Description
Finding the best things to do with kids in Bristol brings families straight to the Bristol Zoo Project, formerly known as the Wild Place Project, a large wildlife conservation park located in South Gloucestershire. This expansive 136-acre attraction allows children and adults to explore themed natural habitats, observe endangered animals, and enjoy extensive outdoor adventure areas.
Standard peak adult admission prices start from £25.00 online, while child tickets for ages 2 to 14 are priced from £20.00. Off-peak ticket rates drop slightly, and children under the age of 2 enter completely free of charge when booked in advance. Visitors must book their timed entry slots online in advance to secure admission and support the conservation work of the Bristol Zoological Society.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines immersive wildlife exhibits with active outdoor play, this South Gloucestershire venue offers a brilliant experience. Its walk-through exhibits, woodland paths, and massive play areas make it a top choice for families.
Beyond the Main Attraction:
- The Mall Cribbs Causeway: Major retail and leisure complex located just moments away from the motorway junction.
- Blaise Castle Estate: Spacious historic parkland featuring a 19th-century mansion, children's play area, and woodland walking trails.
- Wild Place Outdoor Woodlands: Extensive surrounding green spaces offering peaceful nature walks outside the main zoo boundary.
What Visitors Love:
- Parents frequently praise the open, spacious layout of the park, noting that it feels much more like a natural nature reserve than a traditional cramped zoo.
- The elevated boardwalk in Bear Wood receives glowing reviews for providing an unforgettable view of large predators moving beneath the trees.
- Children love the freedom of the walk-through lemur enclosure and the numerous outdoor play spaces dotted around the grounds.
- Staff members are widely commended for being friendly, highly knowledgeable, and enthusiastic during educational talks.
What Visitors Don't Like:
- Because the site covers a massive 136-acre area with uneven woodland terrain, walking the entire perimeter can prove tiring for families with toddlers.
- Catering queues can get lengthy during peak lunch hours in the summer holiday season.
- Pre-booked online tickets are strictly non-refundable, which can cause inconvenience if unexpected schedule changes occur.
Attractions and Experiences:
- Bear Wood Canopy Walkway: Elevated wooden boardwalk offering panoramic views of brown bears and wolves.
- Lemur Walk-Through Enclosure: Immersive habitat letting visitors observe free-roaming lemurs at close range.
- Cheetah Rock: Dedicated viewing area designed to showcase fast-moving African cats.
- Gelada Baboon Plateau: Rocky enclosure housing social herds of grass-grazing geladas.
- Wolverine and Lynx Prowl: Dense woodland enclosures dedicated to northern predators.
- The Leap of Faith Rope Course: High-ropes adventure challenge featuring climbing walls and aerial obstacles.
- Fun Fort Adventure Playground: Traditional wooden playground equipment suitable for toddlers and younger children.
- The Courtyard Cafe Seating Area: Main indoor and outdoor refreshment hub.
- Conservation Education Stations: Interactive touch points highlighting global species protection efforts.
- Visitor Gift Shop: Retail outlet selling sustainable toys, books, and souvenirs.
New for 2026:
- Updated Conservation Signage: Newly installed interactive digital display boards detailing the zoo's international breeding programs.
- Enhanced Visitor Path Networks: Refreshed walking trails designed to improve pushchair and wheelchair accessibility across the 136-acre site.
- Expanded Native Species Habitats: Newly upgraded enrichment zones within the woodland sections to support local wildlife biodiversity.
6.94 miles
