English Language Holiday for Families in Bristol, England
Learn English in Bristol whilst your children enjoy their own holiday fun right next door
Family language holiday in Bristol, England
The city of Bristol is lively and colourful, yet compact enough for families to find their way around from day one.
Two programmes, one holiday together – that’s how simple a family language holiday can be. ELC School Bristol was founded in 1969 as Bristol’s first language school and is located in Clifton, one of Bristol’s most beautiful and peaceful neighbourhoods.
Your advantages
- University town
- peaceful surroundings
- family-friendly accommodation
Quick Tour
- Levels: Anfänger - C2
- Quality associations: British Council, English UK, IELTS, Cambridge English
- Accommodation types: Apartments, B&B
- Groupsize max.: 14
- Foundation: 1969
English Language School, Bristol, England
In Clifton, one of Bristol’s most beautiful and peaceful neighbourhoods, you can learn English at one of the country’s most prestigious language schools, whilst your children play and run about just a few steps away at the holiday club run by neighbouring Clifton College, picking up English along the way. .
The English Language Centre Bristol, or ELC Bristol for short, has been a family-run language school for over 50 years and has been named the best language school in the UK by independent assessors from the British Council, alongside just one other school.
The main building is situated in a quiet, leafy part of Clifton, with its own garden, 15 bright classrooms, a multimedia centre offering free e-learning, a cosy common room with table football and a piano, and a school canteen.
Directly opposite are the Clifton College gym and swimming pool, which language students can use for a small membership fee.
What makes this language school special is that it is part of the Clifton College Education Group – one of England’s most prestigious educational institutions. Families benefit directly from this too, as their children do not spend their time in a separate language course, but in the Clifton College holiday club, right next door on the school grounds. There, they’ll meet British and international children, play, run about and experience English quite naturally in everyday life – whilst you yourself make noticeable progress in your own intensive English course with native-speaking teachers.
For adults of all ages; for children aged 3 and over in the holiday club. All teachers are native speakers with an average of 18 years’ teaching experience and an average of 9 years’ service at the school – so your English course is in experienced hands.
Map of Bristol, England
Bristol & Clifton, England Bristol is situated in the south-west of England. With a population of around 450,000, it is the second-largest city in southern England after London – and can be reached by train from there in under two hours. The language school itself is situated in the Clifton district, one of the city’s most beautiful neighbourhoods, featuring Georgian architecture, extensive green spaces and the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, which is about a 20-minute walk away. From here, it is just a few minutes’ walk to cafés, restaurants and small shops – and the city centre and the University of Bristol are also in the immediate vicinity.
Bristol has been named one of the UK’s best travel destinations by *Time Out* magazine and described by *The Times* as ‘the country’s coolest city’ – renowned for its vibrant Harbourside, international cuisine, music scene and world-famous street art, particularly the works of Banksy. The city is easily accessible via Bristol Airport, which offers connections to more than 100 destinations in over 30 countries; London, Bath, Oxford, Cardiff, Stonehenge and Windsor Castle are all ideal for day trips.
Worth knowing at a glance
- Public transport: Bus, Tram, Taxi / Cab
- Currency: GBP
- Voltage: 240
- Average Temperature: 10
- Telephone area code: 0044
Images Impressions of Bristol, England
Impressions of Bristol, England
Bristol is best known for its student life and, despite its size, for being easy to navigate – making it ideal for a family holiday. Discover Bristol, the city in the south-west of England, together with your children – there’s plenty to explore in Bristol and the surrounding region.
Bournemouth’s beaches are situated along a breathtaking coastline. The bay has its own microclimate, with some of the warmest water temperatures in the UK. From here, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Isle of Wight and find everything you could wish for on a day at the beach.
Whether you’re relaxing on a sun lounger, strolling along the traditional piers, hiring a beach hut, savouring the wonderful food or simply taking in the stunning coastline, Bournemouth Beach offers the perfect day out, whatever the weather.
Each section of the beach offers its own special attractions, such as water sports, the pier, events and festivals. The Bournemouth Air Festival is one of the world’s largest air shows. The following beaches have been awarded Blue Flag status: Alum Chine, Durley Chine, Fisherman’s Walk and Southbourne.
Bournemouth has three Victorian gardens: the Lower Gardens stretch down to the sea and merge into the Central Gardens in the town centre, continuing on to the Upper Gardens. It’s a wonderful walk along the coast through the gardens for 1.5 miles, where you can discover a wide variety of trees, grasses and herbs. The Lower Gardens boast a magnificent display of flowers and are the venue for many events and gatherings during the summer months.
The Alum Chine neighbourhood boasts an award-winning tropical garden with views across the bay and a wealth of exotic plants. Take the train from Bournemouth Pier to Boscombe Chine Gardens. It’s an ideal day-out destination for families, with a children’s water play area, mini-golf and a café. There are also other gardens to admire in this region, such as the Italianate Gardens and the Rock Gardens. For nature lovers, there are nature reserves further inland that are well worth a visit, such as Stour Valley, Kinson Common and Turbury Common. Ideal for parents and children to let off steam.
Course overview (3)
English: 28 lessons in Bristol
The 28-lesson course at our partner language school is aimed at learners who want to make progress as quickly as possible whilst developing all their language skills.
Key features:
- Scope: 28 lessons per week (= 21 teaching hours of 45 minutes each). Lessons take place in the mornings and on four afternoons; Friday afternoons are usually free.
- Morning content: General English with a focus on:
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Speaking
- Listening comprehension
- Reading
- Writing
- Pronunciation
- Afternoon lessons:
- Monday and Wednesday: Writing, study skills or exam preparation.
- Tuesday and Thursday: Additional communication courses or optional modules, depending on language level. From around B2 level, topics such as Business English, British culture, music or film may be offered.
Further benefits of the course:
- an average of 11 students, maximum 14 per class
- Placement test before or on arrival
- Daily homework (approx. 30–45 minutes)
- personalised learning programme
- 4 hours of supervised self-study per week (optional)
- Free language activities such as the Conversation Club, Film Club or Job Club
- Access to the e-learning platform for up to 3 months after the course ends
- Certificate of completion and progress tests during your stay.
Course Information
- Type: General english
- Age From: 18
- Duration: 25 per unit: 45 min.
- Level: Beginner - C2
- Group Size max.: 14
- Course Dates From: all year round
Price overview & Options
| 1 Week | 480.00 | |
| 2 Week | 960.00 | |
| 3 Week | 1,440.00 | |
| 4 Week | 1,920.00 |
All prices are per person
| Type | Per | Family | Adults | Kids |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | Family | 0.00 | 80.00 | 0.00 |
| Books/Lernmaterials | Person | 0.00 | 80.00 | 0.00 |
English-language activity camp, Bristol
The Multi Activity Camp offers a great opportunity, particularly for the youngest children, to gain their first experiences of the English language through play. They’ll play games, take part in sports and go on outings together with local children. This allows your children to come into contact with the English language in a relaxed way.
The Multi Activity Camp takes place about a 40-minute walk from our easy language school. You can drop your children off at the camp from 8.00 am. They will be looked after there until the camp starts at 9.00 am.
Course Information
- Type: Multi Activity Camp
- Age From: 3
- Duration: 40 per unit: 45 min.
- Level: A1 - C2
- Group Size max.: 15
- Course Dates From: 6 July 2026 – 4 September 2026 (closed 31 August 2026), 31 March 2027 – 18 April 2027, 6 May 2027 – 9 May 2027, 7 July 2027 – 6 September 2027
Price overview & Options
| 1 Week | 380.00 | |
| 2 Week | 760.00 | |
| 3 Week | 1,140.00 | |
| 4 Week | 1,520.00 |
All prices are per person
| Type | Per | Family | Adults | Kids |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | Person | 0.00 | 0.00 | 80.00 |
English course for teenagers: 28 lessons, Bristol
Your child will not be taught in a separate youth class, but alongside adult course participants from all over the world – a deliberate decision by the school that leads to noticeably greater progress, both in terms of language skills and personal development.
For young people aged 16 and over – the minimum age for the summer programme.
All teachers are native speakers with an average of 18 years’ teaching experience. Depending on your language level, preparation for the Cambridge First or Advanced exams, as well as for IELTS, is available; preparation for the Proficiency exam is not offered during the summer months due to the lack of exam dates.
Course Information
- Type: Teencourse
- Age From: 16
- Duration: 20 per unit: 45 min.
- Level: Beginner - C2
- Group Size max.: 15
- Course Dates From: 21 June 2027 – 23 August 2027
Price overview & Options
| 1 Week | 480.00 | |
| 2 Week | 960.00 | |
| 3 Week | 1,440.00 | |
| 4 Week | 1,920.00 |
All prices are per person
| Type | Per | Family | Adults | Kids |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | Family | 0.00 | 0.00 | 80.00 |
| Books/Lernmaterials | Person | 0.00 | 0.00 | 80.00 |
* Accepted as an educational holiday
Holidays / Holiday periods: 3 April, 6 April, 4 May, 25 May, 31 August 2026, 18 December 2026 – 3 January 2027
Leisure time activities
Learning English and holiday fun – at the same time, but organised separately. At the heart of the family language holiday in Bristol is the ‘English for Families’ programme: whilst you attend your own intensive English course at ELC Bristol, your children spend their time at the Clifton College holiday club, right next to the language school in beautiful, leafy Clifton.
Depending on their age, the children are divided into age-appropriate groups – from the Minis (aged 3 and over) to the Kids Club group (up to 13 years old) – and spend their days enjoying sport, games, art and plenty of interaction with British and international children.
A basic knowledge of English is an advantage for the older groups, so that your children can cope well with everyday life at the holiday club. The holiday club is open on selected dates during the school holidays, including the Easter and summer holidays (early July to early September), from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm – ideal for allowing you to attend your own course in peace and with full focus.
After your course and the holiday club, there’s plenty of time to explore Bristol together: a walk across the Clifton Suspension Bridge, a street art tour following in Banksy’s footsteps, a stroll through the Cabot Circus shopping centre, or a trip to the historic Harbourside with its many cafés and restaurants right by the water’s edge.
Selected highlights
—Clifton Suspension Bridge
—Street art tours (Banksy & Co.)
—Harbourside with cafés, restaurants and museum ships
—Cabot Circus Shopping Centre
—Day trips to Bath, Oxford, Cardiff or London
—Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (Europe’s largest balloon festival, in summer)
Chosen highlights:
- Clifton Suspension Bridge
- Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
- Cabot Circus Shopping Centre
Good reasons for this jouney:
Bristol combines everything that makes for a successful family language holiday: one of the best language schools in the UK for parents, a child-friendly holiday club right next door, a quiet and safe residential area with everything within easy reach, and a lively city that still has plenty to offer after lessons. And because London is just an hour’s train journey away, it’s easy to extend your language holiday with a city break.
