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Spring into Bristol for Family Fun this Holiday

If you are looking to get out and about this spring holiday - look no further than Bristol. With its huge range of attractions, there are events and activities to keep children of all ages entertained!

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge

New for 2008 - Canoe Safari! Discover a wetland trail rich in wildlife and native plant species. Pick up a paddle and step into a sturdy, open canoe for a wonderful wetland adventure.

Visitors will also be able to climb aboard a Land Rover Safari in search of the brown hare within the grounds of the reserve.

The Canoe Safari opened on 1st April and will run everyday until 31 October 2008 from 10.30am - 4pm. There is no need to book. Canoes are charged at £3 each. For more details visit www.wwt.org.uk or phone 01453 891900

Bristol Zoo Gardens

From 7th - 20th April, Join Cap'n Jack and his shipmates at Bristol Zoo Gardens for 'Aye Aye! It's A Pirate!'. Visitors will be able to take part in a mad hunt for hidden treasures among the animals at the zoo. On the first day of this exciting adventure, children can enter the zoo for free with a full-paying adult if they arrive before midday.

Entertainer Mr Brown's Pig will also be giving free weekend shows at the zoo until May. Mr Brown's Pig boasts some wildly imaginative puppets as well as interactive games, pantomime and comedy for all the family. Shows take place three times daily on weekends during April and May and are free with entry to the zoo.

The zoo's puppet show runs alongside daily animal talks, animal encounter sessions in the Terrace Theatre, face-painting, Amazing Animals displays on the main lawn, and the interactive Zoolympics trail.

For more details visit Bristol Zoo Gardens' website at www.bristolzoo.org.uk or phone 0117 974 7300.

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

Throughout the holidays Noah's Ark Zoo farm will have activities for children and daily small animal-handling groups including rabbits, guinea pigs and chicks. There may also be the pitter patter of tiny feet with births expected from a few of the resident animal, including the arrival of a baby Zebra.

On the 8th April the Bishop of Bath and Wells, Peter Price, will be opening a brand new education playground and the newly zoned Africa and South America sections.

Free entry is being offered to visitors of over 70 years from 5 - 11 April 2008, in celebration of the 70th Birthday of Anthony Bush, owner and founder of Noah's Ark Zoo Farm.

For more details visit www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk or phone 01275 852606

Paintworks

This spring sees the launch of the new Bristol Drawing School. During the holiday this creative arts quarter will be running a range of children's workshops, these include:

07 April: Flipbook Animation aimed at 8 years+ six hour workshop = £36
08 April: Illustration aimed at 8 years+ six hour workshop = £36
09 April: Feeling and Form aimed at 5-8 years 2 hour workshop = £12
09 April: Imagination Exploration aimed at 5-8 years 2 hour workshop = £12
10 April: Drawing With Materials aimed at 5-8 years 2 hour workshop = £12
10 April: Canvas Painting aimed at 5-8 years 2 hour workshop = £14

For more information visit www.drawingschool.org.uk or call 0845 680 1409

Explore-At-Bristol

Explore-At-Bristol, one of the UK's leading science centres also has a new exhibition - Landing Gear. After travelling thousands of miles around the world, the landing gear of a genuine Airbus A340, donated by Airbus & Messier-Dowty, has found its way to Explore-At-Bristol where visitors can learn all about it.

Explore's very own Planetarium also offers visitors a trip to the stars beneath an immersive domed screen. Discover the myriads of colours of stars and learn a trick or two on stargazing from your very own back gardens! Spring Night Sky is the brand new presenter-led show for this season and is supported by BBC Sky At Night Magazine. Suitable for all ages over 5.

Cost: Free with ticket to Explore; please reserve your seats on arrival at Explore.

Times: Shows run 11am-2pm weekdays and 11am-4pm weekends and school holidays. To find out more about what is on call 0845 345 1235 or visit www.at-bristol.org.uk

Bristol Hippodrome

Danny the Champion of the World is appearing at the Bristol Hippodrome from 15 -19 April. Roald Dahl's best loved book tells the story of Danny who lives in a caravan with his Dad, the most marvellous and exciting Dad any boy ever had.....but his father has a secret! Using puppets, moving cars and your imagination this show takes you on an exciting adventure.

Meanwhile, this Sunday 6th April will see The Big Act present The Jungle Book, where a talented young cast of under 18s complete with magnificent chorus provide entertainment for all the family. The production was produced in just 48 hours for charity.

To find out more visit www.bristolhippodrome.org.uk or call 0117 302 3333

Brunel's ss Great Britain

Catheads! Rats' tales! - the team at Brunel's ss Great Britain, Enjoy England's Large Visitor Attraction of the Year 2007, will be running fabulously crafty workshops on board the world's first great ocean liner throughout April. Explore the beautifully recreated First Class Dining Saloon, steerage quarters and new Engine Room. Audio tours of passengers' lives and authentic smells help bring the 19th century experience alive.

The ship appears to be afloat but descend beneath the glass 'sea' to see how innovative technology is conserving Brunel's engineering masterpiece.

For more information visit www.ssgreatbritain.org or call 0117 929 1843

Westonbirt Arboretum

Enjoy Westonbirt Wednesdays this spring at the Forestry Commission's National Arboretum. Westonbirt visitors can enjoy the abundance of beautiful blooms at half the price every Wednesday, throughout April and May.

For more details on Westonbirt, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt or call 01666 880220

British Empire & Commonwealth Museum

The only Museum in the world covering the dramatic history of Britain's imperial past and modern day Commonwealth. From 5-20 April families can try out children's toys and games from around the world in the Museum's interactive and award-winning galleries.

The museum will be open daily from 10.00 - 17.00. until October 2008. Tel: 0117 925 4980 or visit the website www.empiremuseum.co.uk.

2 for 1 entry to Bristol attractions this Spring!

To make your time in Bristol even more special, visitors can save money when travelling to the city by train. First Great Western Trains in conjunction with Destination Bristol, the city's tourism organisation, are offering 2for1 entry on many of the city's favourite attractions up untill 31st May 2008, providing great value days out.

Among those attractions participating are; The British Empire & Commonwealth Museum, Bristol Ice Rink, At-Bristol, Bristol Zoo Gardens, Brunel's ss Great Britain and Bristol Ferry Boat Company all offering '2 for the price of 1' entry. Savings are also offered at many popular restaurants, hotels and other attractions and services in and around the city.

A comprehensive list of all participators, plus vouchers for download can be found at www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/bathbristol2for1. Completed vouchers and a valid train ticket will need to be presented to the participating organisations to qualify. Leaflets containing the vouchers are also available at First Great Western station ticket offices.

Win a Spring Bank Holiday Weekend Break to Bristol

Destination Bristol will also be offering the chance to win a weekend break to Bristol. Prize and entry details will appear on the homepage of www.visitbristol.co.uk on Monday 14th April and include a two night stay over the Spring Bank Holiday (Saturday 24th - Monday 26th May 2008) in a newly refurbished Premier Apartment, sleeping up to 5 people. Complimentary tickets to some of Bristol's favourite attractions, including Bristol Zoo Gardens, Brunel's ss Great Britain and Explore-At-Bristol will also be provided plus Bristol Ferry Boat tickets to discover the city's historic and vibrant harbourside.

For further information on visiting Bristol, please go to they city's tourism website www.visitbristol.co.uk.

-Ends-

Notes to Editor:

About Destination Bristol

Destination Bristol, formerly the Bristol Tourism and Conference Bureau is a not for profit partnership between Bristol City Council and Business West. Destination Bristol is the destination management partnership for Bristol and South Gloucestershire and leads the marketing of the area as a travel destination. The aim of the organisation is to work with members and partners, to increase business competitiveness, support employment and economic growth, and raise the profile of the Bristol city-region as a European-class travel destination.
For more information, please contact:

Kerrie Grist

Marketing Executive

Destination Bristol

Tel: 0117 946 2205

Email: kerrie.grist@destinationbristol.co.uk