Just outside Bristol lies a world of winding lanes, gently rolling countryside, lush meadows and ancient woods. But dotted about this pastoral landscape are some more dramatic natural landmarks, from the awe-inspiring chasm of the Cheddar Gorge, with its towering limestone cliffs, to the hulking ridge of Brean Down. There's also an attractive coast lined with charming seaside towns and some of the most spectacular historical and natural sites in England. Whether your chosen method of exploration is foot, cycle, horse or boat you'll find plenty to see and do in this beautiful region.

1 AVON GORGE BOAT TRIPS
The vast limestone chasm of the Avon Gorge is one of the greatest natural wonders of the West Country. It's famously spanned by Brunel's spectacular Clifton Suspension Bridge, which has to be one of the area's greatest man-made wonders. See both by taking a boat cruise from Bristol's Floating Harbour downstream towards the Bristol Channel or upstream to Regency Bath. A full commentary is given on all trips, and refreshments are available on board.

2 ASHTON COURT ESTATE
Some of the best views of Bristol can be had from this magnificent 850-acre estate of woods and grassland on the western edge of the city centre. The mansion itself has a history dating back to 1392, and parts of it are open to the public. Its extensive grounds are all open to the public, and make the perfect spot for a picnic. A visitor centre outlines the history of the estate, and fields are set aside for red deer and fallow deer. The wooded parts are filled with ancient trees, including the famous Doomsday Oak, which is thought to be 1000 years old.
There are plentiful sporting facilities, including two 18-hole pitch-and-putt golf courses, plus trails for orienteering, mountain biking, horse riding and walking. The estate is also the venue for prestigious events, such as the International Balloon Fiesta, the Bristol Community Festival and the Kite Festival.

3 BREAN DOWN
This hump-backed limestone mass extends 11.5 miles into the Bristol Channel, and is the point from which the last Roman legions departed Britain in AD410. Now in the care of the National Trust, the one-and-a-half-mile walk from the car park at Brean Cove to the ruined Victorian fort at the tip makes for an excellent picnic outing. From Brean Down you can gaze southwards over the channel. Wear sturdy footwear and stay away from the cliff edges: they are very steep.

4 CHEDDAR GORGE AND CAVES
Britain's largest gorge attracts visitors for many reasons. Climbers come to scale the limestone cliffs, potholers enjoy squeezing through its labyrinth of caves and nature lovers prefer to wander around this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You can also take the easy option and sample the impressive views by driving through it: the B3135 winds its way tightly through the gorge. Do leave the caravan on site if you give this a try, however. s Set within the gorge are some of Britain' most spectacular showcaves. Gough's Cave and the stunning Cox's Cave are both beautifully illuminated and highly recommended. Those with more gruesome tastes will enjoy Cheddar Mount (the Cannibal Museum) which tells the story of 40,000 years of human occupation of the caves. Finish off the day with a climb up Jacob's Ladder to Pavey's Lookout Tower and put some colour in your cheeks with a bracing cliff-top walk.

5 SAND BAY
Close to Weston-super-Mare, this long strip of sandy shoreline passes for a beach at high tide. But at low tide the water rolls back to reveal a mile of glistening mudflats that have turned into a salt marsh at the northern end. Totally unspoilt, this is an important breeding ground for wading birds.
The limestone headland of Middle Hope, owned by the National Trust, and its tip of Sand Point marks the official boundary between the River Severn and the Bristol Channel, and offers exhilarating views across to Wales and northwards to the Severn bridges. It is an excellent place to escape the crowds even in the height of summer. Nearby stands medieval Woodspring Priory, now in the care of the Landmark Trust, while an idyllic toll road takes you along the coast around wooded Worlesbury Hill into the heart of Weston. The open-top bus journey along it is to be recommended.

6 STEEP HOLM ISLAND
The Port of Bristol officially extends down the Severn estuary as far as Steep Holm, a giant, loaf-shaped lump of limestone that lies five miles out to sea from Weston-super-Mare. Despite its isolation, and the fact that it's only current occupants are seagulls, cormorants and Muntjac deer, Steep Holm has seen a great deal of human activity over the ages. Vikings were the first settlers, then monks built a priory here in the 12th century. Remanents of military hardware and defences from Victorian times and both world wars remain, while a ruined pub bears witness to the time when it served drinks to sailors heading upstream to Bristol.
Scheduled boat trips run out to the island from Knightstone Quay in Weston-Super-Mare, in spring, summer and early autumn. The crossing takes around an hour, and you can expect to spend 8-10 hours on the island before the return trip.

7 BRISTOL AND BATH RAILWAY PATH
This former railway has been transformed into a path for walkers and cyclists. Its easy gradients, and the fact that only 10% of it passes near roads, makes it perfect for family cycling. The 15-mile route takes about two hours to complete but there are plenty of places of interest to visit along the way. You'll pass a sculpture of the Roman centurion Gaius Sentius, Kelston Round Hill, the villages of Saltford and Bitton, and the Avon Valley Steam Railway. Start and finish points are near Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa train stations respectively, but you can join the route at any point to vary the length. Maps of this and other routes in the area can be obtained from Sustrans, a Bristol-based charity that promotes cycling, walking and public transport.