Day 6 : Explore Brandon Hill nature park

Time to take it easy and enjoy one of Bristol's best city centre wildlife havens - so pack a picnic, take the bus and spend the afternoon in the peaceful wildflower meadows of Brandon Hill nature park. Click here for directions.

1. Climb to the top of Cabot Tower to be rewarded with breathtaking views across the city. This is also a great spot to look out for peregrines which like to perch just across the way on the Wills Memorial Building. There's so much to see from up there that you'll be glad of having taken a pair of binoculars!
2. Then when you get back down to earth look for dragonflies in the pond - download this free spotters guide so you can tick off each type that you see! The pond is also home to toads, frogs and newts so tread carefully and avoid disturbing them.
3. Afterwards, treat yourself to some lovely homemade ice cream from the van at the top of the hill - scrumptious!

For an insight into what other wildlife there is on Brandon Hill then check out this wildlife map and photos from the wonderful Brandon Hill Nature Blog

Day 5 : Woodland Giant Games at Arnos Vale

Join in the spirit of the olympics with some giant games in the woods at Arnos Vale Cemetary on Sunday the 5th of August, there will also be a scavenger hunt and tricky woodland trail. This old victorian cemetery has a touch of the secret garden about it. A wildlife haven in the middle of the city it has landscaped walks and woodland to explore - not to mention a cafe tucked away in the middle for lunch or just tea and cake.

£7 per family 10-11am or 11.30-12.30pm 

For further details click here. (pre-booking essential)

Day 4 : Explore harbourside wildlife from the water

Get a new perspective on the city and take the Bristol Ferry through the city harbour - look out for wildlife including cormorants, otters, and swans - binoculars recommended!

Aside from regular city center harbour trips every day look out for their special wildlife tours and longer cruises to Beeses tea rooms (who doesn't love a trip with a bit of tea and cake at the end of it).

For general ferry times go to http://www.bristolferry.com/

For a rundown of wildlife around the harbour see this guide created by Bristol Floating Harbour

'What about the otters' I hear you say, well take a look at this clip

Day 3 : Discover the bats of Browns Folly

Go bat spotting at dusk on Browns Folly nature reserve

Ancient woodland, quarries and wildflower grasslands make Browns Folly a great place to explore and at dusk you can discover some of its more nocturnal inhabitants.Click here to download a walk showing what to look out for - including Bat Caves! 

This extensive website tells you everything about bats and this special Avon wildlife Trust nature reserve. You can listen to bat podcasts and learn how bat detectors work on this site too. There's even a handy guide to building your own bat box for the garden to attract them to your area.

Directions and overview of the reserve can be found here

Day 2 : Outdoor Theatre at Tyntesfield

An extra activity for day 2 because we just couldn't leave this one out - a storytelling experience and a half!

Relax in the beautiful evening setting of Tyntesfield grounds and enter a world of magic, music, witches and talking animals! Tyntesfield are having an outdoor theatre production of Grimm's fairy tales on Thursday the 2nd of August. 

For further details click here. (pre-booking essential)

Don’t forget to take a blanket to sit on and a torch - it all adds to the sense of adventure!

Day 2 : Animal Athletes at Bristol Zoo

Are you as fast as a peregrine? can you jump higher than a grasshopper? think you can carry more than an ant? Discover just how these creatures compare to the olympics. 

Bristol Zoo Gardens are holding an Animal Athletes day for 8 - 12 yr olds on Thursday the 2nd of August Children also get to make their own peregrine glider toy.


£8.50 per child (pre-booking essential), 
For further details click here

Day 1 : Den Building at Portbury Wharf

Children love the thrill of making their own little hideout whether its a blanket over upturned chairs in the garden or a secret fort made of mud and sticks in the woods. Portbury Wharf nature reserve is holding a playday all about den building and animal homes on Wednesday the 1st of August

To book click here (pre-booking essential)

To find out more about the wetland habitat and wildlife that Portbury Wharf has to offer check out our guide to the reserve including directions.
And if you just want to brush up on your den building techniques then download these simple structural den making tips from visitwoods.