Although often overlooked in favour of the bright lights of bigger cities, when it comes to places to visit, Bristol is one of my favourites. Not only does one of my favourite people (my sister) live there, it’s got a great vibe when it comes to laid back, city living. As a city, Bristol routinely pops up in the list of top places to live in the UK so it should come as no surprise that it’s got plenty to offer families; whether you live there or not. So when Groupon asked us to share some of our favourite suggestions days out and how to find some great deals on things to do in Bristol, we couldn’t say no!
1. Visit Bristol Zoo
A walled zoo set in the heart of Clifton, Bristol Zoo Gardens is a perfect day out for those with younger children. The fifth oldest zoo in the world, it’s managed to retain an air of old world charm with plenty of spaces for little ones to explore and get up close with the birds and animals. Due to it’s size, it’s lacking some of the larger zoo animals such as elephants but still has plenty to offer, not to mention an appealing cafe! During peak season, adult tickets are £17.27 and children (aged 2-14) are £11.81 if bought online in advance without the voluntary donation. However, you can get a third of your admission price refunded if you take proof that you’ve travelled by bus, bike, train or foot in line with their Sustainable Transport Discount.
2. Climb A Mountain (Kind Of!)
Renowned for it’s climbing routes, you’ll often see climbers scaling the sides of Avon Gorge as you drive into the city. For those of us whose climbing skills are a little rusty (read: non existent), there are plenty of climbing centres throughout Bristol designed to get you up on the rock face. Try Groupon for money-saving offers on climbing packages for all ages from as little as £8… can’t really argue with that for a rainy day activity that you can all take part in.
3. Discover ‘We The Curious’
Formerly known as @Bristol, this science museum formed the basis of many a school trip! Based right on Bristol Harbourside, it’s an experience based museum that’s jam packed with experiments to take part in. We The Curious is designed to be played with and interacted with, making it ideal for inquisitive hands and minds. It’s educational yet fun and covers a variety of age groups, although is mostly aimed at late primary/early secondary year aged children. A family of four ticket costs just over £40 with a small additional charge should you wish to view the planetarium showing.
4. Solve A Mystery
Popping up around the country with increasing frequency thanks to their popularity, escape rooms are an easy way to escape the elements for an hour or so. Whilst the mysteries are always different, the format tends to stay the same; you’re ‘locked’ into a room for an hour and need to hunt your way out by finding and solving clues. It could be trying to find numbers to unlock a cabinet which then leads to strange symbols or a note explaining the next clue… with varying degrees of difficulty, it’s a group activity designed to get you all included and keep your brain ticking whilst you fight the clock and try to find the key. Escape rooms do tend to be an expensive activity (but great fun!), however, there are often deals to be found – again, check out Groupon – which can make them more than affordable!
5. Take In The Vista
Discover the small streets and quirky shops of Clifton before heading up to Clifton Observatory to get a stunning view of Avon Gorge and Clifton Suspension Bridge. With plenty of open space for picnicking and burning off energy, Clifton Downs is an ideal location for a summers day. It’s height above the city also makes it one of the best spots for viewing the city’s firework displays toward the end of the year or the spectacular sights of the Bristol Balloon Fiesta; a hot air balloon festival held every August.
No Comments