14 Free Things to Do in Bristol This Summer:
Keep the kids entertained without spending a fortune with brilliant free activities in Bristol
Schools out and it’s Summer in Bristol. The kids are off, the weather’s… hopeful, and your fridge is already full of half-eaten ice lollies. But what do you actually do with six weeks of unstructured energy? If you’re anything like the parents we meet at parties across the city, you’re probably searching right now for free things to do in Bristol with kids, ideally something fun, simple, and that won’t end in a tantrum (from you or them).
We’re The Adventure Team; storytellers, children’s entertainers, and professional imagination-sparkers. We spend our summers bringing pirate quests, superhero school and dinosaur expeditions to homes, gardens and party halls across Bristol. But we also know that sometimes, you just want something free, outdoors and easy to get to.
So here’s our pick of the best free family activities in Bristol this summer, with a bit of local knowledge, a touch of storytelling, and a whole lot of adventure.
1. Become a water sprite at Millennium Square
If you’ve never let your child loose in the fountains at Millennium Square, now’s the time. Pack a towel, a change of clothes, and surrender to the splashing. It’s simple, it’s sensory, and it’s basically free childcare for 45 minutes. You can grab a coffee while they dart between the jets pretending to be sea creatures or space rangers.
2. Follow the Gromit trail
Gromit Unleashed is officially back for 2025! Follow Gromit on a new trail around Bristol this summer. From June to September, you’ll find over 60 colourful sculptures hidden across the city — from parks and public squares to shopping centres and rooftop gardens. Each one has been designed by a different artist or celebrity, and it’s totally free to take part. You can download the app to track your progress, or grab a printed map and make a day of it.
We’ve seen kids spend hours chasing down Gromit statues, ticking them off and taking selfies. It’s the perfect free thing to do in Bristol with kids, and it turns a simple walk into a full-blown adventure. You’ll definitely need snacks, good shoes, and a phone that can handle 500 blurry pictures of clay dogs. Trust us, it’s worth it.
Grommit is back in Bristol for 2025!
3. Train like a knight (or ninja) at Ashton Court
It’s not just for weddings and deer-watching. Ashton Court is enormous, free to roam, and perfect for mini-adventurers. Bring a picnic, roll down hills, make dens in the woods or climb trees with dramatic flair. There’s space for bikes, scooters, or just a good old-fashioned stick duel. There are also dedicated mountain bike trails that run through Ashton Court and a frisbee golf course that are all totally free!
There is so much to do at Ashton Court, including free frisbee golf (bring your own frisbee!) and free mountain bike trails.
4. Climb the tower at Brandon Hill and pretend you’re on a quest
Cabot Tower offers one of the best views in Bristol, and the winding stairs feel like something straight out of a fairytale. Take a sketchpad or a pair of binoculars and challenge the kids to spot the Suspension Bridge, the balloon launch fields, or (if they’re lucky) a dragon in the distance.
5. Get messy in the mud kitchens at Windmill Hill City Farm
Entry is free, and the farm animals, playground and gardens are always a hit. But the hidden gem? The mud kitchen. Let your child go wild with pots, pans and very questionable “soups”. It’s chaotic in the best way — and surprisingly therapeutic. Windmill City farm is definitely one of the best free activities for kids in Bristol. Not forgetting St Werburgh’s City Farm, another fabulous and free activity that you can enjoy with your kids.
6. Tame the wilds of Stoke Park’s yellow castle
That bright yellow turret visible from the M32? It’s part of the magical mystery that is Stoke Park Estate. Explore the meadows, collect wildflowers, and scale the hill like a band of explorers. There’s something wonderfully windswept and untouched about this spot, the perfect setting for made-up missions and hours of fun for free!
7. Have a riverside ramble at Snuff Mills
Tucked away in north-east Bristol, Snuff Mills offers dappled river paths, stepping stones, and the kind of shady woodland perfect for hot days. Bring wellies or water shoes and see how far upstream they can wade before asking for snacks.
8. Watch the Surfers (and Scoot Like a Pro) at The Wave
If you’ve never been to The Wave in North Bristol, it’s well worth a visit, even if you’re not planning to get wet. While the surfing sessions themselves are paid (and better suited to older kids and grown-ups), it’s completely free to visit the site, walk around, and soak up the atmosphere.
There are huge open-air viewing areas where you can watch surfers tackle perfect, rolling waves on a man-made lake.
There’s a brilliant natural play area, skate ramps, loads of open space for scooting, and plenty of picnic benches for snacks and parent coffee breaks. It’s a great spot for a half-day adventure, especially if you want somewhere that feels like a day out, without actually spending anything.
9. Pedal the Bristol to Bath Railway Path (or just scoot a bit)
You can start the Bristol to Bath Cycle path from Easton or Fishponds and cycle, scoot or wobble your way down this brilliant green corridor. There are stopping points, hidden playgrounds, and wildlife galore. You don’t need to make it all the way to Bath, just far enough to feel like you’ve been on a proper expedition. A fantastic free adventure for you and your children this summer.
10. Lose yourselves in Leigh Woods
Leigh Woods is practically built (well grown) for storybook adventures. With hidden dens, rope swings, and trails to follow, it’s the ideal spot for a picnic and an exploration. Bring a torch if you’re brave, it gets shady under the trees and is perfect for telling spooky stories. There are also dedicated mountain bike trails that run through Leigh Woods.
11. Explore Bristol’s Free Museums
If you’re looking for a bit of culture with your chaos, Bristol’s museums and galleries are a brilliant way to spend a few free hours. The Bristol Museum & Art Gallery is always a hit, especially the enormous dinosaur skeleton and Egyptian mummy room. You can wander through art, natural history and world cultures all under one roof, and they often run free family-friendly craft sessions over the summer holidays. Entry is free (donations welcome), and it’s only a short walk from Brandon Hill or Clifton Triangle.
If your little ones prefer something more hands-on, try M Shed down on the harbourside. It’s a museum about Bristol itself — packed with buses, cranes, and interactive exhibits about the city’s past. It’s great for younger kids, and there’s loads of space outside to run around, watch boats, or picnic by the water.
12. Step Back in Time at Kings Weston Roman Villa
Fancy a free day out in Bristol that’s part history lesson, part real-life treasure hunt? Take a trip to Kings Weston Roman Villa in Lawrence Weston. Tucked behind a primary school and managed by the team at Blaise Museum, this little-known gem is completely free to visit and surprisingly brilliant for curious kids.
You can explore the remains of a Roman home — complete with original mosaic floors, underfloor heating channels (fancy!), and proper archaeological vibes. There are hands-on exhibits inside, and friendly staff who are happy to answer questions like “Did the Romans have crisps?” or “Is this where dragons lived?”
It’s a manageable size for younger children — you won’t lose them or wear them out before lunch — and there’s something pretty exciting about walking through rooms that were last used nearly 2,000 years ago. Even better, it’s rarely busy, so you get space to explore at your own pace.
There’s free parking nearby, and it pairs nicely with a visit to Blaise Castle Estate just up the road if you want to make a day of it. Perfect for a cloudy morning or an afternoon that needs a bit of “Wow, I didn’t know this was here!” complete with adventure playground and acres of beautiful parkland, Blaise Castle is a brilliant free activity for the Summer holidays.
13. Swim, Splash or Paddle at Clevedon Marine Lake
Just south of Bristol, Clevedon Marine Lake offers a completely free swimming and splashing spot that’s ideal for sunny days, no tickets, no booking, just turn up and jump in. It’s a tidal sea lake, safely separated from the open water, and popular with swimmers, paddlers, and adventurous families.
You can wade in for a paddle, bring inflatables, or perch on the edge with a coffee while the kids explore. There’s a wide concrete edge for scooting, crabbing and castle-building, and the backdrop of the historic pier makes everything feel a bit more like a vintage seaside postcard.
There are no lifeguards on duty, so parents need to keep a close eye, but it’s a brilliant free activity that could turn into a full day out.
Clevedon Marine Lake is perfect for a free swimming activity.
14. See the Skies Come Alive at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta
If you’re looking for something properly magical this summer, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is one of those events you really don’t want to miss. Every August, hundreds of hot air balloons rise into the sky from Ashton Court, and the sight of them floating above the city never gets old.
The event itself is free to attend, and while the fairground rides and food stalls cost money, you don’t have to spend a penny to enjoy the spectacle. Pack a picnic, grab a blanket, and head to one of the local viewing spots like Brandon Hill, Troopers Hill or even your own back garden if you’re lucky. The early morning launches (usually around 6am) are quiet, peaceful and perfect for early risers. The evening “Night Glows” are set to music, dramatic and very, very cool.
The night glows at Bristol balloon fiesta are particularly impressive – and free!
Plenty of Fun and Free Things to Do This Summer
So there you have it, 12 brilliant family days out in Bristol for the summer, this lot should keep you busy! Please do leave a comment if you have any more for the list or if you have had fun at any of these places.
Bonus Tip!! Planning a summer party in Bristol?
The school holidays are full of brilliant (and brilliantly exhausting) moments, but if you’ve got a birthday in the mix, we’d love to help. Our children’s party entertainers in Bristol are five-star rated, professionally trained, and very, very good at getting 4–7 year olds to laugh, run, listen and cheer for more.
We perform in homes, gardens, church halls and community centres all over Bristol — and we’re booking up fast this summer. Get in touch to check availability or explore our themed birthday parties right here.
