What to do in Bristol with 1 year old?

[OrangeSwoosh]

I have to go to Bristol for a short appointment at the beginning of November. 12 month DC will be with me, it's a reasonable distance to travel so figured we may as well make a day of it.

I was thinking zoo if the weather is dry, but don't think it'd be much fun if it's wet.

Any other suggestions for a 12 month old who probably still won't be walking? Preferably suggestions that aren't the Aquarium as we go there pretty much every time we're in Bristol (4-5 times a year) and will be going there a week or two before. Either somewhere in Bristol or elsewhere travelling back down south towards North Devon (so M5/A370/A38 kind of routes)

Bristol Ferry Boat Co www.bristolferry.com The boats have an enclosed area so it’s ok if it’s wet!

Haha I was literally about to suggest the aquarium 😂 what about @bristol? Not sure how much there is for littlies but I know older kids like it.

Just googled it and it’s now called We The Curious, not @bristol!

If you're driving, Blaise Castle estate is lovely for little ones. A really lovely park with nice walks. Parking is free too.
The wild place just off the M5, Patchway area.
Mshed or We the curious are nice but more for you.
Clifton village is nice for a pootle around.
In November the Christmas markets should be in Broadmead (Bristol centre) and that's always lovely.
I'll keep thinking OP

Thanks for the suggestions

I don't suppose anyone knows what Puxton Park is like for younger kids?

My DD went to Puxton Park on a school trip in reception and she really loved it but she was obviously a lot older than your LO.

I agree with Blaise estate playground as there's loads for little ones and a nice cafe. There's the city farm with a nice cafe too - st werburghs I think? I would do what you want to do with a baby that age - the arnolfini is a great gallery or just mooch about the shops in Clifton or city centre. There's also the camera obscura near park street (?) although that's weather dependent. There's a lovely playground near the suspension bridge too if you want to see that. In fact Bristol is chock full of lovely playgrounds! I miss it

The mad hatters tea party cafe on Gloucester road is well set up for families and huge with toys and high chairs etc. I want to take a trip to Bristol now...

I used to live in Bristol for years so most of the attractions aren't "new" if that makes sense. We've seen a lot of Bristol. Would like to have a day out with something for DS as both DH and I have had to take a day off work and DS will be out of nursery for the day. Hopefully the weather will be good enough for the zoo (or Noah's Ark? Which is better? I've never been to Noah's Ark).

We did Windmill Hill city farm a couple of weeks ago before we went to the balloon fiesta. I over estimated what it was and there really wasn't much for DS to be interested in

Noahs Ark is lovely, not open on a Sunday though, plenty of indoor play if its wet too. We the Curious is also good even if your dc is not walking.

Noah's ark is open Sundays now, I drove past a sign recently :)

Windmill Hill City Farm. And it's free.

For a 1 year old I’d pick Puxton Park
over Noah’s Ark. Cheaper too

I also prefer Grimsbury Farm in Kingswood to Windmill Hill City Farm. Neither of the farms are really big enough for a ‘day out’ though, just an hour or two

Hi, difference of opinion here. I have an 18 month old and Noahs Ark indoor play is far superior to Puxton Park, there is a large soft pay area dedicated to babies and toddlers, which is a whole seperate room to the rest of the play area for the larger children. That being said Noahs Ark is double the cost per person!

Hengrove play park, free but check opening times, lovely sandy area for little ones.

Does Puxton Park still have the farm shop? That could sway things!

Yes a large farm shop at Puxton lovely for a mooch!

Is Puxton park or Noah's ark better in the rain?

We the Curious is great. My littlest one would happily crawl/cruise around for hours. It's a great place. M Shed is nearby and cool too if it's a rainy day. We used to live 2 minutes from the zoo and it's fab, a good size for kids. We also loved Blaise. We don't live in Bristol anymore, I really miss all these places! x

Get a hop on hop off ticket for the ferry. If you come into Bristol by train you can get the ferry from behind Temple Meads station. Then stop off by the SS Great Britain.
Or if you're coming by car then visit Tyntesfield (it's in the same area as Noah's Ark).

If its raining I feel Noahs Ark would be better. Have a look also on Tripadvisor to compare the two if you are unsure.

Noah's Ark is only open on Sundays during the Summer. It's closed every other Sunday during the year

I would recommend Wild Place at Cribb's Causeway. They have just expanded and have bears now!