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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Entertainment
Kate Wilson

UK's 'most beautiful' places to visit less than an hour from Bristol

The top 50 'most beautiful' places to visit in the UK have been announced by a travel company - and there are four places on the list less than an hour's drive from Bristol.

Big 7 Travel has collated the ultimate travel guide, from the "rugged Scottish highlands to the honey-coloured cottages of The Cotswolds". According to the travel firm the most beautiful place closest to Bristol is Bath - which comes in at number four on the list.

Below we've listed Big 7 Travel's 'most beautiful places' in the UK that are an hour of less from Bristol. Let us know in the comments where your favourite place to visit in the UK is.

READ MORE: Private village a drive from Bristol named among UK's best

48. Cheddar Gorge - England

Cheddar Gorge has spectacular views for a day's drive out (Copyright unkown)

42 minutes from Bristol

Big 7 Travel says: "Just near the ancient Roman city of Bath and the cosy village of Cheddar is the magnificent Cheddar Gorge. This velvety green gorge is simply breath taking and provides stunning views of the surrounding scenery.

"Even more impressive, the limestone cliffs that soar above the gorge were formed by Ice Age meltwaters millions of years ago."

Our reporter spent the afternoon in Cheddar earlier this month and described it as a natural beauty spot that is definitely worth a day out

29. Tintern Abbey - Wales

Tintern Abbey in the Wye Valley (Bristol Live)

33 minutes drive from Bristol

Big 7 Travel says: "The Cistercian abbey of Tintern is one of Wales’ best ruins. This once-thriving gothic masterpiece dates all the way back to 1131 and has not stopped wowing since. While now in ruins, the decay of the area gives an incredible representation of just how much has happened in Wales in the 890 years since its formation.

"Set on the banks of the River Rye, forming the border between Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire, the scenery is beautiful."

Check out our reporter's description of the pretty village with lots of pubs here.

8. Castle Combe - England

Castle Combe (Western Daily Press)

31 minute drive from Bristol

Big 7 Travel says: "The Cotswolds is full of chocolate-box villages to discover, but Castle Combe’s charm is unmatched. The surprising lack of tourist shops and rows of 17th-century stone brick cottages give the place a real lived-in feel.

"Although you will probably spot a few tourists. It is considered England’s prettiest village, so it’s firmly on the tourist trail for good reason. Wander through the surrounding woodlands and be sure to take a snap of the storybook cottages from the bridge over the River ByBrook."

The village is home to a faceless clock, which is believed to be one of the country's oldest. And history buffs can enjoy the well-maintained graveyard with tombstones going back centuries. Read more about Castle Combe here.

4. Bath - England

Framed, Pulteney Bridge, River Avon, Bath (Getty/Joe Daniel Price)

32 minute drive from Bristol

Big 7 Travel says: "Bath – a charming Somerset dream of Georgian architecture and Roman history. Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, it’s not hard to see why it’s such a popular destination for tourists and Brits alike. The ancient Roman city is mainly known for its elaborate ancient baths for which the city was named. Thanks to this, it’s a perfect spa retreat."

Perhaps Bath's most impressive street (and there are lots of them), Royal Crescent is one of the city's most iconic landmarks. Standing proudly over a green park, Royal Crescent featured in many of Netflix's Bridgerton's scene-setting shots.

The hit series also filmed on Abbey Square, situated in the heart of Bath, for some of the show's most famous scenes. The city was a favourite of Jane Austen, who set a number of novels in there. Read more about Bath here.

List of UK's top 50 most beautiful places (according to Big 7 Travel)

50. Port Sunlight, the Wirral – England

49. The Dark Hedges – Northern Ireland

48. Cheddar Gorge – England

47. Belfast – Northern Ireland

46. Isle of Muck – Scotland

45. Dolgellau, Snowdonia National Park – Wales

44. Eilean Donan – Scotland

43. Oxford – England

42. Glen Nevis – Scotland

41. St. Michael’s Mount – England

40. The Orkney Islands – Scotland

39. Isle of Mull and Iona – Scotland

37. The Isles of Scilly – England

36. Brighton – England

35. Stratford upon Avon – England

34. Loch Ness – Scotland

33. Isle of Staffa – Scotland

32. The Shambles, York – England

31. Bamburgh Castle – England

30. Shaftesbury – England

29. Tintern Abbey – Wales

28. Chalcot Crescent, London – England

27. Kynance Cove – England

26. Clovelly Village, Devon – England

25. Eoligarry Beach, Isle of Barra – Scotland

24. Dunnottar Castle – Scotland

23. High Force Waterfalls – England

22. Kinbane Castle – Northern Ireland

21. Glenfinnan Viaduct – Scotland

20. Tollymore Forest Park – Northern Ireland

19. Gower Peninsula – Wales

18. The Shetland Islands – Scotland

17. Dean Village – Scotland

16. White Cliffs of Dover – England

15. Giant’s Causeway – Northern Ireland

14. Conwy Castle – Wales

13. Durdle Door, Dorset

12. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs – Scotland

11. Minack Theatre, Cornwall

10. Devil’s Pulpit, Finnich Glen – Scotland

9. Three Cliffs Bay – Wales

8. Castle Combe, the Cotswolds – England

7. Edinburgh – Scotland

6. Cambridge – England

5. Pembrokeshire Coast – Wales

4. Bath - England

3. The Lake District - England

2. Snowdonia National Park - Wales

1. Isle of Skye - Scotland

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