Outdoor places for under-5s near Westbury on Trym

We spend a lot of time outdoors at The Manor House, in our own garden and on trips to the local park and woods. One of the nice things about this corner of north Bristol is how much green space there is within easy reach. Here are some of the places we would recommend to families with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers, all close to Westbury on Trym, Southmead and Henleaze.

Badock's Wood, Southmead

Badock's Wood is a proper woodland adventure without a long drive. It is a local nature reserve with old woodland, meadow and the River Trym running along the valley floor. There is even a Bronze Age burial mound, which is a lovely thing to tell a curious 4-year-old about.

Good to know:

• The main paths are tarmac, so it works with a buggy
• There are no public toilets, so plan accordingly
• It is open at all times and free
• The entrances are on Lakewood Road and Doncaster Road

For small children, the stream is usually the highlight. Bring wellies, a bag for treasures and plenty of time for stopping to look at things.

Doncaster Road play area, Southmead

If you want a playground after the woods, the Doncaster Road play area is close to Badock's Wood. It has two separate playgrounds, one for toddlers and one for older children, and it is fenced to keep dogs out. There are cradle swings for the youngest, springers, a roundabout and a play tower with a slide.

Canford Park, Westbury on Trym

Canford Park is a Victorian park on Canford Lane with a large, popular play area that mixes traditional equipment with natural play. The sand pit is a firm favourite with toddlers. The play area is dog free, and the tarmac paths make it easy with a buggy or a scooter. There is no car park, but there is street parking nearby.

Old Quarry Park, Henleaze

Tucked near the Henleaze shops, Old Quarry Park has a lovely natural feel, with trees all around. There are swings, natural play and an adventure trail under the trees, which older toddlers and pre-schoolers love to clamber along.

Blaise Castle Estate, Henbury

For a bigger day out, Blaise Castle Estate is hard to beat. It is a huge historic parkland, and the younger children's play area has sand play, climbing frames, a slide and swings, with picnic tables nearby. The best part for parents with little ones is that this play area sits right next to the café and toilets. Both play areas are fenced and dog free, and the paths are flat and good for pushchairs. The main car park is paid, and the main entrance is on a bus route.

Making the most of outdoor time with under-5s

You do not need a plan to make a trip outdoors worthwhile. A few things we find work well:

• Follow their lead. If they want to spend twenty minutes on one puddle, that puddle is the lesson.
• Dress for the weather, not the forecast. Waterproofs and wellies mean nobody has to come home early.
• Collect and talk. Leaves, sticks and stones make great conversation, and great play back at home.
• Let them take small risks. Climbing a low log or balancing along a kerb builds confidence and helps children learn what they can manage.
• Go in every season. Autumn leaves, frosty mornings and spring blossom are all different adventures.

Outdoors at The Manor House

At nursery, our garden is as important to us as the rooms indoors. It is open through the day and used in most weathers. Children build obstacle courses, cook up recipes in the mud kitchen, test themselves on the climbing frame and slide, and use real woodworking tools with support from our team.

If you live nearby and would like to see our garden for yourself, book a show-around and come and visit us on Southmead Road.