If you fancy venturing slightly further afield than Bristol for a day out, here is a list of places that I recommend visiting with children.
Burnham-On-Sea offers a beautiful clean and sandy beach which doesn’t have the crowds that Weston-Super-Mare can have. There are donkey rides in the Summer, plus free parking on the sea front.
The beach is patrolled by life guards in Summer and dogs are banned. Around a 45-minute drive from the centre of Bristol.
- Open at all times
- Free
- Burnham-On-Sea, Somerset, TA8
- Read my review of Burnham-On-Sea Beach
Stanton Drew Stone Circles, Somerset
Stanton Drew Stone Circles offers three Neolithic stone circles and a three-stone cove – all of which you can touch and explore. A day out with a bit of a difference which also offers great learning opportunity for children and parents alike.
Not suitable for buggies as ground a bit uneven and can get very muddy. You can also visit the small, quiet village of Stanton Drew.
- Open at all times
- £1 per person charge in Honesty Box
- Stanton Drew, BS39 4EW
- Read my review of Stanton Drew Stone Circles
A brilliant family-friendly day away about an hour’s drive from Bristol which offers daily trips 300 feet down into a coal mine! Big Pit was a working coal mine from 1880 – 1980 and re-opened in 1983 under the National Museum of Wales.
A great way to learn about the history of coal mining and what life was like for people who spent their days working down there.
- Open daily 9.30am – 5pm (underground tours take place from 10am – 3.30pm)
- Free
- Bip Pit, Blaenavon, Torfaen, Wales NP4 9XP
- Read a Bristol Mum review of Big Pit
Avebury Stone Circle, Wiltshire
A day out with a difference, Avebury Stone Circle is the world’s largest pre-historic stone circle. Children and grown-ups are able touch the stones and explore freely.
West Kennet Long Barrow Burial Chamber (which you can explore inside) and Silbury Hill are both nearby and also well worth seeing, as is Avebury Manor House and Garden (see below).
- Open at all times
- Free
- Avebury Stone Circle, near Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 1RF
- Read a Bristol Mum review of Avebury Stone Circle
Avebury Manor & Garden, Wiltshire
Avebury Manor and Garden is a National Trust Property a short walk away from Avebury Stone Circle. Avebury Manor differs from other stately homes in that kids are encouraged to touch everything! There are dressing-up costumes, beds to bounce on and lots of interesting objects to discover.
This is one of our favourite National Trust properties.
- National Trust visiting charge applies (free for NT members)
- Avebury Manor House & Garden, High Street, Avebury SN8 1RF
- Read a Bristol Mum review of Avebury Manor & Garden
Owned by the National Trust, the Tyntesfield estate boasts vast open space, green hills and trees of all shapes and sizes. Tyntesfield House is a Victorian Gothic Revival property which has lots of Victorian exhibits to see. There is also a play park for children, woodland play area, café for refreshments, plus regular food and craft markets throughout the year.
- Read a Bristol Mum review of Tyntesfield
- National Trust admission fee applies (free for NT members)
- Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Somerset BS48 1NX
- Visit http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield
A National Trust property situated near Bath, Dyrham Park offers a great trip with children. It includes a 17th century mansion, plus acres of deer park and garden to explore.
There is also a woodland playground and a picnic area with a hay bale maze, tractors and more for children to enjoy.
- Read a Bristol Mum review of Dyrham Park
- Open every day of the week
- National Trust admission fee applies (free for NT members)
- Dyrham, nr Bath, Gloucestershire SN14 8ER
- Visit http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrham-park
Clevedon is a small Victorian seaside town in north Somerset which offers a great day away. It includes a seafront and pier which are perfect for crab fishing with the kids! There are also two good play parks next to Clevedon seafront and nearby cafés for meals/snacks.
There is a car park conveniently situated next to the seafront.
- Read a Bristol Mum review of Clevedon seafront and pier
- Clevedon, North Somerset BS21 7RH
Lots of interesting shops, workshops and barns to see and explore; Clevedon Craft Centre offers something for adults and children of all ages. There are also gardens with chickens and ducks to feed – you can buy cheap bags of birdfeed there to do this.
There is also a café on site for a cup of tea and a snack, plus free parking.
- Read a Bristol Mum review of Clevedon Craft Centre
- Open: Tues – Sat 10am – 5pm; Sun 2 – 5pm
- Free entry
- Moor lane, Clevedon, North Somerset BS21 6TD
- Visit http://www.clevedoncraftcentre.co.uk/
Part of Westonbirt School but open to the public every Wednesday and Thursday aftenoon from April – October, Westonbirt Gardens are a great place to explore and include beautiful grounds and gardens, interesting Victorian buildings and a little church.
Ideal for a picnic, walk, explore and game of hide-and-seek on a dry day.
- Read a Bristol Mum review of Westonbirt Gardens
- Wed and Thurs afternoon from April – October
- Entry fee
- Westonbirt Gardens, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8QG
Newton Café, Newton St Loe, Bath
A family run farm café on the edge of Bath which offers great locally sourced food with a wide range of breakfasts, lunches and snacks. After you have eaten in the café or bought some local fresh produce in the farm café shop, the beautiful little village of Newton St Loe is a must for exploring!
- Read a Bristol Mum review of Newton Cafe
- Newton Farm Foods Ltd, Newton Farm, Newton St Loe, Bath, BA2 9BT
Bristol Mum 