Fun-filled February half-term in Bristol

15/02/2011

Categories: Official press releases

For families looking to enjoy a fun-filled February half-term, a line-up of activities and events in Bristol will keep all age groups entertained whatever the weather. Visit Bristol has the highlights of what’s on offer in the area during the week-long school holiday.

  • HALF-TERM TREASURE HUNT - February 19 through February 25, 2011, families can enjoy a half-term treasure hunt with the opportunity to win a treasure chest full of prizes. Simply answer riddles about Bristol and collect a sticker from five out of eight Bristol businesses to win. Visit Bristol's tourism information centre for details and assistance or purchase The Evening Post for full details.
  • AT-BRISTOL - During February half-term, visitors to At-Bristol can enjoy star gazing. The special presenter-led planetarium show will be 'Winter Night Sky', treating families to an educational display of what can be discovered in the night sky such as famous star constellations including Orion’s Belt, the Seven Sisters and Taurus the Bull.  The winter night sky show will run until 14 March when it will be replaced by the 'Spring Night Sky'. Special 'Little Stars' planetarium shows have also been developed for At-Bristol's youngest astronomers of under 5 years. Families can also join Morph and friends and become an animator for the day with At-Bristol’s Animate It, a special exhibition developed in partnership with Bristol based Aardman Animations. Using props and cameras, visitors can create their own storyboard and e-mail animations home to share with others. The exhibition also includes a real Wallace & Gromit set from the film 'A Matter of Loaf and Death'.All events and activities are free with a ticket to At-Bristol. For more information on What’s On and for further details of At-Bristol’s latest exhibitions, visit www.at-bristol.org.uk or call Bookings on: 0845 345 3344.
  • BRISTOL ZOO GARDENS – A new 152 square metre all-weather meerkat enclosure opens in time for February half-term at the zoo. Boasting plenty of space for the animals and improved viewing opportunities for visitors, the new exhibit will be home to the zoo’s 13 African slender tailed meerkats. Its main highlights will include undercover viewing areas, a viewing dome and a tunnel for visitors to get up-close to the animals at eye-level. The exhibit will also benefit from warm rocks to provide localised heating for the meerkats, as well as large sandy areas for them to dig and forage, and off-show sections where they can rest and sleep. 2011 is an exciting year to visit Bristol Zoo Gardens as the attraction celebrates its 175th anniversary. The opening of the meerkat exhibit will launch the line-up of celebratory events and activities to mark the milestone occasion, followed by the opening of a Walk of Fame in April which will celebrate Bristol’s icons, past and present. For more information about visiting Bristol Zoo Gardens, visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk or contact 0117 974 7300.
  • THE BRISTOL AQUARIUM - In the Harbourside, The Bristol Aquarium and IMAX 3D Cinema, formerly known as the Blue Reef Aquarium, offers visitors a spectacular undersea safari. The aquarium has recently unveiled a new ‘Learning Lab’ where visitors can find out more about the marine environment. The new feature includes a series of tanks which showcase the aquarium’s captive breeding programmes with a variety of species including baby seahorses, pipefish and cichlids. The area also includes a recreated rock pool, which will be used for talks and presentations on native marine creatures found around our shores and there is a display of marine artefacts including shark jaws and shark skin. For more information about visiting The Bristol Aquarium, visit www.bristolaquarium.co.uk or contact 0117 929 8929.
  • BRUNEL’S ss GREAT BRITAIN – Visitors can step back in time in the Dockyard Museum to see, hear, touch, and smell, what life was like for Victorian passengers and crew on board Brunel’s ss Great Britain.  During half-term, families will be entertained by Mr Brunel visits and Gruesome Greens storytelling on board. Admission allows for free unlimited return visits for a year to this multi award-winning visitor attraction. New for 2011 is the Visitor Centre and Brunel Institute. For more information about visiting Brunel’s ss Great Britain, visit www.ssgreatbritain.org or contact 0117 926 0680.
  • THE BRISTOL HIPPODROME – A trip to the theatre during February half-term will guarantee musical entertainment for all the family as this year’s production of Joseph! takes centre stage from 22nd February. Bill Kenwright’s production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s family musical has received standing ovations at every performance across the country.Retelling the Biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours, this magical musical is full of unforgettable songs including Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door To Me and One More Angel. For more information about at The Bristol Hippodrome, visit www.bristolhippodrome.org.uk or contact 0117 302 3310.
  • BRISTOL MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY – Opening on Saturday 19th February is the Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Full of visually stunning and thought-provoking images, children and adults alike will be in awe of the beauty, drama and variety of nature displayed throughout the exhibition which is free to all to enjoy.  For more information about Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, visit www.bristol.gov.uk or contact 0117 922 3571.
  • SHOP, DINE AND BE ENTERTAINED UNDER ONE ROOF – Cabot Circus is the place to be during February half-term for families looking to indulge in retail therapy before refuelling over lunch within the shopping centre. Restaurants including Giraffe, Frankie and Benny’s and Bella Italia are family friendly and are ideal for settling down to lunch or dinner before watching a movie at Cabot Circus’s Showcase Cinema de Lux.

For a full list of activities and events taking place in Bristol, log on to www.VisitBristol.co.uk. Visitors can also contact Bristol’s tourist information centre on 0906 711 2191 (calls charged at 50p per minute plus network extras) or email ticharbourside@destinationbristol.co.uk. 

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