April 6, 2026
The beautiful city of Bath, England is surrounded by bucolic countryside, picturesque villages, historic monuments, and vibrant cities. When planning a trip allow a couple of extra days to explore nearby places too. From chocolate box Cotswolds to the mysterious Stonehenge, there is plenty to see and experience. Discover more of what the west of England has to offer with these best day trips from Bath.
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Places to Visit Near Bath
Bristol
The eclectic city of Bristol is a world away from Bath’s quintessentially British charm. Trains run from Bath Spa to Bristol every 10 minutes, so very accessible and easy to see in a day. It’s so diverse, different neighbourhoods in Bristol all bring their own different vibe. From the Georgian Clifton village to graffiti in Stokes Croft, made famous by Banksy. It’s also home to the Clifton Suspension Bridge spanning the Avon Gorge and the River Avon. Designed by Brunel, the spectacular cliffside setting makes it a must-see sight.
TIME TO GET THERE:
Train: 20 minutes
Car: 45 minutes
Tours to help plan your visit:
Book: Self-Guided Smartphone Treasure Hunt
Book: Bansky & Street Art City Exploration Game
Read Next: Day Trip to Bristol
Glastonbury
Glastonbury is well known for its music festival and yearly Pyramid Stage, but there are plenty more reasons to visit this Somerset town. Steeped in ancient legend and myth the medieval town is full of country charm. Visit the iconic Glastonbury Tor, believed to be the place King Arthur went after his last battle. The breathtaking ruins of Grade I listed Glastonbury Abbey, where some believe Jesus was brought by his uncle, Joseph of Arimathea. And the mysterious Chalice Well, one of Britain’s most ancient wells.
The town is beautiful with a number of colourfully artistic streets. Full of fascinating shops there is a distinct spiritual air as you wander around the pretty town.
TIME TO GET THERE:
Train: 1 hour 45 minutes via Bristol
Car: 1 hour
Stonehenge
One of the UK’s bucket list attractions which also dates back to prehistoric times lies on Salisbury plain in Wiltshire. Stonehenge is still a complete mystery thousands of years later. Nobody is sure of the stone circles’ origins or how they even got there from the Preseli Hills in Wales, 200 miles away.
Walk around the UNESCO World Heritage Site and explore the Neolithic houses next to the visitor centre, giving a real insight into life during those times. Ensure tickets are booked in advance of your visit.
TIME TO GET THERE:
Train: 1 hour to Salisbury and a 20 minutes taxi ride
Car: 50 minutes
Tours to help plan your visit:
Book: From Bath: Private Stonehenge and Salisbury Trip
The Cotswolds
An Area of Natural Outstanding Beauty (ANOB), the Cotswolds is the place for beautiful countryside walks through chocolate box villages whilst admiring picture-postcard scenery. Bath sits right on the edge of the picturesque region and a road trip to the Cotswolds is one of the best day trips from Bath. To give freedom to travel between the village, the easiest way to visit the Cotswolds is by car. The region is large and it would be difficult to cover it all, so it’s best to aim to explore the places closer to Bath like the ones below:
Read Next: Ultimate Guide for a Weekend in the Cotswolds
Bradford on Avon
This idyllic little market town sits on the banks of the River Avon right on the edge of the Cotswolds. Wander across the ancient Town Bridge and enjoy some gorgeous views. Explore the narrow cobbled streets full of delightful shops and restaurants and visit the impressive medieval Tithe Barn. Hungry? Head to The Bridge Tea Rooms, the charming building dates bates to 1502 with staff dressed in Victorian costumes serving delicious tea and cakes.
TIME TO GET THERE:
Car: 20 minutes
Castle Combe
Castle Combe lies on the southern-most edge of the Cotswolds and feels like it’s been frozen in time. There have been no houses built in this beautiful Wiltshire village since the 1600s. Often named ‘The Prettiest Village in England‘, visitors are mesmerised by the small street dotted with cottages selling doorstep homemade cakes leading from the Market Cross to the bubbling By Brook.
A filmmakers paradise, there are no telephone wires or satellite dishes visible. A real-life period set that has been used for TV shows and films including Downton Abbey, Poirot, War Horse, and Stardust. It’s a village not to miss.
TIME TO GET THERE:
Car: 30 minutes
Lacock
Another quaint village you’ll fall in love with immediately is Lacock. The historic buildings and cottages which grew with the medieval wool trade will transport you back in time. No surprise that it’s a TV and film favourite, appearing in Downton Abbey, Pride and Prejudice, and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Lacock Abbey is the village’s star attraction originally built as a nunnery it was later converted to a Victorian house. Surrounded by beautiful grounds and gardens, ensure tickets are booked in advance. Keen photographers will love the Fox Talbot Museum to learn more about the village’s previous resident and his work towards the invention of photography.
TIME TO GET THERE:
Car: 35 minutes
WEston-SupEr-Mare
If you’re after a beach and some tasty fish and chips, head to the classic seaside town of Weston-Super-Mare. It’s been a firm favourite for seaside-goers since the Victorian era. From the Grand Pier to its edgy street art scene which was put on the map by Banksy, it appeals to the masses. The promenade which runs along a two-mile stretch to the long golden shores, sees visitors flock in summer. Beware of the tidal range, the second-largest in the world makes some of it is out of bounds due to dangerous mudflats exposed at low tide.
TIME TO GET THERE:
Train: 45 minutes via Bristol
Car: 1 hour
Read Next: Best Things To Do In Weston-Super-Mare
Cheddar Gorge
Right on the edge of the Mendip Hills is another Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and England’s largest and most spectacular canyon – Cheddar Gorge. Formed during the last Ice Age, visitors can explore the spectacular 400-foot deep and three-mile-long gorge. The scenery from the majestic limestone cliffs is breathtaking. Follow a dedicated path from the village of Cheddar along both sides of the gorge, the views of the gorge and the Somerset countryside are mesmerising. By foot, head to the impressive stalactite caves or drive through the winding valley to admire the extraordinary cliffs.
TIME TO GET THERE:
Train: 45 minutes to Weston-Super-Mare and 126 Bus to Cheddar
Car: 50 minutes
Tours to help plan your visit:
Book: From Bath: Private Wells and Cheddar Gorge Trip
HighClere Castle
This Grade I listed Jacobean-style country house will be recognisable to many as the location for Downtown Abbey. It’s been the family seat for the Earls of Carnarvon family since 1679, however, the present-day Highclere Castle was designed in 1842 by Sir Charles Barry, the architect behind the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.
Wander the stunning 5000-acre estate with its parklands, woodlands, and landscaped gardens. Visitors also flock to the Egyptian Exhibition as the 5th Earl with Howard Carter, discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings in 1922.
TIME TO GET THERE:
Car: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Read Next: Ultimate Guide to Bath
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