Family-Friendly Bristol, England
What to Do in Bristol With Kids
“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.”
Looking in the window at Guild of Dough. The Meaty Brunch focaccia was absolutely divine!!
When you live as nomads, your travel destinations are often influenced by unique reasons—ones that might not top the bucket list of typical travelers. For us, as we started our journey in Dublin, we naturally began exploring what to do in the nearby UK. While London was on the radar, the city of Bristol piqued our interest, thanks to an Instagram account Ellie had been following for some time.
A few years ago, Ellie became more intentional with her curly hair care. Her long hair had always been gorgeous but, when she discovered the “Curly Girl Method,” she learned that her curls could be coaxed with the right products and routine. Over time, she simplified her hair care, but she still takes pride in maintaining her curls. When full-time travel motivated her to try a shorter hairstyle, she made it a goal to get to Bristol, home to Nuala Morey Salon, run by the stylist she’d been following online. To make the most of her experience, Ellie invited her sister Rachel (who is our curliest family member) to share the salon experience with her. They booked appointments together online and we found ourselves on our way to Bristol.
First Impressions of Bristol, England
After a long journey, we arrived in Bristol after dark, which made our first impressions a bit lackluster. Late-night rush hour traffic and unfamiliar, shadowy streets created a sense of unease, especially after reading some concerning crime statistics. To be honest, we were a little less than eager to venture out the next day.
Once we saw the city in the light of day, however, our perceptions began to change. We started to understand the youthful, artsy personality of the city. We began to meet people and interact with the locals and found friendly, smiling faces everywhere we went. From those who were born and raised in Bristol to those who had moved here from far away and made the city their home, we heard pride in their voices when they spoke of the lives and businesses they had built in this special place. By the time we left Bristol, we had an entirely new impression of the city and were sad to be leaving it in our rear view mirrors so soon.
Our Family-Friendly Bristol Accommodations
Our accommodation went a long way toward helping us better appreciate the city of Bristol. We arrived and did a contactless check-in. We had use of a full two story townhome attached to other units in a larger building. We often describe checking into a new accommodation as similar to opening a box of chocolates. You’re not always sure you’re going to get one with a delicious caramel center—sometimes you get that disgusting orange flavored nougat! We were pleased to find a beautifully renovated, and well-cared for home that invited us to relax and enjoy our short time in Bristol.
We knew ahead of time that there were only two bedrooms but that Ellie would be able to sleep on a pull out couch in the family room. We found her space as soon as we entered the home. It was a small, cozy front room with a television, very comfortable pull-out couch and blackout curtains to block the view from outside. Beyond the front room, we found a large and well-stocked dining area and kitchen. The dining table easily seated all of us and provided a comfortable place to work and homeschool. A television and couch rounded out the dining area which was adjacent to the kitchen. We had all the utensils and cooking gear we could possibly need and, most importantly, a kettle to facilitate our morning coffee! There was even a cute little outdoor area with a mural and a bistro set inviting us to enjoy a cup outdoors. Finally, a full bathroom rounded out the downstairs.
Click on photo to enlarge and see descriptions.
Up the, somewhat steep staircase, we found two bedrooms. On the right was the ensuite room that Rachel and Sophie shared comfortably. On the left was the larger ensuite room. Kevin and I shared a queen bed and a rather large, completely renovated full bath. Our space was comfortable for all of us and we easily could’ve stayed for much longer than 2 nights. If we find ourselves in Bristol on future travels, we wouldn’t hesitate to stay there again. One of my favorite features was a binder prepared by the owner that gave some great history of Bristol and highlighted some local sights, restaurants, and shopping areas that helped us get a better understanding of the city that the locals are so proud to call home.
What Makes Bristol Special?
The city of Bristol is located about 120 miles west of London and is the largest city in southwest England. The city is situated on the Rivers Frome and Avon. The friendly and welcoming people from Bristol are affectionately called “Brizzies” or “Bristolians.”
Thanks to an abundance of young and creative residents, you’ll find a lively, eclectic vibe in Bristol. They’re also fond of their green spaces. The city was named UK’s most environmentally friendly city in June 2024 by Millets. With lots of parks and nature preserves, along with a strong infrastructure supporting cycling as a safe and efficient way to get around, the city scored a 9.27 out of 10!
Bristol is recognized as an UNESCO Creative City of Film. They are host to 11 annual international film festivals. Along with providing career opportunities in the industry, the film sector contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy each year!
Bristol is also a very diverse city. At least 287 ethnic groups are represented, along with 45 religions. Residents have come from 185 different countries of birth and speak 91 different languages! There are also 2 universities in town, bringing more than 54,000 students who help contribute to the youthful vibe of the city.
A Day at Nuala Morey Salon – Bristol, England
After a great night’s sleep and a tasty breakfast at a local café (more on that later), we dropped Ellie and Rachel off at the Nuala Morey Salon for them to start their sister salon date! They walked in and were quickly whisked away to their salon chair where they were each offered a beverage and took turns getting the full cut and style experience.
They decided that Ellie would go first. She talked at length with her stylist about what she wanted her hair to look like and the types of products she uses. In addition, they discussed how her hair would look slightly different when leaving the salon to what it would look like when styling it herself.
Once all of the initial discussions were completed, the cut began. She said it was shocking to see the hair cut away as it had been quite a few years since it had been cut short. It was fun to see the different cutting techniques used and to watch the transformation start to take place.
When the cut was finished, it was time to wash, style, and dry. Her stylist took her through the full styling process, including the various products and their purpose. Then came the diffusing process to achieve maximum curl definition. Her hair always takes quite a while to dry, but it was nice to just sit back, relax, and let someone else do the leg (or arm) work.
Rachel’s turn came next. After watching her sister’s transformation, she was eager to experience a major change for herself. While Rachel was hoping for a much shorter style, the rest of the family was a bit apprehensive. Ellie was determined to let Rachel decide for herself but felt a bit of a lump in her throat when she watched the first cut taking a lot of length from her long hair. If Rachel felt any apprehension, she didn’t show it. She simply enjoyed the process from beginning to end, opting not to have her hair blow dried as she wanted to get a better feel for what it would be like when she styled it herself and let it air dry.
While the girls were enjoying the salon, Kevin, Sophie, and I returned to our accommodation to get some work and school done and to determine where we wanted to eat after we picked the girls up.
A short while later, they both emerged from the salon feeling pampered and rejuvenated after their shared experience. As they showed off their new looks, the rest of us were shocked (in a very good way) and really cherished seeing the joy on their faces.
Best Places to Eat in Bristol for Families
There are so many restaurants to choose from in Bristol and we had such a limited time. One thing we noticed was the high number of owner operated restaurants from cozy little cafes, vegan diners, bakeries with fresh bread and treats, even a wide selection of foods lovingly prepared representing cultural roots from countries all around the world. We only had the opportunity to dine at two of them (we loved one so much we went back a 2nd time). While we recommend that you enjoy the wide selection of small locally owned choices, we especially loved these two!
Guild of Dough – Owners James and Johnny teamed up to open this cute little bakery where they personally create some amazing culinary options. Guild of Dough bakes fresh loaves of bread throughout the day and some wonderful breakfast pastries that are offered on a first-come-first-served basis each day. If you’re interested in their very popular almond croissants, you’ll definitely want to arrive early because once they’re gone, you’re out of luck until they are baked again the next morning. We were fortunate to snag a couple of them on our first trip and they were worth every bit of the hype!
When we showed up on the second morning, we weren’t lucky enough to score the special almond croissants but we did enjoy delicious focaccia with egg, sausage rolls, pain au chocolat, and some fabulous coffee. James happened to be behind the counter when Sophie requested a hot cocoa. They were out of the powder mix, so he set about creating a custom, freshly made cup of hot cocoa which he offered along with a free cookie for the girls to split! We loved the amazing hospitality offered by these special owners and their staff. The funky, artsy vibe just added to the wonderful experience!
Artis Dice Pizza – Kevin, Sophie, and I picked the older girls up from their salon experience and everyone was hungry so we set out to find a place to grab an early dinner. We ended up at Artis Dice Pizza where we met the owner, Benyamin. He moved to Bristol from Iran 19 years ago and opened the restaurant with his good friend.
The menu offers a delicious selection of pizza and pastas. We ordered a large pizza to split, along with a pasta dish for Sophie. While our food was cooking, Benyamin brought us a fresh order of garlic bread “on the house” which we thoroughly enjoyed. The pizza and pasta were just as delicious!
Feeling quite full, but not wanting to pass on the tasty looking desserts, we decided to order some to-go. Later, back at our place, we were pleasantly surprised to find that Benyamin had packed up some extra cannolis for us.
Things to Do with Kids in Bristol
Our time in Bristol was way too short to take in all that the vibrant city has to offer. If you find yourself with the opportunity to spend time in the city with your kids, there are so many family-friendly activities to dive into! From animal adventures to educational opportunities, there’s sure to be something for you and your kids to enjoy together!
Bristol Aquarium – Did you know that the common octopus is capable of individual human face recognition? You and your kids can learn more about the common octopus and the other 5,000 animals that make their home at the Bristol Aquarium.
Features: Interactive Experiences, Learning Lab, lots of marine animals including sharks, rays, and much, much more!
Hours: Bristol Aquarium is open every day of the year, from 10 am to 4 or 5pm (depending on the season).
Tickets: Tickets for Bristol Aquarium can be purchased online or at the aquarium’s entrance. Reduced rates are available for children and families, with free access for kids under 2. Home educator tours take place on the last Wednesday of every month and include a tour guide and exclusive experiences for just £8.50 per ticket.
Services: The aquarium offers toilets, a cafe, and a souvenir shop for visitors.
Brunel’s SS Great Britain – Launched from Bristol in 1843, the SS Great Britain was known as ‘the world’s first great ocean liner.’ Built by the talented English civil and mechanical engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the ship was, by far, the largest ship in the world back then.
Features: In addition to the fully restored historic ship, adorned with her flags, there are two interactive museums, a historic dockyard, and a dry dock to explore. Special after hours events and programming are offered throughout the year.
Hours: Brunel’s SS Great Britain is open Tuesday–Sunday from 10am until either 4 or 5pm (depending on the season).
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online or in-person. Kids 3 and under are free and children 4–16 are discounted. There are also discounted family admissions. If you’d like to enter after 2:30pm, you can even get a reduced late entry ticket.
Services: Brunel’s SS Great Britain makes every effort to be accessible for all visitors. Alternative entrances are available along with lifts and wheelchair accessible restrooms. There is also a tactile model of the SS Great Britain along with Braille and large print resources for those who are visually impaired. You’ll find an onsite cafe and a gift shop for souvenirs as well. Digital and Audio guides are also provided free with admission.
Bristol Zoo Project – Roughly 78% of the animals cared for at the Bristol Zoo Project are threatened and part of targeted conservation programs. The facility is committed to conservation and education. Visitors will find over 50 acres of space to explore. Walk on raised walkways that overlook bears and wolves. You can even get up-close to a critically endangered blue-eyed black lemur in the Lemur Walkthrough.
Features: Animal Talk Times, Drop-In Discovery Sessions, Animal Feeds, Special Events throughout the year, Play Areas, and Exclusive animal experiences (additional cost).
Hours: Bristol Zoo Project is open daily from 10am–4pm with last entry at 3pm.
Tickets: Tickets must be booked online, in advance of your visit along with a reservation of your arrival time. Children under 2 are free. Kids 2–14 and families receive discounted admission.
Services: You’ll find an onsite cafe that’s open each day and a pizzeria that is open on weekends and school holidays with options to help your crew rest and refuel. Due to the natural setting, along with gravel paths and walkways, the Bristol Zoo Project is not particularly friendly for wheelchairs and strollers.
Adventure Bristol – This tree-top adventure park is for anyone 6 years and older. Here, you can take on obstacles and challenges like swinging bridges, ziplines, and ropes courses. An adult (age 16+) must accompany any child under 8 years old.
Features: A state of the art auto-belay system ensures safe adventures.
Hours: Open every weekend throughout the year and every day during school holidays. Group bookings can be reserved for any date, including birthday parties. Public sessions last for 1.5 hours.
Tickets: Sessions must be booked online and prices start at £18.
Services: Toilets are available. A cafe is located at the main Mansion House. Due to the nature of these activities, those with limited mobility or medical conditions should not participate.
Aerospace Bristol – Did you know that every British Concorde, the famous supersonic passenger jets, made their maiden flight from Filton Airfield in Bristol?
Features: Journey through 100 years of aviation history with hands-on interactive exhibits. Experience a detailed projection show and climb inside the last Concorde—the Alpha Foxtrot. Let the kids play in the Little Pilots outdoor play and seating area. For young kids, be sure to pick up a free copy of Alfie & Amelia’s Activity Book for an aviation adventure.
Hours: Aerospace Bristol is open 7 days a week from 10am until 4:30pm with the exception of private events and certain holidays. Check their website (linked above) for details.
Tickets: Tickets can be booked online or purchased on arrival. Kids 4 and under are free. Individual tickets start at £12.00 for kids with discounts applying for families of 3 or more. All tickets are valid for free return visits to Aerospace Bristol for one full year from the date of first use!
Services: A cafe and a gift shop are located on site. The museum is fully wheelchair accessible and free entry is offered to dedicated carers when accompanying a paying visitor. Baby changing facilities are available and highchairs are available in the cafe. Restroom facilities are accessible and benches are located throughout the facility to allow visitors to rest. For more information, refer to the website.
Free Family-Friendly Activities in Bristol
As Americans traveling in the UK, we found that our money didn’t always go as far as we’d like (thanks to a weaker dollar against the British pound, at the time). When budgets are tight, it’s great to have a few ideas up your sleeve that will allow you and your kids to have fun together without spending a penny. Bristol actually has quite a few.
You can even extend your fun by packing a sack lunch (might we suggest picking up some focaccia and croissants from Guild of Dough?) and having a picnic in one of Bristol’s beautiful parks before, or after, any of these great activities! This list makes us want to head back to Bristol to take advantage of these cool outings!
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery – From mummies to dinosaurs, kids and parents alike can discover history and nature in a wonderful setting at this lovely museum.
Features: With 19 galleries on 3 floors, visitors can discover Egyptian mummies, learn about dinosaurs, and wander through art galleries.
Hours: Open Tuesday - Sunday from 10am until 5pm
Tickets: Entry is free, donations are welcome. Special exhibits require an entry fee and can be booked online.
Services: Much of the museum is wheelchair accessible. For complete information, view the museum’s access statement here.
Clifton Suspension Bridge – The Clifton Suspension Bridge is another masterpiece project designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1835. It is one of Bristol’s most recognizable structures. Take your time walking across or join a free guided tour (they are offered at 3pm every Saturday and Sunday from Easter to October).
Features: The Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre on the Leigh Woods side of the bridge tells the history of the bridge with artifacts and displays.
Hours: The Museum (on the Leigh Woods side) is open 10am–5pm daily.
Tickets: The Museum is free but donations are welcome. For certain booked tours, like the hard hat tour into the vault below the bridge, admission is required, along with pre-booking online. There is a £1 fee for motorized vehicles to cross the bridge. Pedestrians can cross with no charge.
Services: Bridge Shop, Coffee Cart & Kiosk, Restroom Facilities, Private Tours, and School Visits
Banksy Walking Tour – The world-famous artist Banksy was born and raised in Bristol. His street art style first came to life here. The artist is known for making a statement and some of his works aren’t what you’d call “kid-friendly.” If you’re interested in taking a self-guided tour, here’s where you can find some of his more family-friendly works around town (along with some work by other local artists):
Central Bristol at Bristol’s M Shed: Grim Reaper
Barton Hill in East Bristol: Valentine’s Day Mural
Easton on Foster Street: Cat and Dog
Cabot Tower & Brandon Hill – Brandon Hill is the oldest park in Bristol. It features a children’s play area, along with lovely walking paths and the famous Cabot Tower. The 105ft tower was built in 1897 to commemorate John Cabot’s voyage from Bristol to North America 400 years prior. It is built from red sandstone and covered with cream stone from nearby Bath.
Hours: The park is always open.
Tickets: The park and tower are free. You’ll need to be able to climb the 109 steep, spiral steps to see the stunning views of Bristol.
Bristol Cathedral & College Green – The cathedral has a history that goes back to 1140 when Robert Fitzharding founded the Abbey of St. Augustine.
Hours: The Cathedral is open 365 days a year, Monday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm, and Sunday from 11:30am to 3pm.
Tickets: Donation only. Suggested donation is £5.00.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta – This is the city’s most well-known event. It’s held over a full weekend each August and admission is free! Visitors can enjoy Night Glows, when balloons light up in time to music, and watch as over 100 balloons take off at dawn.
Dates: The 47th Annual Festival is scheduled for August 8–10, 2025.
Tickets: Admission is free but donations are encouraged. You can book car parking and hospitality tickets online now. Hospitality tickets include special activities such as Sky Lounge Access for Nightglow or Morning Launch.
Bristol Harbour Festival – Every summer, visitors and locals enjoy this event with free admission. There’s music, arts, entertainment, and lots of family-friendly activities.
Dates: The next Bristol Harvest Festival is scheduled for July 18–20, 2025
Tickets: Admission is completely free! Visitors are encouraged to purchase food and refreshments onsite as proceeds go towards keeping this a free event for everyone.
Accessibility: Inclusion is an important goal of the event organizers who work with all of the participants to make the experience accessible.
St. Mary Redcliffe – This church is a Gothic masterpiece. It’s over 800 years old and features 18th century ironwork, gorgeous stained glass windows, and a fabulous organ.
Hours: The church is open Monday through Sunday from 8am–5pm and Sundays from noon until 4:30pm.
Tickets: Entry to the church is free. Guided tours are available on Fridays and Saturdays and need to be booked online on their website.
Hengrove Play Park – This family-friendly park has loads of fun activities that will keep your whole family busy! It features a 12 meter high dome with a jungle play experience, a teen zone, a challenge zone with climbing features, a wheels park for BMX and skateboarding, and even sand and water play. You can pack a picnic to enjoy or purchase food at the onsite restaurants. Mom and dad can enjoy a coffee from the cafe while their toddlers play in a dedicated play area.
Hours: The main park is open at all times. Wheels Park is open 10am–10pm and lit by flood lights after dark. The play park is open daily from 10am to at least 4pm (later hours depend on the season).
Tickets: No charge
Services: Park is mainly flat with paths, accessible toilets, and baby changing facilities at the play park. There is a cafe and a restaurant located in the park.
Why is Bristol the Ultimate Destination for Family Adventures?
Whether you're visiting for a quick getaway or planning a longer stay, Bristol offers a unique blend of culture, history, and family-friendly fun. From artsy streets and iconic landmarks to hands-on experiences and eco-friendly initiatives, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy. Bristol's warmth and creativity made it an unexpected highlight of our journey, and we're already dreaming of our next visit. If you're planning a family adventure, don't miss this gem of a city—it’s sure to leave you with memories to cherish.
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