
Family activities and things to do
It can sometimes be difficult to find things to do to keep everyone entertained over weekends and during the school holidays. We have put together a list of things to do, places to go, activities and local attractions. Please check the websites of venues and attractions before visiting for the most up to date information.
Disclaimer
As a volunteer-led branch we do all we can to ensure that the information in this section is accurate, but inaccuracies may nethertheless occur. Please check the website links provided yourself and if you discover any information which you believe to be inaccurate, please let us know.
Planning your day out
It's important to think ahead when you are organising a day out with an autistic child or family member. Many autistic people need preparing for change and this will also apply to days out. Plan ahead by contacting where you are visiting to ask what support is available for autistic people. Most tourist attractions are very happy to accommodate visitors with additional needs, some will publish special guides or even go out of their way to offer help and support.
Many tourist attractions will need evidence of a disability and care needs before they will offer concessions. This is particularly true for people on the autism spectrum who may have invisible needs.
If eating-out can be difficult, then think ahead and book a restaurant in advance. Many restaurants now have a menu for people with special diets. Most chains should be able to provide you with details of the ingredients of their products so you can check that they are safe.
When booking, ask about seating: is there a quieter area of the restaurant that you can sit in? What is the lighting and décor like? Is there anything that is likely to trigger a sensory difference?
If you are planning a day out with an autistic person then you may need an accessible toilet. Disabled toilets are helpful, but you may need a Radar Key from the National Key Scheme (NKS). You can also buy a Region List, giving details of disabled toilets in the area you’re visiting.
There are also smart phone apps.
Ideas for days out
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St Paul’s Adventure Playground
Address: Fern St, St Paul's, Bristol BS2 9LN
Southmead Adventure Playground
Address: Doncaster Rd, Bristol, BS10 5PP
Felix Road Adventure Playground
Address: Felix Rd, Easton, Bristol BS5 0JW
The Vench Adventure Playground
Address: Romney Ave, Lockleaze, Bristol BS7 9TB
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Some lovely beaches, not too far from Bristol:
- Weston Super Mare
- Brean
- Burnham-on-Sea
- Clevedon
- Sand Bay
- Portishead
- Minehead
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Address: Avonmeads Retail Park, St Phillips Marsh, Bristol, BS2 0SP
Cribbs Causeway, The Venue, Merlin Road, Patchway, Bristol, BS10 7SR
Longswell Gree, 2 leisure Road, Longswell Green, Bristol, BS15 9LA
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Address: Avon Meads, St. Phillips Causeway, Bristol, BS2 0SP
Address: Cabot Circus, Lower Castle Street, Bristol, BS1 3BX
Address: Union St, Bristol, BS1 2DS
Address: Hengrove Leisure Park Bristol BS14 0HR
Address: 1 Canons Road, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5TX
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Address: next to Warmley Waiting Room Cafe, Warmley, Bristol, BS30 5JB
Information: Open 10am – 3pm every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Sessions must be booked in advance
Address: Old Whitchurch Athletics Track, Bamfield Road, Bristol, BS14 0XA
Information: Open 10am – 3.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Book your session online in advance, pay on arrival.
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Address: Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1AL
Address: The Mill, High St, Wookey Hole, Wells BA5 1BB
Address: Marlborough Lane, Bath, BA1 2NQ
Information: Large park with many different play areas, gardens crazy golf, lake and skate park.
Paultons Park / Peppa Pig World
Address: Ower, Romsey SO51 6AL
Address: Winkfield Rd, Windsor, SL4 4AY
Address: Sidmouth Rd, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, EX5 1DR
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Address: Kings Weston Lane, Bristol, BS11 0UR
Information: Open to the public
Address: Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9JN
Information: Open to the public
Address: Kings Weston Road, Lawrence Weston, Bristol, BS10 7QS
Address: Stoke Park Estate, Duchess Gate, Park Road, Stapleton, Bristol, BS16 1AU
Address: Oldbury Court Road, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 2JH
Address: River View, Stapleton, Bristol, BS16 1DL
Information: Lovely walk along the river Frome – between the Oldbury Court Estate to one side and Eastville Park to the other – lots to explore. Toilet facilities at Snuff Mills and Oldbury Court.
Information: A great place to picnic, view wildlife or go for a walk. There is a cafe, toilet facilities in the main car park.
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Address: Tyndall Avenue, Redland , Bristol, BS8 1TH
Information: Gardens open to public.
Bristol University Botanic Gardens
Address: Stoke Park Road, Stoke Bishop, BS9 1JB
Information: Booking Required
Address: On the allotments at the end of, Monk Rd, Bishopston, Bristol, BS7 8NE
Information: Open Wednesdays 12-4pm
Address: Bath Road, Bristol, BS4 3EW
Information: Cafe / toilet facilities now open 9.30 – 3.30
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Address: Common Mead Lane, Hambrook, Bristol, BS16 1QQ
Information: Open every day from 10am. No need to book, just turn up! Due to COVID-19 safety measures it will be Card payments only.
Address: Stockwood Vale Golf Club, Stockwood Lane, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 2ER
Information: Open 10am - 8pm.
Jungle Rumble- Indoor Mini Golf
Address: Cabot Circus, Glass Walk, Bristol, BS1 3BQ
Information: Opens Monday – Sunday from 10am – 11pm. No bookings necessary!
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Address: 1 Millennium Square, Anchor Rd, Bristol, BS1 5DB
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
Address: Queens Rd, Bristol, BS8 1RL
Address: Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol, BS1 4RN
Address: Henbury Rd, Henbury, Bristol, BS10 7QS
Clifton Suspension Bridge & Visitor Centre
Address: Bridge Rd, Leigh Woods, Bristol, BS8 3PA
Address: Prince’s Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol, BS1 4RN
Information: Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 4pm. You may be asked to queue and only go on for a short time slot if there is a lot of people waiting to go on.
Address: Brunel’s SS Great Britain, Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, Bristol, BS1 6TY
Information: Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am - 6pm.
Ashton Court Miniature Railway
Address: Ashton Court Railway, Bristol, BS8 3PX
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Address: Wraxall, Bristol, BS48 1NX
Information: Open every day, 10am – 5pm. Tickets must be booked online in advance.
Things to do: View the gardens, woodland walk and play areas, visit the shop and cafe.
Address: Dyrham, Chippenham, SN14 8HY
Information: Open every day, from 10am – 6pm. Timed entry tickets must be purchased in advance of your visit. Tickets can be purchased online.
Things to do: View the park, gardens, visit the kiosk.
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Badock's Wood - Badock's Wood, Lakewood Road, Southmead, BS10
Eastwood Farm - Eastwood Farm, Wyndham Crescent, Bristol BS4 4SP
Manor Woods Valley - Manor Woods Valley, Vale Lane, Bishopsworth, BS3 5XX
Troopers Hill - Trooper's Hill, off Trooper's Hill Road, BS5 8XX
The Northern Slopes – Glyn Vale, Bristol, BS3 5JF
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Address: Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, Sat Nav Postcode: GL8 8QS
Information: Open every day from 9am – 5pm. Numbers visiting have been reduced so you must purchase your ticket and book your timeslot in advance via the website.
Things to do: Explore the grounds and play areas and treetop walk. Shop and Cafe are open.
Address: Stoke Road, Bristol, BS9 1FG
Things to do: Games, kite flying or family picnics.
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Begbrook Green Park - Frenchay Park Road, Bristol, BS16 1JG
Brandon Hill - Park St, Bristol, Avon, BS1 5RR
Canford Park, Canford Lane, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS9 3NX
Castle Park – Broad Weir, Bristol, BS1 3XB.
Dame Emily Park - Dame Emily Park, Dean Lane, Bedminster, BS3 1BS#
Dundridge Park - Dundridge Lane, Bristol, BS5 8SW
Eastville Park - Fishponds Road, Eastville, Bristol, BS5 6PX
Fishponds Park – Manor Rd, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 2JB
Greville Smyth Park - Ashton Road, Ashton, Bristol, BS3 2EA
Hengrove Play Park - Hengrove Way, Hengrove, Bristol, BS14 0HR
Mina Road Park - Mina Road, St Werburghs, Bristol, BS2 9TW
Netham Park and Pavilion - Netham Park, Avonvale Rd, Netham, Bristol, BS5 9RZ
Page Park - Park Road, Staple Hill, Bristol, BS16 5LD
Perrets Park - Knowle, Bristol, BS4 2BY
Redcatch Park – Broadwalk, Knowle, Bristol, BS4 2RD
Redland Green Park - Redland Green, Redland, Bristol, BS6 7EHSt. Agnes Park - Thomas Street, Montpelier, Bristol, BS2 9QJ
St Andrews Park - Effingham Rd, Bishopston, Bristol, BS6 5AX
St George’s Park - Church Road, St George, Bristol, BS5 7AA
Victoria Park – 12 Hill Avenue, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 4SN
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Bournstream - A play and picnic site for children with special needs (You must be a member to use the Bournstream Play Park)
Address: On the B4060 Dursley road, postcode: GL12 7PA
Yeo Valley Lions Club - Special Needs Playground
Address: Yeo Valley Lions Club, 4 Laurel Terace, Yatton, North Somerset, BS49 4AF,
Information: The Playground is free to use for any family that is registered with us. Email us to register
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Bristol – Inland Surfing
Address: The Wave, Main Road, Easter Compton, Bristol BS35 5RE
Information: Pre booking essential. Use own wetsuit if you can. Beginners lessons limited.
Address: Brean Leisure Park, Brean, TA8 2QY
Information: Limited tickets available, must pre-book online. Swimmers to arrive ‘swim-ready’ to reduce changing room usage.
Weston Water Adventure Play Park
Address: 34 Knightstone Rd, Weston-super-Mare BS23 2BD
Information: Lots of lakes, many activities, picnic spots, walks, water sports and more.#
Cotswold Country Park and Beach
Address: Spratsgate Lane, Shorncote, Cirencester GL7 6DF
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Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park
Address: Pixash Lane, Bath Road, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1TP
Address: West Midland Safari Park, Spring Grove Rd, Bewdley, Kidderminster, DY12 1LF
Address: Puxton Park, Cowslip Lane, Hewish, BS24 6AH
Cotswold Willife Park and Gardens
Address: Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens, Bradwell Grove, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4JP
Address: WWT, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT
Address: Foxholes Lane, Old Down, Bristol, BS32 4PG
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Address: Start the walk at the gate on the green, junction of Hall Lawn & Allison Road, BS4 4PH
Information: A lovely wooded valley following Brislington Brook – you can even follow the Peppa Pig art trail.
Address: Valley Rd, Bristol, BS8 3QB
Information: Lots of paths and trails through woodland areas, explore nature, climb trees – lots of fun to be had.
Address: London Rd, Warmley, Bristol, BS30 5JB
Information: Situated near the Bristol to Bath Cycle path, lots of paths to explore.
Address: Greyfield Wood, High Littleton, Bristol, BS39 6YE
Information: Lots of woodland trails to explore.
Willsbridge Mill Valley Nature Trail
Address: Willsbridge Hill, Willsbridge, Bristol BS30 6EU
Information: Lovely walks, nature trail and cafe (open selected days for takeaway).
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Address: Bristol Zoo Gardens, College Rd, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3HA
Address: Wild Place Project, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol, BS10 7TP
Address: Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, Clevedon Road, Wraxall, Bristol, BS48 1PG
Address: Bristol Aquarium, Anchor Road, Bristol, BS1 5TT
Address: Berkeley Heath Farm, Berkeley, Gloucestershire, GL13 9EW