Get ready to hop, skip, and jump your way across Bristol’s green spaces! A collaboration between Bristol City Centre BID and Upfest has seen sees three colossal hopscotch courts pop up around our parks. Taking Bristolians back to their childhood, these new hopscotches should delight both the young and young at heart.
Each of the hopscotch locations is made up of 650 tiles, located in Queen Square, Castle Park and College Green, sprayed onto the grass in these iconic green spaces. Each individual tile represents a year in Bristol’s time as a city. 650 years ago, King Edward III granted important rights and privileges to Bristol by royal charter in 1373 – essentially making Bristol a county in its own right.
“With the summer holidays just around the corner, we’ve introduced hopscotch to our green spaces as a free-to-attend and must-do summer activity for families,” said Vicky Lee, Head of Bristol City Centre BID. “Hopscotchers can enjoy the unique installation and then take a look around all of the fantastic retail and hospitality businesses nearby. We’re looking forward to transforming our city into a giant playground and see Bristolians come together, say Happy Birthday to Bristol and celebrate as a city.”
How do you play hopscotch?
If you don’t remember how to play: use the colourful bean bags available to set markers, throw the bags and hop from tile to tile, hopping over the square with a bag on it. The aim is to hop all the way to the end without the other foot touching the ground. But with Bristol being a unique and special place, visitors are encouraged to get creative with their own games as well as traditional hopscotch.
This free activity, which has also been brought to life in the shape of the number 650, will be available for families throughout the school holidays. (From the final week of July and throughout August.)