Local Area

The village of Almondsbury lies 20 minutes outside of the south west city of Bristol, which straddles the River Avon.

Bristol has an extensive maritime history behind it and the Harbourside, once a busy dock, is now one of the most popular places in the city to spend leisure time.

The Harbourside has come a long way since its earliest days as a trading port back in 1051. As well as offering plenty of places to eat and drink, today the location is home to attractions such as M Shed, the History Museum of Bristol; Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the world’s first ocean liner; and the art and design centre Spike Island, and more.

You can even see a little wildlife while you’re there. At the aquarium, you’ll see sharks, rays and other marine life, but the centrepiece of the aquarium is the large Coral Seas display. The display is a home for more than 250 animals.

To see even more wildlife, visit Bristol Zoo Gardens. This zoo is one of the oldest in the world in fact, having first opened its doors back in July 1836. Take a family day out to Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park and get on the go-karts, quad bikes or the climbing wall. The park also features a Riverside Trail, where you can see wildlife, go boating and more as you go along the trail.

If you’d like to cram in some shopping during your visit, head to the Cabot Circus and browse the 90 plus different shops in the centre. You can take time out and get something to eat or drink in between purchases, and then round off a hard-day’s browsing with a movie at the in-centre cinema.

A little further out is the Cheddar Gorge and Caves but it's really worth the 30-mile journey. This natural landmark’s cliffs and caves will inspire you while revealing secrets about our prehistoric ancestors. At 400 feet deep and three miles long, the gorge is the largest in England. Take a clifftop walk and make the most of this opportunity to explore the great outdoors.

A mere 45 minutes from Almondsbury is the city of Bath, famous for its hot springs and architecture. See the Roman Baths, walk across the historic Pulteney Bridge or visit Bath Abbey. You can gain further insight into the architectural story behind Bath at the Museum of Bath Architecture.