Blog & Guides

Welcome to the Visit Bristol blog, your one-stop shop for ideas, inspiration and handy tips to make your time in Bristol that bit better!  

From suggested itineraries to festival round-ups and unmissable things to do, our guides aim to showcase the best of the city, whatever the time of year. We publish new blogs every week and keep our blog posts up-to-date with the latest information, so you can trust that you’re getting the most accurate and useful tips for your trip. 

Planning a trip with the family? Check out our guides on Places to stay with kids in and around Bristol and Things to do with teenagers. We’ve also got a list of 60 free things to do to keep costs down. 

Coming  here to sample as much of the food scene as you can? Have a read through our list of Bristol’s Michelin-starred restaurants, top cocktail bars and pub gardens, or find the best places to go for vegan food while you’re here. We’re sure you’ll also want to try a tasty Sunday roast while you’re here – we've rounded up a few of the best of those too! 

If you’re local to Bristol, or here for a few days, we’ve also got plenty of suggestions for day trips to the north, south, east and west of the city so that you can experience as much of the region as possible. Maybe you want to tick off all of the World Heritage Sites near Bristol, or discover our most accessible outdoor attractions

We’ll also have seasonal guides to help you get the most out of Summer in Bristol, from rooftop bars to scenic cycle routes, or find out what’s on for Christmas in and around the city. 

Keep checking back for more brilliant Bristol inspiration! 

Popular reads

Latest blogs

Quirky places to stay in Bristol

Explore some of the more unusual places to stay in and around the city, from lakeside glamping to a grand Tudor castle. Luxury living in a former bank Book one of the stylish apartments in the former Bank of England building in Bristol's Old City. The building itself is Grade I listed and each Mint…

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Review: Hamilton at The Bristol Hippodrome

Serena from Visit Bristol reviews Hamilton at The Bristol Hippodrome: After seeing Hamilton for the first time at the London Victoria Palace theatre a couple of years ago, my expectations were already set in place for the mastery of the musical. Experiencing this touring production at The Bristol…

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Five lesser-known walks around Bristol

Expand your knowledge of Bristol with a walk around one of the city's lesser-known rambling routes, detailed by Mike from Mike's Bristol Walks. Take it away, Mike... There’s no denying the healing power of a good walk on a clear day, exercising your body while you fill your lungs with fresh air and…

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The best coffee shops for studying in Bristol

Any university student will know that the library can be crowded and boring at times, and not the best environment for inspiring motivation and creativity during the essay writing or revision season. Luckily, Bristol is full of cafes which suit all types of students, whether you prefer a quiet…

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Fun things to do with teenagers in Bristol

Worried about keeping teenagers entertained during a visit to Bristol? Don’t be! There’s an endless amount of fun and adventure on offer for their age group, thanks to exciting attractions and activities. Whether they’d be happiest in a wetsuit, on roller skates or holding a spray paint can, here…

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The best places to eat al fresco in Bristol

From harbourside restaurants to stunning roof terraces, we've picked out some of the best places to eat al fresco in Bristol when the sun is shining. By the water Aqua, Welshback Whether you're looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner, you can enjoy your food with a view of the water from the sunny…

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Howzat! Bristol and Cricket

When it comes to cricket, Bristol has some fascinating stories to tell - birthplace of one of the game's true greats, home of the largest score ever made and the ship that carried England’s first international cricket tour. Gloucestershire County Cricket Club Bristol is home to Gloucestershire…

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Bristol icons: From Brunel to Banksy

Bristol has more than its fair share of icons, from famous residents to groundbreaking inventions. Discover how each has made their mark on the city. Aardman Academy Award-winning studio Aardman Animation is a Bristol institution, based here since 1976. Since then, they’ve been nominated for…

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Unmissable live music in Bristol 2024

Known as the birthplace of ground-breaking music from legendary acts such as Massive Attack, Portishead, Roni Size and more recently, IDLES and George Ezra, Bristol is world-famous for its vibrant and varied music scene (listen to this Bristol playlist to hear some of the tunes to come from here)…

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The local's guide: Portishead

Overlooking the Severn Estuary, just a short drive from Bristol, lies the charming coastal town of Portishead. With its rich maritime history, stunning waterfront views, and a burgeoning food scene, Portishead is the perfect destination for a day trip or a stop off along the M5 motorway. In this…

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