From activities and restaurants to facilities and resources, Bristol is an extremely family-friendly city with plenty to offer new parents.
An Overview of Bristol’s Child-Friendly Attractions
Bristol is home to an array of child-friendly attractions, with something to offer all ages. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular picks for families.
Bristol Aquarium
Located right in the heart of the city, Bristol Aquarium is a delightful undersea safari offering more than 40 themed displays and thousands of aquatic creatures. Every area of the aquarium is accessible and offers ramps throughout, which provide multi-level viewing platforms so everyone has the opportunity to see every display.
The aquarium runs dedicated Even Calmer days each month, where the children’s rides and music are turned off for a more relaxing and laid-back sensory experience.
Boing! Soft Play
Boing! Soft Play is a not-for-profit located in North Bristol and offers a range of play and craft sessions for kids aged 0-5. There are also dedicated ‘Tiddlers’ sessions for 0-3s, which are fun sessions designed specifically for smaller children that always end with singing and a story. Plus, the on-site cafe provides opportunities to enjoy home-cooked food whilst meeting other families.Â
Wake The Tiger
Looking for a cool family adventure in Bristol? Check out Wake The Tiger! It’s a wild, interactive art experience that kids and adults will love. Plus, they offer family tickets. Dive into the magic and experience Bristol’s largest immersive art experience.
Be Weird, Be Wild, Be Wonderful
Be Weird, Be Wild, Be Wonderful is a play hub cafe offering a range of activities for young children to enjoy every day, including singing and parachute play. There’s also a cafe offering a lunchtime menu featuring sandwiches, wraps and sweet treats, making this an excellent place to meet and connect with other new parents.
Top Family-Friendly Restaurants in Bristol
If you’re feeling peckish when you’re out and about, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes with dedicated children’s menus and a family-friendly vibe.
Cabot Circus
Whether you want to enjoy a family dinner after an afternoon of shopping or you’re keen to catch up with friends in a restaurant that also caters for little ones, Cabot Circus is an excellent option with plenty of choice to suit all tastes.
Many restaurants at Cabot Circus have dedicated children’s menus, as well as baby-changing facilities and highchairs. There are also additional baby changing facilities within the main toilets at Cabot Circus.
Chequers Inn
Chequers Inn occupies a stunning position on the banks of the River Avon and delivers a quintessential British pub experience. Pop by to enjoy a freshly prepared roast every Sunday or visit mid-week to explore the impressive array of seasonal dishes, soak in the sunshine on the terrace, or get cosy by the log fire during the winter months.
As well as a dedicated children’s menu and highchairs, Chequers Inn also offers a buggy parking area and bottle/food warming facilities.
No.1 Harbourside
Located in the heart of Bristol, No.1 Harbourside transforms from a daytime cafe into a nighttime restaurant, bar and live music venue in the evenings, with something to offer everyone. The children’s menu is varied and nutritious, offering everything from cheese toasties to burgers and hand-cut chips for kids up to the age of 11. Plus, Kid’s Corner has colouring and crayons available, too.
Top Tips For Navigating Bristol With a Pushchair or Stroller
With a strong public transportation network, getting around Bristol is surprisingly simple.
The MetroBus
With low floors, twin doors and wide corridors, Bristol’s MetroBus service is extremely accessible and pushchair friendly. The MetroBus stops near a number of the city’s top attractions, including the railway stations and Brunel’s SS Great Britain. The MetroBus is one of the most affordable ways to get around the city, with all under 5s travelling for free and single adult tickets costing £2.25.
Pushchair-Friendly Walks in Bristol
If you’re eager to explore Bristol on foot, there are a number of stroller and pushchair-friendly walks to enjoy.
The Bristol and Bath Railway Path stretches for more than 23 km and winds its way from the centre of Bristol northwards to Bath. The path is three metres wide and tarmacked from beginning to end, so whether you want to walk the entire route or just take in part of the trail around Bristol, it’s easy to navigate with a pushchair.
The Sims Hill and Forestry Commission Circular is just over 3 km and generally takes about an hour to complete at a leisurely pace. The trail covers both suburban streets and parkland and is popular amongst wildlife enthusiasts. It’s worth noting that some parts of the trail can get a bit muddy, so waiting for a dry day is recommended if you want to navigate it with a pushchair.
Resources and Support for New Parents in Bristol
Becoming a parent for the first time can be both exciting and daunting, but there are resources and support services available to help new parents in Bristol navigate the beginning of this new journey.
The Community Children’s Health Partnership (CCHP)
The Community Children’s Health Partnership (CCHP) provides a variety of services including health visiting, attachment and bonding support, mental and emotional health and wellbeing services, and support for your relationship, whether you are parenting together or co-parenting.
We recommend searching the Bristol.GOV website for your local children’s centre, which offers a number of services including daycare and early education, family health services including post-natal care, and outreach services including home visits.
Bristol is a brilliant family-friendly city with so much to offer kids of all ages. If you want to make the city your home, Hopewell has all the insider knowledge needed to help you choose which part of Bristol is best suited to your family’s needs.
