Basecamp Local Area Guide

Discover adventures nearby and further afield, plus useful information about food, drink and shopping options in our handy local area guide. If you would like to find out what’s available to eat and drink onsite at Basecamp, please click here.

Explore Somerset’s Top Attractions

Basecamp is the perfect campsite to explore the top attractions of Somerset, including Bristol, Bath and Cheddar. Here are our top recommendations for discovering the area.

Things to do in Bristol

Bristol is a thriving, creative city with great people and friendly vibes. Discover thought-provoking street art, impressive architecture and engineering, unique family activities and excellent local makers and artisans.

A woman stands in a courtyard in Bristol surrounded by white-painted brick buildings. There is a large Banksy graffiti work on the wall behind her depicting a version of the Girl With a Pearl Earring painting by Vermeer. Insead of a pearl earring, she wears an orange security alarm box

The iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol spans the estuary. It’s two large pillars on either end support cables and metal work that suspend the bridge’s surface high above the water. There are hot air balloons scattered across the sky behind the bridge.

A historic tall ship is moored at Bristol Harbourside. Its timber construction gleams in the sun and flags from England and Canada fly from its masts. There are old cranes on the wharf and a large building set back from the water.

A boy wearing a blue shirt looks up at a display wall at We The Curious in Bristol, a science attraction for families. There are numerous displays and interactive activities behind the boy, filling the rest of the room.

Psychedelic glowing mushrooms with undulating stems sit atop a mound. There are winding, tangled shapes on the ceiling that look like roots. Glowing lines on the floor radiate outwards from the mushrooms. Everything is large in scale and looks like a wonderland.

Two elephants walking side bar side, one looks to be the mother and the other the babay

An optical illusion is created in the Upside Down House in Bristol. Kitchen fixings and furniture are suspended from the ceiling, and a girl pretends to do a handstand on the table while having her photo taken

An adult points at a jet plane in a display at the Aerospace Museum in Bristol. The two children with him are looking at the plane.

How to get to Bristol

Bristol is approximately a 30-minute drive from the campsite. You can also park at Weston-super-Mare or Yatton to catch the train, or stop in Congresbury and hop on the direct bus. Tap here to find out more.

Check out Visit Bristol for more ideas.

Things to do in Bath

Bath is an elegant, multi-faceted city with something for the whole family. From refined relaxation to head-scratching treasure hunts, unique museums and wildlife experiences, discover the hidden gems of Bath on your next city adventure

A stone-built pool built in the Roman times in Bath is surrounded by a colonnade. The water is blue-green, and a small channel carries water into the pool.

A rooftop pool filled with water from a thermal spring steams while four people swim and relax. The sky is clear and historic buildings of Bath are visible on the skyline

Text saying ‘Clueniversity of Magic’ is placed over a digital rendering of a book with magical sparkles blooming up from the fluttering pages

A mannequin in historic clothing stands in front of a bread oven, with a long-handled paddle used for removing baked goods from commercial ovens. The room is built of stone, with multiple ovens, fireplaces, a table and a variety of historical baking implements.

An owl perches on a boy’s arm as they look at each other. The boy wears a thick leather glove for protection

A woman and girl are smiling as they study an ornamental stone wall for clues while on a treasure hunt in Bath. The girl is holding a pamphlet while pointing at something on the wall.

An overhead view of a maze made of paving stones with grass planted around them. There is a large paved circle in the centre of the maze

How to Get to Bath

Bath is approximately a 1-hour drive from the campsite. Alternatively, you can park in Weston-super-Mare or Yatton and catch the train, or check out the buses that run from Churchill. Tap here to find out more.

Check out Visit Bath for more ideas

Things to do in Cheddar

Cheddar is an adventurer’s paradise! Home to Cheddar Gorge, one of England’s most impressive natural features, this little village in North Somerset is a must-visit. Sample locally made cheeses, learn about Cheddar’s prehistory and discover incredible views of the Mendip Hills on a magical walk around the Gorge.

An overhead view of the iconic s-bend of the road travelling through Cheddar Gorge. Towering cliffs streaked with trees and foliage reach up to the sky, and footpaths are traced through the grass along the top of the gorge.

A girl and a boy stand in front of a historical fountain. The girl is smiling and pointing at something on the fountain feature, and the boy is looking at a pamphlet.

A young man wearing an apron with the text ‘Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company’ prepares cheese samples in a brightly lit shop with a curving wooden service counter.

A large reservoir is gently rippled with waves from a light breeze. There are a few fluffy white clouds in the sky, and a paved pathway curves around the edge of the reservoir. The Mendip Hills rear upwards in the background

A child faces a large cave bear skeleton displayed against an imitation cave wall in Cheddar. The child is holding their hands up, mimicking the cave bear’s position

A colourful nautically-themed indoor play area made up of climbing frames, tunnels, towers, slides, ramps and fun obstacles, plus a ball pit.

A large section of a crazy golf course surrounded by trees, with a partial view of the hills of Cheddar

A group of family and friends walk down a gentle grassy slope, with low-lying plants alongside the path. They are walking down towards the village of Cheddar, and the reservoir is visible in the distance

Did You Know?

Mendip also operates YHA Cheddar - perfect for families and large groups, including school residentials. Find out more about YHA Cheddar here

How to Get to Cheddar

Cheddar is about a 20-minute drive from our campsite. You can also hop on the Strawberry Line in Winscombe and cycle or walk, stopping at historic Axbridge for a snack on the way. Tap here to find out more.

Check out Visit Somerset for more things to do in Cheddar.

Proud of Our Local Pubs

We’re spoiled for choice when it comes to nearby pub options - from chocolate box perfection to gastro-pub treats, sample the award-winning flavours of Somerset at one-of-a-kind local establishments. Highlights include The Crown’s wonderful pub garden, The Railway’s unmatched cider selection, The Woodborough’s epic Full English breakfast and The Swan’s cosy Sunday roast dinners!

An old stone building with mostly white painted windows and door, and a black-framed bay window, with colourful flower baskets hang from the wall. There is a small pub garden out front with white wrought iron tables and chairs dotted about. A small black sign with ‘The Crown’ written on it in gold lettering hangs on the wall.

An old stone building stands to the right, with a modern oak-framed country-style extension to the left. There is a large patio out front with tables and chairs. The pub entrance porch has a smart thatched roof, and a sign hangs on the older building with the text ‘Railway Inn’ in black lettering on a cream background.

A large building, half brick and half timber framed, with white plaster, blue-grey woodwork and mullion windows. The paved patio is filled with picnic benches and umbrellas, and a large sign hanging on the pergola entrance to the pub says ‘Woodborough Inn’

An old building rendered with white plaster has a wooden pergola stretching across the front. The pergola is hung with flower baskets and draped with foliage. There are tables and chairs set under the pergola and a small road runs past the front. There is a sign to the right with the text ‘The Swan Inn Pub and Rooms’ and an image of a stylised swan.

Getting Around

Make all or part of your local explorations car-free! Basecamp is a campsite near Bristol and Bath, with nearby access to public transit and cycle paths. Avoid parking in the city with park and ride facilities near train and bus stops in Bristol, Bath, Weston-super-Mare, Yatton and Congresbury. Alternatively, craft your own bicycle adventure on the National Cycle Network and see where two wheels can take you next.

A black public bus with blue and green curving colour blocks at the rear of the bus is pulling over. A silver stylised bird of prey image is on the side of the bus, next to silver text that reads ‘Falcon’

A green and yellow train engine pulls a few passenger cars. There is text on the front under the driver’s window that says ‘GWR’.

A cyclist pedals down a level gravel cycle path. There are some fluffy white clouds in the sky and the sun is shining. The ground gently slopes away to the right, dotted with little yellow flowers and trees in the distance.

Takeaways, Groceries and Essentials

You can find convenience shops, groceries and takeaways within a few minutes' walk or drive of Basecamp, plus large supermarkets in nearby Weston-super-mare. Find out more in our Basecamp Guide