Best things to do in Bristol with kids?
At your wits’ end looking for fun things to do in Bristol with kids in Lockdown? Can I suggest sliding over slippy rocks, giant head hunting, sledging down ski slopes and climbing over monkeys?
Here are some of the activities that have helped keep us sane during lockdown.
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- Millennium Square
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- Fishy street art
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- Flowers in Ashton Court
Things to do in Bristol with kids 1 - Ashton Court
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- Deer at Ashton Court
First up is a firm favourite. Take a child, dog, bike (delete as appropriate) to Ashton Court Estate. This has been my weekly “happy place” since March. I have walked through all the seasons (and a lot of mud), spotted antlered deer on the path next to me and eaten bacon sandwiches at the feet of Giant Redwoods.
Ashton Court Mansion
Ashton Court is the grand ancestral home of the Smyth Family. Now owned by Bristol Council, the grounds are free to the public. In normal times the Estate plays host to balloon, kite and music festivals, and it still has plenty to offer the Covid visitor.
The Mansion’s sandstone façade glows orange as it presides over the large formal lawn, a top place for ball games and socially distanced picnics.
Top tip – Watch out for the invisible Ha-ha at the bottom, you can’t just run happily down into the meadows below.
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- Formal Gardens
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- Grand facade
Gardens
In front of the house, next to the Giant Redwoods and the pond, blooms a rose garden straight out of a fairy-tale. Much debate usually ensues as to the best colour for a flower. It is red – I win.
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- Flowers by the cafe
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- Looking over the rose gardens
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- Lovely lawns
Woodland walks
The estate provides acres of woodland for wandering. If, like mine, your kids need more than a suggestion of “just a walk” to leave the house, there is a whole den building area you can tempt them with (hiding in the trees to the right hand side of the estate as you enter).
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- Tall trees to get lost in
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- Leaf curtains
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- Tree windows
Deer
Not only do you get to spot the traditional relatives of Bambi, there is an additional, more russet coloured, deer herd living in the fields to the right of the road on the way in. In winter Santa has been known to feed them, which is about as Christmass-y as it gets. (I’m not sure the 2 deer gangs ever meet or even know of each other’s existence.)
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- Relatives of Bambi
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- Santa feeding his deer
Giant head
There is a surprise giant head sitting bodiless on top of the hill, looking down over the main house and surveying the city below. It turns out this is not old man Smyth, but Golam one of 2 mythical giants said to have built Bristol.
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- Giant and tiny head
Cafe
The café is open for take away food and drinks in tier 3, and bench sitting in tier 2. Additional picnic tables are perched scenically in the adjacent lawned area. looking out over rolling fields in one direction and the pretty coloured houses of Bristol in the other. Good place for your take-out latte and hot bacon sarnie in a bag.
Sledging
I am now waiting for a blanket of snow to complete the full seasonal picture and so I can add real snow sledging to my lockdown activity with kids list.
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- Ashon court activity past
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- and hopefully future
Things to do in Bristol with kids 2 - The Zoo!
Bristol Zoo, one of the oldest and prettiest in the world, has been open even in tier 3, and should be even more open in tier 2.
Even with some of the indoor exhibits temporarily closed, large parts of the zoo are accessible as normal. The timed entry and one way system ensure social distancing, although they do mean you have to visit animals in the designated order, and you can’t just run over to the lions when you hear them roar.
The zoo keepers have also turned off the comedy button which makes it look like you are being wee-ed on by a lion. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing I’m not sure (less fun, but no unanticipated clothes changes required). Kids are gutted.
Animals
Although a city zoo, it does have some pretty sizable animals. And if you want to see them you had better get your skates on as it has recently been announced that they are heading up in the world and moving out to the country (probably best).
In the meantime, a 30 minute stroll from the centre will take you to a land of seals, gorillas and aforementioned lions.
Also look out for the ever popular monkey zone, the strange Australian blue necked cassowary, smiley otters and cuddly red pandas (no actual cuddles allowed).
Gardens
This is not just a zoo, but a tropical botanical garden, with a bonus maze. There are large grassy areas for lazing and playing, just don’t kick your ball into the flowerbeds.
Zooropia
I had never taken the aerial walkway challenge until our Covid visit.
Although the challenge had been issued on an annual basis for about a decade, I had always had the wrong shoes/ skirt/ attitude. On this visit however, I had a world’s end pandemic mindset and today was going to be the day.
I stepped up, in every sense, having no inkling whatsoever as to my tolerance for heights – it was going to be a total surprise if I turned out to be a soaring eagle or a chicken of the aerial world.
As it turned out I was sort of a middling pigeon, I would say. When I could hang on to a rope, or step on to a sturdy plank – no bother. It was during the trapeze artists’ bendy wire sections where you had nothing to hold on to to steady yourself, that I found myself mentally pep-talking my way through. (Can I just say DO NOT look down at this point – it is all in the horizon focus).
The best bit was between the sections, when you get to stand on a real platform, and hug a pole. At these points I could survey the whole zoo and practically touch the howling gibbons, putting me to shame with their effortless tree swings, a couple of meters below me.
The children were fine. You don’t need to worry about them as they are fearless in their belief in their own immortality.
Try it. I dare you!
Top tip – Don’t look down (or wear a skirt)!
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- Zooropia
Things to do in Bristol with kids 3 - Street art
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- Greta goes to Aldi
For something a bit arty and urban become a Bristol street art detective.
Although Banksy, a Bristol local, is the most famous contributor, he is by no means alone. The annual Upfest urban art festival has left Southville dotted with colourful installations and a menagerie of animal murals. One of the upsides of a lockdown art tour is that many of the murals are painted on shop shutters, which are hidden away when the shops are open but on full display during a pandemic.
Banksy
If you want to see a Banksy, my favourite is the Mild, Mild West teddy bear throwing an explosive across the wall of The Canteen in Stokes Croft.
Closer to Southville, you will find his take on the Girl with the Pearl Earing, where the pearl has been replaced by a real life security alarm. To bring it even more up to date, someone has popped a Covid mask on her.
And you may want to head over to Totterdown for Banksy’s hot-off-the-spraycan, sneezing Covid woman.
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- Fighty urban mouse
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- Girl with earing and Covid mask
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- Town bird
Animal art
Go on a different kind of fox hunt down North Street, for colourful walls filled with fish, foxes and seagulls who look like they are after your lunch.
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- Foxy
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- Fishy
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- Dogs
Things to do in Bristol with kids 4 - Slidy Rock
Upper slidy rock
When heading up to Clifton for a walk across the Avon Gorge on the Brunel’s Suspension Bridge, don’t miss having a go on “Slidy rock”.
For possibly hundreds of years, judging by the sheen on the rock, children have thrown caution to the wind and headed off down a mini-section of the gorge on this natural slide.
It is unlikely to have passed any health and safety scrutiny, but it is fun and the Council haven’t closed if off so how bad can it be? Great views of the bridge on your way down (if you dare to look up as your velocity increases).There is also a playground hiding in the park behind it.
Top tip – Wear jeans. Its a trouser ripper and definitely no skirts!
Lower slidy rock
If you enjoyed upper slidy rock you may want to take a trip south of the river, directly under the Suspension Bridge (on the other side of the water) where you will find its lesser known twin, lower slidy rock.
Equally 1970’s in it’s approach to child safety, you may want to go for a lower launch point than that pictured. Needless to say, kids love it.
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- Lower slidy rock
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- The bridge from below
Top tip – This is best visited on a bike ride on the cycle path that follows the river from the Create Centre to Pill
Apres-slide
After you’ve finished sliding on upper rock, and now we are back in tier 2, head over to the White Lion pub (check it is back open) for a coke and chips on the terrace for the best views in town.
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- View of Bridge from White Lion pub
Things to do in Bristol with kids 5 - Bristol Harbour
This is a great bike ride for those who hate roads and hills (is that everyone or just me?)
A circular tour takes you around the historic harbour, from the locks overlooking the Suspension Bridge, all the way to St Mary Redcliffe Church, “the fairest church in England” (according to Queen Elizabeth I). The route will transport you through all of Bristol’s history on the way – from ancient ships to a futuristic shiny world of silver.
It takes about 45 minutes if you don’t stop – but I defy you not to get off and explore! You could make a whole day of it, investigating all attractions on offer.
Millennium Square
Starting from the centre, head to the unmissable mirrored ball in Millennium Square. On a sunny day, join the paddlers in the pools, and touch the mesmerising water feature walls.
An ice cream van is nearly always on hand.Fairground rides and Yorkshire pudding wraps provide winter entertainment.
Top tip – Bring a change of clothes and wear water shoes in the pools – they are slippy as wet glass!
Boat spotting
When the fun is done, head across Pero’s Bridge and turn right to continue following the docks up to St Mary Redcliffe and check out the boats. Although the ferries are not running until April, they are all moored up next to Princes Bridge. Don’t miss the hulls with sharks’ teeth.
Throughout the loop you will encounter other boating legends including pirate vessels, Brunel’s SS Great Britain and the Matthew, a replica of John Cabot’s fairly tiny boat which against the odds made it across the Atlantic in 1497.
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- The Matthew
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- Shark toothed ferry
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- SS Great Britain
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- Pirate ship?
Train and Crane spotting
Loop back at St Mary’s in front of Redcliffe caves and the lovely Ostrich pub (stop for an al fresco Coke if appropriate/open).
As you pass the M Shed museum, don’t be surprised if the historic cranes appear to be speaking to you and each other in the voices of 70 year old Bristolian women in their attempt to dramatise the life of a working crane.
Look out for the old train carriages parked along the docks as if waiting for their next cargo that never comes. In the summer, hop on board a steam train for a ride along the harbour. You can even live out a childhood dream by driving one for about £10 on a Bank Holiday.
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- Talking crane
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- Ride the train, or…
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- become a train driver
Top tip – Don’t get your bike wheel lodged in a train or tram track. Lethal. Follow the cycle signs to avoid being catapulted into the water.
See where Wallace and Grommit live
On Gas Ferry Road leading to the SS Great Britain, stop at the Aardman studios, home of Wallace and Grommit. Peek through the windows at their latest displays which come in small and large. I found a mini-morph and a huge Wallace this time. You can’t go in, but you can do a virtual tour online.
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- Larger than life Wallace – about 10 foot if he stood up
Top tip – Don’t walk past the Aardman building without looking in the windows
Banksy and shipyards
As you head along the next stretch of the docks, slightly away from the water for a short section, stop for a Pearl Earring Banksy photoshoot near the Orchard Pub.
Push your bike through the Underfall Ship yard, and watch carpenters crafting boat skeletons and breathing life back into old ones. They are literally making them ship shape and Bristol fashion.
When it opens again, there is a great cafe at the end of the shipyard, with deckchairs looking all the way down the docks.
Harbour and bridge views
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- Behind Banksy
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- View from SSGB
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- Redcliffe by Princes Bridge
As you cycle round, don’t forget to look out over the water at the pretty chocolate box houses.
Arriving at the locks at the end of the harbour, take a mini detour to the left for great views of the Suspension Bridge over the Avon Gorge.
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- Bridge views at the end of the line
Plimsoll
Cross over one of the locks at the end of the waterway and head back all the way along the harbour to your starting point. En route you will pass a stone version of Mr Plimsoll, of Plimsoll line fame, and a lovely grassy boardwalk detour.
Cafes
Even in lockdown there are untold scenic waterside cafe options, serving take out food and drinks. My favourites are the Pump House, the wooden decked Spoke and Stringer, Brunel’s Buttery, the SS Great Britain cafe and The Cabin creperie by Prince’s Bridge.
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- Brunel Buttery
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- The Cabin
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- Spoke and Stringer
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- Pump House
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- SS Great Britain Cafe
Things to do in Bristol with kids 6 - SS Great Britain
Brunel's international masterplan
The SS Great Britain was part of Isambard Brunel’s master plan to link up London and New York. To this end he set to work building London’s Paddington Station, the railway, bridges, tunnels, Bristol Temple Meads station, the docks and the Steam Ship Great Britain for the final leg across the Atlantic. Busy fellow! You can check out all of his many other projects inside.
Is the SS Great Britain open?
I met with Mr Brunel himself, wearing his traditional Stove Pipe Hat and less traditional Covid mask. He informed me that in tier 3 you can walk around the outside of his SS Great Britain for free and that when we get back to tier 2 the whole museum will be open. This was good news indeed as the website indicated that it was totally closed.
Touring the boat
Touring the base of the ship, you can marvel at the bow’s golden reflections in its mini-lake home.
When the SS Great Britain is fully open you will be able to stroll on deck like a first class passenger of yesteryear and explore the refurbished cabins and dining areas below.
Included in your child’s ticket is the chance to climb the rigging. There is a minimum height restriction and you will be watching though your fingers when your child reaches that height with only a millimetre to spare. He was literally just a dot in the sky at the top.
Top tip – Don’t miss your chance to act like a pirate and climb the rigging. Head for heights required!
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- Hatted and masked
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- On deck
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- Spot the child
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- Brunel – a giant amongst men
The SS Great Britain Museums
There are now 2 museums on site. In the first, children (big and small) can ring a real ship’s bell and then dress like a Victorian passenger for a photoshoot – crinolines and top hats all round.
In the new annex, learn about the psyche of the man himself, rather than just his feats of engineering, and walk through a recreation of his dining room.
Experience a simulation of an original bone-shaker train journey (and for a chuckle, try to do draw a circle whilst on board).
Finally, look out for (as if you could miss it) the giant sized 3D Brunel head. And I thought he was supposed to be a small chap!
Things to do in Bristol with kids 7 - Leigh Woods
Pick one of the many woodland trails (I always like the sound of Paradise Bottom) and walk along a carpet of orange through Iron age settlements overlooking the craggy Avon Gorge. On the way you will encounter ponds and old barns with beams to swing off.
Build a den – because you are in the woods and it is practically the law.
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- Orange leaf carpet
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- Obligatory den building
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- Woodland walks
Things to do in Bristol with kids 8 - Tyntesfield
A 15 minute drive from the centre of Bristol you can explore the very stately Tyntesfied, originally named after Tynte Baronets in the 1500’s. It graduated from hunting lodge to farmhouse to today’s Victorian Gothic Revival manor house and was built on the back of a fortune made in bat droppings.
Now owned by the National Trust, you can pre-book your gardens ticket online. The House is currently closed – but it won’t be long now!
Wander through conical topiary, and stroll the fabulous gardens and forest walks dotted with adventure playgrounds and designated den building areas.
Grab a coffee to go at the café and check out the fabulous orangery.
Oversized pumpkins are grown in Victorian walled allotments and conservatories. Peeping through the garden walls you feel very much like Rapunzel’s neighbour.
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- View of allotments – like Rapunzels neighbour
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- Topiary hat
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- Pumpkin-fest
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- Spring springing
Things to do in Bristol with kids 9 - Brandon Hill
Cabot Tower
Tucked in behind Park Street in the centre of town, this 105ft tower was built in 1897 to commemorate John Cabot’s momentous trans Atlantic crossing 400 years previously. You may have spotted the replica of his little wooden Matthew, on the docks earlier.
If the Tower is open, then the children will make you climb it (it is free). As a reward at the top there are incredible 360 degree views over the city and fun markers showing you how far it is to Timbuktu and the like. You may surprise a few pigeons on the way up.
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- Cabot Tower
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- Squirrel food
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- Dinner time
Squirrel feeding
Stop at the Tesco’s at the bottom of Park Street to buy your £1 bag of Monkey nuts and you are set for an afternoon of squirrel hunting (only the humane kind).
Find a bench near Cabot Tower and friendly squirrels will literally take them from your hand. Very cute. If you run out of nuts or squirrels, there is a park at the bottom of the hill for playtime.
Things to do in Bristol with kids 10 - The Beach
Ok, so this is not actually in Bristol but a 30 minute drive away is Bristol’s nearest beach neighbour, Weston-Super-Mare. Here you will find proper sand and chip shops. In more normal times there are also arcades, donkeys and a pier for promenading.
Not so much a paddling beach (the tide goes out for literally miles) but great for walks and picnics on the sand.
A favourite trick is to appear to be walking on water at the far right hand side of the beach looking out to sea, by taking the path at the end of the enclosed bathing area.
Ride a donkey and bounce on a castle – all outdoors, so coming to a beach near you soon.
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- Chips on the beach
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- Bounce on a castle
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- Ride a donkey
Things to do in Bristol with kids 11 - Dyrham Park
30 minutes in the other direction will take you to this country house in an ancient deer park. While the house is closed, Dyrham is still great for bracing walks over hills and through formal gardens. Pre-book your time slot with the National Trust before you go.
Stop at the playground at the top to play on a tractor or for the chance to hide in its wheel. There are also lots of opportunities for overly speedy running down big hills.
If you are lucky, you will have some close encounters with the deer before heading down to the ornamental gardens, choosing your favourite crazy flower and lying down pond-side for some R and R.
To complete the day out in traditional form, there is an onsite National Trust cafe for scones and tea.
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- Hide in a tractor wheel
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- Climb some fences
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- Big hill running
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- R and R
Things to do in Bristol with kids 12 - Sledging
Although we are lucky if we get a light dusting as our annual snow alloction in Bristol, there is no need to miss out on winter fun. Book a family dry ski slope sledging session at Mendip Activity Centre.
Start off in a fairy lit wooden ski lodge whilst you are briefed on sledge control, before heading down to the equally twinkly slopes.
You have 30 minutes on your half of the sledge run, serenaded by Christmas tunes and occasionally snowed on – in an artificial but very magical glittery way.
Afterwards, each group of 6 gets their own bonfire and party bag of marshmallows and sparklers. Hot chocolate is ladled out of an iron tureen, all under cover of a lighted tent – like luxury winter camping.
And everyone gets their own stand up Santa hat. What’s not to like?
Sledging sessions are also available after Christmas but only for the under 11’s and minus the Christmas extras – still great but think I have been spoiled.
Ski lessons are also still running for those who are willing to stand up on their sliding toys.
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- Ski chalet briefing
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- On the fairy lit slopes
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- And they are off
Things to do in Bristol with kids summary
A surprisingly diverse array of lockdown activities are available for your things to do in Bristol with kids in lockdown list. And when we do get back to Tier 2, the world will practically be your oyster/Scotch Egg.
Would love to hear your lockdown activity hits (and misses) in the comments section below!
For an exclusive downloadable pdf summary of these activities for kids in Bristol – click to subscribe to Holiday from Hels here!
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Linked with Sharon Wagner and Through my lens
WOW! Bristol looks like an amazing place to visit!
I am certainly adding it to my travel bucket list!
Excellent. It is definitely worth a visit.😊
The wall art is brilliant.
Bristol really is a fantastic city.
Love a bit of oversized street art. 😊
It definitely looks like there are a lot of things to keep the kids busy with in Bristol! I might even add a couple of these to my own itineray.
I can totally recommend giving them a go as an adult too.😁
All of these activities look like so much fun! It is nice that Bristol still has so much to do even during quarantine. 🙂
Thank you! I think parents might as well enjoy themselves at the same time.😁
You made me laugh out loud with “the world is your Scotch egg”! But seriously, you’re so right that you gotta get the kids outta the house when you can. Otherwise everyone will bounce off the walls. Great ideas for things to do in Bristol with kids!
You’ve got to laugh or you’d cry.😁 (I think our family’s legs might be turning to jelly through under-use.) Get them outside or die trying I say.😂
Omg. Lol. If only everyone thought the world was their Scotch Egg. And I may not be a kid but I 100% want to do everything on this list. Like visit the SS Great Britain.
Such a delightful list of things to do with kids! Or maybe just do for myself, if I were there 🙂
I appreciate your link at ‘My Corner of the World’ this week! Thanks for joining us!
I was meant to be going to Bristol this year, but I didn’t manage it… I didn’t know there was so much to do. Ashton Court looks like a great place to wander and the big kid in me seriously wants to try those slidy rocks!
Ashton Court is gorgeous in all the seasons. And you just can’t beat a slidy rock 😁
Wonderful excursions with the little ones. I’m saving these ideas for my future trip. Not for kids, but for myself. I’m the kid 😄
Ha, yes I make sure I’m going enjoy the activity I’m taking them on. Have fun when you get here.😁
Bristol is such a wonderful city to explore and there are lots of great ideas here for things to do during lockdown. We’ve visited a few places on your list but you’ve given me some ideas of where to go next time we visit Bristol. Ashton Court looks like a lovely place for a walk – what a gorgeous photo of the deer. Love the street art. Slidy Rock looks like fun and sledging looks like the perfect festive activity. Thanks for linking up with #CountryKids
So many great places to visit with kids. I took the boys to Bristol Zoo when they were very little, but haven’t been back since. I am sure they would love it.
We have had annual membership of the zoo a few times and we never get bored of it. There is always one standout animal, be it a howling gibbon or baby gorilla.
Great ideas. I spent a lot of time as a teen in Bristol. My best friends grandparents lived there and we would go and stay in the summer. Always remember the downs and the Clifton bridge. #mischiefandmayhem
That slippy rock is the best isn’t it? I always want the river to match the grandeur of the bridge and gorge.😁
I haven’t been to Bristol for years – such a lovely city #mischiefandmemories
I haven’t been to Bristol before, it looks like there is a lot of fun to be had. I will definitely keep this for reference xx #MischiefAndMemories
Goodness! Who knew that there was SO much to do in Bristol! I especially love the look of a visit to Tyntesfied. Wow! I’ll know where to go for a mini break once everything gets back to normal again 😉 Thank you for joining us for #MischiefAndMemories x
Tyntesfield is beautiful. Hope you make it for a mini-break soon!
Wish I lived nearer Bristol! Plenty of ideas for things to do on a staycation (fingers crossed for this year!) so thanks for sharing with us over at #MischiefAndMemories
Looks like we’ll be staying local for a little while yet.
Loved this post. Bristol is a city I have only visited once and briefly so on my list for somewhere to go for a city break post-lockdown.#MischiefandMemories
There are some fab ideas there. Thanks for sharing with the #MischiefAndMemories linky. We hope you will be back again next week
The view of the bridge and surrounding area from Slidy Rock looks so amazing! This is a great list of things to do in Bristol! Thanks for sharing your tips and insight!!
So many great ideas! Wallace and Grommit must have been a hit!
Hope you’re holding up well during this time. Stay strong!
Lockdown 3 was never going to be welcome, but weekly walks are just about saving our collective sanity. (And you can still see Wallace and Grommit through the windows even when everything is closed).😊
Bowing down to this incredibly detailed post! I have only been in Bristol in the UK briefly to see its rocky beach many years ago, but I have been to Bristol, Rhode Island in the USA many times, which makes me realize I shouldn’t neglect returning to its sister across the sea!