In today’s post, here are some ideas of places to take young children during the long and hopefully hot, Summer in and around the Bishopston area of Bristol. I hope you find my ideas useful!
1) Cairns Cafe
Cairns Cafe at Cairns Road Baptist Church, Cairns Road, Westbury Park is open throughout most of the Summer (apart from between Monday 20th August to 3rd September).
Monday 09.00 – 14.00
Wednesday 09.00 – 13.30
Friday 10.15 14.00
Babies and toddlers are welcome, there are toys, climbing apparatus, and plenty of space for little ones to work off energy. Cairns Cafe offers very reasonable fresh lunches and snacks, including toddler lunches for £1. But what’s more, the cakes are FANTASTIC! FREE ENTRY.
2) St Werburghs City Farm
St Werburghs City Farm, situated on Watercress Road, is open 09.00 – 17.00 every day throughout the Summer holidays. There are usually sheep, goats, young cows, chickens and pigs to see and the farm makes a great outing if you have young children. There is an award winning cafe, too, which serves delicious organic, fair-trade and local food. The cafe is situated by the Farm’s playground so you can relax and keep an eye on your children playing at the same time.
On Saturday 14th July at 10.00 – 16.00, there is a ‘Fun with Mud’ day being held at the farm. The day will be packed with creative activities for children, where they can enjoy a whole load of muddy activities, including making their own bird houses, clay pots and a giant mud mural!
On the ‘Fun with Mud’ day, there will be a charge of £1.50 per adult, however under-5s go free. There will be tea and cakes available.
For more information, please visit http://s344054061.websitehome.co.uk/
3) Boiling Wells Outdoor Stay and Play
This playgroup is open most Wednesdays throughout the Summer holidays from 10.00 – 12.00. It is a drop-in playgroup for 0 – 5s, which encourages children to freely explore this green and beautiful 2.5 acre site, situated within a woodland valley.
A £1 donation per child is gratefully received and refreshments for carers and children are included.
(It is not running on 25th July or 1st August but then should run for the rest of the Summer).
Phone 0117 942 8241 prior to going (as occasionally group may not run in the case of special events) or visit http://s344054061.websitehome.co.uk/education/boiling-wells/ for more information.
4) Picnic in the Park!
Be it Horfield Common, St Andrews Park or Falloden Way, taking your children to the park will keep them happy, help them burn off some energy and help break up your day. You could simply take your child to the park for a short visit or even take a picnic!
5) Rimando’s Soft Play Coffee Lounge
Open throughout the week apart from Tuesday and Sunday, Rimando’s Soft Play Coffee Lounge on Gloucester Road, offers soft play, a ‘disco’ room, good coffee and freshly made snacks. It is £2.50 per child though there are discounts for siblings and children under one year.
6) Bristol School of Gymnastics drop-in sessions
There are drop-in sessions for pre-school age children planned at the Bristol School of Gymnastics on Gloucester Road this Summer. You can turn up any time from 09.00 – 12.00 on 14th, 15th, 16th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd August for £5 entry. Children must be steady on their feet to take part.
7) Take your child to the library
Whether Henleaze Library or Cheltenham Road Library, the library is a great place to spend some time with your child and encourage a love of books, especially on a rainy day. You could join me and my children and sign up your child to take part in the 2012 Summer Reading Challenge, too!
8) The Creation Station
The Creation Station’s ‘Little Explorer’ classes offer children 0 – 4 years 50 minute art craft classes which are both fun and educational. Classes are £5 per child. Laura Meachin, who facilitates the classes, will be based at the following venues over the Summer holidays:
Portico Play on North Road, St Andrews on Friday 3rd August at 11 am.
Halo on Gloucester Road, Bishopston on 27th July, 9th August, 30th August (times to be confirmed).
To book sessions, please email laurameachin@thecreationstation.co.uk
I will post more definite details as soon as they are confirmed! Keep an eye on my Facebook page for updates, too.
For more information about the Creation Station, please read my previous post ‘The Creation Station is Coming to Town!’.
9) Boing!
Boing! is a new multi-activity and soft play venue for 0 – 5s, held at the Blake centre, Brangwyn Grove, Lockleaze . In the play room, there are sections such as ‘building’, ‘home corner’, ‘messy play’ and ‘soft/baby’. There is also a very good soft play room and a cafe area where you can sit and have a cup of tea while keeping an eye on your child. Refreshments are very reasonable, ranging from 50p to £2.
Costs are 50p for babies 0 – 12 months; £1.50 for children 1 – 5 years and 50p per adult.
Monday: closed
Tuesday: 12.00 – 15.15
Wednesday: 10.00 – 15.15
Thursday: 12.00 – 15.15
Friday: 10.00 – 15.15
Saturday: 10.00 – 15.15
(Boing! is closed 23rd – 28th July and also, 27th August – 1st September).
10) Portico Play
Although pricey if you have more than one child, Portico Play, on North Road, St Andrews, is a venue where you could spend a large chunk of your day without your children getting bored due to the large space and good range of toys and materials for them to play with.
11) Sing and Sign Summer Fun Sessions
Just for the Summer, Rimando’s are hosting Sing and Sign sessions for babies and young children, run by Helen Hill, every Monday morning (until 13th August)! Only £5 a session, these sessions are definitely worth a try.
For more information, Tel. 0785 895 7139 / 0117 9500017 or visit http://www.singandsign.co.uk
12) Drop-in Playgroup at Upper Horfield Children’s Centre
If you are missing having a playgroup to take your child to this Summer, Upper Horfield Children’s Centre are holding drop-in sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 09.15 – 11.15. These sessions start on 23rd July and a £1 donation is requested per session. A cup of tea or coffee is included.
No need to book but if you would like more information, Tel. Pam Slater 0117 903 1281. Upper Children’s Children’s Centre is on Sheridan Road, Horfield BS7 OPU
Do you have any more ideas of places to go with young children in and around Bishopston this Summer? If so, please let us know in the comments section below!
11) Sing and Sign Summer Fun Sessions
Just for the Summer, Rimando’s are hosting Sing and Sign sessions for babies and young children, run by Helen Hill, every Monday morning (until 13th August)! Only £5 a session, these sessions are definitely worth a try.
For more information, Tel. 0785 895 7139 / 0117 9500017 or visit http://www.singandsign.co.uk
12) Drop-in Playgroup at Upper Horfield Children’s Centre
If you are missing having a playgroup to take your child to this Summer, Upper Horfield Children’s Centre are holding drop-in sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 09.15 – 11.15. These sessions start on 23rd July and a £1 donation is requested per session. A cup of tea or coffee is included.
No need to book but if you would like more information, Tel. Pam Slater 0117 903 1281. Upper Children’s Children’s Centre is on Sheridan Road, Horfield BS7 OPU
Do you have any more ideas of places to go with young children in and around Bishopston this Summer? If so, please let us know in the comments section below!
For even more activities and things to do with children in and around Bishopston over the Summer, please take a look at my Events Calendar.
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Bishopston Mum 
Thank you so much for this post! I had been teetering on the edge of panic for when all our favourite groups are closed for their (well deserved) summer break – some great ideas! x
Yay! Glad it was helpful, Meryl 🙂 xx