6 activities in Bristol and Cardiff for the whole family

Me and my youngest on the SS Great Britain 

I love that I live about 20mins from Cardiff City Centre and about 50mins from Bristol which means to fantastic cities pretty much on our door step meaning tons of opportunity to explore. Saying that however when it comes to planning family days out it’s easy to go with what we know, everyone does it every now and then when your short of time and cannot be bothered to research new places, sticking to what we know the kids will enjoy. After all, it saves having to convince them how much fun it’ll be (without actually knowing ourselves) and it’s far easier to actually get them in the car to go!

So thought I would save you time and share six of our favourite places in these close but very different cities and here are some of the best Bristol activities and Cardiff activities that the whole family will enjoy.

We The Curious (formerly At Bristol), Bristol

This city centre science hub is full of fascinating exhibits that will allow young minds to learn everything from what’s inside their bodies to what can be found in outer space. As well as the hands-on activities that teach them the how’s, why’s and what ifs of science, We The Curious is also home to the UK’s only 3D planetarium. The half-hour shows run throughout the day and we highly recommend going to see one if you can. They also have a similar version in Cardiff called Techniquest which is located in the Bay and also an excellent day out

WotPots at Westbury Wildlife Park, Bristol

This hidden gem will be loved by little ones with a creative streak. WotPots hosts clay workshops and pottery painting sessions for guests of all ages and abilities. It’s brilliant for discovering new skills and you’ll come away with some extra special family keepsakes too. The wildlife park itself shut in the 1980s and is now a conservation area. Why not take a stroll around? It’s great for the kids to find some inspiration for their artwork.

SS Great Britain, Bristol

This award-winning visitor attractions and museum ship located in Bristol Harbour is sure to be a hit with the kids, it is with ours and offers a few hours of fun, learning and exploring one of the most historic passenger ship there ever was. You can descend below the glass sea and get up close to the propellers, up on deck you can also opt to climb the rigging for an amazing view across the harbour. A short distance from the SS Great Britain is the free M Shed which has some fantastic family friendly exhibitions and is also worth checking out. You can read our full review of the SS Great Britain Here 

Margam Country Park, (a short drive from) Cardiff

Margam Country Park is that is definitely worth travelling the extra miles for. You can spend hours exploring the Tudor Castle and Orangery (which is the longest in the UK) or wander the parklands to spot Margam’s resident deer herd and take in the beautiful scenery. Still got energy left? There’s a whole host of sports and activities to try your hand at on site as well as a Go Ape! high ropes course!

The Cardiff Story Museum, Cardiff

Did you know that Cardiff is home to the oldest record store in the world? The Cardiff Story is a fascinating look at the rich history of the city and is full of fun and interesting facts from its past. Whether you live here, visit often or you’ve never been before we bet there’s something new to learn about this diverse and energetic capital. There are plenty of hands-on, interactive exhibits to keep minds, both young and old, learning and there’s a variety of different events are held at the museum throughout the year too. 

St Fagans National Museum of History

This is one of our favourite spots in Cardiff that allows for outdoor play, discovery and learning as well as a great family day out. This open air museum really takes you back to what life was like in Wales hundreds of years ago. There are more than forty re-erected buildings to exploring including an old school house, blacksmith and clog maker and there is also a traditional style bakery on the grounds which serves up some lovely fresh scones and Bars brith daily. There is also a working farm in sight and the Bryn Eryr Iron Age roundhouses which are. always popular with kids

If you’re looking for something different to do as a family or somewhere new to explore, you don’t need to look much further than Bristol or Cardiff. There’s so many fantastic days out to be found, you won’t have time to visit twice even if you want to! The hardest bit now will be choosing where to go first.