Trips around Bristol

Cheddar and Wells

22 miles Bristol to Wells mostly on A37 then A39, 8 miles from Wells to Cheddar on A371, 20 miles on A37 back to Bristol.
Visit famous Cheddar Gorge and caves; in Wells, the smallest city of England, there's a beautiful cathedral with very interesting clock (see them with fighting knights every hour on the hour) and Vicars' Close – the oldest existing street in the world.

Stourhead gardens

75 miles total return trip via A37, A361 and B3092.
Stourhead garden is a breathtaking 18th century landscape garden with lakeside walks, grottoes and classical temples is only the beginning.

Westonbirt arboretum [+Castle Combe]

40 miles total return trip via M32, M4, A46 and A433.
The arboretum is an arboretum near Tetbury in Gloucestershire, England, perhaps the most important and widely known arboretum in the United Kingdom. The arboretum was established in 1829 by Robert Stayner Holford who inherited the property ten years later, and was later extended by his son Sir George Holford. It is close to the Holford family's mansion Westonbirt House (worth visiting too!!!), which is now a girls' boarding school. Westonbirt comprises some 18,000 trees and shrubs, over an area of approximately 2.4 km². Its 27 km of marked paths provide access to a wide variety of rare plants.

Optionally, after Westonbirt you can quickly (10 miles) get to Castle Combe, called by some "the prettiest village in England". Usually you can park not at the P&D car park, which is quite far from the actually village, but on the hill right before the village. Make sure to visit the grounds of Manor House hotel and its gardens. Film Stardust was partly shot in Castle Combe. Driving distance from Catle Combe to Bristol is 20 miles (B4039, A46 south, M4, M32)

Stonehenge and Longleat

50 (slow!) miles from Bristol to Stonehenge via A4, A36 and A303; then 22 miles to Longleat via A344, A360, B390, A36, A362. Finally, 30 miles from Longleat back to Bristol via A361, A36, A4.
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument, one of the most famous prehistoric sites in the world.
Longleat Safari park was the first drive-through safari park outside of Africa. The park is situated in the grounds of Longleat House, the home of the 7^th Marquess of Bath. The safari park was the first of its kind anywhere in the world, with the animals roaming freely and the visitors in cages (cars). Today Longleat's collection comprises over 500 animals, and the whole estate is situated on 36 km² of Wiltshire countryside.

Avebury

90 (fast) miles total return trip via M32, M4, A4361.
Avebury is a world-famous stone circle at the heart of a prehistoric landscape: cheaper and closer, but not a worse alternative to Stonehenge. Nearby West Kennet Long Barrow is one of the largest and most impressive Neolithic graves in Britain. Used for over 1000 years, excavations have discovered the human remains of up to 46 people inside the barrow. A must-see, as well as Silbury Hill opposite, only extra 3 miles return. If time permits, nearby town of Marlborough is worth a visit and also it's nicest tea shop on the main square (The Polly tearooms). Extra 6 miles from Avebury or 4 miles from West Kennet Barrow (both on A4).

Painswick

70 (fast) miles total return trip via M5, A419, A46. Don't get lost in Stroud!
Painswick village is quite often referred to as the Queen of the Cotswolds due to it's fine buildings of pale grey limestone. These are a reflection of the town's former prosperity during 300 years of activity in the cloth industry. St. Mary's church is largely of the 15th and 16th centuries. Rococo gardens in Painswick is an 18th century garden is set in a hidden valley in the Cotswolds. Dating from the brief Rococo period which was known for its flamboyancy and frivolity. Charming contemporary structures, newly restored, nestle on the sides of the valley. Prinknash Abbey Bird Park is 4 miles further on A46, is worth visiting too.