Countryside

Bath and Bristol are two cities separated and surrounded by lush English countryside. They offer their own unique experiences and complement each other perfectly.

For the best of both worlds, visitors have a variety of options to stay outside the city in the surrounding countryside. The Avon and Chew Valleys both have enviable views and walking/hiking and cycling routes whereas the Cotswolds offer the quintessentially English scene of historic honey-coloured houses surrounded by lush green countryside and quaint tea rooms. The North Somerset coastline offers great scenery and views across the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary towards South Wales. Take time to enjoy the bustling cities and rest up in your own bit of a country pile.

There are many rural attractions from animal parks to historic castles and outdoor pursuits, many of which are listed below.

Explore the region with various day trip options:

South to the Mendips and Somerset towns of Glastonbury, Cheddar and Wells
South-east into Wiltshire and Stonehenge
North into the Cotswolds
West into South Wales

See our geographic guides pages for further inspiration.

The team at Visit West are happy to offer advice and can refer your enquiry across a range of businesses within the region. All you need to do is contact us with your requirements and we can respond with our local knowledge, suggest the best options for your clients and provide introductions for you to follow up directly with the right person at the businesses. As we know all the businesses individually, we can also ensure that any special requirements are taken into consideration, give advice on itinerary planning and help with logistical enquiries.

Number of results: 79

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Wookey Hole Caves

Address

Wookey Hole, Wells, Somerset, BA5 1BB

Telephone
+44 (0)1749 672 243

Wells

Wookey Hole Caves is one of the UK’s largest show caves systems deep below the Mendip Hills. It’s home of the Witch of Wookey Hole and offers a magical and historical day out for explorers of all ages.
Bristol Zoo Project

Address

Blackhorse Hill, Bristol, BS10 7TP

Telephone
+44 (0)117 980 7175

info@bzsociety.org.uk

Bristol

Discover a world of animal adventures – right on your doorstep! Bristol Zoo Project is the perfect family day out, with 50 acres to explore. Say ‘hello’ to bears, giraffes, zebras, gelada ‘baboons’, cheetahs, meerkats and ring-tailed lemurs, among…
Wookey Hole Hotel

Address

Wookey Hole, Wells, Somerset, BA5 1BA

Telephone
+44 (0)1749 672 243

hotel@wookey.co.uk

Wells

Ideally placed in the heart of Somerset, the Wookey Hole Hotel can boast luxury accommodation in picturesque surroundings
Afternoon Tea at Lucknam Park

Address

Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Colerne, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 8AZ

Telephone
+44 (0)1225 742777

reservations@lucknampark.co.uk

Chippenham

Take afternoon tea in an eighteenth-century Palladian mansion.
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

Address

Clevedon Road, Wraxall, Bristol, BS48 1PG

Telephone
+44 (0)1275 852606

info@noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk

Bristol

Just six miles from Bristol is Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm. Home to the big zoo animals including African Elephants, Rhinos, Lions, Giraffes, Spectacled Bears and a Nile Crocodile. Spend the day surrounded by over 100 different species and let the kids go…
Ashton Court Estate

Address

Ashton Court, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9JN

Telephone
+44 (0)117 9633 438

brlscas@bristol.gov.uk

Long Ashton, Bristol

Historic 850-acre parkland with mansion, two pitch-and-putt golf courses, deer park, miniature railway, orienteering and nature trails
Longleat

Address

Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW

Telephone
+44 (0)1985 844 400

enquiries@longleat.co.uk

Warminster

Longleat, nestled within 900 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds, is home to the UK’s original Safari Park.
Afternoon Tea at De Vere Tortworth Court

Address

Tortworth, Bristol, GL12 8HH

Telephone
+44 (0)1454 263 000

Tortworth.reception@four-pillars.co.uk

Bristol

Set within the picturesque countryside of South Gloucestershire, De Vere Tortworth Court is a 4-star hotel housed within a restored Grade II listed Victorian mansion, offering a unique setting to enjoy Afternoon Tea.
Wild Wookey

Address

Wookey Hole, Wells, Somerset, BA5 1BB

Telephone
+44 (0)1749 672 243

info@wildwookey.co.uk

Wells

Wild Wookey is one of the best and most innovative adventure caving experience in the country in the most famous and spectacular caves in the UK.
Chaplain's House at Tyntesfield

Address

Wraxall, North Somerset, BS48 1NX

Telephone
+44 (0)344 335 1287

cottages@nationaltrust.org.uk

North Somerset

Chaplain's House is a picturesque mid-Victorian lodge built in the 1890s. Set over three floors, the house containis three bedrooms (one double, two twins), one bathroom, plus separate shower cubicle and toilet.
Brook House

Address

46 High Street, Berkeley, GL13 9BJ

Telephone
+44 (0)1453 512 999

Berkeley

The perfect rental for a large group of family or friends looking for a country retreat. Sitting in the quaint town of Berkeley with views across to the River Severn & Wales.
The Wave

Address

Easter Compton, Bristol, BS35 5RE

Telephone
+44 (0)333 016 4133

info@thewave.com

Bristol

The Wave is an inland-surfing destination where everyone can surf and bodyboard on consistent safe waves every day of the year.
Mercure Bristol North The Grange Hotel

Address

1 Old Gloucester RD, Winterbourne, Bristol, BS36 1RP

Telephone
+44 (0)1454 355012

sales.mercurebristolnorthgrange@jupiterhotels.co.uk

Bristol

A stylish blend of traditional and contemporary design set in 18 acres of landscaped gardens creates a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere throughout this stunning country house Bristol hotel
Aldwick Estate Vineyard Tours & Wine Tasting

Address

Aldwick Estate, Redhill, Bristol, BS40 5AL

Telephone
+44 (0)1934 864 404

enquiries@aldwickcourtfarm.co.uk

Bristol

Whether you are visiting Aldwick Estate for a vineyard tour, wedding, party, business event or just want to drop in and buy their award-winning English wine, a warm welcome will await you.
Adventure Bristol - Leap of Faith

Address

Bristol Zoo Project, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol, BS10 7TP

Telephone
+44 (0) 7891 637993

info@adventurebristol.co.uk

Bristol

Located at the fabulous Bristol Zoo Project, Leap of Faith offers exhilarating climbing challenges for thrill seekers young and old!
Thornbury Castle

Address

Castle Street, Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, BS35 1HH

Telephone
+44 (0)1454 281 182

info@thornburycastle.co.uk

Thornbury

Beautiful country house hotel in 15-acre grounds located 12 miles north of Bristol
Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa

Address

Colerne, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 8AZ

Telephone
+44 (0)1225 742777

reservations@lucknampark.co.uk

Chippenham

Lucknam Park is a magnificent listed Palladian mansion set in 500 acres of extensive parkland.
Homewood

Address

Abbey Lane, Freshford, Bath, BA2 7TB

Telephone
+44 (0)1225 580 439

reservations@homewoodbath.co.uk

Freshford, Bath

Eclectic, luxurious and slightly eccentric; think grand Georgian country house and grounds filled with creative artworks and ultra-modern indulgences including a spa and heated outdoor swimming pool.
Thornbury Castle Restaurant

Address

Castle Street, Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, BS35 1HH

Telephone
+44 (0)1454 281 182

info@thornburycastle.co.uk

Thornbury, South Gloucestershire

The restaurant at Thornbury Castle offers plenty of modern, British inspired dishes, as well as some traditional favourites. All dishes on the dinner menu use only the finest and freshest ingredients, many grown in the castle's kitchen garden and…
The Spa at Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort

Address

Derry Hill, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 9PQ

Telephone
+44 (0)1249 822 228

spareception@bowood.org

Calne

Set within acres of stunning parkland, The Spa at Bowood, with its personal and professional service, idyllic views and superior treatments, makes for a memorable and relaxing experience.