Weekend getaway: Unique experiences between Bristol and Southampton
Bristol’s convenient location means you can escape to plenty of weekend destinations from time to time.
Within a short commute from Bristol, you will be able to explore some of the best landscapes, pristine beaches and quaint towns and villages.
In fact, between Bristol and Southampton, a distance of 170 km, there are some great stops along the way and top places to visit like Lacock Abbey and the ever popular Westonbirt,The National Arboretum.
Keep reading to know about some of the amazing weekend getaways between Bristol and Southampton.
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Bath & The Cotswolds
Bath has been labelled as a UNESCO World Heritage Site where visitors are left dumbstruck at the sight of the Roman style architecture in the heart of the city.
Out of the many stunning buildings, the Roman Baths, which are open for the public to explore, are a must-visit destination.
The Cotswolds are known for their beautiful landscapes and are just a short drive away. There are some lovely stops on the way at Bibury and The Slaughters and Broadway.
Southampton
The charming town of Southampton is a great short-stay destination by itself. If you are a history buff, head to Bargate, a thousand years old gatehouse. Then check out the royal Tudor House, now a museum with exhibits featuring thousands of years of local history.
Southampton is a major port of the UK and a popular cruise terminal. You can combine your weekend getaway from Bristol and extend your trip with a short cruise around the harbor or to other nearby seaside towns of Portsmouth and Brighton, or even London, just an hour away.
Liverpool
Liverpool is a popular weekend destination and has a plethora of attractions for visitors for all ages, which include some of the best museums in the UK such as the Liverpool Football Club Museum and the Liverpool Beatles Museum.
The M&S Bank Arena is the venue of many a star-studded festival as Liverpool ONE’S Ultimate Leisure Complex and the Williamson Tunnels. Then there is Anfield, home of the most iconic football team in the world.
Cheddar Gorge
Cheddar Gorge is just a short 30 minutes drive from Bristol and is a true iconic natural gem of the newly formed Mendip Hills National Landscape. It is not only one of the country’s most remarkable natural landmarks, but also a Site of Special Scientific interest.
The Gorge showcases many important aspects of those who lived here in the past and boasts of towering cliffs and extraordinary subterranean caves. The area is also an international destination for rock climbing and caving.
The Wye Valley
Home to the twelfth century Tintern Abbey, a remarkable thing about the Wye Valley is how best the buildings are preserved from that time period.
While the abbey is on the priority list of most visitors traveling through the valley, one must also visit Cheptow’s Norman Castle, widely regarded as one of the oldest in Britain.