Top 10 Things To Do In Bristol For Half-Term 2026

Location: Cabot Circus, Upper Ground, BS1 3BX (a 15-minute walk from Bristol Temple Meads).

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Round up the family and throw yourselves into one of Escape Hunt's immersive escape rooms at Cabot Circus for an hour of teamwork and puzzle-solving.

You and your team pick a themed room, gather your group of 2 to 6 players, and then race to escape before the 60-minute clock runs out.

You’ll be able to choose between a variety of escape rooms, such as:

• Escaping the sinking ship in Blackbeard’s Treasure.
• Cracking the code in Our Finest Hour.
• The Fourth Samurai, where you can defeat the evil warlord.
• Eye of the Sun God.

Every room is packed with detailed sets, strong storylines, and clever puzzles that make you feel like you have stepped into a film.

It works brilliantly for families because everyone naturally finds their role, whether that is leading the charge, spotting hidden clues, or keeping an eye on the countdown.

The shared buzz when you solve a tricky puzzle or escape with seconds to spare is the sort of thing you will be talking about over dinner.

Older kids especially thrive in the environment, and it can be a great way to channel half-term energy into something genuinely engaging.

We recommend booking in advance to guarantee your preferred room and time slot.

➡️ Afterwards, you are right in the heart of Cabot Circus, so it is easy to carry on with food, a film, or a bit of shopping.

Location: Cabot Circus, Top Floor, BS1 3DX.

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Bristol just got a serious cinema upgrade.

ODEON Luxe has opened its doors on the top floor of Cabot Circus, and the city's film lovers are buzzing.

Every screen features fully reclining seats with three times the standard legroom and built-in tables, so you can settle in properly.

If your lot prefers spectacle, the IMAX with Laser screen delivers a massive image and immersive sound that makes animated films and blockbusters feel like an event.

There are 8 screens of movie magic, including state-of-the-art IMAX and iSense screens.

Stretching floor to ceiling and wall to wall, the IMAX screen gives guests the opportunity to experience the latest blockbusters in awe-inspiring detail, on a picture so big it feels like being in the film.

This is accompanied by crystal-clear precision audio that’s powered from dozens of speakers set all around, enabling guests not only to hear a pin drop, but to tell exactly where it landed.

The cinema is fully accessible, with wheelchair-friendly screenings and audio-described showings available for many of its films.

You can choose from luxury reclining seats with extra legroom, or indulge in a VIP Bed, which transforms the front-row experience with the biggest seat in the house.

And, for those looking for extra privacy, the Luxe Suite experience features two-seater Luxe Pods with triple the standard legroom.

There is also Oscar's Bar for a pre-film drink and a Luxe Menu serving hot food alongside the classic popcorn, which makes the whole outing feel like more than just a trip to the pictures.

➡️ You can combine it with a round of mini golf or bowling downstairs, and you've got a full day sorted without leaving Cabot Circus.

Location: Cabot Circus, Upper Ground, BS1 3BQ.

Treetop Golf in Cabot Circus brings the jungle indoors with two immersive 18-hole mini golf courses that are as colourful as they are competitive.

You and your family will be able to choose between the Tropical Trail and Ancient Explorer, both packed with imaginative obstacles, bold theming, and just enough challenge to keep the whole family invested.

Kids love the jungle-style designs and creative holes, while parents typically enjoy the relaxed, playful atmosphere without worrying about the weather outside.

The game is simple enough for younger children to get involved without feeling overwhelmed, but tricky enough to keep older ones on their toes.

It naturally sparks friendly competition and plenty of laughs as everyone tries to beat each other's scores.

When you have finished your round, you can grab a slice at Pizza Cabana or wind down at the Jungle Buzz Café.

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Walk-ins are welcome, but for groups it is worth booking ahead.

➡️ You are steps away from King Pins if the family still has energy to burn after the final hole.

Location: Cabot Circus, Upper Ground, BS1 3BX.

King Pins in Cabot Circus is one of those places where you walk in for a quick game and end up staying half the day.

The bowling lanes are the main draw, with a laid-back atmosphere that suits families perfectly.

But the fun does not stop there.

Your crew can move between karaoke rooms, ice-free curling, pool tables, and a large arcade without ever running out of things to do.

It is the kind of venue where everyone finds something they enjoy, whether that is a toddler mesmerised by the arcade lights or a teenager who suddenly discovers a talent for curling.

The exciting atmosphere encourages easy conversation, friendly competition, and plenty of cheering each other on.

When the inevitable hunger kicks in, King Pins serves a full food menu alongside a generous drinks selection, so you do not need to leave to refuel.

The venue also has baby-changing facilities, highchairs, and step-free access throughout, which makes it properly family-friendly rather than just family-tolerant.

➡️ With Escape Hunt, Treetop Golf, and ODEON Luxe all nearby, Cabot Circus has enough to keep the family entertained for the entire half-term.

Location: Quakers Friars, BS1 3BZ.

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Sometimes, half-term calls for something a bit more refined, and Harvey Nichols' Second Floor Restaurant at Quakers Friars delivers exactly that without the stuffiness.

The two AA Rosette restaurant overlooks the historic Quakers Friars courtyard through floor-to-ceiling windows, and the atmosphere is relaxed enough to bring the kids along.

Harvey Nichols offers Brunch everyday in the Second Floor bar, and both the Second Floor Bar and Second Floor Restaurant serve brunch at weekends.

The brunch menu features modern British cooking with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, from classic brunch dishes to their Sunday roasts with bottomless gravy.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are clearly marked throughout, so everyone is catered for.

It is a lovely way to start a family day out, especially when paired with a mooch around the shops afterwards.

We would recommend looking at their menu to find out why it’s been renowned as one of the finest restaurants in the South West.

➡️ Harvey Nichols is right in Quakers Friars, so you can combine brunch with the rest of your Cabot Circus day.

Location: Ashton Court Estate, Long Ashton, Bristol BS41 9JN.

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Ashton Court Estate is 850 acres of parkland, woodland, and open grassland on Bristol's doorstep, and entry is completely free.

The estate is home to one of England's oldest deer parks, dating back over 600 years, where you can spot red and fallow deer roaming across the grounds.

There are walking trails to suit every energy level, from gentle strolls through the gardens to longer loops through the woodland, all with downloadable route maps available from Bristol City Council.

Kids can run, scooter, and explore to their hearts' content across the wide-open spaces, and there are cafés on site for when you need a coffee and a sit-down.

💡 Local tip: Before you head off to the countryside, be sure to stock up on picky bits from the M&S Foodhall at Cabot Circus.

There is no formal playground, so if your children prefer climbing frames, consider Blaise Castle Estate instead.

Location: Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Queens Road, Clifton, BS8 1RL.

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Bristol Museum and Art Gallery is one of those places that genuinely surprises families who visit for the first time, and admission is completely free.

The museum spans three floors of galleries, from Egyptian mummies and a genuine Banksy sculpture in the foyer to the beloved Alfred the Gorilla in the World Wildlife Gallery.

The real star for kids is the dinosaur gallery, which is home to the best-preserved dinosaurs ever found in Britain: the scelidosaurs.

Apart from this, on the First Floor, kids can see rare, endangered and extinct wildlife from the UK and around the world, including the extinct Tasmanian tiger.

There are three dedicated interactive spaces for children, including a play area for children, a dinosaur activity area with a library, and a dedicated space for under-5s.

Location: Princes Wharf, Bristol BS1 4RN.

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The Matthew is a full-size replica of the ship that carried John Cabot across the Atlantic in 1497, and it sits proudly in Bristol's harbour waiting for young explorers to clamber on board.

Children can roam the decks, peer into the cabins, and imagine what life was like for the sailors who made that extraordinary voyage.

It feels far more like an adventure than a traditional museum visit, and the harbourside setting adds to the sense of discovery.

Your kids will love pretending they are navigators or pirates, and the whole experience manages to be both genuinely educational and properly fun.

The ship is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, and parents tend to enjoy it just as much as the children do.

💡 Local tip: Combine it with a stroll along the harbourside and an ice cream from one of the nearby cafés.

Location: Arnolfini, 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA.

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The Arnolfini is Bristol's internationally recognised centre for contemporary arts, sitting in a restored 19th-century warehouse right on the harbourside.

Admission to all gallery exhibitions is free, and the programme spans visual art, film, performance, and dance across five exhibition spaces on three floors.

It is a great place to introduce children to contemporary art in a relaxed, unpressured environment, and the gallery regularly runs family workshops during school holidays.

The café bar overlooks the harbour and is a destination in its own right, with locally sourced food and an enclosed outdoor deck.

The specialist bookshop is also worth a browse, stocking art books, magazines, and a curated children's selection.

Whether you spend twenty minutes or a full afternoon, the Arnolfini always offers something unexpected.

Location: Felix Road Adventure Playground, Felix Road, Easton, BS5 0JW.

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Felix Road Adventure Playground is a unique, open-access play space dedicated to children’s play, family time, and community togetherness.

Run by Eastside Community Trust and supervised by trained, qualified playworkers, the playground follows an adventure play approach.

Children are free to come and go during sessions and are encouraged to lead their own play, choosing what they do, how they do it, and who they play with.

Playworkers are always on hand to offer support and guidance while allowing children to test their abilities, solve problems, take measured risks, and build confidence at their own pace.

The playground offers a wide range of inclusive play features, including swings, hammocks, climbing structures, a treehouse, ramps, and a nature area, as well as quieter spaces and places to hide or observe.

Many elements are designed to support children with SEN+D, and sensory resources such as “Little Bags of Calm” and ear defenders are available to borrow during visits.

Felix Road is free to attend and runs open-access sessions during term time, weekends, and school holidays.

Children aged 8 to 14 can attend unaccompanied, while younger children are welcome when accompanied by an adult.

Some children may require additional support, and families are encouraged to speak with a playworker to discuss individual needs.