Things to with the kids in Bristol this Autumn - Part 1
There’s so much to do in Bristol in Autumn and not all of them have to cost money!
Did you just blink and somehow it’s now Autumn? Don’t worry! You’re not alone – we’ve put together a handy two-part seasonal guide of things to do with the kids in and around Bristol this Autumn.
From child-friendly walks in Bristol to rainy day activities – we’ve got you covered.
Autumnal Bristol child-friendly walks for little legs
Now the leaves are changing colour it’s time to put on those welly boots and get out and about in the autumnal fresh air! Here are some ideas for where to take a family walk this time of year…
If you go down to Leigh Woods today… (Image: National Trust)
Leigh Woods
What says Autumn more than a walk in Leigh Woods? Stomping around in the crunchy fallen leaves. Located on the other side of the suspension bridge is the well loved Leigh Woods. There are a range of trails you can follow but the most accessible for buggies and wheelchairs is the Purple Trail – just look for the colour coded posts for way-finding. The National Trust also has a downloadable family trail and page about visiting Leigh Woods on their website here. Keep your eyes peeled for the roundhouse, views of the suspension bridge, Avon Gorge and all sorts of exciting wildlife. For the ultimate ease with the little ones you can pay to park in the Abbots Leigh Road car park for £2-4 depending on how long you’re visiting (and you can pick up a convenient coffee to sip as you stroll from the Leigh Woods coffee van). Or alternatively walk from the city centre and across the Clifton Suspension Bridge for great views, or take the X3 or X4 bus towards Portishead.
Exploring Snuff Mills Park (Image: Walt Jabsco via Flickr)
Snuff Mills
This riverside walk meanders alongside the River Frome in Snuff Mills Park. You can park for free at the Snuff Mills car park where you will also find public toilets and there is also a little cafe/ tearooms. Explore the park at Snuff Mills which is on the site of an old mill that you can see still turning the water with its big wheel. The mill was used for cutting and crushing stone from the many quarries along the Frome Valley during the late 19th century and got its name from the miller whose nickname was 'Snuffy Jack' because his smock was always covered in snuff. Wander along the riverside path where you might be lucky enough to spot moorhens, kingfishers, ducks, otters and more! Suitable for buggies although sometimes can get a little muddy so we advise welly boots now the weathers starting to change. If you want to have a longer walk then head over the bridge and make a left towards Oldbury Court Estate, another beautiful park which is also home to a great children’s play area with a pirate ship play frame, although it's worth noting the walk to Oldbury Park and back to is about 2.3 miles in total which may impact timings with little legs to get to the playground.
There’s so much to see along the Harbourside walk.
Harbourside
This well loved circular is an oldie but a goodie! The Harbour walk is great for families being buggy and scooter/bike friendly, wheelchair accessible and flat with none of those Bristol hills. This walk takes about an hour in total but has plenty of spots to stop to rest the little legs along the way. There are iconic views in all directions from Clifton, the Suspension bridge to the array of iconic coloured houses wedged into the hills and, of course, all of the various boats, dinghies and paddle boarders to spot on the water. Start from the Arnolfini (or wherever suits you best). It's well located for buses and the cycle route at the city centre and there are a few car parks nearby. From there you can either head right over Pero’s Bridge and over towards the Waterside Amphitheatre then follow the path alongside the harbour all the way down to the Pumphouse and then over the other side of the water via the Junction Swing Bridge. Or alternatively cross over the Prince’s Street bridge and turn right at M Shed and follow the path alongside the harbour. At Brunel’s SS Great Britain you will have to follow the path away slightly from the Harbourside along gas ferry road and turn right down the little passageway towards the marina then carry on alongside the water past the Cottage Inn (or pop in for a swift half before carrying on) through the historic boatyard – Underfall Yard Visitor Centre before turning right on to Avon Crescent and over the Junction Swing Bridge and past the Pump House back on the the waterside.
Badocks Wood is right by our Southmead Nursery and we regularly take the children there to explore.
Badocks Wood
Another magical woodland in Bristol to explore as the leaves change! Badocks Wood in Southmead is a nature reserve woodland with streams and areas of meadow in north Bristol. It’s really close to our Southmead nursery and the children go on regular outings there! Park on the adjacent roads Lake Road, Lakewood Crescent or Doncaster Road. There are tarmac paths making it good for buggies and wheelchairs but again wellies are definitely a good shout as there are streams to sposh in and the opportunity for getting muddy! Look out for the Southmead Round Barrow near the Doncaster Road entrance – a monument to a Bronze Age burial mound as well as all sorts of wonderful tree carvings around the woods.
Here comes the rain again!
Family friendly rainy day activities in Bristol this Autumn
When those rainy days come around (a little too often, here in Britain, at this time of year). It’s sometimes hard to know what to do with the little ones to keep them dry and out of trouble! Here are a few ideas for those rain days…
Not all rainy day activities need to cost you money – why not try a trip to your local library?
Take a trip to the library
Taking little ones to the library any day, let alone as a rainy day activity, is a great way to get them more engaged in literacy – not only through books and reading but by exercising their imagination. Often, local libraries will host fun and engaging storytelling sessions so it’s worth keeping an eye out at your local one to see what’s on. Bristol is lucky to still have a strong local library provision across the city, with sites in most local areas and visiting is an activity that is both wholesome and free! Check out the Bristol Council ‘Find a Library’ page to find your local library. Bristol Central Library just off College Green is also well worth a visit – being a Grade 1 listed building, purpose built in the Edwardian times – it’ll give you and the kids that Hogwarts-esque vibe.
Art Galleries and Museums the children will enjoy
We’re very luck to have such a wonderful selection of museums and galleries in Bristol that are suitable for all of the family…
Take the train at MShed (Image: ©Neil Philips via MShed website)
M Shed
M Shed down on the Harbourside has a range of activities and trails to engage the youngens when they visit – pick up a ABC Trail from the front desk when you arrive or try out their Free Family Explorer Guide and Pretend to be an explorer on an expedition and see how different things look through the binoculars or magnifying glass. Check out the working exhibits like the trains, cranes and boats!
There’s lots for families to enjoy at Bristol Museum and Gallery.
Bristol Museum and Gallery
Do you know a little someone who happens to be Dinosaur mad? At Bristol Museum and Gallery they have a Dinosaur activity area on the first floor. Create and draw dinosaurs or fossils and learn about these amazing creatures from the displays, interactives and dinosaur library. Curiosity is their area specifically for the under fives – Tell stories in the crystal cave, act out a performance on stage, play with puppets, interactives, games and more!
The Arnolfini Art Cart! Get creative on your visit.
Arnolfini
At the Arnolfini each exhibit has its own family guide to help you explore with the family just enquire when you arrive. There’s also a range of events and activities – see online to see what’s on at the time of your visit. The Art Cart is a particular favourite of ours created by The rather marvellous Stiling’s Workshop. Art Cart for families to use for free while visiting. Arnolfini’s fabulous Makers in Residence, Let’s Make Art will ensure it is kept topped up with a range of creative materials and exhibition-inspired activities. Available Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm. Free to use of course.
Take the kids to the pictures
Nothing says rainy day like a tactical trip to the cinema! Grab some popcorn and get comfortable…
There’s something pretty magical about seeing a film up on the big screen.
ODEON
On Saturday and Sunday mornings a lot of the larger cinema chains do special kids screenings of the latest children's films. The ODEON in the city centre also lets grown ups come along for the same price as a child ticket so you can make a bit of a saving going early in the weekend. See the website for times and prices.
Everyman Cinema in Clifton. (Image: Everyman Cinema Bristol)
Everyman Bristol
Everyman Cinemas also run a Baby Club which is a weekly screening on a Tuesday or Thursday morning for you to enjoy with your little one. Each week they show one of our newest releases with the volume turned down and with dim lighting throughout the auditorium for the comfort of the baby. And to really seal the deal, a hot drink and a slice of their delicious cake or small popcorn is included in the ticket price.
Look out for part two of this two-part seasonal guide to Autumn in Bristol very soon – where we will be giving you the lowdown on where to pick your own pumpkin and where to watch fireworks on Bonfire Night!
