Circomedia
BEST FOR
Ages 2-21
WHERE
Bristol
What it’s like
Kids learn actual trapeze and acrobatics skills at a proper circus training school, not just watch one.
This isn't a soft play with a few hoops hanging about. It's a working circus school, and the youth circus classes have kids doing real acrobatics, trapeze work and performance skills, the sort of thing that turns into an actual show at the end of term rather than just a hobby. Ages run from 2 right up to 21, so there's a genuine pathway here if your child gets the bug early and wants to keep going.
For a two-year-old that's going to look like tumbling and basic movement, for an older child it edges towards real training. There's a Youth Circus team you can actually ring, Jono, Alan and Chloe, on weekday mornings and afternoons, which is more personal than the usual booking form and no bad thing if you've got questions about which group suits your kid.
Access has clearly been thought about. There's ramped access to the auditorium, level access to toilets, a step-free side entrance and free carer tickets, plus somewhere to leave a pushchair during performances. If you're bringing a birthday party through, the Christmas party option starts at £3,999 for 60 to 150 seated guests, or up to 350 standing, which is squarely a big-group, big-budget booking rather than a small family do.
Parking depends entirely on which site you end up at. Portland Square is metered round the clock, which can sting if you're there a while, though some nearby roads go free after 5pm. Kingswood and Frome both have free onsite parking, so if you've got a choice of venue, that's the more relaxed option for the car.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 2 to 21, though older kids get the more serious training
- Parking
- Portland Square: metered parking 24/7
- Pushchairs
- Room for pushchairs to be left during performances
- Wheelchairs
- Ramped access to auditorium, level access to toilets, step-free side entrance, free carer tickets
- Parties
- Christmas parties start from £3,999 for 60-150 seated guests or up to 350 standing
- The Youth Circus office takes calls weekday mornings and afternoons only, not evenings or weekends
- Parking varies a lot by site, so check which venue your class is at before you drive over
- Free carer tickets are available for wheelchair users
- The party pricing listed is specifically for Christmas parties and pitched at large groups
Plan your visit
What do kids actually do in a class?
Acrobatics, trapeze work and performance skills, building towards proper circus training rather than a one-off soft play session.
What age range is this for?
Classes run from age 2 up to 21, so younger ones get more of an introduction while older kids can train more seriously.
Where do I park?
Depends on the site. Portland Square is metered parking 24/7, Kingswood and Frome both have free onsite parking.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs or buggies?
There's ramped access to the auditorium, step-free side entrance, level access to toilets and free carer tickets. Pushchairs can be left during performances.
Can we book a birthday party there?
Christmas parties start from £3,999 for 60 to 150 seated guests, or up to 350 standing, so it's really set up for bigger group bookings.
Who do I contact about the youth circus classes?
Jono, Alan and Chloe run the Youth Circus team and take calls Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, or you can email youthcircus@circomedia.com.
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