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Find sheep, have fun: family activities to enjoy at six Shaun in the City stops

Written by
Eleanor Willock
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With so many statues in the Shaun in the City trail, those set on finding them all might be tempted to hurry to each destination, pausing only to take a snap before zooming off to find the next.

Instead, why not slow down the pace and use the opportunity to better explore the city and take advantage of what could be nearby? Sure, you might not get the chance to see all 70, but you you might discover something new and enjoyable about your city that you did not know before.

Here are six of our favourite Shaun locations, with a recommended free or cheap activity for the kids not too far away, plus a top tip for somewhere to eat, too. 

Sparkles The Unicorn, Horfield Common   

Sparkles

To get to Horfield Common, you get to travel up the brilliant Gloucester Road.

Whether you're on the bus, in the car, or walking, there's so much to see. If you've got little ones under five, we recommend a stop at Kudacan, a unique play cafe in Bristol.

Kudacan sells good quality, simple and healthy food for kids and may provide some respite from the rain if needs be.

If it's sunny and you'd like a cold beverage with your Shaun activities, a favourite pub nearby is The Grace. It boasts a nice beer garden with big family sized tables and good food. Horfield Common itself is also a fab place for a picnic. 

Melonie, Fountain Square 

Melonie

Melonie is out in Staple Hill, gracing a small shopping area with her colours. Nearby is the green space of Page Park, a good location with plenty of picnic spots, football fields and tennis courts to let off steam.

If you need indoor play space, just under a mile away in Kingswood is Castaways, a popular soft play and cafe with heaps to do and very decent lunch options.

For a good pub lunch, try the Cross Hands on Staple Hill. Not only is it really welcoming to families, it has a decent toy selection and an enclosed back garden too. 

Sheepish, Temple Church Gardens

Sheepish

This is a great spot for a Shaun and we love the gardens and the strange wonky remains of the church here. It's also quite an underrated part of the city centre.

If you're looking for food on the move, The Mighty Food Fight truck may just be round the corner (check days and locations). Even if you're not a vegan, believe us, their incredible doughnuts HAVE to be tried.

Also nearby is Yurt Lush at Temple Quarter. Kids will love having lunch inside the big yurt, and its Sunday lunches are delicious.

If you're around on a Thursday, the BEATS Temple Quarter street food market can't be missed. Check their site for exact dates. 

Two Hoots, Snuff Mills

Two Hoots

Two Hoots is standing proud in a location you'll want to spend more than just five minutes taking the obligatory Shaun photo.

Snuff Mills is a gorgeous place. Not only is there a really good cafe near the car park that does a mean toastie, which you can eat by the banks of the river, there are heaps of places to picnic along the wild path. There's also an outstanding playground. 

The Pirate Captain, MShed

The Pirate Captain

With his googly eyes and excellent beard, the Pirate Captain is a personal favourite. If you're visiting Bristol, make sure you go to M Shed whilst you're there. This great venue has three floors of free, interactive history and it's fascinating, even for younger children.

M Shed also has a full size double decker bus you can ride on, and you'll learn a lot about the watery depths that The Pirate Captain is guarding!

If you don't fancy eating at the M Shed cafe, head to Brunel's Buttery a few minutes walk down the harbourside. They sell best chips and the most bacony of bacon sandwiches - best eaten sitting on a brick wall looking at the view across the water. 

Shaun Bean, The Arnolfini

Shaun Bean

He's the shiniest Shaun in the flock; a kind of Daft Punk Shaun, and he's surrounded by great things to do and eat!

The Arnolfini is, for the majority, free to enter, and very welcoming to families. Even if you're not sure about the art, it's big, got great changing facilities and the cafe is very popular.

If not, everybody loves crepes, right?

Look across to the bridge and you'll see one of Bristol's best cheap eats, the tiny Crepe and Coffee Cabin. This is perfect if you're in town early, and there's a great view while you queue for your lovely hot pancakes. 

All pictures: Wallace & Gromit's Children's Foundation. Charity no. 1043603

Shaun the Sheep & Shaun in the City (c)& (tm) Aardman Animations Ltd 2015

Check these ten facts about Shaun the Sheep you might not know. 

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