Guest Post: Southwest English Towns You Should Visit

Hello lovely readers! I’m Sara from Bristol In My Pocket! Born and raised a Texas girl, I moved to England a year ago to pursue a masters degree as well as make this wonderful country my home. Sound familiar, right? As an American expat living in England, I thought I’d share with you a few of my favorite cities in the Southwest. No, not the American Southwest. The Southwest of England, aka my adopted home. England has so much to offer, and one of my favorite hobbies is to explore my own backyard. 

Bristol

I’m pretty biased when it comes to Bristol. Bristol is home now, and without a doubt I could not be happier. I moved here having never visited, which was kind of crazy but oh so worth it. Bristol has the small town feel with all the conveniences of a big city. I’ll leave you with my favorite quote, one that describes Bristol perfectly. “I love Bristol because it knows who it is. It's cool and cosmopolitan and it doesn't compete with other cities. Bristol is happy dancing to the beat of its own drum."- Stephen Merchant

Bath

Stepping off the train in Bath is like stepping through a time machine. Instantly you feel as if you are in a Jane Austen novel. Bath is England’s most romantic city. It happens to be the home to some of England’s oldest history as well. Visit the Roman Baths and Bath Cathedral just a few steps away. Take a stroll around the cresent and grab a coffee in one of Bath’s many hidden/tucked away cafes. 

Wells

The smallest city in all of England, Wells is the setting for the hilarious movie “Hot Fuzz”. Although small, Wells is home to my favorite cathedral in England as well as a beautiful medieval palace. Wells has quite a bit to offer considering its size. Besides the cathedral, there’s a palace, an abbey, and even some caves!

Salisbury

Home to one of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta, Salisbury is located 20 minutes south of Stonehenge. It’s local markets and impressive cathedral are must sees on a visit to this medieval city! Around Christmas time you can explore one of the best German Christmas Markets in the area! 

Bradford-on-Avon

Just 8 miles southeast of Bath, this tiny town is commonly nicknamed “Little Bath”. While the architecture is similar, the atmosphere of Bradford-on-Avon is completely different. Off the beaten track, this town is perfect for capturing true English village life.