A free for all in Bristol this half term

The kids are at home for a week, the winter weather is upon us and parents everywhere are seeking advice on how to keep the children entertained. Well look no further, Destination Bristol, the tourism and marketing organisation for the city, has created a special website page available at visitbristol.co.uk with dedicated half term ideas and money saving advice featuring the latest Autumn events and Halloween activities taking place in and around the bustling city of Bristol.

Bristol’s Half Term Haven

Bristol has something to offer parents, children and grandparents of all ages this October school break - right across the city. Michaela Norris, Visitor Services Manager for Destination Bristol said “We have story telling at Brunel’s ss Great Britain on the harbourside, spooky events at Clifton’s Bristol Zoo Gardens, film fanatics will love the new 13 screen Cinema du Lux at Cabot Circus, see glass blowing demonstrations at the Bristol Blue Glass Visitor centre in Brislington and enjoy Halloween face-painting, creative workshops and tractor tours at HorseWorld in Whitchurch. There is fun in store for everyone throughout Bristol this half-term”

Explore-At-Bristol is offering new and exciting exhibitions; ‘Eye for Colour’ is packed with hands-on exhibits and interactive displays, this exhibition explores the endless ways in which colour shapes our world and ‘In the Jungle’ is an interactive exhibition designed especially for children under 8. From jungle costumes to bamboo huts and investigation stations, there are plenty of wild adventures to be had.

Take a visit to Brunel’s ss Great Britain this half-term with fabulously crafty workshops onboard the ship in steerage class on 25th, 27th and 30th October and a professional storyteller, in character and in costume from the 25th October – 4th November.

A ferry trip around Bristol’s harbourside is an exciting and affordable way of seeing some of Bristol’s sights. Whether you want to travel just a couple of stops or take a full round trip, the Bristol Ferry Boat offers a fun way of getting around the city. The Bristol Ferry Boat Company has recently joined forces with the Ferry Station boat café providing a central place to book tickets, hire bikes and grab a coffee. To celebrate the new venture the Ferry Station has planned a ‘Family Weekend’ on 25th and 26th October. Enjoy a host of children’s activities including colouring competitions, face painting, entertainment, prize draw, waving flags, free ferry rides for children, free bike hire and more!

Spectacular holiday fun is also plentiful at Bristol Zoo Gardens. Don’t miss the Zoo’s special ‘Bangless Bonfire Night’ for beginners on November 5th and end your half term with a flash!

Out and About

Bristol is incredibly well-placed for families that like to get out and about. If you want to tour out and escape the city, then within a short drive from Bristol there are many favourite family attractions to visit.

Michaela Norris suggested “Take to the beautiful Somerset countryside for a day trip to Cheddar Caves and Gorge, see the animals of Noah's Ark Zoo Farm and discover Oakham Treasures, one of Bristol’s newest local attractions. Alternatively head north of Bristol to WWT Slimbridge and Berkeley Castle. Westonbirt Arboretum is also well worth a visit this Autumn, Ablaze with Colour will run until 1st December and offers visitors an opportunity to see one of the world's finest autumn spectacles within a 600-acre tree garden”

2for1 entry to Bristol’s favourite attractions

To help you save your pennies, one of the easiest ways to access Bristol and get around the city is by rail, and there couldn't be a better time to catch the train. First Great Western have this week launched a new campaign offering customers fantastic savings at top Bristol attractions when they travel by rail, including 2for1 entry to Bristol Zoo Gardens, Brunel’s ss Great Britain, Explore-At-Bristol and on activities such as Pirate Walks, Ice Skating, The Bristol Ferry Boat and the City Sightseeing Bus. Plus 2for1 offers are also available at other venues, restaurants and hotels across the city including; Colston Hall, St Georges, The City Museum and Art Gallery and Arnolfini.

For further details, log on to firstgreatwestern.co.uk/2for1offers to download a voucher or pick up a free 2for1 Entry Bath & Bristol brochure from your nearest First Great Western station. Simply present a completed voucher along with a valid First Great Western train ticket to benefit from these amazing Bristol offers which run until 31st May 2009!

Halloween Treats

It’s all a little spooky at Bristol Zoo Gardens with a special Pumpkin carving competition on 31st October. Help to create a pumpkin promenade, each child who brings a carved or decorated pumpkin along to the Zoo, will receive free entry between 9am and 12noon when accompanied by a full-paying adult. There are prizes for all ages up for grabs.

Between 31st October and 2nd November, meet the Zoo’s very own witch and her cat for fancy dress fun and parades around the Zoo grounds! Prizes will be given for the best fancy dress costumes.

HorseWorld Visitor Centre will be holding a week-long Halloween special with a specially-decorated scary HorseWorld! Every child (aged 3-15) dressed in full Halloween costume will gain free entry! With da ily competitions for the scariest costume, a spooky quiz, Halloween face-painting and temporary tattoos, scary presentations, plus touch and groom, meet the animals, creative workshop, tractor tours, playbarn, straw den and a museum

Other hair-raising suggestions include Wizard Specials at Avon Valley Railway with free train rides for children in fancy dress, plus other fun activities to keep your youngsters amused.

Free for All

If you are on a limited budget this half term, there are still plenty of ways to occupy the kids. Among the top budget ideas is a visit to the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery. Free to enter and full of exciting discoveries for children and adults alike, including the impressive Egypt Gallery.

Bristol is renowned for its green spaces with over 450 green areas in the city. So why not have a picnic on Brandon Hill and climb Cabot Tower or take a walk on Durdham Downs and view the spectacular Clifton Suspension bridge? You could get active with mountain biking at Ashton Court Estate, fly a kite on Clifton Downs and enjoy the museum and grounds of Blaise Castle.

Or, if you fancy learning about Bristol’s pirate past, why not download a free MP3 tour, on ‘Bristol’s Quayside Adventure’. Based on the novel Treasure Island, the tour takes you on a journey around the Bristol locations connected with the novel. This can be downloaded at visitbristol.co.uk.

For further suggestions and latest Bristol event listings, log on to visitbristol.co.uk.