This summer there are over 400 events listed in the Visit Bristol directory (here) as part of their #SummerinBristol campaign, with summer celebrations (Bristol 650 celebrates 650 years of Bristol as an independent city and county) and activities being held across the city. With a key theme being value for money, offers available and some being completely free – there is no excuse for boredom!

However, if you’re indecisive like me and need someone to narrow it done a bit, here are my top picks based on stuff I’ve found on their website, been out and tried or just heard about and am interested in. It’s not comprehensive and I’m always open to suggestion – particularly if you spot any offers I’ve missed!

FREE ENTRY

The Unicorn Fest – sculpture trail raising money for Leukaemia UK

📍 City wide some further afield) download the map here or use the app

🎟️ Most are FREE to access

📆 Runs until Sept 3rd

⏰ Check times for those located within specific attractions

🚗 Many accessible on foot, some by public transport

Arnolfini Arts – Contemporary art gallery with a great drawing area on the top floor

📍 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol, BS1 4QA

🎟️ Free Entry

⏰ 11.00 til 18.00 Tuesday to Sunday

♿️ Lift available

🥪 Cafe on site

☔️ Great way to spend an hour on a rainy day and close to other free venues (like M Shed)

Weston Grand Pier – World famous with a host of attractions and activities

📍 Weston Super Mare

🎟️ Free Entry to the pier for My Grand Pier Holders, which is available to all those in the following postcodes I.E. not just Weston: BS21, BS22, BS23, BS24, BS25, BS26, BS29, BS48 and BS49.

💰 If you live elsewhere tickets are only £1 each per person, unlimited ride wrist bands are also available from £11.50 depending on age

⏰ 11.00 til 17.00 Mon to Friday, from 10.00 at weekends

♿️ Pram and wheelchair accessible

🥪 Indoor and outdoor picnic spots plus numerous places to purchase food/drink

☔️ Great for a wet day as loads of indoor activities

🎨 If it is a nice day or if you’ve got suitable attire go and explore Weston Wallz afterwards, an incredible collection of street art murals from both local and National artists curated by the folks at UpFest

💦 You could also combine with a trip to Weston’s famous Splash Park which is loved by many, there is a small entry fee (struggling to find exact but it’s cheap!)

Puxton’s Sunflower Farm

🌻 Entry is free, but it costs £2 per sunflower that you pick (as few or many as you like!)

🌻 You need to bring your own scissors or secateurs to cut the sunflowers.

🌻 The farm is open daily, 10am to 4pm. We arrived at 10.30 and it was just us and 4 other families. No pre booking required.

🌻 You can pay with cash, card or Apple Pay

🌻 Parking is free too in the Puxton Park carpark.

If you’re planning to go into Puxton Park after seeing the sunflowers it’s worth noting that they are one of the ‘South West Attractions VIP Pass’ participants – see below.

If you’re on a budget then you might want to combine a sunflower trip with some unicorn spotting, as there’s one at the Puxton entrance and then you’re only 12 mins by car to the Weston one. You could also pop into the farm shop for a mooch.

Other free ideas….

🌳 Play Parks: St Andrews (Bristol) Salthouse Fields (Clevedon) Lake Grounds (Portishead)

🎭 Pandora’s Box Theatre Show, 2.30pm Monday 21st August, Queen Square Clevedon

🌊 The Wave – whilst you cannot enter the water (even just for a paddle) unless you’re booked onto a surf lesson it is now FREE to visit as a spectator (there used to be a charge.) Older kids might want to watch the surfers showing off their skills, plus there is a cafe, small play area, table tennis table and the walk from the car park to the lakeside is brill for scooting/skateboarding (thanks Rosie Fox on FB!!) If you want to get in the water but not surf may also be worth looking into their ‘Play in the Bay‘ sessions.

💦 The new Cribbs water garden play area

🩶 M Shed Museum, Bristol

⛪️ St Mary Redcliffe, Mythical Beasties Trail, Bristol

🌲 Ty Sculpture Trail, Nailsea

🐑 Windmill Hill City Farm, Bristol

🎶 Old City Sounds (26th August) free music festival in the old city

🎈 Balloon Fiesta (10th to 13th Aug – just pay for parking)

🏛️ Bristol Museum

🏠 The Georgian House, Great George Street

❤️ The Red Lodge Museum, Park Row

🏰 Blaise Castle Estate, Park & Cafe, Museum & Hamlet

🏖️ Weston Super Mare Museum & Cafe (a history of the town)

🦙 Wolfridge Alpaca Barn (no cost to use the cafe, but you can pay extra for alpaca experiences. They also have a £1 Fairy Trail on this summer 🧚‍♀️)

🍦 Palette & Pasture farm & ice cream parlour, Frome

Across the Bridge – just pay for your fuel and parking

📍St Fagans Museum of Welsh Life, Cardiff

📍Big Pit Mining Museum, Blaenavon

South West Attractions VIP Pass

Not a freebie but worth mentioning as I’ve not seen it widely marketed, and a 10% discount is better than no discount! If you visit any of the following this summer then you are entitled to ten percent off at the other venues included. The venues are:

🐘 Noah’s Ark

🐠 Bristol Aquarium

🧙‍♀️ Wookey Hole

💦 Brean Theme Park

🧀 Cheddar Gorge & Caves

🚂 Puxton Park

LOCAL EVENTS

📍29th & 30th July, Portishead Summer Show (Kids free, Adults £10/£8 in advance)

📍26th & 27th August, Clevedon Flower Show (Ticketed event, prices TBA) – Bea and I attended the Sunday afternoon last year and had a great time

WET WEATHER

Beyond Submergence at the Propyard

One of our favourite things we’ve done this summer (certainly the most talked about), Bea described the area that everyone has seen on Instagram/publicity shots as ‘like a forest of lights just for kids to play in’. I don’t want to spoil the rest of the installation for you but she literally spent the whole time skipping, dancing, singing and generally being mesmerised by the whole thing. I think we were both surprised how much we loved it. If you can visit not on a weekend it’s likely to be quieter and more enjoyable. Some details:

📆 It ends next month (last date Sept 30th)

⏰ Timed slots, 1 hour minimum experience. 30 minutes ‘guided’ then 30 mins self guided.

🎟️ Peak/Off Peak – 4 and under: free, Adults £18/15, 14 to 20 year olds £10, 5 to 13 year olds £5, Concessions

£15/12.

🥪 Great cafe on site selling kids and adult toasties plus cakes, crisps etc and a full bar

🎨 Arts and crafts table, ping pong, bean bag games etc in the cafe to keep kids entertained

🚊 We caught the train there – it’s an easy 10 minute walk from Temple Meads (which coincidentally is also the nearest place you can park listed on their website!)

Bristol Aquarium

📍 Anchor Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TT

🎟️ £19.75 for 13 to 64 year olds, £12.35 for 3 to 12 year olds, under 2’s are free. Tickets valid all day where you can leave and return – if you wanted to go elsewhere for lunch etc

📆 Coral Celebration (free extras inc contributing to a stunning coral reef fish mural and get your own coral crown if you visit on a weekend) runs until Sept 3rd

⏰ Open daily 10.00 til 18.00

🚗 Parking at Millennium Square NCP or there’s a bus stop right outside

🍦 Cafe and shop available

Aerospace Bristol

📍 Anchor Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TT

🎟️ £19.50 for 18 to 64 year olds, £12 for 4 to 17 year olds, under 4’s are free. Student and seniors £18. Tickets include free return for 12 months so a great value option as you can then pop in again whenever.

📆 Art of Flight (an array of free artistic activities – list here) runs until Sept 3rd plus don’t forget to check out Luke Jerrams chocolate Concorde which is there until October.

⏰ Open daily 10.00 til 16.30

🚗 Free parking onsite or there’s a bus stop a ten minute walk away

🍔 Cafe on site with hot and cold food options, or if you’ve brought a picnic there’s an undercover picnic area

☀️ There’s also a really lovely playground so you don’t need to go when it’s wet and a Unicorn Fest sculpture between the buildings

The SS Great Britain

📍 Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Rd, Bristol, BS1 6TY

🎟️ Adults £22, Kids FREE with a full priced adult this summer, Under 5’s free year round

💰 Adults who purchase a full priced ticket can return free of charge for 12 months from the date of original purchase

📆 180th Summer Celebrations (inc Kids go free’ promo) runs until Sept 3rd

⏰ Open 10am til 5pm daily

♿️ Lifts available so all areas are accessible/pram friendly

🍔 There are two cafes (the Harbourside Kitchen and the Dockyard Café) but if you’d prefer to bring your own there are picnic areas (covered and uncovered)

🛍️ There’s a gift shop with all the usuals

🚗 The (council run) Maritime Heritage Centre short stay car park is a minutes walk. A special rate for day visitors means the most you will pay is £5 (they recommend purchasing the max £12.50 for 5 hours). It’s a 30 min drive from Clevedon or a 16 min walk from the X6/X7 bus stop.

☔️ We actually visited on a gloriously sunny day, you definitely don’t need to go just when it’s wet there’s just lots to do inside (two museums, the dry dock, the inside of the ship itself etc) if it is! (Plus with your free return ticket you can easily return when the sun is shining…)

Wookey Hole – Cave tour, dinosaur park, soft play, mini golf, mirror maze, penny arcade, 4D cinema and more..

📍 The Mill, High St, Wookey Hole, Wells BA5 1BB

🎟️ Adults £21.45, 3 to 14 years old £17.65, Under 3’s free, Seniors £19.85

📆 In addition to the regular attractions the Wookey Hole Theatre will be hosting Magique, a magic and illusion performance suitable for all the family. The show runs every Wednesday at 6.30pm from 26th July to 30th August and costs £9.99 but use Bristol10 for a 10% discount (valid until the end of summer)

⏰ 9.30 to 17.30 (last entry 4pm)

👟 Wear comfy supportive shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty/wet.

♿️ With the exception of the caves, all attractions are accessible/pram friendly.

🎪 Circus shows included within your ticket 🍽️ Restaurant is open 10.00 to 16.00 serving cooked food 12 til 14.30. There’s also Valley Refreshments, an ice cream parlour and plenty of picnic areas

🧀 The gift shop has cheddar that’s been aged in the actual caves!!

🚗 Parking included, 42 minutes from Clevedon/37 mins from South Bristol

☀️ Have listed under wet weather as we went when it was wet and loads to do but would happily return when it’s sunny, adventure golf wasn’t great getting drenched 😂

📷 My Christmas review/reel

Other Ideas…

📍Softplay – Cadbury Garden Centre if you’re feeling flash with the cash or Jungle Run is very dependable

📍 Stay & Clay, Clevedon – let your kids get creative with clay somewhere outside your own home 😂 Sessions only £8 and for the later slots parents/caters aren’t required to supervise (but must be on site) so can pop in the next room to one of my personal favourites, Feast 😋

📍The Unicornfest Roller Rink – every weekend from July 22nd to August 27th. Skating sessions every 30 minutes, suggested donations of £2 per skate, helmets and knee pads are included.

📍Lego Workshop at Old Street Kitchen, Clevedon. Weds 16th August 15.30 to 17.00, £5, suitable for age 6 plus

📍Shelton Mallet Prison, 50% off entry all summer use code SUMMER50

Haven’t been but would like to go:

📍 Wake The Tiger

FUN WITH ANIMALS

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm

📍 Clevedon Rd, Wraxall, Clevedon, BS48 1PG

🎟️ Adults £24.20, 2 to 15 years old £19.58, Under 2’s free, Concessions £21.45 (includes charitable donation which can be removed)

📆 In addition to the regular attractions the Shaun the Sheep ‘Hide & Sheep’ free Augmented Reality trail is running until Sept 3rd

⏰ 10.30 to 17.00

♿️ Most areas wheelchair accessible/pram friendly.

🍽️ Restaurant on-site and lots of picnic areas (including undercover)

🚗 Parking included, 16 minutes from Clevedon/14 mins from South Bristol

☔️ If it’s not a torrential day it might still be worth visiting as there are two fab softplay areas and some animal exhibits have indoor sections. It was raining on/off when we visited this summer and wasn’t a bother at all.

👩🏼‍🏫 During term time (starting back Sept 11th) it’s worth noting if you have an under 5 there is the Jungle Tots Parent and Toddler group, info here

Bristol Zoo Project (formerly Bristol Wild Place)

📍 Blackhorse Hill, Bristol, BS10 7TP

🎟️ Adults £19.31, 2 to 14 years old £14.36, Under 2’s free

📆 The Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail runs until September 3rd

⏰ 10.00 to 17.00

♿️ Some areas may not be accessible to wheelchairs and buggies and they recommend visitors who are registered disabled visit their Visitor Information office (next to the shop) to maximise their visit.

🍕 Courtyard Cafe offers a selection of freshly-made sandwiches served on Hobbs House bread and homemade savoury pastries and the Base Camp Pizzeria is now open 7 days a week (I’ve actually never seen it open – need to go try!)

🚗 Parking included, 17 minutes from Clevedon/18 mins from South Bristol

North Somerset Bird of Pray Centre (Open Days)

📍 Smallway, Congresbury, BS49 5AA

🎟️ Adults £6, 2 to 14 years old £4, Under 2’s free

🦅 A variety of talks and demos through other day are included in your entry fee inc Bird of Pray handling, Vulture Feed, Owl handling and lots more! A great value experience.

📆 Sunday 6th & 20th Aug, Sunday 24th Sept

⏰ 10.30 to 16.30 (last entry 16.00)

☕️ Heathers Coffee Shop is next door

🚗 14 mins from Clevedon

Pic courtesy of North Somerset Bird of Pray Centre

Court Farm Country Park

📍 Wolvershill Rd, Banwell, BS29 6DL

🎟️ Adults £8, 3 to 16 years old £6.90, 2 years old £3, Under 24 months free

⏰ 10.00 to 17.30

🍕 Tearoom on site and picnic areas available

🚗 Parking included, 16 minutes from Clevedon/30 mins from South Bristol

FURTHER AFIELD

Westonbirt Arboretum

📍 Tetbury, GL8 8QS

🎟️ Adults £12, Children (0-18) are FREE until the 3rd September, Concessions £8 (inc those who use public transport)

📆 The Zog Activity Trail runs until September 19th

⏰ 9.00 to 16.30

♿️ Most paths wheelchairs and buggy accessible

🍕 Lots of places for potential picnics and pit stops plus three venues to purchase from (though the Smokehouse is only open on weekends)

🚗 Parking included, 50 minutes from Clevedon/40 mins from South Bristol

📷 My autumn reel/review

Haven’t been but would like to…

📍WWT Slimbridge

📍Sudeley Castle

Thank you if you’ve got this far!

The summer holidays are hectic so I may or may not update this page to add anything I discover 🤪 but if you spot any typos or errors or think there’s something I just must include, please do let me know!! Hoping you have a wonderful time over the next six weeks.

Best wishes,

Lizzie (and Bea) xxx