Best weekend breaks from Bristol and Cardiff

14 destinations picked for this guide.

Bristol and Cardiff sit between the Cotswolds, the Mendips, the Brecon Beacons and the Devon and Somerset coast, so a good weekend is rarely more than a couple of hours away. Bath and Wells are close, Exmoor and the Jurassic Coast offer wild scenery, and Wales has the Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire on your doorstep. These are the best places for a short break from the South West and South Wales.

Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog)Powys · Mid-range

Mountain ridges, waterfalls and some of the darkest skies in Wales

 CardiffWales · Mid-range

A compact Welsh capital with a castle in the city centre

 Cheddar GorgeSomerset · Mid-range

England's biggest gorge, with show caves and the home of cheese

 ExmoorSomerset and Devon · Mid-range

Moorland, dramatic sea cliffs and a famous dark sky

 GlastonburySomerset · Mid-range

A hilltop tower, abbey ruins and centuries of myth in the Somerset Levels

 LynmouthDevon · Mid-range

A harbour village with a water-powered cliff railway on the edge of Exmoor

 PembrokeshireWales · Mid-range

A rugged coast of golden beaches, seabirds and a famous coast path

 TenbyPembrokeshire · Mid-range

A colourful walled harbour town with sandy beaches

 Bradford on AvonWiltshire · Higher-priced

A honey-stone town on the River Avon with a Saxon church

 BristolSomerset · Higher-priced

A creative harbour city of street art, bridges and independent food

 DartmoorDevon · Higher-priced

Granite tors, wild ponies and ancient woodland

 Jurassic Coast (Lyme Regis)Dorset · Higher-priced

A World Heritage coast of cliffs, fossils and natural arches

 BathSomerset · Premium

Roman baths, Georgian crescents and thermal spas

 CotswoldsGloucestershire · Premium

Honey-coloured villages, rolling hills and country pubs

Frequently asked questions

What is the nearest national park to Bristol?

Exmoor is about 1 hour 30 minutes away, and the Brecon Beacons are a similar distance across the Severn Bridge.

Is Bath a good weekend from Bristol?

Yes. It is only 15 minutes by train, and makes an easy overnight stay.

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Best weekend breaks from Manchester and the North WestBest weekend breaks from LondonBest weekend breaks from Birmingham and the MidlandsBest weekend breaks in Yorkshire and the North EastBest weekend breaks in ScotlandBest weekend breaks in Wales

Last reviewed October 2026. Prices and journey times are estimates, so check before you book. Report an error or share a tip.