The Easter holidays are almost here, which will be swiftly followed by May half term and then it is the long summer holidays. While family days out are all well and good sometimes we need to find something which is a little easier on our wallets to keeo the children entertained.
After the long winter, which seems to have taken over the whole of spring, we are all ready for some warmer days and getting outside to enjoy some sunshine. Plus if it is burns enough energy to make sure the kids go to bed on time all the better.
Bristol is not short of parks, so if you have seen enough of your closest one to last a lifetime, why not check out one of these a little further afield. They are all free to enter, but some of them have parking charges.
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These are our favourites, fully and painstakingly researched by the Bristol Live team and our collective offspring!
Page Park
Previously voted the best part in the park in the South West, Page park has a lot to offer people of all ages. It boasts everything from a bandstand, clock tower, tennis courts, cricket pitch, playpark and café.
Community groups run a range of activities from the cafe including family yoga.
Is it buggy-friendly?
Yes, it's a completely flat park with plenty of pathways.
How much is parking?
Free.
Where is it?
Broad Street, Staple Hill, BS16 5LU.
Blaise Castle Estate
What's the play area like?
Most people know Blaise for its impressive stately home and stunning woodland, but it also has one of the best play areas in north-west Bristol.
It has two vast playgrounds for toddlers and older children, with some of the obstacles including a zipwire, massive climbing frame and swings.
Is there a cafe?
Yes. Blaise has a cafe serving sandwiches, snacks, ice cream and drinks, with outdoor and indoor seating, baby changing and a disabled toilet all available.
Is it buggy-friendly?
Most of the woodland paths at Blaise are hilly and muddy, but you can take buggies on a stroll around the park at the bottom of the estate. There is also an accessible Walks With Buggies route to follow.
How much is parking?
Parking charges have recently been brought in. It is £1 an hour, uo to two hours, or £3 for up to five hours.
Where is Blaise Castle?
Kings Weston Road, Lawrence Weston BS10 7QS.
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St Andrew's Park
As well as a newly refurbished playground, this park has an extensive sandpit complete with a pirate ship, a huge climbing area, the city's biggest outdoor paddling pool and entertaining carved trees.
Is there a cafe?
Yes, and it's very reasonably priced.
Is it buggy-friendly?
Yes. The park is fully accessible for buggies and wheelchair users.
Are there toilets?
Yes.
How much is parking?
Free, on-street parking.
Where is it?
Effingham Rd, Bishopston, Bristol BS6 5AX
Hengrove Play Park
Hengrove Play Park
What's the play area like?
Hengrove is the biggest free play area in Bristol, so you know it's good.
Its main feature is a 12-metre high dome with a jungle play experience, while it also has a zone for younger children with a water play and sand attraction.
There are also other climbing and play activities such as swings, rockers and slides.
For children who like to skate or BMX, there is a specialist wheels park with half pipes, rails, bowls, ramps and boxes.
Is there a cafe?
Yes. It's open from 11am to 5pm on weekends.
Is it buggy-friendly?
The path is mainly flat with tarmac paths, but Hengrove mounds is hilly with rough paths and uneven ground.
Are there toilets?
Yes. There are toilets with baby change facilities and accessible toilets at the play park.
How much is parking?
There is no dedicated car park at Hengrove, but free parking is available in the nearby Hengrove Leisure Complex.
The huge dome area is one of the highlights of Hengrove Play Park
Where is Hengrove Play Park?
Hengrove Park, Hengrove Way BS14 0HR
Oldbury Court Estate
The play area at Oldbury Court Estate.
What's in the play area?
Oldbury Court, or Vassalls as it's also known, is home to a children's play park for kids aged 13 and under.
It's centred around a water and sand play zone, which also has a huge pirate ship. Equipment includes a zip wire, slingshot, dish spinner, swings and a rock feature with a rope bridge.
For toddlers, there's also swings, a springy seesaw, rockers, a slide and spinner.
There is also an accessible roundabout, seesaw and nest seat included in a range of equipment designed for disabled children.
Is there a cafe?
Yes. The cafe has outdoor terrace seating overlooking the play area.
Is it buggy-friendly?
Oldbury Court Estate and Snuff Mills consist of uneven, hilly footpaths, but the play area and cafe are designed to be fully accessible.
Are there toilets?
Yes, there are toilets with disabled access and baby changing facilities next to the play area and in the Snuff Mills car park.
How much is parking?
Parking charges have recently been brought in.
Where is Oldbury Court?
- Oldbury Court Estate car park: off Oldbury Court, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 2JH
- Snuff Mills car park: at the end of River View, Stapleton, Bristol, BS16 1DL
Canford Park
Canford Park in Westbury-on-Try
What's in the play area?
This Victorian park is home to football pitches, tennis courts, a bowling green and an impressive children's play area.
The play area has equipment for both young children and children aged between eight and 12.
Is there a cafe?
Yes. The cafe is located next to the play park and is open on weekends from 9am to 2pm October to March, and from 9am to 5pm Wednesday to Sunday in the remaining months of the year.
Is it buggy friendly?
Yes. The park is flat with many paths and entrances are wide enough for wheelchairs and buggies.
Are there toilets?
Yes - the toilet is open from 10am to 5pm.
How much is parking?
There is no dedicated car park at Canford Park. Visitors are able to park for free on Canford Lane and in the surrounding streets.
Where is Canford Park?
Canford Lane, Westbury-on-Trym BS9 3NX
St George's Park
What is the play area like?
This busy park is home to a well-used play area which is very popular with local families.
The playground has a huge lizard head structure with tunnel slides and tinder climbing 'ribs', in addition to swings, a seesaw and a toddler sand pit and slide.
The western side of the park is also home to a wheels park, which can be used for roller-skating, skateboarding or BMX biking.
Is there a cafe?
Yes. The kiosk has an outdoor seating area and is in the middle of the park.
Is it buggy-friendly?
Most parts of the part are relatively flat and accessible.
Are there toilets?
Yes.
How much is parking?
There is free parking on side streets
Where is it?
Church Road, St George BS5 7AA
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