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 Family day out in the country |
Pixash Lane Bath Road, Keynsham Bristol BS31 1TP United Kingdom +44 117 986 4929 http://www.avonvalleycountrypa... |
Situated between Bristol and Bath (four and a half miles from the city centre), this park is an excellent place to take your kids for a day out. They'll love it as everything has been geared towards youngsters. So, you'll find plenty of animals for them to watch and pet - Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, kangaroos, Shetland ponies, goats etc. There's an outdoor adventure playground and junior assault course, plus a riverside trail which tells you all about the animals, plants and birds you'll spot along the way. There's also a boating pond, a lake where you can fish (rods for hire), barbecue and picnic areas and a shop. Still not tired? OK, you still haven't tried the quad bikes, mini steam train or the undercover soft play area, complete with bouncy castle - perfect for any rainy interludes. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Winner of "Zoo of the Year" |
Guthrie Road Bristol BS8 3HA United Kingdom +44 117 974 7399 http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk |
Bristol Zoo is extremely popular and if you want to avoid the crowds, get there as soon as it opens in the morning, especially during school holidays. It draws the crowds because it's a very modern and well-done place, housing over 300 different species of animals and wildlife. There's also a strong educational and conservational slant, so the kids will actually learn something as well. Much of it is undercover, so it's still a good place to visit on rainy days. Highlights include Gorilla Island and the Seal and Penguin Coasts, whose landscaped beaches, tunnels and cliffs are home to some very lively wildlife. Every kind of wildlife is here, from lions to lizards and elephants to dung beetles. Check out the hands-on activity centre and interactive Zoolympics trail - see how you match up to the animals! As you'll no doubt spend a whole day here, take advantage of their covered picnic area or restaurant. Admission: adults £11, children (aged three-14) £7. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Mark McLaughlin  |
 Photo: Martin Irwin |
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 Photo: Martin Irwin |
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Get to Bath using pedal-power |
Feeder Road Bristol BS1 United Kingdom |
If you want a bit of exercise, countryside and sightseeing, you can't go far wrong cycling from Bristol to the "jewel of the west country", the nearby city of Bath. Luckily for you there's a dedicated cycle path all the way to this fair city, and even better, it's the route of a now-defunct railway track, so no hills! Start at Feeder Road (behind Temple Meads Train Station) and just follow the blue signs. There are plenty of places to stop along the way, including a couple of pubs and the kid's favourite, Avon Valley Steam Railway, but before you know it you'll be riding along the side of Bath's canal and on into Georgian splendor. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Susannah Gill |
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A great day out at equine rescue centre |
Staunton Lane Whitchurch Bristol BS14 0QG United Kingdom +44 1275 54 0173 http://www.horseworld.org.uk |
Got a horse-mad member of the family? Bring them here - there are over 200 rescued and retired horses, ponies and donkeys and twice a day during the "Parade", visitors can meet them and talk to their grooms. As you'd expect, everything here is seriously horsey - there are two hands-on exhibitions, The Museum of the Horse and Donkey House which show man's dependence on the horse throughout history, plus a Heritage Tack Room Museum, a play area, film shows and a blacksmiths. If you fancy some fresh air, try the nature trail around the farm or have a picnic in the garden. There's also a tea room serving snacks and meals and a gift shop. Free wheelchair loan for disabled visitors is available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Colin Gimblett |
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A great day out for kids |
Clevedon Road Wraxall Bristol BS48 1PG United Kingdom +44 1275 852 606 http://www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk |
Just six miles from Bristol, this zoo farm is a top choice for kids. They absolutely love the place because it's all geared to them and there's loads to see and do. The biggest draw are the animals of course - over 40 different sorts, including buffalos, llamas and wallabies to less exotic (but no less popular) lambs, ponies and goats. They can handle and feed some of them, learn about them and even take part in a lamb race! It doesn't matter if it's raining, as there are plenty of undercover attractions too. These include the adventure playground, indoor straw den with its rope swings, the food and farming exhibition which explains all about crops and what they grow into and the food barn, where you can get drinks and snacks. Outside, there are also tractor rides and nature trails, plus pony and donkey rides on most Saturdays. Admission: adults £8.00, children (2-16) £6.00, concessions £7.00. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Ray O'Hara |
 Photo: Noah's Ark Zoo Farm |
 Photo: Noah's Ark Zoo Farm |
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Underwater adventure at popular aquarium |
Marine Parade Bristol BS23 1BE United Kingdom +44 1934 61 3361 http://www.sealife.co.uk |
This unique and entertaining centre, which is particularly popular with kids, offers more than 30 fascinating displays, each of which allow you to have close encounters of the marine kind. There is an interactive Undersea Adventure Trail, feeding demonstrations of various of species plus talks and special presentations. Everyone's favourite however, is the Oceantank with its walk-through tunnel, from which you can gaze close-up at all the seafish. There's also a new Amazone section, containing tropical freshwater fish and a Ray-tank, housing mostly locally-caught species of rays. After you've explored in here, head down to the nearby beach - you may find some sea-creatures of your own! Review © 2007, Wcities |
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A country oasis in the city |
Watercress Road Bristol BS2 9YJ United Kingdom +44 (0)117 942 8241 http://www.stwerburghs.org/ind... |
Although only fifteen minutes away from the city centre, you feel in the heart of the countryside here at this farm. Kids love it—the sheep, goats, cattle, ducks, rabbits and especially the pigs, are all very popular and you can wander through the livestock section, getting very close to the animals, all of whom work for their places by providing wool, milk, eggs and meat, much of which is for sale in the farm shop. There are also footpaths and nature trails, plus a children's play area and a small cafe, serving snacks and lunches. Watch local press for details of their annual Summer Fair—a great family event. Admission is free, although they welcome donations. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Matt Redmond |
 Photo: Mary Bowden |
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Country matters in the heart of the city |
Philip Street (Bedminster) Bristol BS3 4EA United Kingdom +44 117 963 3252 |
Established back in 1976, this working farm was the first outside of London and is just half a mile from the city centre. It is a good choice for those of you with kids—they love it here and it's enjoyed by tens of thousands of them every year. In addition to the hands-on experience of a wide range of animals (including goats, sheep, pigs, cattle, rabbits and poultry, with some rare breeds), children are particularly attracted by the adventure playground, and family playroom, which is billed as "a creative and safe place for young children." The Farm specifically aims to help people understand the practicalities of food production, and to present a balanced view of sustainable lifestyles. There is also a conservation area, a lovely little cafe and a farm shop, selling some delicious organic food. Admission is free. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Owen Haberfield |
 Photo: shipscompass |