February fun: a Bristol break to kick-start the New Year

When any couple are deciding where to go and what to do for their holiday, it’s fairly straight forward. Discuss whether they’d like some fun in the sun, a mountain adventure, a city break...or maybe a bit of everything.



But when kids are involved, an added layer of complexity is thrown into the mix. It’s not just about keeping the kids happy though, it’s a case of finding something, well, for everyone.



If you fancy just jumping in the car and taking a domestic break, cities can be a good option, as there is normally something for everyone. Plus, if you’re looking for taking a break off-season – in other words, when the weather doesn’t permit a beach break – then cities are probably the best bet.



Whilst London may be a little too hectic and pricey for the average family, Bristol is a mere couple of hours away and offers an abundance of things to do in a compact, city environment.



Firstly, Bristol offers up family activities all year ‘round. There’s activity centres, indoor/outdoor go-karting, quad-biking and ice-skating for starters. And if you pack a couple of family-sized umbrellas in preparation for the unpredictable British weather, then look no further than Bristol Zoo for a great day out.

Indeed, whilst January is a month of recovery and financial consolidation for many families, February is a good time to kick-start any new year and blow-off those winter cob-webs in preparation for the pending spring season.



Brunel’s SS Great Britain is one of the world’s most famous ships and, indeed, one of the first true great ocean liners. Now permanently housed in Bristol, the ship is one of the city’s star attractions twelve months a year, but February is a particularly special time for events on the ship.



‘The Incredible Journey’ is an exhibition marking the fortieth anniversary of the ship’s return to Bristol, whilst some storytelling for the kids takes place from 19th-23rd February from 11.30-14.30.



Given that February can bring bad weather, there are a myriad of other indoor activities and attractions for all the family…there’s the Bristol Aquarium and IMAX 3D cinema for starters.



And just outside Bristol is the magnificent Cheddar Caves and Gorge, the latter of which may require some waterproofs if you do plan a visit in February. But any visit to this region should include a trip to Cheddar, if not for the famous caves and gorge, then for the home of the cheese it lends its name too.



So if you’re looking for a family city break, then the English south-west could be the answer, and whether you’re in the city centre or a little further out, you can be sure of having the choice of some of the best hotels Bristol has to offer.