Our favourite places to visit

For some stunning scenery, you could make your way to the pretty hamlet of Avoncliff by road, rail, or riverboat along the steep sided, heavily forested valley where the River Avon, the Kennet & Avon Canal, and the Bath to Westbury railway line interweave their respective ways. There’s a good pub there, too!

Nearby Longleat Safari Park is a magnet for families as is Bowood House, motor enthusiasts can enjoy some fun at nearby Castle Combe motor racing circuit as well as the Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum. Boat lovers can get afloat on the nearby Kennet and Avon canal and the Caen Hill Locks are a ‘must see’. As you might expect, there are some stunning National Trust properties in Wiltshire that are well worth a visit.

For some breathtaking subterranean drama, Cheddar Caves and Wookey Hole are within easy reach. Salisbury Plain and Stonehenge, a World Heritage Site, are only about 30 minutes away and only 40 minutes drive to the south will carry you into the heart of the Mendips, to Wells and its magnificent cathedral, towards the mythical landscape of Avalon, and Glastonbury.

Alternatively, hop along the A4 for half an hour and you’ll find yourself in Bristol, one of the nation’s great cities and host to a sophisticated plethora of attractions and entertainments.