Here's our round-up of some of our favourite family activities in and around Bristol. We hope they'll help you get the whole family outside and connecting to nature this Summer.
We are big believers in the power of the Great Outdoors, water and waves to make us feel great. After a challenging few months of lockdown, we're looking to get outdoors and reap the benefits of being in nature.
1: Summer of surfing
No surprise that our top outdoor family activity is surfing. With warm water, plenty of green space, fantastic food and waves to suit all ages and abilities. Our range of waves are rolling from 7am to 8pm everyday, with beginner lessons reduced to just 5 people per coach. Plus, we have put in place lots of measures to keep our team and visitors as safe as possible during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Pre-booking is essential for everyone, including non surfers.
2: A walk on the wild side
With 40 acres to explore, our near neighbours, Wildplace, definitely get you in touch with nature! Get up close to incredible animals in a natural setting. A highlight has be Bear Wood, which takes you through 7.5 acres of beautiful habitat on raised walkways, watching bears, wolves, lynxes and wolverines roaming below.
3: Trails Through History
The National Trust has reopened the garden, woodland and parkland at Tyntesfield estate near Bristol. There is an abundance of nature to explore across his Victorian era estate, with woodland, flower-filled terraces and kitchen gardens. For youngsters there are play areas, including a woodland adventure and sculpture trail. There are a number of walking trails that vary in length from 30 minutes to 2hrs - so something to suit the whole family.
4: Tree hugging
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, has reopened. It is one of the finest collections of temperate trees and shrubs in the world and with 600 acres there is definitely plenty of room to social distance! As well as a variety of trails to explore, this summer there are pop-up family activity boards around the site to help the kids discover the secrets of the forest - find out all about woodland textures, sights and sounds.
5: Leap of Faith
Leap of Faith is an outdoor climbing adventure experience, which is fantastic fun for all the family. Located in the Wildplace grounds, it offers a number of amazing climbing challenges, and of course the 'Leap of Faith' jump. Get clipped in, climb the 25ft pole, take a deep breath and take the leap for the bag.The whole experience takes 40 minutes, including safety briefing.
6: Bird-watchers heaven
Ancient woodland, streams and plantations can all be found in the wildlife-rich Prior’s Wood, which was once part of the Tyntesfield Estate. It is heaven for nature-lovers, as it’s home to a huge variety of birds, including the garden warbler, chiffchaff, spotted flycatcher and buzzard. It is the ideal place to get away from the busy city for a family day out in peace and tranquility.
7: Thrill of the ride
Home to the UK's longest and most exciting beginner descending mountain bike trail Bike Park Wales is perfect for the whole family whether you're all absolute beginners or more seasoned pros. A few hours spent at Bike Park Wales will allow you all to sense the thrill of whizzing down the mountain in close proximity to the trees albeit safe in the knowledge the trails has been expertly designed and built to manage speed while building confidence.