20 things to do in Bristol in the 2022 summer holidays

Ferry Boat to Beeses
Bristol Ferry Boats, 44 The Grove, Bristol, BS1 4RB
Wanting a scenic boat trip that the whole family can enjoy? Try a ferry boat to Beeses. Watch the ducks swim alongside you as you travel down the Feeder Canal and through Netham Lock to the leafy riverbanks of St Anne’s and Conham River Park, finally approaching the Beeses pub. You will be greeted by a beautiful pub garden right on the river, where you can take in the breathtaking scenery. Tickets start from £18 with a return.
www.bristolferry.com/

The garden at Beeses – photo: Beeses

SPONSORED
Bristol Zoo Gardens’ BIG Summer Send-Off, Bristol Zoo
Meet Wilder, the giant moving gorilla sculpture! Go wild with fun family theatre ‘Into The Wild’. Explore the ‘Past, Present, Future’ exhibit timeline and add your memories. Visit your favourite animals, from gorillas and red pandas, to sloths and crocs. Visit before the Zoo closes on September 3. Book now.
www.bristolzoo.org.uk/

Make sure to check out Bristol Zoo before it closes in September – photo: Bristol Zoo

The Wave
Washingpool Farm, Easter Compton, Bristol, BS35 5RE
Fancy an action-packed day with the family? From beginner to advanced, you will be able to surf with the help of expert coaches at The Wave. It includes a children’s play park for those who do not want to surf or are too young. Children have to be six plus. Prices start at £60 for a 90 minute experience.
www.thewave.com/

The Wave is an excellent choice for a fun filled day – photo: The Wave

SPONSORED
Visit Monkey World this Summer – Where Families Matter!
Rescuing and rehabilitating endangered apes and monkeys since 1987, Monkey World is a great day out for all the family.
www.monkeyworld.org/

Monkey World has been around for over 30 years – photo: Monkey World

SPONSORED
Blast off for a Summer of Rockets at Aerospace Bristol
Enjoy out-of-this-world rocket activities throughout the summer holidays. Launch stomp rockets and water rockets, join science shows and much more.
www.aerospacebristol.org/summer

There’s plenty to do and learn at Aerospace Bristol this Summer Holidays – photo: Aerospace Bristol

Children’s Summer Craft Session
J N Fear Institute, 30 High St, Keynsham, BS31 1DQ
August 17
An opportunity for the children to come together with others and create their own seaside-themed crafts, or whatever their imagination can conjure up, using a variety of different sustainable fabrics/pre-loved materials.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/childrens-summer-craft-session-tickets-365615284157

The session will be an excellent opportunity for children to get creative – Photo: J N Fear Institute

Summer Cookery Classes for Children @ Cooking It
3 Chandos Road, Redland, Bristol, BS6 6PG
July 25 to August 31
Cooking It have two weeks where children will be able to learn how to cook delicious food from different cuisines. Kids will be taught to bake bread and cakes to learning about cooking Italian and Mexican foods. Prices are from £35.
www.cookingit.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CexzASfuDqL/

Encanto Outdoor Cinema
Clifton Down, The Watertower, Stoke Road, Bristol, BS9 1FG
August 5
An outdoor cinema experience watching ‘Encanto’, the amazing animation which has captured the imagination of every kid. Tickets from £10.53 for children.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/encanto-outdoor-cinema-experience-at-clifton-downs-bristol-tickets-302633734647

SPONSORED
Free Playful Activities across Bristol this Summer
Less Shhh, more laugh out loud! Join creative science experiences out and about with We The Curious.
www.wethecurious.org/

We The Curious will be popping up around the city all summer long – photo: Paul Blakemore

Henleaze Holiday Club: Summer 2022
Hideaway Forest School, Eastfield Terrace, BS9 4AR
July 25 – August 18
Running four days a week for the first four weeks of the summer holidays, the Henleaze Holiday Club is the perfect opportunity for the children to get their hands dirty, and to keep them busy if you’ve got to work during the daytime.
www.hideawayforest.com/event-details/henleaze-holiday-club-summer-2022

The sessions run from 9-3:30pm, the length of an average school day – photo: Hideaway Forest

The Mystery of the Sabotaged Balloon: Bristol History and Puzzle Adventure
Bristol Old Vic, King Street, Bristol, BS1 4ED
Think you’re good at solving mysteries and puzzles? This activity is perfect for your family. The Mystery of the Sabotaged Balloon book acts as an outdoor escape room. Solve clues and puzzles around the historic town of Bristol. Prices start at £12.99 when purchased online.
www.mysteryguides.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CgJ_xuiOxkt/

Cribbs Summer Beach
The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, BS34 5DG
Visit the sandy beach at Cribbs Causeway! A free beach experience for the whole family. The beach includes water play fountains, palm trees and even golden sand.
www.mallcribbs.com/summer-beach/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CgETzXaIPy-/

SPONSORED
Discover Slimbridge Wetland Centre this Summer
Immerse yourself in the beauty of wetland wildlife and explore Slimbridge’s eight NEW exhibits. Meet the world’s rarest goose and experience birds soaring overhead in the open-air Living Wetland Theatre.
www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge/

The Wetland centre is open to families all summer long – photo: Slimbridge Wetland Centre

Parker’s Adventure with Bristol Animal Rescue Centre
48-50 Albert Road, Bristol, BS2 0XW
June 27 to August 31
Join in on the celebrations with Bristol Rescue Centre. After 135 years of helping Bristol’s most vulnerable animals, they have created an interactive adventure trail.
www.parkersadventure.org/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CgPNGMXNeSE/

Bristol Shakespeare Festival
Various Locations around Bristol
July 20 to August 6
The Bristol Shakespeare Festival are touring all around Bristol this summer. These events include shows and workshops for family fun and enjoyment. Sit down with a picnic and enjoy the show.
www.bristolshakespearefestival.org.uk/

Forest: Wake This Ground
The Arnolfini, 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol, BS1 4QA
August 2-31
Every Tuesday and Wednesday in August, the Arnolfini collaborate with Let’s Make Art. At these events the whole family can join in and create art inspired by the forest. These events are completely free.
www.arnolfini.org.uk/whatson/forestwearefamily/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CgRUiwJgL5l/

Step aboard the last concorde at Aerospace Bristol
Aerospace Bristol, Hayes Way, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5BZ
Reopening August 1
Have a seat on the last Concorde at Aerospace Bristol. The air craft was designed and built in Bristol, and the last Concorde to be built and the last to fly. Hop aboard with tickets starting at £10.
www.aerospacebristol.org/

See the legendary Concorde craft this summer – photo: Aerospace Bristol

See Cabot Tower and Brandon Hill
Brandon Hill Park, off Park Street, West End, Bristol
A stroll to see the historical Cabot Tower and park on Brandon Hill, is a worthwhile visit for families. From the top of Cabot Tower you will be able to see a breathtaking view. Brandon Hill is ideal for a break after shopping on Park Street, with a big open space for a picnic and a play with the kids.

Brandon Hill and Cabot Tower – photo: Martin Booth

The Climbing Academy Boulder Club Bristol
TCA The Mothership, Charlton Street, Bristol, BS5 0FD
Fancy a climb? The Climbing Academy is perfect for children and adults alike. Bouldering is a form of rock climbing without ropes and harnesses. Prices start at £5. www.theclimbingacademy.com/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf6n3rljjDZ/

Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
Queens Road, Bristol BS8 1RL
Learn about Egyptian mummies, paintings, dinosaurs and wildlife at Bristol Museum. The museum offers fun and interactive activities for the whole family to join in on. The Bristol Museum allows kids to explore the wonderful space to roam freely whilst learning. Free admission.
www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/bristol-museum-and-art-gallery/

A pliosaurus swims over the heads of visitors to Bristol Museum – photo: Martin Booth

Main Photo: Bristol Aerospace

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