Thinking of spending a few days in Bristol? Do it, because it’s loads of fun, especially with kids. Bristol is one of those cities that is on point every season, it’s a super cool place to hang out, and is filled with great things to do for the entire family.
I visited during the summer months and didn’t have anywhere near enough time to see everything I wanted to, including a hot air balloon ride. Which, I guess means that I’ll have to go back pretty soon!
The Moxy
The hotel was another level of fun for the family, with foosball table, arcade machines, and giant teddy in the bar and lounge. The Moxy Bristol should be on everyone’s radar for a UK staycation.
Located on the lower edge of the city, The Moxy is a great base to start your staycation from. The hotel itself has 214 rooms, each wih ChromeCast TV’s, fast WiFi, and a cute en-suite bathroom. Furthermore, the reception doubles as a coffee bar by day, and a cocktail bar by night, plus each guest receives a complimentary cocktail on arrival.
Part of The Marriott Bonvoy collection of hotels, it offers contemporary comforts mixed with loads of frivolous fun. There’s a games zone packed with board games, computer games, and plenty more. Equally the hotel offers a range of bar foods from pizza to nachos, and a buffet breakfast is served daily.
Fun & Exciting Family Adventure in Bristol at St George’s
After unpacking, hanging out in the bar, and playing foosball I headed out to St George’s Bristol for the evening. St George’s Bristol is a unique world-class independent music venue, and is currently celebrating its 200th birthday this year! Moreover, Autumn’s concerts have been announced and include lunchtime performances, singalongs, candlelit events, and ‘an evening with’ events. There is literally something for everyone to enjoy at St George’s Bristol.
Once the event finished, I took myself for a cocktail in the hotel bar, planned my itinerary for the next day, and fell into my bed. I slept extremely well, and could have stayed there way past checkout time, but I had plenty to do.
SS Great Britain
As soon as I’d finished breakfast at The Moxy I headed to see the famous SS Great Britain. Bristol’s No.1 attraction was nice and quiet at the time I arrived, it felt like I had it all to myself. The world’s first great ocean liner launched in 1843 and was built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The ship was built for the Great Western Steamship Company and their inaugural transatlantic service between Bristol and New York.
Today, SS Great Britain is a museum ship, where I spent time in the historic dockyard, the dry dock, and Dockyard Museum. I also visited the Being Brunel Museum, which includes his business office and family dining room. Being on board the ship gave me the opportunity to see the differences between first class, standard class, and the workers galley. I strolled across the promenade deck, and the weather desk before entering the first class dining saloon. This is a great attraction, one for everyone in the family to enjoy. I could have spent hours at SS Great Britain. Tickets cost £22 per adult, £18.50 for students, and £13.50 for kids aged 5 – 16).
Bristol Aquarium
Once I left this attraction, I ventured to Bristol Aquarium to see the exhibits and the animals. There are six different species of shark at the aquarium, and I learned that here in the UK we have 40 different species in our waters! Here’s a scary fact, the Seven Estuary in Bristol is home to the world’s second largest shark, the Basking Shark. So, even if you don’t get chance to visit Bristol Aquarium you may see a shark in the estuary! Tickets start from £12.35 for 3 to 12 year olds, and rise to £19.75 for adults. There are discounts for family passes, concessions, and disabled visitors.
Fun & Exciting Family Adventure in Bristol at Cabot Circus
I wanted to do a little shopping before heading back to the hotel, so I called into Bristol’s Cabot Circus. This shopping centre is opposite The Moxy Hotel, and the perfect place for some afternoon retail therapy and a spot of lunch.
With over 120 high street and designer shops, Cabot Circus has everything you could possibly need. Plus, it plays host to luxury department store Harvey Nichols and also has a Showcase Cinema de Lux.
Wake The Tiger
My final port of call before I headed for Bristol Temple Meads Train Station was an immersive experiential attraction called Wake The Tiger. I’d definitely saved the best until last, as this was a treat for everyone. The world’s first amazement park didn’t disappoint! I won’t give too much away but I should say that you’ll be taken to an alternate world when you enter the portal.
It’s an exciting interactive experience that combines the issues of our fragile world alongside secret doors, hidden rooms, storytelling, big bright lights and unusual sounds. Wake The Tiger incorporates 27 unique art installations, an intergalactic journey, alchemists, experiments, and so much more. Peaks times are priced at £19.50 for adults aged 13+, £13.50 for kids aged 5 to 12, and kiddies under 5 and carers go free.
I collected my bags from The Moxy and ordered a taxi to Bristol Temple Meads for my Cross Country Train to York. The 5-hour train journey was extremely comfortable and had very good leg room, with a great trolley service. The staff were excellent onboard as we were stuck on the train due to a signal failure and they kept each passenger informed regularly. I would almost certainly use Cross Country Trains for any future trips to Bristol.
To Find Out More
For more information about any of the above, please visit their respective websites or Instagram page directly. Thanks to @VisitBristol and @VisitWestUK for making this trip happen, and to @MoxyHotels for the excellent room. Equally, all the attractions including @StGeorgesBris, @SSGreatBritain, @BristolAquarium, @CabotCircus, and @WakeTheTiger. Finally, an extra thank you to @CrossCountryTrains.
Fun & Exciting Family Adventure in Bristol – Words by Rachel McAlley
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