Bath provides an ideal base for exploring the best of the West Country, and with so much on offer in the surrounding countryside there are plenty of reasons to add a few extra nights to your stay and experience Bath and beyond. 

Image - The Pig near Bath

Where to Stay?

Choose Bath city centre as a base for exploring its beautiful surrounding or beat the hustle and bustle of the city and sleep in amongst the rolling hills and stunning countryside. 

There is a vast range of accommodation to choose from, located just beyond Bath. For grand country retreats, try the five-star Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, four-star Homewood or Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort. Country house hotels such as THE PIG-near Bath offer idyllic country escapes, while Woolley Grange Hotel offers a touch of luxury for families.

Or you could choose to stay in a room above a traditional pub or in a country cottage for an even cosier stay.

Image - The PIG near Bath 

Day One 

Morning and Afternoon
For a fun packed day out head to Longleat, the UK’s original safari park set within 900 acres of landscaped grounds. Animal lovers will also enjoy a trip to Chew Valey Animal Park, which is home to capybaras, camels, pygmy goats, ring-tailed lemurs and much more.

If you don't want to travel too far, Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park is located just a short drive from Bath and offers a range of animal experiences, as well as some fun activities for children, including a 4x4 Mini Jeep Safari, climbing wall, massive air pillows and a one-and-a-quarter-mile nature trail walk with a children's assault course.

Image - Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park

Or pay a visit to Wookey Hole Caves, one of the UK’s largest show caves systems deep below the Mendip Hills. It’s home of the Witch of Wookey Hole and offers a magical and historical day out for explorers of all ages, with activities including crazy golf, a 4D cinema, soft play and circus or magic shows during the school holidays.

• More outdoor attractions in and around Bath

Image - Wookey Hole

Evening
After a fun-filled day out, visit one of the many local towns and villages such as Frome, a historic town with quaint cobbled streets. There are delicious restaurants and lively pubs and bars, or for some evening entertainment check out the Cheese and Grain, a leading venue for live music with over 500 events per year.

Day Two 

Morning
Spend the morning exploring Haynes International Motor Museum at Sparkford and see the UK’s largest collection of cars from around the globe, some dating back to the 1800s. Motor enthusiasts can visit Castle Combe Circuit and take to the tracks with an action-packed driving experience, or even spend a full day during racing season to catch all the action. 

Image - Castle Combe Circuit

For something slightly more sedate, Avon Valley Railway in Bitton, a heritage steam railway, offers classic steam train experiences, or you can hire bikes from Webbs Cycle Shop – just across the road – to explore the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, a 13-mile multi-use cycle path connecting the two cities.

Image - Avon Valley Railway

Afternoon
Head over to the picturesque town of Bradford-on-Avon and walk in the footsteps of the Romans, Saxons, Normans, Georgians and Victorians, before enjoying an award-winning afternoon tea or lunch in one of the cosy tea rooms. 

Image - Bradford on Avon

Enjoy a leisurely afternoon exploring one of the many surrounding National Trust properties and grounds such as the impressive Lacock Abbey, Avebury or Dyrham Park. Or, take in the stunning landscape gardens at Iford Manor, nestled in the serene Wiltshire countryside. 

Or just to the north of Bath you'll find the beautiful Westonbirt Arboretum, which hosts events and special trails throughout the year.

Image - Iford Manor Gardens

Day Three

Morning
Take a step back in time at one of the South West’s finest stately homes, Corsham Court, or marvel at striking gardens and an impressive manor house.

Image - Bishop's Palace and Well Pool

Afternoon
Spend the afternoon in Wells and explore the earliest English Cathedral, Wells Cathedral, Gothic in style and a truly impressive landmark in England’s smallest city, before exploring The Bishop’s Palace & Gardens next door, home to the Bishop of Bath for over 800 years and steeped in medieval history. 

Or, head out further afield and visit the medieval city of Salisbury with the architecturally stunning Salisbury Cathedral. 

Image - Salisbury Cathedral

No Car? No Problem!

Adventuring further afield without a car isn't an issue – several tours use Bath as their base from which to explore the surrounding villages and countryside. Guided by expert and friendly guides, Mad Max Tours offer a wide range of small-group, one-day tours, taking you to Glastonbury, Wells, Cheddar and many other picturesque places.

Image - In & Beyond Bath: Hidden Cotswolds tour

Escape to idyllic, rural country life on a Galahad Tours trip, which will take you to pretty Cotswold villages such as Castle Combe and Bibury. They also offer a 'Day at Downtown Abbey' for fans of the show!

Join a one-day tour of Stonehenge & Cotswold Village, or explore Untol Cotswolds & Oxford with Rabbie's Tours, who will drive you to each location and fill you in on fascinating facts.

Smaller groups can enjoy tours of the Cotswolds or Somerset with In and Beyond Bath, who who offer intimate & relaxed journeys of discovery, sharing the best of authentic England.

Image - Castle Combe

Bath Insider Tours will guide you around historic Glastonbury, its Abbey, and the Tor, to hear about their myths and legends. They also offer tours to Wells, Cheddar, Stonehenge and the Cotswolds.

Many of the tour operators above, plus Scarper Tours, provide excursions to the famous Stonehenge, letting you experience the iconic prehistoric monument and World Heritage Site close-up – an unforgettable tick off your bucket list.

Image - Stonehenge

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