Stay in Bristol or Bath with a 4 year old?

[americaninboston]

Hi! You were all incredibly helpful a few months ago in trying to map out our trip. We'll be flying into Heathrow from the U.S., but we want to skip London this time (since we've been there several times before). Our current plan is to spend ~3 nights in Oxford, and ~4 nights in Bristol/Bath. We'll spend time in both Bristol and Bath - but would it make sense to stay in Bristol or Bath? (Since they're so close to each other, I don't think it makes sense to switch hotels.)

Extra context - we'll be traveling with a 4 year old and not renting a car. (We may also head down to Weymouth or Bournemouth for a few nights if we can stretch the trip to 10 days. Not sure if we'll be able to swing that, though.)

Theres a bus between Bristol and Bath but they dont carry on very late but then you wouldnt need that with a 4 year old

Or stay midway, are you looking at airbnb or hotels?

I'm open to staying somewhere in between, but it would need to be somewhere walkable since we won't have a car.

Stay in Keynsham. Its midway between the 2 cities. There's no major hotel chains but a couple of independently owned ones. I don't have personal experience of staying in any of them because I live in the town. There's direct buses to both Bristol and Bath bus stations (about 20 minutes either way). There's also direct trains to Bath Spa station , to Bristol Temple Meads and to Weymouth. There's also a direct bus to Bristol Airport.

That looks nice, we have stayed in Bitton before, right on the cycle route and theres buses from there in both directions but nothing there of substance except the little vintage railway but we knew there was a BR station at Keynsham but never went there.

We stayed at the apex in bath. V central. Great hotel for families - large family rooms, great pool. Good breakfast, lots of easy restaurants within a five min walk. Park nearby to run and play. Would def recommend.

Either will be great . I would look at the hotel rates as they can change a lot and this may make your mind up! Clifton area of Bristol is lovely and some great hotels like the Hotel Du Vin which has great views. Hotel Indigo in Bath is nice. There are also some quirky Air B&Bs right on the water in Bath which are worth a look.

I would stay in Bristol, close to the Harbourside. Loads to do that a 4 yo would love: We The Curious, some of M Shed, the SS Great Britain is fab. Take the little ferry.

Lots of great places to eat there and up into St Nicholas market. And a day trip to Bath.

I think this is what we're leaning toward - thanks!

I live in Bristol and would recommend you stay here rather than Bath. As @FollowSpot says, there's loads to amuse a 4 year old in Bristol. Bath is easily accessible by train from Temple Meads station or by bus from the Bus Station so no problems there. Enjoy my neck of the woods!

I would stay here too ( I live in Bath) - the train runs between Bristol and Bath very regularly and is reasonable - fantastic playground at Victoria park for a 4 year old pretty close by