6 min readSummer is the perfect time for a break outside of the city, whether you opt to stay on site at a local attraction with the family or enjoy a peaceful countryside camping trip.
Bristol is surrounded by stunning countryside, dramatic coastline and some award-winning attractions just waiting for you to explore!
Holiday camps and attractions
Mendip View Lodges
Stay within the grounds of Wookey Hole Caves at the family-friendly Mendip View Lodges, where you can enjoy free entry to the attractions in the price of your stay. Each lodge has a range of comforts, from tea and coffee making facilities to hot tubs.
Image - Mendip View Lodges
Wookey Hole offers a fun day out for all ages, with mesmerising show caves, museums, soft play, crazy gold and even a 4D cinema. During the school holidays there are additional activites and performances, including circus shows from Magique!
Image - Wookey Hole
Holiday Resort Unity
Take advantage of the attractions and facilities of Brean, with its Splash Water Park, Theme Park and indoor soft play centre. There's also an 18-hole golf course at Brean Golf Club, and scenic walks along Brean Down.
Image - Brean Splash Water Park
The four-star accommodation includes caravans, lodges, camping pods and cabins, with a range of accessible and dog-friendly options too.
All guests receive discounts for Brean Splash, Brean Play, Brean Theme Park and Brean Golf Club,
Image - Holiday Resort Unity
Avon Valley Adventure Park Camping
Open from May until the end of August, this award-winning campsite near Keynsham includes free entry to Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park, where kids can meet friendly farm animals, explore Dinosaur Valley, bounce on massive air pillows, scale a climbing wall, ride a miniature railway or go off-road adventure in the 4 x 4 Mini Jeep Safari.
Image - Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park
A range of pitches are available, including grass, pre-pitched safari tents and Nordic bell tents with private wood fired hot tubs. Campervans and motorhomes are also welcome. The site is dog friendly and allows fire pits.
Image - Avon Valley Adventure Park Camping
Farrington's Family Glamping
Located between Bristol and Bath, this family campsite is open during the school holidays and is packed full of fun activities, including a play barn, outdoor play area, straw pool and seasonal activities.
Their luxury bell tents have comfy beds, solar lighting, a table, full length mirror and a BBQ/firepit, and can sleep up to four people.
Image - Farrington's Family Glamping
Basecamp at Mendip Activity Centre
Located just five minutes from the M5 motorway and a short distance from Bristol in the beautiful Mendip Hills, Mendip Basecamp is open from the May half term onwards and is perfect for families, small groups and adventure-seekers.
Mendip Activity Centre is open seven days a week and boasts a wide range of activities, including tobogganing, climbing, abseiling, caving, kayaking, archery and frisbee golf. There's even a dry ski slope if you want to have a skiing or snowboarding lesson! During the summer months, the site also hosts regular live music at their Alpine Lodge.
Image - Mendip Activity Centre
You can camp where you like at this 'nearly wild', which has flushing toilets and hot showers. There are also fire pits available to rent, a toddler play area, a camp shop, coffee lounge and fully-licensed bar and cafe. You're also welcome to bring your dog along.
Image - Basecamp at Mendip Activity Centre
The Camp at The Wave
If you like the idea of waking up to the sound of gentle waves lapping at the shore, book a stay in one of the furnished tents at The Wave, a large inland surfing lake just outside Bristol.
During the day, head to the lake for swimming, surfing or just relax outside the cafe and watch others ride the waves. Lessons are available for different levels of ability.
Image - The Wave
Tents sleeps up to 8 people and is kitted out with comfortable beds, a kitchenette with hot water, private toilet, fridge, and wood burner. There's a two-night minimum stay in the week and three-night minimum stay over weekends.
All of the tents are accessible via wheelchair, and there are two DDA compliant tents which have a larger living area and a roll under kitchenette. The Wave also offer adaptive surf sessions and lessons for those with additional needs.
New for 2024, for a more authentic camping experience, book an unfurnished bell tent next to the waves from only £80 a night.
Image - The Camp at The Wave
Rural getaways
Brook Lodge Farm Camping
This multi award-wining campsite has been hosting visitors for over 45 years, with space for individual pitches and groups across two paddocks in a scenic spot close to the Mendip Hills.
The site has a modern shower, toilet & dishwashing facilities with hot water, baby changing facilities, fridge/freezers and microwaves, washing machine, free Wi-Fi, childen's play area and a small shop.
They have free maps for local walking routes, and the campsite is also withing easy reach of Bristol and historic cities such as Wells and Bath if you decide to do any day trips.
Image - Brook Lodge Farm Camping
Bucklegrove Holiday Park
Bring your own tent or caravan, or book a woodland cabin or luxury lodge with a hot tub if you want a more luxurious stay. For those using the camping or touring pitches, a toilet and shower block is available.
The holiday park has a heated, indoor swimming pool and an outdoor play area. There's also a games room and a toddlers room to keep all ages entertained. The on-site restaurant is an ideal place to unwind and enjoy a variety of local produce, including ales and cider.
Image - Bucklegrove Holiday Park
Hit the road
roadsurfer
Go on an adventure in one of roadsurfer's modern campervans, which come with a kitchenette, shower and more depending on the size. Prices start at £69 per night and all campers are pet-friendly, if you want to bring your four-legged friend along!
Image - roadsurfer
The Motorhome Holiday Company Ltd
If you're looking to explore more of the wider region, book a motorhome and collect it from Bristol Airport when you arrive!
Options range from a 2 berth to a large 6 berth ideal for a group or family adventure, and all motorhomes come fully equipped with tableware, cookware, outdoor table and chairs and essentials such as gas and toilet chemical.
Image - The Motorhome Holiday Company
If you want to stay closer to the city centre, Baltic Wharf Club Campsite is located on the Harbourside, close to Brunel's SS Great Britain, Spike Island and other key attractions. There are 55 touring pitches available, and facilities include toilets, laundry, a disabled shower room, electric hook-up and drive over waste disposal for motorhomes.
Please nore that the Bristol Clean Air Zone covers the central part of Bristol, including Baltic Wharf Club Campsite, which means you may need to pay a fee based on your vehicle's emissions, age and weight.
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