Things to do in Bristol with Kids

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If you are visiting the south west of England soon, one city I’d really recommend you stop in is Bristol. It is packed with fun things to do, cool kids activities and fabulous family days out to keep kids of all ages entertained. Do you want to know what the best things to do in Bristol with kids are? Fear not, I have you covered with this list of places to visit with kids!

I’ve found all the best things to do with kids in Bristol to help you plan your trip, whether you are planning a day out or family holiday here, you are definitely not going to be bored in this historic and vibrant city.

Things to do in Bristol for Kids

Brunel’s SS Great Britain

Brunel’s SS Great Britain is one of the most important historic ships in the world. On her launch in 1843 she was hailed ‘the greatest experiment since the Creation’. All this makes for a fascinating family day out that you won’t forget in a hurry.

You will all step aboard the world’s first great ocean liner, immersing yourself in life above and below deck with hands on activities and fascinating exhibits. As well as exploring the incredible restoration of SS Great Britain you will meet the Victorian passengers who sailed on her and can also visit the two museums in the historic dockyard.

Book in advance: Yes

Price: Adults £18, Child £10, Under 4 Free, Family (2 adult + up to 3 Children) £48

Parking: Yes – charges apply

Toilets: Yes

Cafe: Yes

Address: Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, Bristol, BS1 6TY

>> Check the latest prices for staying in Bristol <<

Aerospace Bristol

Aerospace Bristol tells the incredible story of Bristol’s amazing aviation achievements and gives you and your family the chance to step aboard Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the last of the supersonic jets ever to fly.

There’s so much to discover at Aerospace Bristol, beginning with the invention of powered flight, all the way through to today’s cutting-edge aerospace technology. If you enjoy aeroplanes, engines, helicopters, satellites, missiles and everything else the aviation industry has to offer this is one of the best things to do in Bristol.

Book in advance: Yes

Price: Adult £17.50, Child £9.50, Under 4 free, Family from £49.00

Parking: Free

Toilets: Yes

Cafe: Yes

Address: Hayes Way, Patchway, Bristol BS34 5BZ

We The Curious

We The Curious is an interactive space where the worlds of science and art combine to create a unique and popular day out in Bristol. Perfect for curious kids, they will get the chance to be creative and test things out.

With over 300 hands on exhibits, We The Curious is perfect for all ages and promises to take you and your family on an incredible journey where you will all enjoy exploring the inner workings of the world around us.

Book in advance: Yes

Price: Adult £15.95, Child £10.45, Under 2 free, Group bookings of 3+ people receive 10% discount

Parking: Nearest Car Park Millennium Square car park BS1 5LL

Toilets: Yes

Cafe: Yes

Address: One Millennium Square, Anchor road, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5DB

Bristol Aquarium

Bristol Aquarium promises you and your family a fun and immersive day out, right in the heart of the city. Discover the wonders of the deep and its many inhabitants including catsharks, stingrays, giant pacu and many more . The 40 naturally-themed displays are guaranteed to mesmerise you and your children.

Wandering through the Underwater Tunnel to watch fascinating marine life swim over head is a real highlight.

Book in advance: No

Price: Adults (13+) £17.50, Child £11.25, Under 3 free, Family (2 adults + 2 kids) £55.00

Parking: Nearest Car Park Millennium Square car park BS1 5LL

Toilets: Yes

Cafe: Yes

Address: Anchor Road, Bristol BS1 5TT

Wild Place Project

Just 20 minutes from the city centre, the Wild Place Project is the perfect day out for conservation loving families. Blessed with over 50 acres of outdoor space and the chance to see animals from all over the world, including many endangered species, your children are in for a real treat.

Spot four European brown bears, Gemini, Albie, Neo and Nilas in the woodland home they share with four grey wolves – Wild Place is the only zoo in the United Kingdom in which these two species live together. And be sure to say ‘hello’ to the resident giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, meerkats and ring-tailed lemurs among others.

Book in advance: Yes

Price: Adults £13.06, Child £10.45, Under 2 free

Parking: Free

Toilets: Yes

Cafe: Yes

Address: Wild Place Project, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol BS10 7TP

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Designed by the famous Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge is a must see attraction in Bristol.

The Clifton Suspension Bridge is beautifully set on the cliffs of the Avon Gorge making it a defining symbol of Bristol. Take a stroll across the bridge for views of the ancient Avon Gorge elegant, the eclectic Clifton village and of course the colourful city of Bristol.

For more history and insight into the bridge, book time slot for the Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre on the Leigh Woods side of the Bridge.

Book in advance: Yes for Visitors Centre

Price: Donations welcomed

Parking: No

Toilets: Yes

Cafe: Yes

Address: Visitor Centre Bridge Rd, Leigh Woods, Bristol BS8 3PA

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Cabot Tower and Brandon Hill

Cabot Tower, currently closed, is set in the gorgeous parkland of Brandon Hill near Park Street in the West End. The 105ft tower was built in 1897 to commemorate John Cabot’s famous voyage from Bristol to North America four hundred years ago.

Brandon Hill is the oldest park in Bristol, with beautiful views over the city and Harbourside area. Brandon Hill has a children’s play area, beautiful paths and a nature conservation area as well as the historic Cabot Tower. The tower was designed by Bristol architect William Venn Gough and paid for by public subscription. The tower is built from red sandstone covered with cream Bath stone.

Book in advance: No

Price: Free

Parking: No

Toilets: Yes

Cafe: No

Address: Brandon Hill Park, Park St, Bristol, Avon BS1 5RR

M Shed

A visit to the M Shed should be on your list of things to do with children in Bristol. It explores the city’s history from prehistoric times to the 21st century. Stories about the city and its people have been discovered through working with experts and communities across Bristol. The result is a fascinating collection of objects, art and archives to bring the story of Bristol to life. .

There are also working exhibits on the harbourside including steamboats, trains and cranes as well as a café that opens out onto a public square on the dockside.

Book in advance: Yes

Price: Donations welcomed

Parking: Nearest car parks The Grove (BS1 4RB) and Wapping Wharf (BS1 4RH)

Toilets: Yes

Cafe: Yes

Address: Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RN

Bristol Zoo Gardens

Bristol Zoo Gardens is the perfect day out for kids in Bristol. Set in 12 acres of award winning gardens, your family will have to chance to get to know the 400 species from around the world that live there. There is something for everyone including the new red panda, sloths, gorillas, seals and penguins.

As well as getting to see the incredible animals, bugs and reptiles, there is a fabulous adventure playground for the kids to burn off any energy they have left at the end of the day.

Book in advance: Yes

Price: Adults £16.22, Child £11.00, Under 2 free

Parking: Yes, charges apply

Toilets: Yes

Cafe: Yes

Address: Bristol Zoo Gardens, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3HA

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

Packed with 19 galleries over 3 floors, showcasing fascinating cultures, ancient civilisations, human invention and creativity this is a highly recommended place to visit in Bristol with kids.

Boasting world-class collections of art, archaeology, geology and natural history inside this incredible Edwardian Bristol landmark, it’s brimming with things to see as well as family events throughout the year.

Book in advance: Yes

Price: Free

Parking: No

Toilets: Yes

Cafe: Yes

The Wave

This unique activity near Bristol is perfect for all levels of surfing ability, whether you are stepping on a board for the first time or a seasoned pro. The Wave is the first of its kind in England and allows surfers to hit the waves all year round. Lessons include wetsuit and board hire, all you need to do is book a turn up!

Book in advance: Yes

Price: Various depending on age and level

Parking: Free

Toilets: Yes

Cafe: Cafe

Address: Washingpool Farm, Main Rd, Easter Compton, Bristol BS35 5RE

Noah’s Ark Farm Zoo

Another Bristol day out for animal lovers, Noah’s Ark Farm Zoo is famous for its big zoo animals including Giraffes, African Elephants, Lions, Giant Anteater, White Rhinos and Spectacled Bears.

As well as an impressive collection of animals in around 100 acres of the Somerset countryside, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm also offers families some amazing outdoor and indoor adventure play areas including the mega maze, bounce park and termite mound.

Book in advance: Yes

Price: Adults £19.95, 17-19 year olds, Students, OAPs 65+ £17.95, Children £15.95, Under 2 free

Parking: Free

Toilets: Yes

Cafe: Yes

Address: Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm Clevedon Road Wraxall Bristol BS48 1PG

If you hadn’t thought about going to Bristol with kids before, we hope these things to do and fun places to visit has inspired you to book a trip and enjoy everything this vibrant family friendly city has to offer.

Did we leave your favourite thing to do in Bristol with kids off the list? Leave a comment below and share your favourite local attraction with our readers.

Please also make sure you follow the latest government guidance to enjoy your visit to Bristol. I also recommend booking any Bristol attractions you want to visit in advance, to avoid disappointment.

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