Places to visit in and around Bristol

Places of interest within 10 miles of Ashton Court

Clifton Suspension Bridge

https://www.cliftonbridge.org.uk/

The world famous bridge and the iconic symbol of Bristol, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1831 and completed in 1864 after his death
Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitors Centre

https://www.cliftonbridge.org.uk/visit/visitor-centre

 

See displays and artefacts explaining the history, construction and maintenance of the world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge
The Downs

https://www.bristol.gov.uk/museums-parks-sports-culture/the-downs

Large green spaces on the edge of the city suitable for picnics, exercise, sport and events.
Avon Valley Railway

http://www.avonvalleyrailway.org/

 

Opened in 1869 by the Midland Railway as a through route between the Birmingham and the South Coast their line was later linked to the iconic Somerset & Dorset Railway
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/bristol-museum-and-art-gallery/

 

19 galleries over 3 floors reveal fascinating cultures, ancient civilisations, human invention and creativity, as well as showcasing our beautiful and fragile natural world
Cabot Tower & Brandon Hill

http://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/cabot-tower-and-brandon-hill-p24401

Cabot Tower, set in the gorgeous parkland of Brandon Hill near Park Street in the West End, is a 105ft tower built in 1897 to commemorate John Cabot's famous voyage from Bristol and the continent of North America four hundred years earlier.
The Mathew

https://matthew.co.uk/ 

The Matthew of Bristol is a replica of the 15th century caravel that John Cabot sailed from Bristol to Newfoundland in 1497. In 1997 she sailed across the Atlantic once more to mark the 500th anniversary of the original voyage.
SS Great Britain

http://www.ssgreatbritain.org/

 

Discover the greatest innovation of the Victorian age and explore the ship that changes the way we travel today
St Nicholas Market

http://www.stnicholasmarketbristol.co.uk/

Covered Market and Glass Arcade with a range of independent retailers under cover in the main St Nicholas buildings. Additional markets take place on Friday and Saturday (The Nails Market), on Wednesday (Bristol Farmers Market) and also on Friday (Friday Food Market).
Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust

https://arnosvale.org.uk/

 

Step into a secret world and discover 45 green acres where the history of Bristol is told in a leafy and tranquil setting
St Mary Redcliffe Church

http://www.stmaryredcliffe.co.uk/

 

One of the most beautiful churches in all England and one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the country
Bristol Cathedral

http://bristol-cathedral.co.uk/

The Cathedral stands at the heart of the city and is the Mother Church of the Diocese of Bristol. It is open daily for visitors and worshippers.
Tyntesfield

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield

National Trust Victorian Gothic house, gardens, woodland, 3 play areas, 2 cafes, and shop
M Shed

https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/

M Shed explores the city’s history from prehistoric times to the 21st century. Stories about the city and its people have been discovered through working with experts and communities across the city             
@Bristol

https://www.at-bristol.org.uk/

An educational charity running a science centre filled with interactive exhibits, activities and live shows. They aim to inspire visitors of all ages with a sense of adventure and curiosity about the world we live in.
Colston Hall

http://www.colstonhall.org/

Presenting concerts and entertainment by major names in pop and rock music, classical music, stand-up comedy and light entertainment, as well as local choirs, orchestras and schools
Bristol Hippodrome Theatre

http://bristolhippodrome.net/

One of the most prestigious provincial theatres in the country, the Bristol Hippodrome provides a family-friendly atmosphere and offers the best in opera, ballet, concerts and of course, shows for children.
Bristol Zoo Gardens

http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/

An adventure into an exciting animal kingdom, all set within 12 acres of beautiful award-winning gardens
Windmill Hill City Farm

http://www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk/

Enjoy the working farm, community gardens, family centre, 'open access’ outdoor play area, environment trails, café
Bristol City Docks

http://www.ports.org.uk/port.asp?id=220

 

The harbour is now a tourist attraction with museums, galleries, exhibitions, bars and nightclubs. Former workshops and warehouses have now largely been converted or replaced by cultural venues, such as the Arnolfini art gallery, Watershed media and arts centre, M Shed museum, Antlers Gallery and the At-Bristol science exhibition centre, as well as a number of fashionable apartment buildings.
Portishead Quay Marina

http://www.quaymarinas.com/our-marinas/portishead-quays/

A modern development with a great variety of bars, restaurants and cafes situated with pleasant views of yachts and sailing boats
  

Places of interest within 20 miles of Ashton Court

Severn Bridge

https://www.severnbridge.co.uk/Home.aspx

It is the original Severn road crossing between England and Wales, and took three-and-a-half years to construct at a cost of £8 million. It replaced the Aust ferry
Bath

https://visitbath.co.uk/

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site with England’s most complete Georgian architecture with Roman Baths, the Jane Austen Centre, the Royal Crescent and much more
Midsomer Norton

https://visitbath.co.uk/travel-and-maps/explore-the-area/radstock-and-midsomer-norton-p938943

Midsomer Norton is characterised by the River Somer which runs the length of the town centre and has a long history which can be seen through a number of early churches
Mendip Hills

http://www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/

a range of limestone hills to the south of Bristol parts of which are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The hills are recognised as a national centre for caving and cave diving, as well as being popular with climbers, hillwalkers and natural historians
Clevedon Pier

http://clevedonpier.co.uk/

Clevedon Pier was opened in 1869 to receive paddle steamer passengers from Devon and Wales. It is the only Grade 1 listed pier you can visit in England
Chew Valley Lake

http://www.bristolwaterfisheries.co.uk/lakes/chew-valley-lake/

Renowned for its scenic beauty and top quality fly fishing and is the fifth-largest artificial lake in the United Kingdom (the largest in South-West England), with an area of 1,200 acres (4.9 km²)
Weston Super Mare

http://www.visit-westonsupermare.com/

Steeped with Victorian history, Weston-super-Mare is located at the gateway to the South West and is home to the Grand Pier, The Beach Lawns and Weston-super-Mare seafront
Butcombe Brewery

http://www.butcombe.com/

A new Butcombe Brewery was completed towards the end of February 2005 with 18,000 sq. feet, capable of producing circa 50,000 barrels of beer per year, and encompassing a brewery shop. Take a tour!
Cheddar Gorge

http://www.cheddargorge.co.uk/

Cheddar Gorge is one of England's most iconic and spectacular landscapes at almost 400 feet deep and three miles long, this is England’s largest gorge, and with its weathered crags and pinnacles, one of our most spectacular natural sights
Wookey Hole Caves

http://www.wookey.co.uk/

Deep in the heart of the Mendip Hills you will find Wookey Hole, the UK’s largest cave system.
Wells

http://www.wellssomerset.com/

Wells is the smallest city in England with about 12,000 inhabitants. It can call itself a city because of the famous 13th century Cathedral. Wells is a medieval city nestling on the southern side of the Mendip Hills
American Museum

https://americanmuseum.org/

The American Museum takes you on a journey through the history of America, from its early settlers to the twentieth century, it is the only museum of Americana outside the United States
 

Places of interest within 50 miles of Ashton Court

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

The 600 acre arboretum is home to 3,000 different species of trees and around 15,000 individual specimens. A place of environmental and historical importance
The Cotswolds

http://www.cotswolds.com/

The Cotswolds covers almost 800 square miles and runs through Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire. Explor the different areas, each with its own identity, yet all with those defining Cotswold features: golden stone and rolling hills, the ‘wolds’
The Cotswold Motoring Museum, Bourton on the Water

http://www.cotswoldmotoringmuseum.co.uk/

A car collection full of antique and classic cars you had or wish you had. The galleries are packed full with vintage vehicles and memorabilia. The River Windrush runs straight through the town with charming stone bridges providing regular crossing points
St Fagans National History Museum

https://museum.wales/stfagans/

St Fagans is one of Europe's leading open–air museums and Wales's most popular heritage attraction. The museum stands in the grounds of St Fagans Castle and gardens, a late 16th-century manor house. Over forty original buildings from different historical periods have been re-erected in the 100-acre parkland
Castle Combe

https://sites.google.com/site/castlecombewiltshire/

The pretty village houses are all of typical Cotswold type, constructed in stone with thick walls and roofs made from split natural stone tiles. The village has played host to many filming activities. Oh and there’s the West Country's home of motorsport that's been welcoming fans of racing, car shows & events for the past 65 years – Castle Combe Circuit
Symonds Yat Rock

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/englandgloucestershirewyevalleywyevalleywoodssymondsyatrock

Admire the picturesque views of the River Wye and surrounding area from this internationally famous viewpoint. Discover the ancient hill fort, spot birds of prey and enjoy a snack from the log cabin cafe
Cirencester

http://www.cirencester.co.uk/visitorinformationcentre/

Cirencester, known as "The Capital of the Cotswolds" is situated in the county of Gloucestershire in England. The town contains many interesting buildings spanning several centuries. Cirencester's market town status was mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086
Wye Valley

http://www.wyevalleyaonb.co.uk/

Within the AONB a 58 mile/92km stretch of the River Wye winds down the valley through spectacular limestone gorge scenery and dense ravine woodlands. Superb wildlife, intriguing archaeological and industrial remains and impressive geological features
Haynes International Motor Museum

http://www.haynesmotormuseum.com/

The Haynes International Motor Museum is dedicated to maintain a museum for the public display of a collection of cars and contains over 400 vehicle exhibits.
Cranborne Chase

http://www.ccwwdaonb.org.uk/

This nationally designated AONB covers 380 sq miles of countryside overlapping the boundaries of Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset. It is a diverse landscape offering areas of rolling chalk grassland, ancient woodlands, chalk escarpments, downland hillsides and chalk river valleys each with a distinct and recognisable character
Quantock Hills

http://www.quantockhills.com/

Are an area of wilderness and tranquillity. Panoramic views lead you through coast, heath and combe. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which means that its distinctive character, natural beauty and cultural heritage are so outstanding
Stonehenge

http://www.thestonehengetour.info/

The best-known prehistoric monument in Europe you can walk in the footsteps of your Neolithic ancestors. There is an exhibition and visitor centre with 250 ancient objects and come face to face with a 5,500 year-old man.
Bradford on Avon

http://www.bradfordonavon.co.uk/

In the Avon Valley, it is a rare combination of river, canal and architecture of true character. The Romans, Saxons, Normans, Georgians and Victorians have all left their mark - each creating a chapter in Bradford on Avon's remarkable story
Brean Down

http://www.bradfordonavon.co.uk/

Venture to the top of the Down and take the exhilarating 1.5 mile walk along Somerset’s greatest natural pier. The Down stands 97m high and the views from the top are truly spectacular, looking out over the Bristol Channel towards South Wales and over the Somerset Levels.
Slimbridge Wetland Centre

http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge/

Slimbridge’s mosaic of pools, lagoons, reed beds and meadows provides a haven for diverse wetland creature including otters and some of the world’s most spectacular ducks, geese, swans and flamingos.

Nice post, Thanks Iain!

Many thanks Ian, those names bring back happy memories!

I lived in Bristol for three years and visited most of those places.


Dont thank me all down to the team in Western, just working on the Drives at the moment and they look great too!

 

 

 

Great info on Bristol there.
but for all early motorcycle fans, don’t forget the horizontally opposed for & aft twin engined Douglas motorcycle.
Heritage Centre - http://www.kingswoodmuseum.org.uk/museum/history/

the Douglas Motorcycle factory, situated in Kingswood and at one time in the early 20th century, the largest motorcycle factory in the world.

25,000 Douglas motorcycles were made for the military during the First World War. See examples of some of the earliest Douglas `bikes and other items manufactured by the factory, including a Vespa scooter, made under licence in the 1950s, and fitted with a sidecar.

====

 

“During the Great War over 25,000 Kingswood made machines were sent all around the world”

If anyone fancies swapping 4wheels for 2 then you can also hire Mountain Bikes at Ashton Court, there’s a couple of nice off road trails to ride and a little café next to the bike shop. It’s a great way to explore the estate further and the guys in the shop are really helpful, check it out

http://www.pedalprogression.com/