Redgrave Theatre
BEST FOR
Ages 0+
WHERE
Bristol
What it’s like
A proper theatre near the old zoo site where under-16s watch shows accompanied, babies go free on a lap.
This is a sit-down theatre rather than a soft play or a farm, so the whole visit is about the show itself. Under-16s need an adult with them throughout, and if you've got a baby under 24 months, they get a free lap seat rather than their own chair, which is fair enough given the size of most toddlers. Anyone 24 months and over needs a proper ticket.
There's no hot food at the bar, just snacks and drinks, and it only opens an hour before curtain up through the interval, so eat before you come if anyone's hungry. There's also no seating in the foyer, which is a bit of a faff if you're waiting around with a restless kid before doors open. The theatre doesn't have air conditioning either, so a packed house on a warm evening could get stuffy.
Parking is free on-street after 5pm on weekdays and all day at weekends, though you're looking at pay-and-display outside those hours. Blue badge holders can use the double yellow lines right outside, and there's one wheelchair space per show with a companion seat next to it, so if that's needed, tell the box office when you book. Bike racks are outside too if that's how you're arriving.
The box office itself only opens 3pm to 5:30pm on weekdays, but you can also just turn up on the night since it opens 30 minutes before the performance starts. Tickets aren't refundable unless the show is actually cancelled, so it's worth being sure of the date before you commit.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Any age with an adult, lap seats free under 24 months
- Booking
- Walk-ups available. Box office opens 30 minutes before performance
- Parking
- Free on-street after 5pm weekdays and all day weekends
- Food
- Bar opens one hour before each performance through end of interval, offering snacks and drinks
- Wheelchairs
- One wheelchair space (B17) per performance with companion seat (B16)
- Getting there by bus or train
- Buses 8 and 9 from Bristol Temple Meads (stop near former Bristol Zoo, then walk College Road to Percival Road)
- No hearing loop yet, though the theatre says it's planned
- Some seats have limited legroom, worth bearing in mind for a wriggly kid
- There's a discount code for nearby Clifton hotels if you fancy a night away after the show
- No air conditioning, so warm nights might feel close in a full house
Plan your visit
Do we need to book in advance?
You can walk up on the night, the box office opens 30 minutes before the performance. There's also a separate box office window open weekdays 3pm to 5:30pm if you want to sort tickets earlier.
Is it suitable for a toddler?
Under-24-months sit on your lap with a free lap seat ticket rather than their own seat. From 24 months they need a purchased child ticket, and all under-16s must have an adult with them.
Is there parking?
No car park, but free on-street parking after 5pm on weekdays and all day at weekends. Outside those times it's pay-and-display, and blue badge holders can use the double yellows out front.
What food is available?
The bar opens an hour before the show and stays open through the interval, with snacks and drinks. There's no hot food and nowhere to sit in the foyer while you wait.
Can we get there without a car?
Buses 8 and 9 stop near the old Bristol Zoo site, then it's a short walk down College Road onto Percival Road. Clifton Down train station is about 20 minutes on foot.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Ground-level access with one designated wheelchair space per performance and a companion seat next to it. Let the box office know in advance, especially if you're bringing a motorised scooter.
What if we need to cancel?
Tickets aren't refundable unless the event itself is cancelled. If a show gets rescheduled, your tickets just move to the new date automatically.
Are there discounts available?
Concessions turn up on selected shows only and get flagged in the ticket pricing when they apply, covering over 65s, registered disabled, benefit recipients and full-time students with valid ID.
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