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Give the gift of unique and fun Bristol experiences. Whether they’re the outdoorsy type, love their food and drink, or are a family with little ones, there's an experience for them in our guide.
Jump to Family | Active | Nature & wildlife | Food & drink | Extra special
Family
Unlimited visits to Brunel's SS Great Britain
Take you time exploring the different areas of SS Great Britain, from the ship itself to Being Brunel, with an annual pass which allows you unlimited visits within a year.
Image - Brunel's SS Great Britain
Take a trip to Bristol Zoo Project
Buy a Bristol Zoo Project gift voucher and plan a day out filled with giraffes, lemurs, bears and more amazing animals. You can also book a variety of animal experiences, or adopt one of their animals to help support their conservation work across the globe. You can also climb, leap and swing your way through the outdoor high rope adventure course from Leap of Faith, set in the beautiful Bristol Zoo Project grounds.
Image - Bristol Zoo Project
Step aboard Concorde at Aerospace Bristol
A family of four can visit the fascinating Aerospace Bristol for £55 and tickets are valid for a year. Explore the Concorde Alpha Foxtrot and learn all about the story behind this iconic piece of British history that was designed and built in Bristol.
Image - Aerospace Bristol
Animal encounters at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
There are a range of experiences for all of the family at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, from close up encounters with spectacled bears, lions or giant tortoises, to an elephant keeper experience. There's also a Junior Animals of the World Experience for ages 6 - 10. Get stuck in with feeding animals, grooming ponies and mucking out.
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Image - Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
Gaze at the stars in the We The Curious planetarium
Explore the outer reaches of the solar system inside the giant silver ball that is the We The Curious planetarium, an awe-inspiring immersive experience for all ages. Following a fire, the attraction will reopen in 2024. In the mean time, you can browse a range of science-themed gifts in their online shop.
Explore new worlds at Wake the Tiger
Annual passes and gift vouchers are available for the world's first Amazement Park ® Wake the Tiger, where you can explore interactive mazes and amazing spaces, from ice caves to glowing forests. Annual membership prices start from £26.
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Discover more family-friendly experiences in Bristol
Image - Wake the Tiger
Active
Go mountain biking in the woods
Pedal Progression’s skills coaching and guided mountain bike rides around the scenic trails of Leigh Woods are great for beginners looking to learn the basics or advanced bikers.
See Bristol from a stand up paddleboard
Get a unique perspective on the city’s famous Harbourside landmarks from a paddle board. The SUP Bristol team can make it as demanding or leisurely as you please!
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Image - Stand Up Paddleboaring with SUP Bristol on the harbour
Know someone with a head for heights? Get them kitted up to descend the Avon Gorge with the help of a trained instructor from the Adventurous Activity Company – remember to enjoy the view on the way down!
Explore the Forest of Dean on a Segway
Go off road in the great outdoors on a Segway safari through the forest. This is a great option for thrillseekers who also enjoy being among nature.
Go VIP at one of Bristol’s football teams
Go behind the scenes and a match with your favourite football team in style, whether it’s Bristol City or Bristol Rovers.
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Image - Adventurous Activity Company
Nature and wildlife
See the lions at Longleat up close
Combine taking a tour of this huge safari park and historic house with an animal experience, whether it’s with Longleat’s famous lions, holding one of their reptiles or getting up close with the giraffes.
Wander through wetlands at WWT Slimbridge
A great option for keen birdwatchers and nature lovers, Slimbridge Wetland Centre annual family membership starts at £78 and offers entry to nine wetland centres across the UK.
Join the National Trust
A National Trust annual membership will gain you entry to over 500 historic houses and gardens across the UK, including Tyntesfield, Dyrham Park and Newark Park near Bristol. A family membership with 2 adults starts from £139.20 per year.
Unlimited access to Westonbirt Arboretum
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, offers joint (£82) or single (£42) membership, which includes 364 days of free entry, early bird booking and free entry for kids when with a parent or grandparent member.
Image - Westonbirt Arboretum
Take a private tour at Jekka’s Herb Farm
This guided tour will include detailed information about the medicinal and culinary herbs grown on site from Jekka McVicar herself or one of her senior horticulturists, followed by light refreshments or lunch.
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See more Wildlife Experiences in Bristol or discover Gardens and Nature Experiences
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Image - Jekka's Herb Farm
Food and drink
Go on a brewery tour
Quench your thirst at some of the city’s top pubs, microbreweries and tap rooms, including Wiper & True in Old Market, Bristol Beer Factory in South Bristol, or Lost & Grounded Brewers in Brislington.
Craft Beers Tour Bristol run tours around some of the city's top breweries and beer spots every Saturday.
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Read up on Bristol's Brewery Tap Rooms
Image - Lost & Grounded Brewers
Find a local tour or workshop with Yuup
Food tours with a Michelin-starred chef, wine tasting, gin masterclasses, foraging workshops, cookery classes and lots more.
Browse other one-off local experiences from pottery making and dance classes to foraging walks at yuup.co.
Image - Yuup
Order a DIY wine tasting
KASK in Bedminster not only offer DIY wine tasting kits which can be delivered across the UK, but also do regular cheese & wine evenings and themed tasting events.
Explore Bristol's food scene
There are a few options for food tours around Bristol, including the Hotspots and Hidden Treasures food tour around the city centre, where you'll enjoy samples from some of Bristol's best independents.
Image - GOOD: Stories in Food
Taste some Bristol wine at a vineyard tour
Sample some locally-made wine in a tour of the scenic Aldwick Court Estate or learn more about biodynamic wine at Limeburn Hill, both located just outside the city in beautiful countryside.
Woodchester Valley Vineyard offer regular tours and tastings, with the added option of being able to stay in their accommodation overlooking the vines.
If you want to have a guided tour of local vineyards with transport included, GOOD: Stories in Food do their Wine and Cheese Tasting in the Cheddar Valley tour during the spring and summer months.
Do a distillery tour with gin tasting
From botanicals to bottling, see all the steps of the gin making process at 6 O’clock Gin distillery in Thornbury or Chew Valley Distillery. Each tour is followed by a tutored tasting.
Image - 6 O'Clock Gin tasting sessions
Have a go at making sushi at Yakinori
An experienced sushi chef will talk through some of the history behind this deicacy, before teaching the essentials of sushi making and preparation.
Book vouchers for a spirits tasting
Spirits shop and bar Spirited not ony have a brilliant range of whisky, rum, gin, and more to buy, but also run ticketed tasting events and supper clubs throughout the year. Book tickets as a gift, or order a gift card which can be used instore or for one of their events.
- Find more Food & Drink experiences or discover some local Classes and Workshops
Image - Spirited Bristol
Extra special
Take to the skies in a hot air balloon with Fly Away Balloning
Enjoy amazing panoramic views as you float along, with flight packages such as Champagne Classic and Weekday Sunrise on offer.
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Image credit: Gary Newman
Stay in a Victorian mansion at Tortworth Court
Escape for a night away at Tortworth Court, a Grade II* listed country house hotel in the Cotswolds.
Book a memorable day out with Wonderdays
Gift company WonderDays have a range of experience days for you to choose from, whether you're looking for a relaxed afternoon tea, supercar driving experiences or even short break across the UK.
Have a go at your own grafitti with Graft
Learn about the history of Bristol graffiti, before getting the chance to develop your skills with spraycans, stencils and paint markers.
Image - Graft
Drive a steam train at the Avon Valley Railway
Train enthusiasts can tick driving a steam or diesel locomotive off the bucket list, under the expert guidance of Avon Valley Railway’s drivers and firemen.
Blow your own creations at Bristol Blue Glass
As well as being able to purchase a range of beautiful jewellery and glassware made by Bristol Blue Glass, you can also book glass-blowing workshops or glass-making courses. Gift vouchers are also available.
Image: Glass blowing at Bristol Blue Glass
Tour the hidden vaults at The Clifton Suspension Bridge
Find out what lies beneath Brunel’s iconic bridge – a well-kept secret, only rediscovered in 2002.
Stay in the UK's largest four poster bed at Thornbury Castle
Feel like royalty as you rest up in the largest four poster bed in any UK hotel, inside a 16th century building once owned by Henry VIII.
Inage - Thornbury Castle
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