Tying in with the ‘Bears Go To Town’ trail being staged in shops across Cabot Circus and Broadmead, the team at the New Room are offering seasonal recreation for local youngsters with ‘Bring A Bear’ story time sessions for under-fives and wildlife craft workshops for five to 11 year olds in the welcoming surrounding of John Wesley’s Chapel.

Mandy Briggs, education officer for the New Room, said: “We’re aiming to provide activities that will entertain the children, and allow their parents to have a short break at the same time.

“We regularly offer activities for children during the school holidays and all are welcome, so it would be lovely to meet new families this summer who haven’t visited us before.”

There will be two half-hour storytelling sessions at 11am and 2pm on Tuesday 30 July, Tuesday 6 August and Tuesday 20 August, aimed especially at under-fives who are invited to bring their favourite teddy or other soft toy.

For five to 11-year olds the New Room’s wildlife craft workshops offer an hour of creative wildlife-themed activities which tie in with the opening of Bear Wood, the newest attraction at Bristol Zoo’s Wild Place Project. The workshops will run twice-daily from 11am to noon and 1-2pm on Wednesday 25 July, Wednesday 1 August, Wednesday 8 August and Wednesday 15 August.

Tickets for all events are available through Eventbrite, at £2.50 per child for storytelling and £4 per child for craft workshops. There is no charge for accompanying adults, but all children must have an adult with them.

As a result of its recent multi-million-pound extension, the historic chapel at the New Room now has an award-winning café, accessible toilets and changing facilities and a state-of-the-art family-friendly museum which offers further summer holiday diversions. It is open Monday to Saturday 10.30am to 4pm all year round.