KIND TO THE WALLET · A HUDDLEPIN LIST
Free things to do in Bristol with kids
Proper days out that cost nothing to get in: parks, museums, farms, trails and the free events on this month. Bring a picnic and you're done.
50 free places 5 free events this month 9 indoors
FREE EVENTS · NEXT 30 DAYS
Free events coming up
Free to attend. A few need a ticket booked in advance, and the listing says so.
Wed 7 October2 things on
Thu 8 October2 things on
Fri 9 October2 things on
Sat 10 October1 thing on
Sun 11 October1 thing on
Mon 12 October1 thing on
Wed 14 October1 thing on
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Sat 17 October2 things on
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Mon 19 October2 things on
Tue 20 October1 thing on
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Fri 23 October2 things on
Sat 24 October1 thing on
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Mon 26 October2 things on
Tue 27 October1 thing on
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Sat 31 October1 thing on
Sun 1 November1 thing on
Mon 2 November2 things on
Wed 4 November1 thing on
Thu 5 November1 thing on
Fri 6 November1 thing on
FREE PLACES
50 free days out in Bristol
17 outdoors for a fine day, 9 indoors for a wet one. Filter below.
FreeAvon Riverside Station (Avon Valley Railway)
Bristol · ages 0-15
A steam or diesel train ride along the Avon Valley line, with run-round shunting to watch at each end and about fifty minutes on board.
Accessible toiletBirthday partiesCaféDog friendly+5 more
FreeAvon Valley Railway Buffet
Bristol
Bitton Station's buffet serves proper meals and cakes to eat before or after a ride behind a steam or diesel locomotive.
Accessible toiletCaféDog friendlyFree parking+3 more
FreeBath City Farm
Bath
Free entry to feed goats and chickens, wander the woodland trails, and let the kids loose on a wood-and-tyre playground.
Accessible toiletBirthday partiesCaféDog friendly+9 more
FreeBoston Tea Party
Bristol
A walk-in café with a proper kids' menu, free babyccinos and a kids' afternoon tea if you book ahead.
Dog friendlyGroup bookingsOutdoor playStep-free access+2 more
FreeBotanical Gardens
Bath
Free wander round herbaceous borders, a rock garden with a pool, a mini Roman temple and a patch of woodland to get lost in.
ParkingPublic transport nearbyStep-free accessToilets
FreeBradley Stoke Library
Bristol
Free Lego club, coding and craft sessions for primary age kids, plus Open Access hours that stretch well past a normal library day.
Bike parkingParkingQuiet / SEN sessionsToilets
FreeBrean Theme Park
Burnham-on-Sea
Free entry with over 40 rides, from a dark coaster to go karts, and you pay only for a wristband or the rides you actually fancy.
Accessible toiletFirst aidIndoor playOutdoor play+4 more
FreeCharlcombe Bay Beach
Clevedon
A pebbly, rock-edged bay near Clevedon for a proper coastal walk out to Black Nore Lighthouse.
FreeClifton Suspension Bridge
Bristol
Free walk across a famous bridge, plus a museum with hidden vaults, a film and a children's trail to hunt down.
Bike parkingCaféGift shopGroup bookings+5 more
FreeClock Factory
Bristol · adults only (18+)
An 18+ venue for DJ and aerial classes, jujutsu, spoken word and tabletop nights, not a kids' day out.
LockersToilets
FreeCold Knap beach
Barry
A pebbly beach with a duck-and-swan lake next door and remote-controlled boats to watch in summer.
ToiletsWheelchair accessible
FreeFelix Road Adventure Playground
Bristol · ages 0-16
Free outdoor adventure playground in Bristol with timed sessions for everyone from babies to teenagers.
Food on siteOutdoor play
FreeHartcliffe City Farm
Bristol
Free farm visit with goats, pigs and chickens to meet, plus an indoor barn for wet days and market gardens to wander round.
Birthday partiesCaféIndoor playOutdoor play
FreeHengrove Skatepark
Bristol
Free wheels park for skateboards, blades and BMX, plus a big adventure play park and sand pit right next door.
Accessible toiletBaby changeCaféDog friendly+4 more
FreeKings Weston House
Bristol
Free grounds to wander with views over the Bristol Channel, plus a café for cake when the legs give out.
Accessible toiletCaféDog friendlyFree parking+3 more
FreeLawrence Weston Community Farm
Bristol
Free entry to a working city farm where kids can get hands-on with animals and gardening, open six days a week.
ParkingPicnics allowedPushchair friendlyToilets+1 more
FreeMartin Parr Foundation
Bristol
Free photography exhibitions and a photobook collection to browse, with no ticket needed and four shows a year.
Accessible toiletGift shopParkingStep-free access+2 more
FreeMV Balmoral
Bristol
Wander a real ship in Bristol, make a paper sailboat on board and let the kids take the wheel as captain for a bit.
CaféGift shop
FreeNational Roman Legion Museum
Caerleon, Newport
Free Caerleon Roman museum with barracks and garden - Soft Play N never.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingDog friendly+13 more
FreeNQ64 Arcade Bar - Bristol
Bristol · adults only (18+)
A retro arcade bar with Mortal Kombat, Mario Kart and dance mats, but it's an 18+ venue except for one Sunday slot for kids.
Card only
FreeOldbury Court
Bristol · up to age 13
Free riverside park with a play area, open grass for sport and paths to run along, open from 8am until dusk.
Accessible toiletBaby changeCaféOutdoor play+1 more
FreeOldland Common Railway Station (Avon Valley Railway)
Bristol · ages 5-15
Steam or diesel trains rattle six miles round trip through the Avon Valley, with free parking and a buffet at the home station.
Accessible toiletBirthday partiesBooking requiredCafé+6 more
FreeOverscourt Woods
Bristol
Free woodland trails and a wildflower meadow to wander, with hills, mud and no toilets to plan around.
Dog friendlyPicnics allowed
FreePalestine Museum & Cultural Centre
Bristol
A small free museum telling the history of Palestine through photographs, paintings and artefacts, upstairs in central Bristol.
FreePierhead Building
Cardiff
Free entry to Cardiff Bay's landmark building, with a giant floor map of Wales, a trail for 5 to 7 year olds and free tours of the Senedd.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingBottle warming+13 more
FreePrior's Wood
Bristol
Free woodland walking with bluebells in spring and buzzards overhead, though the paths get properly muddy.
FreeReplay Bristol Board Game Cafe
Bristol
Pick from over 400 board games or grab a table tennis bat, with pay-by-the-hour sessions that start free.
Booking requiredIndoor playFood on siteParty rooms
FreeRoath Park
Cardiff
A lake to pedalo across, two playgrounds, a trim trail and a wildlife trail, all free to wander round.
Baby changeCaféOutdoor playToilets
FreeRSPB Newport Wetlands
Newport
Free wetland reserve with four trails, dragonflies and water voles to spot, and 7,500-year-old human footprints preserved in the mud.
Accessible toiletBaby changeCaféDog friendly+9 more
FreeSandford Station Railway Heritage Centre
Winscombe
Free railway heritage stop where kids can climb aboard a vintage coach and stand on the footplate of a real shunter engine.
Bike parkingGift shopIndoor playOutdoor play+2 more
FreeSimwrx
Yate
A warehouse of screen based games, from AR darts and augmented reality pool to full motion racing sims and TrackMan golf.
Birthday partiesCaféFree parkingGroup bookings+2 more
FreeSmoke & Mirrors
Bristol
Close-up magic at your table and a 90-minute comedy magic show in a Bristol venue that opens late, evenings only.
Toilets
FreeSt Anne's Woods
Bristol
Free woodland walks with fairy doors to spot along the way, plus spots for climbing and fishing.
Outdoor play
FreeSt George Park
Bristol
Free lake with ducks and swans to feed, plus a dog-free playground so toddlers can wander without a lead getting underfoot.
Accessible toiletCaféToiletsWheelchair accessible
FreeSt Paul's Adventure Playground
Bristol · ages 8-16
Free supervised sessions for 8 to 16 year olds, with Friday teen evenings, Saturday afternoons and school holiday weekdays on offer.
Booking required
FreeSt Werburghs City Farm
Bristol
Urban city farm in St Werburghs with animals, play area and cafe.
ToiletsCaféBaby changeWheelchair accessible+2 more
FreeStockhill Wood
Wells
Free woodland trails with old lead mining remains to explore, open every day of the year.
ParkingPicnic areaToilets
FreeThe Art Warehouse
Bristol
Free browsing of original art works and limited edition prints from local and well-known artists, open Wednesday to Sunday.
FreeThe Brass Pig
Bristol · adults only (18+)
An 18+ bar with pop and chart music nights, not somewhere to bring the kids at all.
Birthday partiesGroup bookingsIndoor seatingLockers+1 more
FreeThe Croft
Bristol
A late-night live music venue in Bristol with a back room built for gigs, running well past midnight most nights.
FreeThe Gallimaufry
Bristol
A Bristol bar with live music, DJs, pottery classes and life drawing under one roof, and free to get in.
Indoor seatingRestaurant
FreeThe Matthew of Bristol
Bristol · ages 0-16
A free-to-board 15th-century replica ship in the harbour, with paid trips out onto the water including fish and chips cruises.
Allergy awareBooking requiredCash onlyDog friendly+6 more
FreeThe Mount Without
Bristol
A former church turned venue for dance performances, art exhibitions and hands-on classes like eco resin homeware making.
CaféParty roomsToiletsWheelchair accessible
FreeThe Old Duke
Bristol · up to age 20
A free-entry pub on King Street with live jazz, blues and soul every night, and kids are welcome up to 8pm.
FreeThe Play Shed Soft Play Yate
Yate, Bristol · ages 0-11
Yate soft play with Jude's Jungle toddlers zone, big frames and a 5-star cafe.
Baby changeBirthday partiesCaféHigh chairs+5 more
FreeThe Senedd
Cardiff · ages 5-7
Free entry to watch Welsh democracy in action, with a trail and play area built for 5 to 7 year olds.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingBlue badge parking+14 more
FreeUnderfall Yard
Bristol
Free look round a working dock engineering yard, with hydraulic pumps and a drum you can climb into.
CaféToilets
FreeVictoria Park
Cardiff · up to age 12
A free park playground and splash play area in Cardiff, good for a couple of hours with kids up to about 12.
Baby changeFood on siteOutdoor playToilets
FreeWindmill Hill City Farm
Bristol
Free to wander round, with goats, sheep, pigs and cows to meet plus gardens and a play area to dig about in.
Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingCaféDog friendly+8 more
FreeWolfridge Alpaca Barn
Bristol
Walk the paddocks to meet the alpacas, have a go at feeding them, then warm up in the cafe with cake.
Blue badge parkingCaféFree parkingGroup bookings+5 more
MAKE A DAY OF IT
Free entry, café on site
Free to get in, somewhere to warm up with a coffee when the kids have run out of steam.
Good to know: free days out in Bristol
Are they completely free?
Entry is free at all 50. Some charge for extras (parking, a café, a paid trail or exhibition inside) and each listing spells out what costs what, taken from the venue's own price list.
Which free places are indoors?
Clifton Suspension Bridge, Martin Parr Foundation, Palestine Museum & Cultural Centre, Pierhead Building and 5 more are under a roof, the ones to keep for a wet day.
Where can I park for free too?
Avon Riverside Station (Avon Valley Railway), Avon Valley Railway Buffet, Bath City Farm, Botanical Gardens and 13 more have free parking listed, so the whole day genuinely costs nothing.
Whereabouts are they?
Across Bristol, Bath, Burnham-on-Sea, Clevedon, Barry and 6 more, all in or around Bristol, with the full address and directions on every listing.
PLAN A DIFFERENT DAY
What's on, when you need it
Everything open and on in Bristol today, with times and prices.
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THE WEEKENDER
Next weekend, sorted. Every Thursday, free.
The best family things happening around Bristol, one hidden gem, and a rainy-day backup plan, from a dad who's been there with a bored seven-year-old.
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