Ideas for days out in Bristol - but not the obvious stuff!

[hz]

I live in Bath but would like to take my two girls, aged 5 and 7 for a day out in Bristol but I want to avoid the obvious stuff. The Zoo, aquarium, @Bristol, SS Great Britain, are all great but we've done them and want to do something different. Any ideas? What do local Bristolians do for a day out without spending a fortune - places the kids love running around, or looking at something interesting or eating somewhere different - any ideas very welcome! Thanks!

[Spero]

I took my daughter down to the observation platform overlooking the Avon Gorge by the suspension Bridge - that was quite exciting but did involve steep steps in scarey cave so might not be so great for 5 year old but my daughter was 7 and loved it. We then walked over the suspension bridge and there is quite an interesting (but small) gift shop. We then had lunch at the Avon Gorge hotel but on reflection this is probably a warmer weather activity as we sat outside to enjoy the view.

Brandon Hill and the tower are also fun, but again lots of steps and climbing but gorgeous views and lots of nice places to eat on Park St.

[Broccolitree]

There is the Blaise estate - a house with museum in, and lots of grounds (large playground) then you can walk through the woods up to the Folly and down by the river. There is a cafe but nowhere desperately interesting to eat!

[hz]

Cheers I like both those ideas, I always forget about Blasie Estate, have been there once but the kids where much smaller. Would you take bikes or scooters to Blaise Estate, or is it more of an off road experience?

[Spero]

More off road I think. You could scooter up and down by the play park, but there is a nice walk down by streams etc which I don't think is scooter friendly.

[Broccolitree]

They've upgraded the paths by the streams so quite a few are scooter friendly (though not all)

[QueenofWhatever]

Snuff Mills is nice for a walk. Have you been to MShed yet?

[hz]

No, have not tried MShed yet, is it entertaining for small children?

[brizol]

I haven't been for ages but the City Farm In Bedminster used to be a stock favourite of my kids when they were little and liked to do lot of different things like art and craft but also help out with the animals and learn stuff Im not sure if they still have the adventure playground but i remember it as a brilliant way to tire my son and niece out I think it was one of the first city farms ever and i remember going there when it was nothing but a few pig styes and rabbits

www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk/
there is also one in st werburghs as well
and one near Blaise Castle

if your kids like bikes skateboarding then this is brilliant its 5 mins from temple meads station
www.motionramppark.com

[chubbleigh]

Hengrove Park, its massive, its free, its clean, parking is free also, toilets on site and a reasonably priced cafe for teas and ice-creams. You can spend all day there and your kids will not be bored. Blaise is nice but Hengrove is better for a 7 year old.

[LittleRockersSoftPlay]

M-Shed is awesome. Free and I took a group of 5 kids ranging from 7 months to 7 years there recently and they all loved it.

My childminder goes to Horseworld a lot too. The City Museum is interesting and my toddler loves wandering around Stokes Croft and Bedminster looking at the Street Art - though your two mightbe a bit old for that.

[MildMildWest]

it's a while off yet, but Gromit Unleashed will be a great way to explore Bristol.

In the meantime, bug hunting in Bedminster will be fun loads of lovely places to eat, mostly child-friendly. You could tie it in with a trip to Windmill Hill City Farm as Brizol has linked to above