North Somerset

For woodland walks, cycle paths and classic seaside towns

Cross the Clifton Suspension Bridge for Leigh Woods, the National Trustowned broadleaf woodland that sits on the edge of the Avon Gorge. A few minutes further on, the verdant hills of North Somerset’s Ashton Court Estate provide off-road cycling routes, pathways for walkers and acres of green space. Watch hotair balloons take off from here – and don’t miss the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

PORTISHEAD & CLEVEDON

Roughly 10 miles from Bristol, Portishead has a 420-berth marina featuring a public arts trail and Lake Grounds, where there is an open-air pool and a boating lake. Nearby Clevedon boasts an elegant Grade I-listed pier constructed in 1869 and the Curzon cinema dated 1912. The town was also a location for the television drama series Broadchurch.

WESTON-SUPER-MARE

Further south, this Victorian beach resort offers various seaside attractions (go-karts, dodgems and F1 simulators) on the famous Grand Pier. From July to September, visit SEE MONSTER, the world's first and only repurposed North Sea offshore platform, a large-scale outdoor public art installation located at the town’s seafront Tropicana site. Walkers should take a saunter along the Clevedon coast path to Portishead, part of the West Mendip Way, or head for the National Trust’s Sand Point. The town is also home to a thriving street art scene.

CYCLE ROUTES

If you prefer getting around on two wheels, try the Strawberry Line from Yatton to Cheddar, an easy traffic-free cycle path that takes in Congresbury,

Sandford, Winscombe and

Axbridge, or the Brean Down

Way cycle route from Weston to the National Trust’s spectacular

Brean Down.

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FOOD & DRINK

Aldwick Court Estate Tour the vineyards (above) and taste award-winning English wines. The Ethicurean Ethical cuisine at Barley Wood Walled Garden in rural Wrington. Butcombe Brewery Go behind the scenes at this local brewer. Limeburn Hill Vineyard Tours, tastings and organic wines at this small, biodynamic vineyard. Salt & Malt Fish and chips from a Michelinstarred chef overlooking Chew Valley Lake. Thatchers Visit Myrtle Farm shop, pub and orchards, the home of Thatchers Cider. Tiffany’s, Grand Pier Weston’s elegant restaurant and tearoom at the end of the pier.

Clockwise from top: The Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm and National Trust Tyntesfield.

NORTH SOMERSET

NORTH SOMERSET FAMILY ATTRACTIONS

Cheddar Gorge & Caves Spectacular caves, dramatic clifftop walks and natural wonders that take you back to prehistoric times. Clevedon Pier This beautiful Victorian pier was also featured in a One Direction video. Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare Indoor theme park fun with Bristol Channel views plus seafront restaurants views. Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm Meet elephants, white rhinos, donkeys, sheep and more. Ham Wall Nature Reserve At the RSPB’s wetland centre, see bitterns, kingfishers and views across the marshes towards Glastonbury Tor. Somerset Rural Life Museum Dedicated to the region’s social and agricultural history from the 1800s onwards. Tyntesfield A National Trust Victorian Gothic house with 540 acres of grounds to explore. Wookey Hole Caves Wander through the valley of the dinosaurs and meet the Witch of Wookey. Wells Cathedral In England’s smallest city, Wells Cathedral is one of the finest in the country.

FURTHER AFIELD

Make Bristol a base for exploring the wider region. Cardiff is just under an hour away: combine with a visit to the Royal Mint or the beautiful Wye Valley. Take a direct train to discover Magna Carta at Salisbury Cathedral in neighbouring Wiltshire and board the shuttle bus to nearby Stonehenge (pictured below). Combine these with Bath for a classic day out. Roughly an hour south-east of Bristol is the Longleat estate with its Elizabethan house, grounds and famous safari park.