Family playing Victorian games on the Croquet Lawn at Tyntesfield | © Katie Jefferies

Family-friendly places near Bath and Bristol

Discover the best places to explore as a family in Bath and Bristol this season. Plan your days out for a memorable visit that the whole family will enjoy.

Places to visit with your family in Bath and Bristol

Discover all the best places to explore with your family for a great day out.

Dyrham Park

Find out what's on for families this season, including the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution trail.

A brightly coloured graphic split into four quadrants. The largest, righthand quadrant has a bright green background and an image of a male child in a red waterproof jacket is grinning at the camera. Each other quadrant contains a Pokémon from the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Series.

Looking for fun family activities? Whether the kids are eager for outdoor adventures, ready to splash in new puddles, or if you’re hoping to escape the rain in style, we’ve got plenty of ideas to keep everyone smiling.

Children playing in the gardens at Tyntesfield, North Somerset.

Lacock

Seasonal blooms, activity trails, medieval architecture and photographic discovery: have a fun-filled adventure at Lacock Abbey.

Newark Park

With plenty of space to run and explore, discover seasonal walks, family-friendly events and adventures in nature at Newark Park.

Avebury

With plenty of space, fresh air and history all around, Avebury is a perfect place to bring the family, whatever the time of year.

Stourhead

Find out the family-friendly things to do at Stourhead, from events in the garden to exploring the house.

What's on during the summer holidays near Bath and Bristol?

Planning ahead for the school summer holidays? Unleash your energy with the National Trust’s Summer of Play supported by Pokémon.

Pokémon joins Lacock's Summer of Play

Craft activities every day with a new theme each week, workshops with Wiltshire Scrapstore, a mobile climbing wall with Wiltshire Outdoor Learning Team as well as activities themed around the National Trust's new partner, Pokémon. Get stuck into the Pokémon trading, take part in mega games, flex your skills and collect stickers.

A cartoon of two children playing outside. One is juggling balls and the other is holding a pencil.

Pokémon joins Tyntesfield's Summer of Play

Play on repeat at Tyntesfield this summer and get active outdoors with activities for all the family. Plus don't miss the all-new Pokémon zone where you'll find a series of challenges to flex your skills and take part in mega games.

Adult and child jumping together on a pink background with the words “Unleash your Energy"

Pokémon joins Stourhead's Summer of Play

Join us in July and August for fun at the Stableyard and Meadow. Climb the straw castle, try archery and race through the maze. Plus, enjoy the all-new Pokémon zone with trading, games, challenges and sticker-collecting.

Children enjoying the bouncy fruits racetrack during the Summer of Play event at Kingston Lacy, Dorset

Summer of Play at Dyrham Park

There will be a festival-feel with imaginative, performance and creative play at Old Lodge, and a mini-maze, games and challenges planned down by the house. Nature explorer, art and sports activities running each week.   Don't miss the Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail.

Summer of Play at Avebury

Dive into a summer of creativity, relaxed play and outdoor adventure at Avebury. Enjoy the charm of traditional fete games including hoopla, skittles, and tin can alley, alongside gentle story time moments designed to spark the imagination of visitors of all ages.

Family looking at the double lavender borders in the garden at Avebury Manor, Wiltshire

Summer of Play: Play through the ages at Newark Park

Play Through the Ages brings centuries of games to life, offering visitors the chance to try activities enjoyed by children and adults from the Tudor period right up to the 1970s.

A family playing boules in the garden at Newark Park, Gloucestershire

Summer of Play at Prior Park

Summer of Play returns to Prior Park with more fun outdoor activities for the children to discover. Lawn games available in the Cabinet near the top of the garden, and by the Tea Cabin at the bottom of the garden. Find the play library by the Tea Cabin, perfect to pop in for a refreshing drink while your little ones explore the games on offer.

Family visitors on the bank beside the lake with the Palladian Bridge in the background at Prior Park Landscape Garden, Bath

Find more places to play this summer near you

See all places with Summer of Play

Make the most of the school holidays with the National Trust Summer of Play. We're welcoming families of every shape and size to slow down, reconnect and enjoy time together outside. Held in historic gardens across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Summer of Play offers games, activities and trails to keep young and old entertained.

Kids enjoying Summer of Play activities at Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire

Find more places with Pokémon activities

Calling Pokémon fans new and old! Get outdoors with our Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trails. Complete the trails to find Mega Evolution Pokémon, discover their powers and complete fun challenges.

Outdoor entertainment near Bath and Bristol

Find family-friendly outdoor theatre, cinema and music performances around Bath and Bristol this summer.

Performers from Immersion Theatre presenting Peter Pan on the stage outdoors

Ideas for rainy days

Top ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities to do when it’s raining

We've compiled a selection of items from the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ list that are perfect for rainy days, so grab your waterproofs and get involved.

Boy jumping in a puddle. The boy is wearing a woolly hat and wellies

There's lots to do even on a drizzly day at Dyrham Park

Get togged up and explore the parkland, sheltering in the Old Lodge cafe if needed, or embrace an entirely indoor day out as the house and exhibition are filled with interactive opportunities for all ages.

Two adults and a child peek up into a chimney above a stove inside the house at Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire

Fun whatever the weather at Tyntesfield

Inevitable rainy days needn't put you off a day trip to Tyntesfield, just outside of Bristol. Downpours can be dodged in the house, orangery and walled garden, there's an undercover play area at Home Farm (conveniently placed for a stop in the Cow Barn Cafe) and the second hand bookshop has a great selection of children's books if you're looking for wet weather entertainment to take home.