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Family breaks in Bristol

Families are spoilt for choice in Bristol. There are so many places to visit and attractions to entertain the whole family - why not leave the car behind and travel by bus, take a ferry or rent a bike and make getting there part of the fun!

Family attractions

Bristol Zoo Gardens is always a firm favourite with families, with over 400 species of exotic animals to discover. Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is a popular hands-on zoo farm based just outside Bristol. Puxton Park is a new attraction dedicated to fun, food and farming. Horse lovers should head to Horseworld to meet and greet rescued horses, ponies and donkeys. You can feed the birds and enjoy the spectacular wetlands at Slimbridge Wetland Centre. The Butterfly House at Berkeley Castle offers a tropical haven for hundreds of rare and beautiful butterflies.

Active family holidays

Why not hire a bike in the city, or bring your own and park them at Mud Dock, a unique venue combining a great cafe and bike shop with showers and bike lockers? With miles of National Cycle Network routes linked to the city, there are plenty of routes to cycle, from a short ride around the harbour to a day out along the Bristol-Bath cyclepath. Alternatively, get your skates on and head to Bristol Ice Rink for a family or disco skating session.

Explore-At-Bristol is an exciting hands on science centre with over 170 interactive exhibits and a Planetarium which hosts amazing night sky shows. Hengrove Play Park is the biggest free adventure play park in the South West. Blaise Castle Estate and Oldbury Court Estate also have great adventure play areas and it's full steam ahead at Avon Valley Railway with train rides around the scenic Avon Gorge available throughout the year.

Get Arty!

Arnolfini contemporary arts centre hosts monthly mash up sessions where children and their families can explore the art displays through fun workshops and storytelling. Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery also host regular children's workshops themed around the current exhibitions. Bristol Hippodrome presents fabulous family shows throughout the year.

Family-friendly Dining

Around the harbourside, Severnshed offer a tasty child-friendly menu and children are welcome to try new flavours in Bordeaux Quay's brasserie. Watershed and Arnolfini are easily accessible to buggies and families are always welcome. Las Iguanas is a lively family-friendly eaterie and Myristica offers milder curries for younger diners.

Family-friendly accommodation

Thistle Bristol Hotel
Mercure Holland House Hotel
Arnos Manor Hotel

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