Accessible half-term things to do in Bristol (October half-term 2026)
Bristol City Council's term dates show Term 1 ending on Friday 23 October 2026 and Term 2 starting on Monday 2 November, so half-term runs from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October. Academies and some other schools can set their own dates, so check with your child's school. This guide covers Bristol, Bath, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, with a SEND-only morning at M Shed, a relaxed film screening at Watershed, captioned and audio described theatre, and family events with clear access information. Details can change, so please check with the organiser before you travel.
Top picks
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SEND morning at M Shed
10am to 1pm, arrive and leave when you like · M Shed, Princes Wharf, Bristol · Free, donations welcome
- SEND session
- Autism-friendly
- Quiet session
- Low-noise or quieter display
- Wheelchair accessible
- Step-free access
- Lift
- Assistance dogs welcome
- Disabled parking
A morning for families of children with a disability or neurodiversity, such as autism, while the museum is closed to everyone else. Lighting is adjusted, soundtracks are turned down or off, and there is a quiet space, sensory maps and Little Bag of Calm kits. Booking is essential and the café and shop are closed.
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Relaxed screening: Wildwood (12A)
2pm to 4:12pm · Watershed, Harbourside, Bristol · Standard Watershed prices. Free ticket for a personal assistant. · 12A
- Relaxed session
- Quiet session
- Step-free access
- Lift
- Hearing loop
- Assistance dogs welcome
- Accessible toilet
- Disabled parking
LAIKA's new animated film, shown with lights up a little, sound down a little and no trailers or adverts. Capacity is capped at 60 percent, you can move around and make noise, and there are beanbags, yoga mats and a separate quiet space. This screening also has audio description and descriptive subtitles.
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Out of this World October at Aerospace Bristol
Every day, 24 October to 1 November · Space Station show and tell 10:30am to 2:30pm · Aerospace Bristol, Filton · Included with admission. See the venue's website.
- Changing Places toilet
- Wheelchair accessible
- Step-free access
- Lift
- Disabled parking
- Assistance dogs welcome
- Hearing loop
Space crafts, dress-up and a live show and tell, with extra events such as a drone show on 26 and 27 October and rocket building on 29 and 30 October. The museum has a registered Changing Places toilet, level access, lifts and a visual guide for autistic visitors. A carer goes free with a paying disabled visitor.
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Family Day at Bristol Old Vic
Drop in from 10:30am to 2:30pm · Bristol Old Vic, King Street, Bristol · Free · Designed for ages 3 to 10
A free half-term day of theatre activities for families. The page does not list access details, so call the Box Office on 0117 987 7877 to ask about booking and access.
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On all week
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Spooky Week at The Red Lodge Museum
Saturday 24, Sunday 25 and Thursday 29 October to Sunday 1 November · 11am to 4pm · The Red Lodge Museum, Park Row, Bristol · £5 per person, under 4s free. Family tickets available. · Best for ages 6 to 9
Gentle spooky activity days exploring the past, included in the entry price. Book online, or walk in on the day if there is space. The event page has no access details, so contact the museum before you go.
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Autumn Week at Blaise Museum
Saturday 24, Sunday 25 and Thursday 29 October to Sunday 1 November · 11am to 4pm · Blaise Museum, Henbury Road, Bristol · £5 per person, under 4s free (book them separately). Family tickets available. · Aimed at ages 0 to 9
Seasonal activity days, included in the entry price. Book online, or walk in if there is space. The page does not give access details, so contact the museum to check.
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Steam train rides at M Shed
Weekends only: 24 and 25 October, 31 October and 1 November · 11am to 5pm, about 15 minutes per trip · M Shed, Princes Wharf, Bristol · £3.50 single, £5 return, under 6s free
Short dockside rides on the Bristol Harbour Railway, run by volunteers. Buy tickets on the day by the platform. Rides can be cancelled at short notice, so call 0117 352 6600 to check, and to ask about access.
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Ma-ad Science Mayhem at Bristol Dockyards
Tuesday to Sunday until 1 November · Bristol Dockyards (SS Great Britain), Bristol · Included with General Admission or Afternoon Saver tickets
- Wheelchair accessible
- Lift
- Ear defenders available
- Assistance dogs welcome
Shaun the Sheep science challenges around the site, indoors and out, with a messy Science and Slime session on Friday 30 October, 11am to 3pm. The site has lifts, free loan wheelchairs and ear defenders to borrow, and one personal assistant goes free. Some ship cabins are narrow.
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Mini-museum hunt: 50 years of Aardman
Every day until 1 November · 10am to 5pm · Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queens Road, Bristol · See the venue's website
- Step-free access
- Lift
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accessible toilet
- Assistance dogs welcome
Pick up a detective map and find hidden Aardman treasures around the museum. The museum has level entry, a passenger lift and a downloadable sensory map. The wildlife galleries are closed for refurbishment, so expect some building noise and paint smells.
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Pinhole cameras at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy
Every day, 24 October to 1 November · 10am to 4pm · Herschel Museum of Astronomy, New King Street, Bath · Free with museum entry
A drop-in half-term activity in a small historic house museum. The listing has no access details, so call 01225 446865 to ask before you visit.
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Revolting Roman Remedies at the Roman Baths
Every day until 1 November · 9am to 6pm · The Roman Baths, Abbey Church Yard, Bath · Adults from £26.50, children 6 to 18 from £19.50, family from £51, under 6s free. Halloween craft on 31 October is £5 per child.
Half-term activities about Roman cures, included with admission. The listing has no access details for this event, so contact the Roman Baths on 01225 477785. Bath has a Clean Air Zone for some vehicles.
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Day by day
Monday 26 October
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SEND morning at M Shed
10am to 1pm, arrive and leave when you like · M Shed, Princes Wharf, Bristol · Free, donations welcome
- SEND session
- Autism-friendly
- Quiet session
- Low-noise or quieter display
- Wheelchair accessible
- Step-free access
- Lift
- Assistance dogs welcome
- Disabled parking
A morning for families of children with a disability or neurodiversity, such as autism, while the museum is closed to everyone else. Lighting is adjusted, soundtracks are turned down or off, and there is a quiet space, sensory maps and Little Bag of Calm kits. Booking is essential and the café and shop are closed.
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Tuesday 27 October
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Relaxed screening: Wildwood (12A)
2pm to 4:12pm · Watershed, Harbourside, Bristol · Standard Watershed prices. Free ticket for a personal assistant. · 12A
- Relaxed session
- Quiet session
- Step-free access
- Lift
- Hearing loop
- Assistance dogs welcome
- Accessible toilet
- Disabled parking
LAIKA's new animated film, shown with lights up a little, sound down a little and no trailers or adverts. Capacity is capped at 60 percent, you can move around and make noise, and there are beanbags, yoga mats and a separate quiet space. This screening also has audio description and descriptive subtitles.
Add to calendar (Relaxed screening: Wildwood (12A)) Google Calendar
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Family Day at Bristol Old Vic
Drop in from 10:30am to 2:30pm · Bristol Old Vic, King Street, Bristol · Free · Designed for ages 3 to 10
A free half-term day of theatre activities for families. The page does not list access details, so call the Box Office on 0117 987 7877 to ask about booking and access.
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Wednesday 28 October
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Aardman Shaun the Sheep model-making workshop
10:30am, 1pm or 3pm (60 minutes) · Viridor Theatre, Bristol Dockyards (SS Great Britain), Bristol · £8 per person, plus General Admission · 6 and over
- Wheelchair accessible
- Lift
- Ear defenders available
- Assistance dogs welcome
Make your own clay Shaun the Sheep to take home. The site lends wheelchairs and ear defenders and one personal assistant goes free. The workshop page has no access details, so call 0117 926 0680 to talk through your child's needs.
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Stories in the Sky planetarium show
Shows between 10:30am and 1:30pm · Herschel Museum of Astronomy, New King Street, Bath · £5 · Recommended for ages 4 to 7
A short planetarium show for young children, with several show times. The listing says it runs on Wednesdays from 28 October. Book through the museum and call 01225 446865 to ask about access.
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Thursday 29 October
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The Spooky Club at BRLSI
10am to 4pm · Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, Queen Square, Bath · Free
Free drop-in Halloween crafts for children, such as spiderweb charms and moon magic. The listing has no access details, so call 01225 312084 to check.
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Friday 30 October
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Lanny: captioned performance
7:30pm · Bristol Old Vic, King Street, Bristol · From £17 · 13 and over
A captioned performance of the new stage version of Max Porter's novel, for older teens and adults. There is also an audio described matinee on Saturday 31 October at 2:30pm, with a touch tour at 12:30pm. The show has mature themes, strobe lighting, haze and sudden loud noises.
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Tips for a calmer half-term in Bristol and Bath
- Ask for a free carer ticket. Watershed, Bristol Dockyards, We The Curious and Aerospace Bristol all offer a free ticket for a personal assistant or carer. Some are not sold online, so call ahead.
- Plan around Changing Places toilets. Bristol City Council lists a Changing Places toilet at City Hall on College Green. VisitBristol lists Changing Places toilets at We The Curious, Aerospace Bristol and Bristol Beacon.
- Borrow sensory kit on the day. Bristol Dockyards lends ear defenders, and We The Curious lends sensory bags with ear defenders from the Welcome Desk, subject to availability.
- Book the regular calm sessions after half-term. There are no regular quiet sessions at the big attractions during half-term week. The next ones are Wake the Tiger on 5 November, Aquarium Bristol's Even Calmer Day on 8 November and We The Curious on 6 December.
- Read the visual stories first. Watershed, We The Curious, Aerospace Bristol and Bristol Dockyards publish visual stories or sensory guides on their websites, which can help children know what to expect.
- Check holiday clubs early. In North Somerset, the SENDCAS team runs holiday activities in Weston-super-Mare and Portishead for ages 5 to 18. Email SENDCAS@n-somerset.gov.uk to ask about October.
Running an accessible event?
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Frequently asked questions
When is October half-term 2026 in Bristol?
Bristol City Council's term dates show Term 1 ending on 23 October 2026 and Term 2 starting on 2 November, so half-term is Monday 26 to Friday 30 October. Academies and voluntary aided schools can set different dates, so check with your school.
Are there autism-friendly or relaxed activities in Bristol this half-term?
Yes. M Shed has a SEND-only morning on Monday 26 October, and Watershed has a relaxed screening of Wildwood on Tuesday 27 October. Both need booking.
Is there a relaxed or quiet session at We The Curious or Aquarium Bristol in half-term?
Not this half-term. We The Curious lists Relaxed Mornings on 4 October and 6 December 2026, and Aquarium Bristol lists Even Calmer Days on 1 October and 8 November 2026.
Is there a HAF holiday club in Bristol or Bath in October half-term?
Bristol's Your Holiday Hub runs in the Easter, summer and winter holidays, and Bath and North East Somerset's HAF runs at Christmas, Easter and summer. Neither council page lists an October programme. Children with SEND who are eligible are welcome, and B&NES offers SEND-specific sessions in its main holidays.
Are there accessible theatre performances in Bristol over half-term?
Bristol Old Vic has a captioned performance of Lanny on Friday 30 October and an audio described matinee with a touch tour on Saturday 31 October. The show is for ages 13 and over.