glastonbury itinerary over on Down Somerset Way.
41. Wells, England’s smallest city – 50 mins
One of the UK’s loveliest small cities, Wells Cathedral has a Vicars’ Close (England’s most complete medieval street), an astronomical clock that’s almost 700 years old, and the swans on the Bishop’s Palace moat ring a bell at meal times.
Stately homes & gardens near Bristol
42. The Newt in Somerset – 50 mins
One of the South West’s standout days out, The Newt is an estate of formal gardens, a Roman villa replica, a deer park, ancient woodland, a cyder press and some of the best gardens in the country. A similarly price as the National Trust, a membership grants a year of free returns, plus entry to partner gardens like Kew Gardens in London, Eden Project and Tregothnan in Cornwall. If gardens are your thing, my fellow site has rounded up the most gorgeous gardens in Somerset worth a visit.
43. Bowood House & Gardens – 1 hour
Bowood is about an hour east of Bristol and known among Bristol parents for its mega adventure playground. The ‘Capability’-Brown-designed gardens are perfect for family walks (lake, arboretum, pinetum, cascade) and the house hides oddities like Queen Victoria’s wedding chair and Napoleon’s death mask alongside an extensive art collection.
44. Lydiard House & Park – 1 hour
On the western edge of Swindon, Lydiard House and Park is a beautiful historic estate with 260 acres of parkland, flat cycle paths perfect for family bike rides, a big playground, lake, walled garden and Palladian house. Makes a great halfway meeting point if you’ve got London-based friends or family.
Beaches & seaside day trips from Bristol
45. The best beaches near Bristol
One of the peachiest plus points of Bristol is that the coast is on our doorstep – you can be on a sandy beach in under 90 minutes. My round-up of the 13 best beach day trips from Bristol covers everything from Welsh Gower coves to Dorset’s Jurassic Coast.
46. Portishead Open Air Pool – 25 mins
The North-Somerset coastal town of Portishead has one of our favourite summer days out – the Portishead Open Air Pool, scenically perched above the Bristol Channel. The large pool is heated by green energy; a shallow toddler pool sits alongside; amphitheatre-style steps are perfect for post-swim sunbathing. Walk it off afterwards along the headland to Portishead Point and lighthouse. For more on this stretch of coast, our sister site Down Somerset Way has 28+ things to do in North Somerset.
47. Clevedon, Marine Lake & Pier – 25 mins
One of my favourite family-friendly day trips from Bristol, seaside Clevedon brims with outdoorsy stuff for kids. The Marine Lake looks like a giant infinity pool merging with the Bristol Channel; 15,000m² for swimming, paddleboarding, canoeing or boating. Soak up Victorian seaside vibes with a stroll along the seafront to the Grade I-listed pier, hunt for seaglass, play in the park or hit the arcades. More on Clevedon and the best beach day trips from Bristol.
48. Weston-super-Mare – 30 mins
The North Somerset coastal town of Weston sometimes gets a bad wrap, but it’s one of the best places to visit near Bristol on a sunny day. Vast sandy beach for sandcastling (watch the sinking-mud signs), bouncy castles, swing boats, ice cream, donkey rides, splash park, Grand Pier rides and arcades. In bad weather, the indoor part of the Grand Pier is unashamedly fun.
50 Things to do in Weston-super-Mare with kids.
Towns & cities near Bristol worth a day trip
49. Bath – 13 mins by train, 45 mins by car
The Roman Baths, the Georgian Crescents, Sally Lunn’s, the Pulteney Bridge and (in summer) the Thermae rooftop pool. Plan your day out with these fun things to do in Bath with kids. Feeling energetic? You can cycle all the way to Bath on the Bristol- Bath Railway Path!
There’s a lot to fit in once you’re there, so you might have to plan multiple day trips from Bristol to see the sights. I’ve put together a separate guide to the best things to do in Bath with kids here.
50. Cheltenham – 50 mins
I was surprised to find Cheltenham’s so family-friendly – street art, festivals, boating lake, playgrounds, kid-friendly cycle trails and more Regency architecture than Bath. My 24-hour family itinerary for Cheltenham has the lot.
51. Cardiff – 50 mins by train
Cardiff Castle, Cardiff Bay, Techniquest, the Doctor Who Experience legacy and St Fagans National Museum of History (free!) make Wales’s capital a brilliant day. The train from Bristol Temple Meads gets you there in under an hour.
52. Oxford – 1 hr 30 mins
An hour and a half by train and you’re wandering Hogwarts-y colleges with a hot chocolate from G&D’s. The Story Museum is magical for book-loving kids; the Pitt Rivers Museum has shrunken heads (yes really); the Ashmolean is free and there’s punting too.
Best day trips from Bristol by train
If you’d rather skip the M5 (and the cost of parking), Bristol’s two main stations make for brilliant car-free day trips. From Bristol Temple Meads, you can be in Bath in 13 minutes, Weston-super-Mare in 35, Cardiff in under an hour, Bradford-on-Avon in 35 mins, and Salisbury in 1 hr 15. From Bristol Parkway, Cheltenham is 35 mins, Oxford around 90 mins and Birmingham 1 hr 30.
My five favourite day trips from Bristol by train with kids:
- Bath – Roman Baths + parade gardens + Sally Lunn’s bun
- Weston-super-Mare – beach, pier, fish and chips, train home knackered
- Cardiff – castle + Techniquest + Bay-front lunch
- Bradford-on-Avon – canal walk + tithe barn + tea
- Cheltenham – Pittville Park boats + Wilson Museum (free) + Imperial Gardens picnic
Day trip picker – best for…
Short on time? Use this comparison to pick the right day out for the kid, the weather and the budget:
| Best for… | Try |
|---|---|
| Toddlers and pre-schoolers | Cattle Country, Chew Valley Animal Park, Old Down, Puxton |
| Rainy days | Wookey Hole, Techniquest, Aerospace Bristol, Wake the Tiger |
| Animal-mad kids | Longleat, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, Bristol Zoo Project, WWT Slimbridge |
| Free entry | Avebury, Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, Castle Combe, Glastonbury Tor, beach walks |
| History-loving kids | Stonehenge, Berkeley Castle, Roman Baths, Tintern Abbey |
| Active families | Cheddar Gorge, Symonds Yat, Cotswold Water Park, Brean Down |
| Teens | Crealy, Bath |
| By train (no car needed) | Bath, Weston-super-Mare, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Oxford |
| Train-mad kids | Avon Valley Railway, West Somerset Railway, Perrygrove, Avon Valley Railway Santa Specials |
| Christmas magic | Westonbirt Enchanted Christmas, Sudeley Spectacle of Light, Wild Lights at Bristol Zoo Project |
Tips for planning your family day trip from Bristol
- Pre-book online. Almost every attraction listed is cheaper booked in advance than on the gate.
- Memberships pay back fast. National Trust pays for itself in three family visits. Discover more here.
- Travel off-peak. If you’re not tied into school holidays and peak queues, day trip on week days in term-time.
- Check the weather and the wind. Brean Down and Symonds Yat are no fun in a gale.
- Pack picnics + a flask. Café queues will eat 45 minutes of your day. A picnic and a flask will save your sanity (and a small fortune).
- Drive at the right time. Leaving Bristol by 9.30am and starting your drive home by 3pm avoids most of the M5/A36/A4 queues.
FAQs
What are the best free days out near Bristol?
Avebury stone circle, walking around Castle Combe and Lacock village, the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, Glastonbury Tor, Brean Down clifftop walk, and any of the local beaches (Clevedon, Weston, Sand Bay, Brean) are all free to enter. See my 50 free things to do in Bristol with kids for more ideas in the city, or our sister site’s round-up of 33 free things to do in Somerset for budget-friendly trips further south.
Liked this post on days out near Bristol for families? Read more:
Just off the motorway: family-friendly M5 stop offs near Bristol
For days out in Bristol, check out my post on 25 Fantastic family attractions to see in Bristol with kids
