From animal parks to theatre shows, let us help with ideas for keeping toddlers entertained in and around Bath...
Roman Baths
Free tickets for children: Children aged 5 and under visit free.
No family trip to Bath is complete without exploring the Roman Baths. This is one of the most well-preserved Roman remains in the world and is one of the city’s best attractions for keeping both grown-ups and kids equally captivated. Pick up the activity trail for pre-schoolers (there’s also one for older children) at the start of your visit, following ‘Hoot the Owl’ on an adventure around the site. Little ones will also enjoy seeing the costumed Roman characters wandering around the Roman Baths, based on real people who lived and worked at Aquae Sulis 2000 years ago.
You can download the free Roman Baths Kids app before you visit, full of fascinating facts about life at the Roman Baths, games and a quiz to find out which Roman God or Goddess you are most like.
Top tip: Visit early in the morning when the site is quieter and toddlers have more space to explore at their own pace.
Image - Roman Baths, credit Colin Hawkins
The Egg
Ticket prices vary by performance, but babies-in-arms are often free for selected productions. Check individual event listings before booking.
The Egg is an award-winning theatre for kids, toddlers included. There are often shows especially for the littlest members of the family on the programme, featuring fun and magical storytelling. Performances are every Saturday with extra shows during the school holidays too.
Top tip: Book ahead for popular holiday performances as toddler-friendly shows often sell out quickly.
Image - The Egg, credit Philip Vile
American Museum & Gardens
Children under 5 can visit free.
While the collection of American folk, decorative arts and cultural objects inside might interest mum or dad, little visitors to the American Museum will love running around the beautiful gardens. Paths are very buggy friendly, there’s a dedicated Children’s Garden with a wooden playground, and you can pick up children’s lunch boxes from The Garden Café or picnic on the grounds. The museum regularly hosts family-friendly events too, including the monthly Brilliant Beasties activities session for little ones.
Top tip: Bring a picnic and make the most of the extensive gardens and play spaces during warmer weather.
Image - American Museum, credit Peter Hall
Avon Valley Adventure Park
Babies in arms are free and tickets are cheaper if bought online with more than 24 hours notice
With over 200 animals, a Dinosaur Valley and an amazing array of adventure play, Avon Valley Adventure Park is a great day out for families with small kids. Make friends with the park’s animal residents, jump around on bouncing pillows, explore the Toddler’s Village indoor play area, have fun in the water and sand play areas, and much more.
Top tip: Avon Valley offers Blue Light and Military Defence discounts
Image - Avon Valley Adventure Park
Avon Valley Railway
Children under 5 can ride for free.
If you have a train-obsessed toddler, take them for a ride on a real steam or diesel locomotive on the Avon Valley Railway. The trains set off from the beautifully restored Victorian station at Bitton, where there’s also a small museum area, a gift shop and buffet too. Over the festive season, you can book Breakfast with Santa for a ride in the first class dining carriage featuring a visit from Father Christmas.
Top tip: Arrive early to watch the locomotive arrive and take plenty of photos before boarding.
Image - Avon Valley Railway
Westonbirt
Children 4 and under can visit free.
Not only is Westonbirt Arboretum a beautiful place to explore, they have plenty of outdoor fun for children to get involved with, including seasonal trails and activities throughout the year. Their Exploratree play area for ages 8 years and under, featuring a large wooden ship with ladders and slides, a spider climbing frame and planks to balance along. Their Christmas at Westonbirt event is also a magical and memorable day out for the family.
Image - Westonbirt Arboretum
Chew Valley Animal Park
Get up close with a range of animals including camels, ring-tailed lemurs, and porcupines and more, or head to the walk-in paddocks for handling sessions with rabbits and guinea pigs. There are also regular keeper talks and opportunities to feed the ponies, donkeys and deer. Little ones can run off extra steam in the play park.
Dyrham Park
Children under 5 can visit free.
Explore the picturesque parkland at National Trust estate Dyrham Park. The Old Lodge play area has a brilliant play area, plus a rustic café and kiosk in restored farm buildings and lots of picnic benches, both under cover and outdoors. There are also regular outdoor trails and crafty activities to get involved with.
Image - Dyrham Park, credit National Trust - Barry Batchelor
Longleat
Free tickets for children: Children under 3 visit free.
The highlight of any trip to Longleat is the safari drive through, which is where you can see exciting animals roaming free, from big cats like lions and tigers to the playful rhesus monkeys. There are heaps more animal encounters to have elsewhere in the park, as well as the chance to play in areas like the Adventure Castle, which has a splash pad and soft play, and the wildlife-inspired Little Explorers Garden.
Top tip: Arrive early to beat the queues for the safari drive and enjoy the animal attractions before they get busier.
Image - Longleat
Wookey Hole
Children under 3 visit free.
On top of the awesome cave system, which you may have to carry your littlest ones through (there’s a buggy store in the ice cream parlour), Wookey Hole has enough to keep you busy all day. Highlights for toddlers include encounters with magnificent beasts in Dinosaur Grove, three soft play zones, and a mirror maze. Over threes can enjoy the 4D cinema too.
Image - Wookey Hole Caves and Attractions
Haynes Motor Museum
Free tickets for children: Children under 5 enter free.
Home of the UK’s largest collection of cars and motorbikes, Haynes Motor Museum has activities to keep the whole family entertained. Younger kids can drive themselves around the museum on board their own Little Tikes car, giving you a chance to concentrate on the exhibits. Outside, they can run wild on the motoring-themed play area before you all refuel with a picnic or lunch at the café.
Image - Haynes Motor Museum
Royal Victoria Park
Royal Victoria Park is a favourite city centre spot to wear out restless youngsters all year round. As well as an expanse of green space for picnicking and running around, there’s a children’s adventure playground, ponds where you can feed the ducks in spring, and a crazy golf course.
Image - Royal Victoria Park
Bath City Farm
The collection of animals at Bath City Farm in Twerton includes chickens, pigs, ducks, pygmy goats, Shetland ponies and cows. So it’s the perfect place to brush up on your rendition of Old Macdonald! There’s also a castle-inspired play area with a sandpit, climbing wall, slide, swing and interactive water cascade. The farm is free to visit but donations are always appreciated.
Top tip: Visit during feeding times for extra opportunities to see the animals up close.
Rainbow Woods
Rainbow Woods is a stretch of the Bath Skyline Walk that’s been turned into a woodland play area. Based near Claverton Down, have a magical time following the fairy door trail and playing on the rope swing, stepping logs, wobble beams and see-saw. Geocachers, keep your eyes peeled here!
Top tip: Download a geocaching app before your visit to add an extra adventure for older toddlers and siblings.
Keep planning a family-friendly trip to Bath:
Related
Famed for its hot springs, Bath houses the best preserved Roman Spa from the ancient world. Delve into the history of this magical monument and admire its architecture and engineering.
Located on the outskirts of town, find the best day out in Bath with breathtaking views, fascinating museum collections, stunning gardens, gallery shop, children’s play area and the American Garden Deli, with its scenic garden terrace.
Big on adventure and packed with unforgettable experiences, Avon Valley is the ultimate family day out. Known for extraordinary immersive events such as Summertopia, Pumpkin Patch and the Christmas Experience, all set within a beautiful riverside location, Avon Valley offers far more than just special occasions.
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, managed by the Forestry Commission, is one of the finest collections of temperate trees and shrubs in the world.
A picturesque destination with a range of animals including capybaras, camels, pygmy goats, ring-tailed lemurs and much more!
Dyrham Park is nestled in 270 acres of ancient parkland filled with magnificent trees and breathtaking views over to Wales. Inside the house, visitors can get a flavour of 17th-century life while the garden includes formal borders, ponds and an orchard.
Longleat, nestled within 900 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds, is home to the UK’s original Safari Park.
Wookey Hole Caves is one of the UK’s largest show cave systems, lying deep below the Mendip Hills. It’s home of the Witch of Wookey Hole and offers a magical and historical day out for explorers of all ages.
The multi award-winning Haynes Motor Museum is home to the UK’s largest collection of iconic cars and motorbikes from around the world.
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