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Your Family Guide to a Magical Christmas in Bristol 2023

Your Family Guide to a Magical Christmas in Bristol 2023

October 20, 2023November 30, 2023 Bristol, Bristol Guides, Christmas, Things To Do

Your Family Guide to a Magical Christmas in Bristol 2023! Find the best Christmas and…

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Hello There!

Bristol Family Blog is all about sharing the best days out ideas for you and your family to enjoy making memories. I absolutely love doing the research, exploring with my family and sharing this information with you. Follow us if you want the insight on Bristol and surrounding areas family events and activities! We are on Instagram, Facebook, and I'm planning on a newsletter coming soon!

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Freedog Trampolining & Soft Play! 🤸‍♂️ 📍 2A-C, Templegate Park, Mead St, Bristol, BS3 4RP - Close to Temple Meads 🚆 What’s there? Freedog Bristol has a large trampolining area with a Foam Pit and Ninja Course; a soft play for ages 0-7; and a cafe! Flashpoint bouldering is also located in the same building and looks great, and starts from age 7+. Freedog has a number of sessions for different ages. You can just book soft play or the trampolining, it doesn’t have to be both. We did a Puppy Play session for 0-5s which I thought was a good deal. It had trampolining, soft play and crafts across a 3 hour session and cost £18 for the three of us. We were there for the whole time and it was a good variety of activities, plus a cafe visit! Other info: ☕️ Cafe with hot and cold drinks, light lunches, cakes. It is next to the soft play. 🚻 👶🏼 Toilets and baby change 🚘 Free parking but you must enter your car registration on the iPad in reception 👕Can get a bit chilly in colder times of the year so you may want to bring an extra layer 👶🏼 Soft play has a small 0-2 area for little ones 👀Tables on the mezzanine level to watch the trampolines or soft play Have you been for a bounce or play?
Autumn, Half-Term & Halloween Events Guide! 🎃🍂 Full version at www.bristolfamilyblog.com Disclaimer: This post was correct to the best of my knowledge when posted. I cannot be held responsible if any of the above venues are sold out or events are cancelled. Most events require pre-booking so please check if in doubt. If there is bad weather it might be worth checking on the event’s socials in case of cancellation. Please Save & Share if you found this helpful! 💛
Autumn at Windmill Hill City Farm 🍂☕️ 📍 Autumn at Windmill Hill City Farm 🍂☕️ 📍 Windmill Hill City Farm, Philip St, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 4EA What’s there? 🐷Farm animals ☕️Cafe with indoor and outdoor seating 🚜Digger gravel play 🫛Gardens with vegetables and plants growing 🧗Sand pit, log swing, and some climbing play equipment 🎭 Outdoor theatre 🚻👶🏼Toilets and baby change (very family friendly, if you are breastfeeding and want to build up confidence breastfeeding in public, this is a good place to do it) 👣Pottery painting on site @minipottersbristol We got baby footprints done here! 🍿In winter they do movies in the cafe so keep an eye on their socials for announcements Free to visit (donations welcome!) One of our favourite easy go-to days out. We went a lot on maternity leave as it’s perfect for toddlers! Share with any friends that might not have been, especially new mums ❤️
Primary School Admissions Overview & Tips from our Primary School Admissions Overview & Tips from our experience! 🍎📚 Also at www.bristolfamilyblog.com/primary-school-admissions-guide Share with anyone who is applying for Sep 2025 intake and is new to the process! ❤️
Little & Curious Touring Playgroup ✨ 📍 Multi Little & Curious Touring Playgroup ✨ 📍 Multiple venues in and around Bristol #ad invite We had a lovely play at Little & Curious playgroup. Katy creates lots of wonderful open ended play set ups, with a variety of imaginative, sensory and creative play. There are different themes and it’s perfect for pre-schoolers - very EYFS friendly! I loved the flower shop and the autumnal set ups at our session 💐🍂 Our session was at Ashton Vale Community Centre - which FYI has a great garden, so this will be particularly lovely when the weather is better! If you don’t leave near here, this is a touring playgroup so take a look at their schedule to find one near you. In October there will be Spooky Sessions and you can guarantee some cute Halloween setups! 🎃 Tag any friends that might be interested! ❤️
Link in Bio! 🎅🏼 Find Santa’s Grottos & Fat Link in Bio! 🎅🏼 Find Santa’s Grottos & Father Christmas experiences at www.bristolfamilyblog.com/santas-grottos-bristol I know it is early (sorry!), but some of these experiences sell out quickly. I find this is the main Christmas experience that is worth booking in advance. Most other Christmas events can generally be booked closer to the time! Our Christmas Guide will be on Instagram as well as the website. However, I haven’t done an Instagram version of this post as I want to be able to update it as there’s a few popular experiences not out yet! 😊 Share with any friends that want to book a Father Christmas experience this year!🎄
Two new play areas to explore at @westonbirtarb! 🌳 🍁 #ad we were kindly invited by @friendsofwestonbirt The new play areas will be added to maps in due course, but when you arrive just ask and they will show you where to find them! Or swipe ➡️ for my annotated map and route suggestion which includes: • Acer Glade 🍁 In autumn this is full of beautiful colours. A few trees were starting to turn when we visited at the end of August. From Oct-mid Nov you need to pre-book tickets as it is peak season! • Gruffalo sculptures 🐭 See The Gruffalo, mouse, fox, owl and snake. If you want to see the Gruffalo’s Child, it is in the New Arboretum which is a bit of a walk away from here. • Holford Hollow Play Area - Biggest of the two new play areas! Great adventure play with obstacle courses, spiders web and talk tubes • Branch Out Play Area - Smaller of the two new play areas. Lots of ropes and trees to climb on! • The cafe kiosk has an outdoor seating area and play area. It serves ice cream, coffee, sandwiches, sausage rolls, smoothies. The previous play area has been removed and there is more of an informal loose parts play area here now. (See Image 8) The next building to the south of this has a restaurant with more hot food options! Toilets are here and at the welcome building. Walks amongst gigantic trees is always such a joy. Westonbirt is one of our favourite places for a walk and autumn is my favourite time of year to visit! 🍁🍂 Will you be going soon? Save this post if you want to use my route map! ❤️
NEW Opening @jumpinfunofficial! INFO BELOW ⬇️ NEW Opening @jumpinfunofficial! INFO BELOW ⬇️ 📍 Eastgate Retail Park, Eastville, BS5 6XX (Near IKEA) #ad invite Brand new inflatable play in East Bristol! It has one large inflatable play area with room to bounce, assault courses, big ball pit, slides, air bag, and last man standing game. It is great fun and suitable for a range of ages. My two were a bit young for some of the obstacles and the bigger slide. Plenty to do for younger ones too though! I was impressed by the amount of staff on the inflatable - they were stationed all over including at the top of slides so it felt like a well supervised environment! When one of our group hurt her knee they noticed straight away and brought over an ice pack. We found it nice and light in there and not too chaotic. However there are SEN sessions for a quieter experience. Toddler sessions probably the best bet for younger ones as they are age restricted. 🍕 ☕️ Large mezzanine cafe and seating area above overlooking the inflatable. We didn’t try the food but they did have proper coffee and hot food options. 🎉 Party packages available - party areas are on the ground floor, subdivided by stud walls with easy access to and from the inflatable. 🎟️ 1 hour and 2 hour bounce sessions available. Introductory prices until 9 September. Toddler Time, Mid-Week Bounce and SEN Sessions available. Check the timetable online! ⏰ Open everyday - pre-book tickets online! 🚘 4 hours free parking in Eastgate Retail Park Tag a friend you want to visit with! ❤️
Picking Patch 🌻🌾 Info Below ⬇️ 📍 Opp Picking Patch 🌻🌾 Info Below ⬇️ 📍 Opposite Flourish, Saltford, BS31 3TJ #ad invited What’s there? 🌻 PYO sunflowers (£1 a stem or £5 for 6) Cover little legs as a few spiky plants in the field and wellies maybe a good idea. 🌾Maize maze (£5.50 per person, £20 group ticket (4 people), Under 2s FREE) 🎨Arts and crafts (prices from £3.50-£12.50) ⛳️Games including giant guess who 🎵Sound play area ⭐️ Graffiti Area (£10) 🍦 Marshfield Ice Cream 🍔Food and drink from Flourish 📸 Photo opportunities 🫧 Bubble station ⭐️ Escape room (age 10+ £10 a ticket) 🚻 Toilets on site 🚘 Free parking ⏰ 22 Aug - 1 Sep: 9.30am– 5pm (Last entry 4pm) Lots to do here and a nice big space! Most activities have a cost. Guess who, sound play area and bubble station were free, as well as a seat swing and a couple of other photo opportunities. You can pick and choose what you want to do. Some activities require pre-booking (but I expect you would be fine for walk-ins for most!). We did sunflower picking, crafts and ice cream! Learning from past experiences I wasn’t brave enough to attempt the maize maze without another adult. 😆 Lots of benches to sit with food or for crafts. I recommend doing the crafts last whilst you enjoy a coffee 👍 If you fancy something indoors to do afterwards, just across the road the pottery painting at Flourish is a lot of fun! You need to pre-book a table. Tag a friend! 🌻
Wembley in a day for The Eras Tour! ✨ Visiting t Wembley in a day for The Eras Tour! ✨ Visiting tips ⬇️ Getting there: 🚌 If it is a big event National Express or other bus companies may have a dedicated service from Bristol direct to Wembley! 🚆 Train is an option but there are a few changes. 🚘 We drove and found it straightforward! It was about 2 hrs 30 each way, and there was only a bit of traffic near Wembley. We stayed until the end of the show and found it well organised and easy to exit with no queuing to leave. We used Just Park to book a parking space on someone’s drive about 15 minutes walk south (Vivian Ave). There were lots of people around and it felt safe. We went for this rather than Wembley car parks as I read it can take ages to get out of them. We did get back quite late so depending on how tired you are you may want to book accommodation. You also need to check if you need to pay the ULEV charge. What to take: 👜 • Check bag and other item restrictions for Wembley • Ear plugs (not everyone uses them but I found it helpful to slightly reduce the volume!) • Bottle caps will be removed - be careful of bags on the floor and expect spillages. There are water fountains inside but big queues before so we ended up buying drinks. • No food and drink can be taken in, but there is lots for sale in there. They had hot dogs, chicken/falafel and chips, nachos, popcorn, candy floss and drinks! • Wembley has an open roof so may get chilly. We were fine in August. • Battery pack and charger Toilets: • Busy before the show started but very empty during. If you know the set list go through it and plan toilet breaks during your least favourite songs or if there’s any outfit changes that would be a good time! Seats: • We had restricted view seats but it was definitely worth it IMO! In case anyone is looking for future concerts at Wembley, these photos are from Section 535, Row 7, Seat 265! • If you are afraid of heights you may want to avoid the top level. It is high, however it does feel a lot better once everyone stands up! Happy to answer any questions 😊 I like knowing what to expect for somewhere like this as it is a huge venue and can be overwhelming!
NEW Inflatable Play in Brislington @chaosinflatabl NEW Inflatable Play in Brislington @chaosinflatablepark! Tag a friend who will be interested 💜
Inflatable Theme Park for £9 per child (ages 2-14 Inflatable Theme Park for £9 per child (ages 2-14) & adults FREE! ⭐️ 10 Aug- 1 Sep, 7-8 Sep *subject to weather, check their Facebook page for updates before you go! 📍 Portishead Showground, BS20 7RA 🎟️ £9 wristband includes unlimited play on the inflatables. Extra costs: • Bungee trampoline £3.50 • Bumper cars • Hook a Duck & other games (we paid £4 which guarantees a prize) ⏰ Open 10-5pm subject to wind speeds 🍔 🍦 Hot food stall, ice cream van (cash only) & sweet van 🚻 Toilets on site 🚘 Free parking 🧺 Grass areas to sit around, take picnic blankets or you can rent deck chairs. Don’t forget hats, water & sun cream! Our verdict: a great value day out! My two happily played for hours! Some of the inflatables are a bit weathered but my two weren’t bothered by this in the slightest. Let me know if you have any questions!
Valley Fest! 🎪 #ad invited We had a great fir Valley Fest! 🎪 #ad invited We had a great first festival camping as a family. It was a good mix of music, food, wellness and family friendly activities! It was a relatively small festival with a chilled vibe, but lots going on. Easy to meet up with friends! Fab selection of street food. Let me know if you have any questions!
Lumosphere @cabotcircus #ad 📍 Friary Building, Lumosphere @cabotcircus #ad 📍 Friary Building, Quakers Friars, Cabot Circus Lumosphere is an illumination and sensory experience for all ages. It takes approx 45 minutes to walk around, with lots of lights, sounds and some interactive parts! It is on until 16 August! My children love a “light show” (their words) so they had a lot of fun running around. The interactive installation with the hand prints was our favourite part! It was enjoyable as a morning activity for us with a look around the shops after Why not combine a visit with watching the Olympics on the big screen? Find FANSTAND right outside: a big screen and seating showing the Olympics which is FREE. They also have table tennis. There is a coffee cart and just behind that is @cuppbubbletea! There are also some water fountains (good for some water play!) 💦 🎟️ Adult £12, Child (Age 4-17) £8, Age 3 and under Free. Tickets available via @say.yuup 🚌 🚘 Getting here: easily accessible by bus, or The Galleries Car Park is close! Tag anyone you think might enjoy this! ❤️
Our highlights from @visitbristol’s #SummerInBri Our highlights from @visitbristol’s #SummerInBristol campaign ☀️💙
DinoROAR at @longleatofficial until 1 Sep! 🦖 # DinoROAR at @longleatofficial until 1 Sep! 🦖 #adprinvite #summerinbristol @visitbristol I always come away really impressed when we visit Longleat. Events are very high quality and there is so much to do, beautiful animals and a great mix of attractions! What to expect from DinoROAR: 🦕 • Giant inflatable obstacle course - Suitable for ages 3-13 (1-1.65m). My 5 & 3 yo went on and I followed them around the outside. It wasn’t too tricky for my 3 yo which was amazing! They also have an hour in the afternoon for younger kids to go on with their adult. My two went round 3 times as soon as we arrived, they loved it! • @dinodiguk huge sandpit with dinosaur bones to excavate with paintbrushes. A very big hit with my two, they love playing archaeologists! • Dino Discovery Trail - letters to find at dinosaur models and an anagram. Competition on their Facebook to win tickets to The Festival of Light • Animatronic dinosaur walkthrough - lots of different dinosaurs to see and some were huge • Dino meet and greets with T-Rex’s and Baby Dinos throughout the day • VR Dinosaur Experience - Age 6+ We had such a great day just me and my two ❤️See the reel for what else we got up to! We finally got to feed the laraqueets which I have wanted to do for ages! Best to go early for this as it is only available whilst the feed is available 🦜 Share with anyone thinking about going this summer! ☀️
Countdown to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta 9-11 Aug a Countdown to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta 9-11 Aug at Ashton Court! FREE festival (just pay for parking or bus to get there) Catch one of the daily ascents at 6am and 6pm weather permitting. There will also be some special shape balloons such as Rupert the Bear, Thomas the Tank Engine, Action Man, Pipy the Scottish Piper, Buster and Bella the Bulldogs, Astro the Alien, and Wallace & Gromit’s Moon Rocket! Night Glows planned for Fri & Sat! There’s loads to do especially for kids - see our reel from last year for what to expect and the programme on the @bristolballoon website. @partypeeps will be there whom I definitely recommend going to see! This year there will be some community launches as well as the main festival at Ashton Court. I will share any information about these that I am allowed to! Will you be going to the Balloon Fiesta this year? #summerinbristol #bristol #bristolballoonfiesta
Space Shanty 🚀 ✨ 🐀 #ad 📍 M Shed, Prin Space Shanty 🚀 ✨ 🐀 #ad 📍 M Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol, BS1 4RN New exhibition at the M Shed until 1 September! It is an immersive exhibition with lots of interactive parts including flying a space ship, neon drawing, buttons to press, origami, green screen and more. You will be accompanied around the exhibition by videos of Bemmie the Rat! We didn’t follow the story that well with my kids being ages 5 and 3, but they loved exploring it all! 🎟️ Book via @say.yuup or in person. Adult (18+) £12, Child (4-17 years) £8, Ages 3 and Under Free ⏰ Duration: approx 45 mins. Slots available between 10am-4.15pm Tues-Sun 👶🏼Age rec 4+ but younger welcome Where else to visit nearby? • M Shed museum FREE • Wapping Wharf - amazing food options! • Walk/scoot around the harbourside 🛴 • @bristolferry or @bristolpacket boat trip around the harbour 🚤 • @ssgreatbritain museum 🚢 • FREE life drawing & usually a couple of other activities at @arnolfiniarts ✏️ • @wethecurious_ newly re-opened science museum with planetarium 🪐 • @bristolaquarium 🐠 Will you be going this summer? #summerinbristol #bristol #bristoluk
Weekend at Whitemead Forest Park 📍 Forest of De Weekend at Whitemead Forest Park 📍 Forest of Dean #ad invite See www.bristolfamilyblog.com for our review!
Weekend away in the Forest of Dean 🌳 @whitemead Weekend away in the Forest of Dean 🌳 @whitemead_forest_park Info below ⬇️ & Review on our website! 📍 Whitemead Forest Park, Parkend, Lydney, GL15 4LA #ad We were kindly invited for a weekend away! This is an easy family holiday destination in the Forest of Dean, approx 50 mins from Bristol. Save up to 20% on accommodation with @bemoreboundlessmembership! What’s there? ⛺️ Various accommodation options including apartments/lodges, glamping & touring pitches ☕️ Modern restaurant/bar on site with large outdoor terrace and outdoor kiosk 🛝 Two play areas & sports pitches 🏏 Big field great for rounders 🏹 Archery ⛳️ Adventure Golf 🏊 Indoor swimming pool & gym 🪩 Evening entertainment - varies per night and seasonal. We went to a mini disco and music bingo! They also had other acts and a quiz whilst we visited. 🎨 Kids workshops e.g. crafts What’s nearby? 🚲 Family bike ride on the Colliers Trail with @pedalabikeaway (see our last post!) 🌳 @puzzlewoodfod Ancient woodland & popular filming location 🚂 @perrygrove_railway Trains, play areas, cafe, dog friendly - great day out! 🌳 @theforestofdeansculpturetrail at Beechenhurst - sculpture trail and play area 🦍 @goapeforestofdean at Beechenhurst or Mallards Pike 🪨@clearwellcaves - subterranean caves & cafe See our website blog post for a full review with details about Whitemead Forest Park, Boundless Membership & Days Out in the Forest of Dean! 💡
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  • Things To Do
    • Animals
      • Bristol Zoo Project
      • Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park
      • Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
      • Lackham Lambing Weekends
      • Lamb Feeding in Buckland Dinham
    • Outdoors, Parks & Gardens
      • A-maize-ing Maize Mazes near Bristol
      • Hestercombe Gardens
      • Funderworld Theme Park
      • Palette and Pasture
      • Kingsgate Park & Vintage Birdcage Cakery, Yate
      • Rainbow Wood, Bath – Fairy walk and pirate play area
      • Westonbirt Arboretum
    • Theatre
      • Hamilton at Bristol Hippodrome – Review
      • The Tiger Who Came to Tea – Review
      • I Want My Hat Back Trilogy – Review
      • Disney on Ice: Discover the Magic – Review
    • Museums
      • The SS Great Britain
    • Play Cafes
      • Skyboat Cafe
      • Sansway Street
      • Out There Indoors
      • My Little Town
      • Wild Things Play Project
  • Bristol Guides
    • Summer in Bristol – Family Guide 2024
    • Birthday Parties in Bristol Guide
    • Free and Cheap Days Out for Families
    • Rainy Days in Bristol
    • Dog Friendly Family Outings in Bristol (and surrounding areas!)
    • Past seasonal guides
      • Bristol February Half Term Guide 2024
      • Your Family Guide to a Magical Christmas in Bristol 2023
      • Halloween, October Half Term & Autumn Guide
      • Summer Activities Family Guide 2023
      • Lambing Events
      • 2-for-1 Gardens Entry Card Across The UK Available Now!
      • Bristol May Half Term Activities Guide 2024
      • Family Friendly Coronation Events in Bristol
      • Easter Events Guide
      • February & Half Term Guide
      • Snowdrop Walks Near Bristol
      • Free & discounted entry days out with the National Lottery 18-26 March!
      • Mother’s Day Days Out Guide
    • 2022
      • Halloween Guide 2022
      • Your Family Guide to a Magical Christmas in Bristol 2023
  • Family Travel
    • Camping Bella Italia, Lake Garda, Italy – Family Holiday Review!
    • Cambrils Park Spain Review
    • Bluestone, Wales Review
    • Weekend Away in the Forest of Dean – Review!
    • Domaine Les Ormes Brittany, France w/Eurocamp
    • Toddler Friendly Pembrokeshire Holiday – 5 Days
    • Rome 4 Day Itinerary – Perfect First Visit!
  • Family Life
    • How To Host An Amazing ‘Adopt a Pet’ Party!
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