Free things to do with kids this summer!

Tick off all the locations from this year’s Gromit Unleashed 3 trail, with sculptures of Wallace, Gromit, Feathers McGraw and Norbot dotted in and around the city! 

The Gromit Unleashed 3 trail is running until Sunday 31 August, so you’ll have plenty of time to visit all the locations and fit in some extra adventures while you’re in the area. 

You can pick up a paper map of the locations for free at our offices (70 Redcliffe Street, Bristol) or download the app for £2.49 https://www.grandappeal.org.uk/gromit-unleashed/trails/gromit-unleashed-3/ 

Get there by bus – https://www.grandappeal.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Gromit-Unleashed-Nearest-Bus-Stops-.pdf  

Explore where the Romans used to live right on Bristol’s doorstep – see the only Roman bath suite in Bristol, original mosaic floors and discover Roman central heating! 

The “Festival of Archaeology Fun” takes place on 23, 24 and 25 July as well as 30 August (10am to 3pm) – and includes dressing up, a chance to handle real and replica Roman objects and some Roman-inspired craft. 

It’s located by Long Cross Road in Lawrence Weston, Bristol. 

Get there by bus – 10, 11, 41, 3, 4 

Yate Shopping Centre is running free events every Tuesday and Thursday from 29 July to 28 August. All events run from 11am to 3pm.  

From beach parties to Punch & Judy and pirate shows, Yate centre will be buzzing with free summer activities! 

Get there by bus – any bus to Yate bus station 

This year the iconic Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is running from 8 to 10 August for its 47th year and is completely free. 

It takes place in Ashton Court and celebrates the city and its heritage links to hot air balloons, featuring over 100 balloons of all shapes and sizes. 

Get there by bus – stopping near Ashton Court m2, 505, U2, X1 X4 X6 X7 and X9 Badgerline, X1s, X7a.  (There’s also shuttle buses running from Bristol Temple Meads Station and Queen Square in the city centre – but not part of the Kids go free offer) 

Midsomer Norton Family fun day takes place on 17 August from 10.30am to 3.30pm and includes a train trip to a recreated ‘Bournemouth West’ seaside.  

There will be a sandpit and paddling pool to help create the beach feel along with a load of seaside games and attractions. 

Get there by bus – 2V, 171, 172, 173, 174, 184, 414, 522 

The Ammerdown Centre in Radstock is hosting a day full of fun and entertainment for the whole family! Pop along on Monday 25 August from 1pm to 4pm 

Get there by bus – 414, 424, 522, 172, 173, 174

Back for its second year, Old Down Food and Drink Festival isn’t one to miss! 

Running on 25 August from 11am to 3pm, the festival will be full of street and artisan food from top local vendors with entertainment and music to keep you busy all day!  

It’s free for under 12’s and adults are just £5.  

Get there by bus – 918 

Kids eat free at this popular Bristol city centre eatery (One free kid’s meal with every adult main meal). Simply print your coupon here 

Get there by bus – any bus to Bristol city centre 

​​​​Nestled in the vibrant neighbourhood of Bedminster, Bombil brings Bombay’s flavours, energy, and soul to Bristol – Inspired by the dynamic food culture of India’s most exciting city.  

Kids eat free on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 12 and 4pm (1 child per paying adult) 

Get there by bus – 24, 43, 74, 75, 76, m1 

Kids eat free this summer!

This summer, if you pre-book and an adult is eating too, kids can eat for free. Whether they love Pizzas or Mac ‘n Cheese, it’s all covered! 

Get there by bus – any bus to Bristol city centre 

Looking for somewhere to eat on a Sunday? 

The Real Greek – in Cabot Circus in Bristol – offers a free kid’s meal for every £15 spent by an adult!  

Get there by bus – any bus to Cabot Circus or Bond Street in Bristol city centre 

Situated on a beautiful 37-acre site, Bath City Farm is a working farm much-loved charity and a popular visitor attraction. With stunning views over Bath with farm animals, children’s playground, woodland, nature trails, community café and farm shop – there’s lots to enjoy on a family day out. Entrance is free however donations are very welcome! 

Get there by bus – 5 

Free to enter and open 7 days a week from 9am to 4pm, Hartcliffe City Farm is a working city farm in south Bristol. 

They host several events including “Lunch and Fun” – a free event for children aged 6-13 every Thursday from 24 July to21 August (12-4pm). Priority is given to those eligible for free school meals. 

Get there by bus – m1, 36, 75, 76 

Grimsbury Farm is a working community farm located in east Bristol. With free entry , the farm is a great place to have fun in the outdoors this summer. Visit the animals and see how a working farm operates!  

Get there by bus – 19, 35, 42, 43 

The farm at Lawrence Weston is a community-led project offering a variety of activities including a Woodland & Orchard Club which runs every Thursday from 10am to 2pm.  

Get there by bus – 3, 4, 40, 10 

Nestled in the heart of St Werburghs, the City Farm is a real community hub, connecting residents and visitors with animals and nature. 

Featuring a small holding, a community garden, a bee garden, woodland and more this city farm is a must visit if you’re looking to reconnect with nature and community. 

Get there by bus – 25, 70, 24 

Windmill Hill City Farm is a 4.5-acre green space in South Bristol with community gardens, a variety of farm animals, a play area, picnic areas, café and farm shop.  

Free entry to all, it’s a great day out for the whole family! 

Get there by bus – 52, 75, 76, 90, 121, 510, 511, 672 

Avon Valley Adventure Park – located just off the A4 between Bristol and Bath – has two free offers this summer.  First you can return for free if you visit once, and for children aged up to 15 – you can enter the park totally FREE on (or near) your birthday! (Must be accompanied by at least one paying adult) 

Get there by bus – 39, X39  

Just a short stroll from the city centre, Royal Victoria Park is a beautiful expanse of green parkland, spanning 57 acres. Originally an arboretum, it is still home to botanic gardens, a fantastic kid’s playground and the Great Dell Aerial Walkway 

Get there by bus – 3, 4, 19, 39, X39, 20, 700, 716, A4 (if not starting/ending at Bristol Airport) 

Snuff Mills is the perfect escape from the busy city without having to travel far!  

Enjoy a beautiful and historic walk through the Frome Valley walkway which cuts alongside the Frome River. You may even catch sight of herons, foxes, owls and bats! 

There’s a play area in the nearby Oldbury Court for hours of fun for the little ones and there’s even equipment for the older ones. 

Get there by bus – 46, SB5, 50, m1, m3, m4, 47x, 48x, 49x 

Victoria Park is a great place to take the kids to let off some energy with a children’s play area and lots of grassy space to run around and play games. There’s also a skate park and ping pong tables as well as a basketball court. 

Get there by bus – m1, 2, 2a, 43, 73, 74, 75, 76, P1, X91, 172, 374, 375, 376, 376a 

Bath on the Beach is Bath’s ultimate summer spot! Bringing the seaside to the city, there’s everything from cabanas, beach games and mini golf. 

Open until 10 August at the Royal Pavilion, Bath.  

Get there by bus – 3, 4, 19, 39, X39, 20, 716 

Beazer Maze is a paving stone maze near Pulteney Bridge, Bath. Inspired by the city’s Georgian architecture, as well as Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s railway designs, its central location makes it an ideal spot for families to step into nature and enjoy a picnic. 

Get there by bus – any bus to Bath Grand Parade 

Blaise Castle is a 650 acre parkland which includes a museum, castle and children’s play area. 

At the museum, see how people lived through time though exhibits including Victorian toilets and baths to model trains and period costume. 

Get there by bus – 1, 3, 4, 40, 76 

The super popular Bristol and Bath Railway Path is a great walking and cycling route between the two cities. 

The 13-mile route is completely traffic-free and almost entirely flat as it runs along a disused railway line. 

Along the way, you’ll find ideal stopping points for drinks and snacks at Bitton and Warmley stations, or you could enjoy a pub lunch at Saltford. 

The path also features a variety of sculptures and working steam engines at the old train station at Bitton. 

Get there by bus – you can reach the Railway Path at several points including Bath (buses include 3, 4, 19, 20, 39, 716, X39), Bitton (buses include 19, 42, 45, 532) or any bus to Bristol city centre. 

Clevedon Marine Lake is a seawater tidal pool on the Somerset coast. It’s a great place to play, swim and take part in water sports. 

Get there by bus – X5, X6, X7, X7a, X10 

Free family fun at Cribbs Water Garden! Climb aboard the pirate ship, hide from the water jets under the huge umbrella – from bubble machines to ice cream – explore a summer water playground!  

Open 7 days a week.   

Get there by bus – 1, 2, 2a, 3, 4, Y6, 75, 76, 12, m1, m4, T7 

Fancy a day out at the beach? 

Portishead Beach is a great spot to find all sorts of fossils from corals and crinoids and more!  

Battery Point is the best place to start your hunt! 

Get there by bus – B2, X4 Badgerline, X10, X14 

Leigh Woods is a beautiful area of woodland set alongside the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. With well-marked trails and orienteering routes, as well as picnic spots and wildlife, Leigh Woods is a great day out for the whole family. 

Get there by bus – X4 Badgerline 

St Andrew’s Park is a classic Victorian neighbourhood park with lots of green space. The playground is dog-free and has a sand pit, swings for toddlers, climbing frames, a slide, balancing rails and more. 

And in the summer months the park has a paddling pool for children! Make sure you bring your own towel! 

Get there by bus – 17, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77 

This summer, the National Trust is offering free entry for anyone who gets the bus or cycles to the historic Tyntesfield ! 

Just prove your mode of transport (a bus ticket or cycling helmet works) and they’ll give you entry for the whole day, free of charge! 

Get there by bus – X6 Badgerline 

The magical Stoke Park sculpture trail is perfect for a family day out. 

Take a walk through the scenic woodlands while spotting as many wooden sculptures as you can – from dragons and woodland creatures to an old wise man! 

The trail is free to access, and you can download a map from the Bristol City Council website: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/museums-parks-sports-and-culture/parks-and-open-spaces/parks-and-estates/stoke-park-estate  

Get there by bus – m1, m3, m4, 24, 46, 50 

Sugar Lookout is a breathtaking viewpoint on Poet’s Walk along the Clevedon coast. Built in 1835 the historical structure is the perfect spot to look out over the sea and spot birds and wildlife. 

Get there by bus – X5, X6, X7, X7a, X10 

Warleigh Weir is a stunning spot just outside Warleigh and Claverton near Bath.  

It’s a very popular spot for outdoor swimming and free to access. Be respectful when you visit and make sure you take any rubbish with you when you leave.   

Get there by bus – D1, 94 

Weston-super-Mare beach is one of the longest naturally occurring beaches in the UK and full of family-friendly attractions. 

Sure to be a great day out, you can visit the pier, take a donkey ride on the beach or just lie back and soak up the sun.  

Get there by bus (in WsM) – any bus to Weston town centre,
If travelling from Bristol you can get the X1 from Bristol City Centre

Learn the story of Bristol’s amazing aviation achievements and climb aboard Concorde. There’s loads of interactive exhibits and even the chance to see Beagle 3, the extra-terrestrial Gromit. Until 31 August, up to 2 kids go free with each adult ticket purchased.

Get there by bus – X10 or a short walk from Y6, 75

An international art gallery on Bristol’s Harbourside, Arnolfini is a great space for children to explore and learn about modern art. On every Tuesday and Wednesday in August (from 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm) they are hosting free family workshops – make sure to wear clothes to get messy in! 

Free to take part and just turn up on the day. 

Get there by bus – any bus to Bristol city centre 

Discover what makes Bath so unique at the Bath World Heritage Centre. Learn about the famous hot springs, Roman remains, Georgian architecture and much more.  

The Centre is free to enter and features a host of interactive exhibits and displays designed to inspire, excite and inform. There are also free walking trails and guides to help visitors explore all Bath has to offer. 

Get there by bus – any bus to Bath city centre 

Situated at the top of Park Street, Bristol Museum has collections including Bristol history, natural history, geology and Eastern art. 

This summer there’s a Story Box every Wednesday for children aged 4-7 with themed interactive stories including dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals, world wildlife and tales from other lands. 

There are also several other exhibitions being displayed this summer, look at their website or take a visit to find out more! 

Get there by bus – 1, 2, 2a, 3, 4, 5, 8, 71, 72, 77, 505, U2, Y6 stops on Park Street or any bus to Bristol city centre with a 15 -20 minute walk up Park Street 

A trip to Bristol isn’t complete without a visit to the multi-award-winning Clifton Suspension Bridge. The bridge has a free museum where you can learn how, why and when Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s first bridge was built. They also run free tours throughout the year but be sure to book in advance! 

Get there by bus – 505, 5, 8, 77, B2 

With free entry, see amazing film and photographs, listen to moving personal stories and encounter rare and quirky objects. From prehistoric times to the present day, M Shed tells the story of Bristol and its unique place in the world. 

Get there by bus – m1, m2, 24 or any bus to Bristol city centre with a 10 minute walk down Prince Street. 

From 19 July to 1 September Brunel’s SS Great Britain will host its Summer of Picnic and Play – a season of fun shows, hands-on activities, and history brought to life. For the first time, visitors are encouraged to bring along packed lunches and enjoy them on the ship’s newly restored weather deck, with views across the historic dockyard. 

And kids go free! (one child per full-paying adult). 

Get there by bus – m2, 70, 73, or any bus to Bristol city centre with a scenic 20 minute harbourside walk

Admire iconic Banksy murals like Grim Reaper, Girl with a Pierced Eardrum, and Paint‑Pot Angel. Explore central Bristol’s harbourside, Stokes Croft and Easton and discover local bars and cafés along the way. 

See a map of Banksy’s art here:  

https://whatsdownthatstreet.com/2024/07/28/where-to-find-banksy-art-in-bristol-map/  

Get there by bus – any bus to Bristol city centre 

Founded in 2008, Upfest, is Europe’s largest street art and graffiti festival. Many of the artworks created for the 2025 festival are still in place, so why not take a walk around BS3 and have a look.  Download a map of the murals here.  https://www.upfest.co.uk/  

Get there by bus – 24 

Weston Wallz is a pop-up version of the popular Bedminster Upfest. 

Spread across 19-27 July, artwork will appear at multiple venues across Weston with free to attend workshops, art activities and street art tours. 

Perfect for anyone who loves to be creative! All the events and workshops are free but be sure to book in advance! https://www.upfest.co.uk/page/weston-wallz-information  

Get there by bus – any bus to Weston town centre 

Under 16s can travel for free on National Express coaches from 1 July – 30 September! Combining this with free bus travel for kids across the region, you can go anywhere in the country for the price of an adult ticket.   Why not take a trip to the theatre in London – Kids Week performances (21 July to 31 August) offer free tickets for kids (with a paying adult)  

Enter the code KIDSFREE at the National Express checkout and enjoy! 

Get there by bus – National Express coaches run from Bath and Bristol bus stations as well as Weston-super-Mare bus interchange, Bristol University, UWE Filton campus and Bath (London Road) 

Bloodhound STEM Quest is a chance for kids aged 5-16 to get hands-on with real engineering challenges. 

Join a fun, inclusive environment where you can explore engineering at your own pace. Each session features a brand-new activity, so there’s always something exciting to build and learn. 

Running in Kingswood, Thornbury, Yate and Little Stoke. 

Only available to kids eligible to free school meals. 

Find out more: https://eequ.org/search-learning-experiences?q=bloodhound

Get there by bus –

Armadillo Youth, Yate – 86, 525, 532, Y1, Y2, Y6

Abbotswood Primary School, Yate – Y1, 620

Little Stoke Community Hall – 12, Y6

Kingswood Community Association – 6, 16, 17, 19, 35, 41, 42, 43, 86, 534

St Mary’s Church Hall, Thornbury – 60, T1

Turnberries, Thornbury – T1, 60, 62, 918

This year’s Summer Reading Challenge theme is Story Garden and runs until 13 September. Open to all children aged 4-11, read any book you like to collect stickers and rewards including a medal and certificate.  

Pick up your free activity bag from any South Gloucestershire library (excluding Marshfield Community Library and Stoke Gifford Community Library) and join one of the many activities running throughout the summer as part of the challenge.  

Get there by bus – check your local library