Bath v Bristol help!

[Hi]

Can anyone help pleeeese? I am meeting a friend who lives equal distance from outside Bath and Bristol I will be travelling by train with two small children (long story as to why putting myself out like this, friend has no idea what it's like to have children). Given that we only have a short-ish day can anyone offer any opinions as to which might be the best destination Bath/Bristol ie if it rains where can we go easily from either station so children entertained/fed/watered/know what I mean! Feel cheeky and like I'm asking a lot but don't know where else to turn tourist offices not very helpful.

Hi, from Bristol Templemeads it is a bit of a trek into the centre of the city whereas Bath Spa station is in the city centre. HTH

Hi Hi!
I would say Bath, much nicer to stroll around, massive park and playgrounds, and in the city centre. Bristols lovely but its a bit of a trek from the station to the downs,clifton village etc which are lovely places.HTH too!

But Bristol Zoo is lovely and they have a couple of very nice Pizza Expresses/Browns.

Thanks for the information regarding the distance from the station. I am wondering about the possibility of getting a taxi from the station to Bristol Zoo as there should be place to take cover if it's a rainy day and places to run to eat all in the same area. Though the extra expense of a taxi fare means the cost of a few hours meeting up gets higher and higher and the children will need various treats I guess who can tell with children!

You can get a bus from Bristol rail station to the zoo but a taxi would obviously be much quicker. The zoo is lovely (although craply signposted) but does have a heavy smattering of gift shops/ice cream shops that are hard to avoid!

Hi, as Enid said, the zoo is a lovely place to go, but possibly better enjoyed on a sunny day - large green areas, play area etc You're right tho' - there are places to shelter - big cafe, indoor aquarium.
Have you considered '@ Bristol' (At Bristol)? This is a fairly short drive from Temple Meads, so taxi should not be too steep (closer than the zoo for example). Basically it is a large new development dowm by the waterfront, catered specifically for kids, but good for adults too, and all under cover, so a good rainy day option. It comprises of three different elements - a huge science/hands on museun - loads of really interesting exhibits, games and puzzles which kids of all ages love. I like to take my friend when she visits with her three older boys (8, 10, 12), but my dd (1) loves tottering around, touching everything - mostly at her level. There is a big screen upstairs, showing different films all about Earth, Space etc.
Next to this is 'Wildwalk' - a walk through tropical rainforest, and next to this the IMAX cinema, showing unbelievable IMAX films - good for slightly older kids.
As all this is on the Waterfront, there are a huge range of bars, cafes and restaurants to choose from, and its a lovely walk around here if the sun shines. Bristol Industrial Museum just across the bridge too - also the SS Great Britain a stones throw away. Have a good time!

Wow, this is timely help - we are off to visit friends in Bristol this week and I will be able to sound as though I am bang up to date with the latest family-friendly attractions. We are all going to the zoo as it is walking distance from them but this Waterfront place sounds great fun too. Thanks Leese (and Hi for starting the thread). I had suggested a stopoff in Bath on the way home and dh says it is a bit crowded and congested for a toddler, especially on fine days...have never been, sigh.

Hi, I've lived in Bristol and Bath and have fond memories of both. I'd say Bath is slightly easier from the station if you want to meet your friend there, just because Temple Meads is further away from everything in Bristol. Victoria Park in Bath is lovely (not walking distance with 2 children though I wouldn't say, although I am a lazy cow, some might do it) and has loads of things in the play area. So that's near to the station by cab and free and wonderful once you get there (if it's not raining). There are also lots of street entertainers in Bath this time of year so you could have a nice stroll up past the abbey to meet your friend and the children might like it (depends on ages). Can't think of good childfriendly eating places except Pizza Express maybe? Near the Theatre Royal, about 15 minutes walk from the station.

I agree about @Bristol - nice and near the station and not much in a cab. Although it's not cheap to get in you could easily spend quite a lot of time there. I also think Temple Meads is a beautiful building (Brunel designed). I don't know who said that Bristol has a railway station like a cathedral and a cathedral like a railway station, but they were right IMO! Have a good day whatever you do and what a friend you are for travelling with 2 children on a train while your childless friend just has to turn up!

Bath is nice but your dh is right Marina, it is terribly crowded and I find it a bit much with dd. Which day are you going to Bristol? If its Thursday, and you spot a harassed looking pregnant woman with a toddler gambolling merrily by the roads and refusing to hold mummy's hand, it could be me as we are going then to visit friends too!

I would say Bristol would be easier. (BTW I disagree about cathedral v railway station - both like cathedrals!!!). The only thing about @Bristol and zoo is that they are both really expensive to get in - the zoo is good value if you have a season ticket, but if not, it is about £8 for an adult (dk for child). But both are really good entertainment for the kids. The docks are nice - if a wkend, there is a steam train that runs, and various boat trips. Or if they just want to play, you can go up on the Downs. Bath always seems to me to be very busy, and good for shops, but don't like going there with ds!

Must also mention - if you're coming down this Fri/Sat/Sun (9th/10th/11th Aug), you could also visit the Balloon Fiesta at Ashton Gate - again, not too far from Temple Meads (tho' the traffic around the site can build up at peak times, especially around entrances/parking areas).
Free to get in, and masses to do for all. Lots of stalls, displays, fairground bits and bobs,music etc, etc - not to forget the balloons of course! Lots tethered whilst inflated during the day, and mass ascents (weather permitting) at dawn and early evening.
It's also the Balloon 'Glow' on Thurs evening - lots going on all evening, culminating in the balloons being 'fired' (creating that light glow inside them) in time to music as it gets dark (for effect) - this could be a bit late for those with toddlers tho'. Excellent fireworks display follows.

Leese, we are off to the Balloon Fest. this weekend... really looking forward to it!

leese where can I find details of Thurs evening, sounds great.

Ems - the 'Glow' is on Thursday evening at Ashton Court Estate in Bristol - not too difficult to find - if in doubt, follow the traffic! The 'Glow' in particular is very popular, so traffic is very busy thru Bristol, and around the site - be warned! Howeber, worth every minute in the car, as it really is excellent - loads going on all evening. People start arriving throughout the day, but usually gets going sround tea time (as everyone arrives). The Glow itself doesn't kick off until its darker (around 9pm ish), but again worth the wait.
It's worth trying to find a different entrance to the estate, as everyone queues for the main car park. However, there are other entrances you can walk into if you park off the estate. We tend to join the Long Ashton Bypass out of Bristol (A370 signposted to Weston), as does everyone else, but most are trying to come off at the first exit (Winterstoke Rd/Bedminster) for the car park. We therefore pass all this queue of traffic to come off at the next exit (for the David Lloyd Leisure Centre/ Long Ashton). Follow road round to right, straight on into Long Ashton Road. Pass a small field on your left, which will be full of cars as it doubles as unofficial car park for the evnt, and turn left here into Long Ashton Rd. You can turn left a bit further up to enter the field (usually see a temporary sign outside, pointing you in right direction!), and park here. We've always parked here no problem (costs a couple of quid), as most enter the estate from the other side. There is an entrance to the estate just across the road from the field - follow everyone else - so little walking involved. HTH.

thank you leese for that, excellent car park tip, usually the nightmare of such events. Think I'll start praying for good weather, I bet its such a WOW spectacle to see, my two would love it. We're en-route to West Country then, so thought we could incorporate it into the journey

Hope you have a fab time if you go Ems - and I'll keep my fingers crossed re: the weather for you!

Enid, hitting town on Friday, alas, but the rest of the scenario sounds familiar. It took us 15 minutes to walk 300 yards to the post office this afternoon, and I wasn't the problem.
Great news about the Balloon Fest too. Lucky Ems, getting to see the Glow.

wonderful to see all your responses why didn't I try here first?! I'm printing this off tonight for some bedtime reading as just can't get to digest it at present must rush!

Ems - apparently the Fiesta starts tomorrow morning, so if you arrive earlier, you could get in before the rush of mad Bristolians - would mean a longer wait prior to the Glow tho', and this may not be so good with kids!