Bristol Old Vic
ENTRY
from £9
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Bristol
What it’s like
Family theatre shows, a circus-flavoured Thunder Run Experience and toddler musical theatre classes under one roof.
This is a proper working theatre, not a soft play with a stage bolted on, and it shows in what's on offer. There are family and children's shows through the year, Little Musical Theatre classes for 2 to 4 year olds if you want to start them early, and something called the Thunder Run Experience for anyone who fancies a look at how the place actually works backstage. Guided heritage tours and free exhibitions run through the building too, so a trip here doesn't have to be about a single show start to finish.
Tickets start from £17 including the booking fee, which stings a bit for what's essentially a night out with your kids, but Pay What You Choose events give you three price options including one that's no questions asked if money's tight. Babies under 18 months can sometimes get in free to family shows as babes in arms, though they want you to check in advance since not every show suits a baby in the room. Booking is required across the board, there's no turning up on spec.
The Café Bar does cakes, pastries and proper Clifton Coffee, plus a decent line in local beer and cider if the grown-ups fancy a drink before curtain up. It's open Mon-Sat from 10am, well before most shows start, so you've got time to get everyone settled without queuing at the last minute. Wheelchair spaces are available in the Theatre and the Weston Studio, but they want a call or email in advance to sort seating properly.
If you're bringing a school group rather than just your own kids, there are separate school ticket prices, a free teacher ticket for every ten booked, and a coach drop-off point nearby, which makes the whole thing considerably easier to organise.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Little Musical Theatre classes suit 2 to 4 year olds; family shows vary by production
- Food
- Café Bar serving freshly baked cakes, pastries and Clifton Coffee
- Pay What You Choose events give you three price bands, including one with no questions asked if you're skint
- New account holders can claim free preview tickets with a promo code, worth doing before you pay full price
- The box office keeps shorter hours on Saturdays, from 2:30pm, so don't leave it too late to call in
Plan your visit
How much are tickets?
They start from £17 including the booking fee. School groups get £13 tickets in the Upper Circle or Gallery Monday to Thursday, or £9 for Weston Studio shows.
Do we need to book in advance?
Booking is required, there's no walk-in option. The box office is open weekdays from 12pm and Saturdays from 2:30pm if you'd rather sort it in person.
Can I bring a baby?
Under 18 months can sometimes go free as babes in arms on family or children's shows. Check before you book though, as not every show is suitable for a baby in the room.
Is there anywhere to eat?
The Café Bar does cakes, pastries and Clifton Coffee, plus draught beer and cider from local breweries. It's open Monday to Saturday from 10am, well ahead of most shows.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Yes, there are two wheelchair spaces in the Theatre's Dress Circle and four or five in the Weston Studio's Balcony. Call or email ahead to sort seating and prices.
What can toddlers actually do here?
There are Little Musical Theatre classes aimed at 2 to 4 year olds, separate from the main theatre shows. Worth booking onto those directly rather than turning up hoping for a spot.
Are school visits arranged differently?
Schools get discounted tickets, one free teacher ticket for every ten booked, and a coach drop-off area on Queen Charlotte Street with parking nearby at Cabot Circus.
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