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forest of dean

Weekend Away in the Forest of Dean – Review!

Weekend Away in the Forest of Dean – Review!

July 22, 2024July 22, 2024 2024, Family Travel

Weekend Away in the Forest of Dean – Review of Whitemead Forest Park & Days…

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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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Christmas & Winter Guide 🎄❄️ Visit www.bris Christmas & Winter Guide 🎄❄️ Visit www.bristolfamilyblog.com for the full blog post with links & images!
Wallace & Gromit: A Cracking Christmas Experience! Wallace & Gromit: A Cracking Christmas Experience! 🧀🎄16-24 Dec INFO BELOW ⬇️ #ad invite #MerryBristmas 📍The Friary Building, Quakers Friars, Bristol, BS1 3BX Family interactive experience which involves a fantastic set, engaging actors, and lots of activities. There are theatrical storytelling performances at the start and the end, with free play of the activities around the room in between. My children loved this experience! The whole room looks magical, there are lots of interactive activities great for curious minds. Sessions are 30 mins total. We had a great time but we would have loved more time to play - we weren’t ready to leave at the end! I’d recommend prioritising the activities you want to do in case you can’t fit them all in. Also be aware that there isn’t an appearance from Wallace or Gromit as part of this experience 😊 The event is from the Bristol based production company @bakehousefactory who have been behind a number of great events! 👏 🎟️ Tickets are £7.50-£9 and are available to book via @cabotcirus Free for under 2s ⭐️ Arrive 5-10 minutes before your slot starts. As it is 30 minutes you don’t want to be late! 🚻 Toilets ☕️🖍️ New Wallace and Gromit Cafe with colouring 📸 Green screen for a photo with Wallace and Gromit! (Additional cost) 👶🏼 Buggy park & coat rack ⭐️ SEND Sessions available 🚘 Park at The Galleries or Cabot Circus Car Park 🎄Great to combine a visit with Bristol’s Christmas Market and shopping in Cabot Circus Tag a friend that loves cheese and crackers! 🧀
The Festival of Light @longleatofficial ✨🦁 Un The Festival of Light @longleatofficial ✨🦁 Until 5 Jan #ad invite 📍 Longleat, Warminster. Postcode for satnav: BA12 7JS This year’s theme is ‘Journey Through Time’ and you will encounter dinosaurs, pyramids, kings and queens, a Christmas tree show and learn about the history of Longleat! This is our second time going and the light displays are truly outstanding, it is well worth the drive. We went straight from school on Friday and we didn’t get there until just after 5pm. If you want to see more of the park you can go for the whole day, or if you just want to see the lights the Twilight Ticket is a good option (and cheaper than a day ticket). We did this on our previous visit and if you arrive from 4pm you should have a bit of time to see animals! Pre-book tickets online. Will you be visiting this year? ✨
Kingfisher Forest School & Willsbridge Mill 🌳 Kingfisher Forest School & Willsbridge Mill 🌳 📍 Willsbridge Mill, Willsbridge Hill, Willsbridge, Bristol, BS30 6EU We love the forest school sessions with @kingfishersforestschool! There are always so many creative play and nature activities, very EYFS friendly. There are three undercover structures, a toilet, a mud kitchen, mud pit, pots and pans, play equipment, chalks, and whatever special setups are on that day! ⏰🎟️ Forest school sessions run termly on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays 9.15-10.30 & 11-12.15 for ages 1-5. You can book a trial session to see how you like it! They often do sessions in school holidays for a wider age range (Halloween special was ages 1-7!) 🔥 Sessions are generally 1 hr free play, then everyone gathers around the campfire for a snack and songs or a story. The forest school is at Willsbridge Mill, which is also lovely for a visit even if not going to forest school! There are short woodland walks with a river, a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating, two ponds and a fairy garden (this is looking a bit weathered now so hopefully will get a refresh when funding allows)! Keep an eye out for seasonal events at the cafe 🎄 🚘 Car park on Long Beach Road a bit of a walk through the woods 37 Long Beach Rd, Longwell Green, Bristol BS30 9UA. There is also some parking on the main road right outside the entrance off the Bath Road - I tend to try this first! Tag a friend that might be interested! ❤️
New! Mini Cycleway in Alice Park, Bath 🚲🛴 📍 Alice Park, Gloucester Rd, Bath, BA1 7BL This new mini cycleway is a great place for children to practice cycling and road safety on a pretend road system, or just fun for roleplay! The cycleway is within the park and has a mini roundabout, pedestrian crossing and a number of signs. This is such a great idea! 😊 Alice Park also has: ☕️ Cafe with indoor and outdoor (covered) seating, overlooking the play area 🛝 Good sized play area 🚻 Toilets 20p and take contactless payments 🚘 Car park with free parking What other parks would you like to see this in? Do you know of any others?
Tyntesfield National Trust 🌳 📍 Tyntesfield Tyntesfield National Trust 🌳 📍 Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Bristol, BS48 1NS What can I see and do? 🎃 Autumn Harvest Display - on until 15 November! Gourd-geous display in The Orangery. This might be the best one yet! 🐈‍⬛ Halloween Trail - on until 3 November. £3 per trail with a treat from a witch at the end! This is a fun trail finding the missing ingredients and there is something interactive to do at each spot. Our favourite was the broom racing! ⭐️ The Uninvited Guest art installation in the house - on until 3 November 🛝 Play areas! There are play areas at The Courtyard, near the Kitchen Garden, and in the woods! See the last 3 images for photos of the woodland play areas and directions to these. These two photos were from a different visit but I am including them as often get asked where these are! However, some of the woodland play areas are closed for maintenance. ☕️ Two cafes 🍁 Some beautiful autumn colours, great for a walk. Dogs on leads! 📗 Did you know you can buy National Trust Passports? They are £5 in the shop and a lovely keepsake. You can get them stamped at every National Trust that you visit 🎟️ Check admission prices on the National Trust website. Membership options available. More free National Trust family passes are coming in November! ⏰ Opening times vary seasonally so best to check on the National Trust website before going. The estate is usually open 10am until 5 or 6pm 🚘 There is a car park but at popular times of year it can get full and they have to turn people away. To avoid disappointment arrive early or keep an eye on @tyntesfieldnt stories for car park updates. Often spaces may become free later in the day as well. Tag a friend that might be interested! ❤️
Hartcliffe City Farm 🐖 NEW play barn & cafe! 📍 Hartcliffe City Farm, Lampton Ave, Bristol, BS13 0QH This South Bristol city farm has been developed so much since they first opened! A new indoor play barn and cafe has just opened and there’s so much to play with. There is an outdoor play area, lots of animals e.g. pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, geese and guinea pigs, a pond, outdoor seating and gravel/construction vehicle play! Lots to do, it is well worth a visit and it is FREE! Well done @hartcliffecityfarm @windmill_hill_city_farm @heartofbs13 hope you are proud of your accomplishments! 👏 ⏰ Open 7 days a week 9am - 4pm ☕️ The Hay Bale Cafe is newly opened so check socials for opening times as these may change 🚻 Toilets 🚘 No parking on site (except disabled) but there is street parking nearby Have you been here yet? The new play barn makes it great for all weather! 🌧️ ☀️
New blog post with Fireworks Displays & Bonfire Ni New blog post with Fireworks Displays & Bonfire Night events! 💥 🔥 Click the link in our bio or go to https://bristolfamilyblog.com/fireworks-displays-bonfire-night
Parent & Toddler Sessions @bristolhawksgymnastics Parent & Toddler Sessions @bristolhawksgymnastics 🤸‍♀️ 📍 Bristol Hawks Gymnastics Club, 11 Roman Rd, Easton, Bristol, BS5 6DH Gymnastics sessions for 18 months – 5yrs. This is a really fun drop-in class! Pre-book the individual session online before going. There is usually a short warm-up at the start for the kids and parents, then the majority is free play but with assistance from the coaches when you need it! There is a little sit down together again at the end. I really like the structure, there’s a great variety of apparatus and I also enjoyed the playlist (lots of Disney!) ⏰ Sessions are Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs & Fri at 9.30, 10.30 & 11.30am and Sat 9am. They are 45 mins. Sat session is entirely free play. Have you been yet? 😊
Tickets available this weekend for Dear Zoo Live! Tickets available this weekend for Dear Zoo Live! @theredgravetheatre 18-20 October! 🐘🦁🦒🐫🐒🐍🐸🐶 #ad invite 📍 Redgrave Theatre, Percival Rd, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3LE Dear Zoo is a popular book with little ones, and this theatre production tells the story as a colourful, fun and engaging play. There are three actors, puppets and animatronic zoo animals. Expect the story you are familiar with plus songs, counting and interactive elements. We originally saw this when Ada was 2 and Leo 7 months, and this time they were 5 and 3. They enjoyed it both times! This is a good first theatre experience for little ones, especially when you are familiar with the story! ⏰ Shows: 19th & 20th October - 10:30am & 1:30pm. Duration: 55 mins 👶🏼 Age recommendation 3+ (but as I said above we enjoyed at an earlier age and there were certainly a lot of ages 0-2 on the Friday performance) 🎟️ Tickets: Adults £16.25 / Child £14.25. Family ticket offer. Have you seen this yet? 🐘
Favourite autumn family tradition - Pumpkin Pickin Favourite autumn family tradition - Pumpkin Picking at @avonvalleypark! 🎃 #invited (but we paid for everything there!) There is so much to do and I loved the setup this year. Loads of pumpkins and photo opportunities. Be aware there are extra costs eg marshmallow toasting, food and drink, fairground and games. These are all optional. As an idea we did spend around £50 on marshmallows, hot chocolate, doughnuts, a ride each and pumpkins! Will you be going pumpkin picking this year?
Gaia & Pinkmans at Bristol Cathedral! 🌍 ☕️ Gaia & Pinkmans at Bristol Cathedral! 🌍 ☕️ 🌍 Bristol Cathedral is hosting Luke Gerram’s Gaia 15 Oct – 9 Nov. It is FREE to visit during usual Cathedral opening hours. It is beautiful to see and an easy inexpensive outing. Why not pair a visit with one of their upcoming events: • Stargazing in the Cathedral Garden 18 Oct evening Pre-book tickets ⭐️ • Create Your Own Hanging Garden with We The Curious 19 Oct Drop-in 10-12pm and 1.30-3.30pm 🪴 • Crafty Cathedral Gaia Special 28, 29 & 31 Oct Drop-in 10–12pm & 1.30–3.30pm 🎨 ☕️ Pinkmans have opened a new cafe in the Cathedral (opened today!) 🙌 ➡️ Swipe for photos. There is indoor seating and outdoor seating in the Cathedral Garden which feels like a secret garden in the city centre 🪴We didn’t have time to get a coffee today but definitely recommend from visiting their other cafes! Have you seen Gaia before?
New bookshop for spooky season @thehauntedbookshop New bookshop for spooky season @thehauntedbookshop_bristol 👻 There are fantasy, horror and witchcraft books, a selection of children’s books and other witchy items! The downstairs seating area will be available for reading with PSLs, book clubs & other events 📚 ☕️
Tots & Teapots 🔆🫖 New Play Cafe in South Bri Tots & Teapots 🔆🫖 New Play Cafe in South Bristol! 📍 186 Wells Rd, Knowle, Bristol, BS4 2AL Tots & Teapots is a new play cafe aimed at ages 0-5. It is a lovely light space and very aesthetic set up. The space is divided into a traditional play cafe, a small soft play, and a cafe/seating area. My three year old was interested for the whole session. He really enjoyed both play areas and being able to move between them. There are lots of roleplay/imaginative toys and plenty for babies as well so a great place for maternity leave meet-ups. It is a good size space, and I expect it will work really well for a birthday party! 🥳 It is owned by Jess and Rosie, two local mums! Go try it out and show them some support 🤍 General Info: 🚻 👶🏼 Toilets and baby change, toddler steps and toilet seat ☕️ Hot and cold drinks, cakes and light lunches 🚘 Some customer car parking at the front, street parking also available ⏰ Open Monday - Saturdays. Sessions are 1 1/2 hrs. Pre-book your session via their website! Tag a friend you want to visit with! 🤎
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!🎄
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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
      • Christmas & Winter Guide for Families in Bristol and Bath 2024!
      • 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
      • Christmas & Winter Guide for Families in Bristol and Bath 2024!
  • 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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