I’m getting married in June, and the honeymoon’s gonna be five days in Edinburgh, then we shoot down to Bristol for four days. We picked Bristol because it seems such a nice alternative to London, which we’ve both been to, and central to Wales, the Cotswolds, Bath, etc. (Plus, there’s a Marriott there, and my dad got can get us a deal on Marriotts). What would your picks be for day trips in the area? We’d love to take a walk in the Cotswolds, and I have a few books to that end, but does anyone have any special suggestions? How’s the Cheddar Gorge? Wales? What about Bristol istself? I know it’s a seaside town and we’re big fans of that.
Bristol is a lovely lovely place to visit (its not really a seaside town though!)
Check out this website
Go and visit the Clifton Suspension Bridge - Its a beautiful walk and the views are marvellous
Check out the history of Isambard Kingdom Brunel - he was a genius Victorian engineer and designed stations, railways, bridges and a lot more - his influence is still felt across the world today
Eat here - The Glassboat on the Canal
http://www.glassboat.co.uk/
While you’re so close you must must must also go to Bath - it’s one of the most beautiful places in England. Its most famous for its Roman Baths and hot springs - there are a multitude of Spas and Museums to visit. It has stunning architecture too.
Enjoy your visit!
Second the trip to Bath - it’s beautiful, and the museum is worth spending an hour in.
Bristol itself I found to be meh. It wasn’t unpleasant or anything, but I don’t have many memories of that particular city. I spent most of my time sitting near the harbor and reading. Pleasant enough if the weather’s nice.
I third the trip to Bath - very nice town. Lots to see.
I don’t know Bristol that well, but it is quite pleasant in parts - I recall there’s a park on a hill with nice views. The Clifton Suspension Bridge is worth a visit as yingtongtiddleipo said, as is the SS Great Britain (a Brunel creation).
I went to Cheddar Gorge a long time ago when I was 13. It’s a small place, it has a gorge, a cave, and probably a cheese museum. If you like gorges, caves and cheese then by all means have a look. If you’re not too fussed, don’t bother.
There’s a lot of nice scenery in South Wales (there is in North Wales too, but I wouldn’t bother from Bristol) so if you get good weather then it’s worth a look.
There’s Wells Cathedral, in Wells - quite well-known cathedral. It’s a cathedral. I got nothin’.
You could nip up to Oxford, too… perhaps a little further than you’d want to go on a day trip, but if you’ve not been before then the dreaming spires are one of the classic tourist destinations - for good reason, too.
BTW, how are you getting from Edinburgh to Bristol? Flying, or driving? If you’re driving, it could be worth stopping off somewhere on the way.
Oh, I forgot how close Wells was. It’s a tiny, tiny town - a village, I suppose - but it’s adorable and the cathedral is lovely. It was also much less touristy than most of the places I visited in England.
It’s a city!! Smallest in the country, perhaps, but still a city. As are both Bath and Bristol. In between are plenty of towns and villages…
I live between Bristol and Bath, and Bath is by far the nicest. I’m guessing you’re flying down from Edinburgh, so be prepared for a fair taxi/drive from the airport to Bristol - the airport is about 10-12 miles from the edge of Bristol (arguably closer to Bath if you know the shortcuts).
Cheddar Gorge is quite reasonable, but I second the fact that if you’re not impressed by caves or cheesemaking then there isn’t a great deal else to visit for. If you are into caves, Wookey Hole (near Wells) is much better than Cheddar anyway.
I’d also suggest a visit to Longleat House, home of Lord Bath. You can tour the house and gardens, and also visit the safari park. The safari park is a really good day out on it’s own.
For more info - you might try here…
J.
You’re going to Bristol for your honeymoon? Seriously?
Head south and go to Dartmoor.
You didn’t ask about Edinburgh, but feel free to contact me when you’re here for local knowledge, drink, etc!
Didn’t mean to compromise the integrity of Wells. 
But it IS tiny. I do remember having some lovely fudge while I was there.
Erm, and the cathedral was very lovely too… but after two weeks traveling the south of England all of them started to look alarmingly alike.
It is tiny - though not anywhere near as tiny as the village I live in, which you would miss if you blinked while driving through it! The cathedral at Wells is nice, but the Abbey with it’s moat is nicer. There’s also a plethora of good pubs worth a visit.
Wells has a population of 10,000. In comparison, the largest town is Reading, just under a quarter-million.
It’s not actually the smallest population of an English city, that one’s taken by the City of London. But anyone want to name the next-smallest ones? 
Ely and Lichfield
Ooh. I loved living in Bristol. Fabulous place.
Unfortunately all I can recommend are pubs and nightclubs, which (IMHO) are world class. The Farm (a pub) is unmissable for its beer garden/patio (and it’s in a lovely neighbourhood with actual farms in it), the Cadbury House (pub) is great if you like a good DJ (it’s also good for Sunday brunch), and the Blue Mountain is a fantastic nightclub. The Prince of Wales in St Pauls is a great reggae joint, if somewhat dodgy.
Cardiff is a worthwhile day trip.
Watch out for the quirky local accent. A proper Bristolian will add an L to the end of certain words - for an example, he or she will say “That’s a good ideal” instead of “idea”.