Neurodiverse-friendly activities in Bristol

Experience one of Bristol's most iconic attractions aboard Brunel's SS Great Britain, the world's first great ocean liner. This fascinating ship offers visitors the chance to explore Victorian life at sea through interactive exhibits, authentic sounds and sights, and engaging museums.

🤫 Quiet sessions: Yes, book here
📖 Visual story: Yes, view here
🎧 Sensory bags: No

The ship's Calm Sensory Sessions see many of the museum’s audio-visual and aroma effects turned off, and lighting levels adjusted. Capacity is reduced during the session, and a dedicated sensory room is available. There is also a Sensory Trail throughout the ship with tactile markers. Learn more on SS Great Britain's Access For All page.

Image - steerage cabin on board Brunel's SS Great Britain

Located in the heart of the city, Bristol Aquarium is home to thousands of fascinating aquatic creatures, including rays, seahorses, pufferfish, piranhas, and many more. Visitors can explore over 40 naturally themed displays and walk through the spectacular Underwater Tunnel, where marine life swims overhead.

🤫 Quiet sessions: Yes monthly, check latest dates here
📖 Visual story: No
🎧 Sensory bags: Yes

On dedicated Even Calmer Days, Bristol Aquarium turns off the music and children’s rides to reduce any unexpected noises. They also increase the lighting in some of the darker areas throughout the day to create a more consistent sensory experience throughout the aquarium. Find out more on Bristol Aquarium's Accessibility page. 

Image - two orange clown fish swimming in coral at Bristol Aquarium

Located on the harbour front, M Shed is the museum of Bristol and tells the story of the city. The museum is free to visit and you do not need to book in advance. Through interactive exhibits across two floors, M Shed shows what it has been like to live here over the centuries through the recollections of the people who shaped the city. Team members have been trained in autism awareness.

🤫 Quiet sessions: No, but the team can advise on quieter times to visit
📖 Visual guide: Yes, view here
🎧 Sensory bags: Yes, free to borrow from reception

Find out more on M Shed's Access page.

Image - Interior of Bristol's M Shed museum, with exhibits including a small plane, hot air balloons and a horse

At We The Curious, Bristol’s science centre and home to the UK’s only 3D planetarium, visitors can climb inside a giant bubble, make themselves appear invisible, and journey through space - all in one visit.

Located on Bristol’s historic harbourside, the centre features over 200 interactive exhibits designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and hands-on discovery for all ages.

🤫 Quiet sessions: Yes, book here
📖 Visual guide: Yes, view here
🎧 Sensory bags: Ear defenders can be borrowed from the Welcome Desk

We The Curious offers Relaxed Mornings for visitors who would benefit from a quieter, less crowded environment. Visitor numbers are limited during these sessions to provide plenty of room to explore and play. The volume of some of the louder exhibits is reduced, and the Live Science team is available to provide a friendly and welcoming experience.

During a relaxed morning session, access to the Planetarium is included on a free, drop-in basis rather than through timed tickets, so you can stay for as long or as little as you wish. Find out more on We The Curious' Accessibility page.

Image - A small child wearing ear defenders at We The Curious

Watershed is a cinema and event venue on Bristol's harbourside, with a large cafe and bar area upstairs, and an immersive gallery called Undershed downstairs. There are several film screenings each day, as well as regular talks and meetups.

🤫 Quiet sessions: Yes, book here
📖 Visual guide: Yes, view here
🎧 Sensory bags: No

As well as the Relaxed Screenings, which have 60% of the usual capacity, reduced sound and no trailers or adverts, the cinema also offers Audio Description, Descriptive Subtitling, and Masked & 25% Socially Distanced screenings. The Undershed gallery also has Spacious Sessions with more room and fewer people in the gallery. Find out more on Watershed's Accessibility page.

Image - People arriving for a film screening at Watershed

Home to nineteen galleries spread across three floors, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery showcases everything from ancient civilisations and natural history to art, archaeology, and world cultures.

With spacious galleries and diverse exhibits, visitors can explore at their own pace while discovering thousands of fascinating objects from around the world. The museum is free to visit and there is no need to book, although the seasonal exhibition on the ground floor does require a ticket.

🤫 Quiet sessions: No, but the team can advise on quieter times to visit
📖 Visual guide: No
🎧 Sensory bags: Yes, borrow for free from reception

Learn more on Bristol Museum & Art Gallery's Access page.

Image - Thecodontosaurus - The Bristol Dinosaur at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery 

Wake The Tiger is the UK's largest immersive art experience and the world's first Amazement Park®. This extraordinary attraction takes visitors on a self-guided adventure through over 40 interactive spaces filled with creativity, imagination, and wonder.

🤫 Quiet sessions: Yes monthly, book here
📖 Visual guide: Yes, view Visual journey or Written Journey
🎧 Sensory bags: Yes, during Calm Sessions

Wake The Tiger's Calm Sessions are for anyone who would prefer to enjoy Wake The Tiger during a less busy time with reduced sounds and lighting. View full accessibility information on Wake The Tiger's website.

Image - A person holding a VR headset to their face while sat in an airplane seat at Wake the Tiger

The Royal West of England Academy is the UK's only Royal Academy of Art housed in its original purpose-built gallery. Located in a beautiful Grade II listed building, the RWA hosts a year-round programme of contemporary and historical exhibitions.

🤫 Quiet sessions: Yes, view events
📖 Visual guide: Yes, view here
🎧 Sensory bags: Happy Packs can be borrowed for free from reception

In addition to a bookable Quiet Room and the free-to-access Family Room with its drawing materials, dressing-up, puzzles, books, and puppet theatre, the RWA also hosts relaxed Happy Families events that take place on the first Monday of the school holidays when the galleries are shut to the public, and must be booked in advance. You can find out more on the RWA's Access page.

Image - The family activity space at RWA Bristol

Aerospace Bristol tells the story of Bristol's aviation history, with exhibits including aeroplanes, helicopters, satellites and engines, with a whole hangar dedicated to Concorde, where you can step aboard and walk through the plane. There is also an outdoor play area with an aeroplane climbing frame and helicopter-shaped springers.

🤫 Quiet sessions: No
📖 Visual guide: Yes, view here
🎧 Sensory bags: No, but ear defenders can be borrowed for free from reception

You can find more detailed information on Aerospace Bristol's Accessibility page.

Image - Aircraft fuselage at Aerospace Bristol

The Grand Pier has a range of activities, from an amusement arcade and funfair through to cafes and a restaurant. 

🤫 Quiet sessions: No
📖 Visual guide: Yes, view here
🎧 Sensory bags: No, but noise-reducing headphones and tinted glasses can be picked up from the Grand Café or Gift Shop (£5 deposit)

The Grand Pier has a dedicated quiet room to offer moments of downtime to those who need it. To access the quiet room, just ask a member of staff who can let you in. Find out more on The Grand Pier's Accessiblity page.

Image - Woman in wheelchair with assistance dog on The Grand Pier

This family-friendly attraction is a great day out for all ages, with a range of farm animals, animatronic dinosaurs and lots of outdoor fun, including a climbing wall, Mini 4x4 Jeeps, mini golf and a miniature railway.

🤫 Quiet sessions: No
📖 Visual guide: Yes, view here
🎧 Sensory bags: Yes, ask the Admissions team on arrival

Queue Assist Pass for the rides at Avon Valley Adventure Park, please speak to the Admission Team on arrival and they’ll do their best to help. Find out more on their Accessiblity page.

Image - Two children in a mini Jeep at Avon Valley Adventure Park

WWT Slimbridge is a wetland wildlife reserve located on the River Severn estuary, spanning over 800 acres. Slimbridge offers close-up encounters with the world's largest collection of swans, geese, and ducks, as well as flamingos and otters.

🤫 Quiet sessions: No, but SEND Days take place throughout the year. View events
📖 Visual guide: Yes, watch video here
🎧 Sensory bags: Yes, free to borrow from the admissions desk. Ear defenders can be borrowed separately

Slimbridge SEND Activity Days involve immersive activities for both sensory seekers and avoiders, SEND-friendly activities with limited capacities, Makaton-assisted story time, and a sensory room. They also run quiet and calm pond dipping sessions designed for families with children who have different sensory needs and who benefit from a quieter environment. Find out more on Slimbridge's Accessibility page.

Image - A blue string backpack with a rainbow pop it, a pink tube, a red spiky ball and a pair of yellow ear defenders at WWT Slimbridge

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm offers a fun day out with a wide variety of animals (including the UK's largest elephant habitat) and outdoor activities, including a sandpit, play areas, a large slide, trampolines and a hedge maze.

🤫 Quiet sessions: No
📖 Visual guide: Yes, watch here
🎧 Sensory bags: Yes, hire for free here

While there is not yet a dedicated quiet space, there are a number of calmer areas that visitors can easily access during their visit, including:

• Quiet lawn behind the Gibbons enclosure - accessible from behind the Food Barn.
• Area between the Rhea and Bear enclosures - a peaceful spot located just beyond the giraffe enclosure.

In general, Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is quieter during term-time weekdays, on Sundays, and during the school holidays between approximately 3 - 5pm, when many visitors begin to head home. Learn more on the zoo's Accessibility & Facilities page.

Image - Shaka the African Bull Elephant at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

Just outside Bristol, Westonbirt Arboretum is home to one of the world's most important collections of trees and shrubs. Spanning 600 acres, it provides a peaceful natural environment that many neurodivergent visitors find calming and restorative. There is a Treetop walkway, play areas and a Gruffalo trail. You can also download Forest Activity Sheets for your visit.

🤫 Quiet sessions: No
📖 Visual guide: Yes, view here
🎧 Sensory bags: Yes, book online with your ticket under 'extras' tab

You can find out more on Westonbirt's Accessibility page.

Image - A collection of nature-themed educational and sensory items arranged on a wooden surface at Westonbirt Arboretum