There is so much to see at Brunel's SS Great Britain in Bristol. Be sure to head beneath the glass sea, walk the SS Great Britain's history in the Dockyard Museum and step onto the ship itself. Alive with sights, sounds and even smells, prepare to set sail on the most extraordinary time machine.

Set in a striking 18th-century windmill, Clifton Observatory features a viewing platform, a rare camera obscura and the cliff-side Giant's Cave. Together they offer incredible views of the suspension bridge, the plunging Avon Gorge and Bristol itself.Bristol's camera obscura is one of only two in England open to the public, making a visit well worthwhile. The camera uses a convex lens and sloping mirror to project an image of the outside world on to a white surface inside a dark room. As with all cameras obscura, the images are best on bright days.

A must-visit destination on the edge of Bristol, the museum is housed in what was once a local brass factory: features from the original garden are still visible, including an unusual 30ft statue of Neptune and an incredible stone grotto. Inside the museum, expect to discover an amazing array of exhibitions including Roman ruins, a World War Two air raid shelter, an incredible 112-year-old Douglas motorbike used during WW1, and items from the infamous case of John Horwood who was (some say) unfairly hanged in Bristol New Gaol in 1821. Kingswood Heritage Museum is close to the Bristol to Bath cycle path, and is a great detour if you’re cycling between the two cities.