If ever there was a city with a story to tell, it’s Bristol.

Enveloped in the hills of South West England, Bristol has developed an inimitable identity and fiercely independent spirit, crafted by its passionate locals.

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26 Things to do in 2026

Make the most of the year with our list of 2025 must-dos, covering everything from…

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Badminton Horse Trials 2026

May 7, 2026 - May 10, 2026

The Badminton Horse Trials return from 6 - 10 May 2026. The event is staged within…

May 7, 2026 - May 10, 2026

Bristol Walk Fest

May 7, 2026 - May 31, 2026

Bristol Walk Fest is a month-long walking festival held every May in Bristol, bringing people…

May 7, 2026 - May 31, 2026

Mini-museum hunt! 50 years of Aardman at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

May 7, 2026 - Sep 13, 2026

Mini Aardman treasures have been hidden around the museum - how many can you find? A little bit of…

Mini-museum hunt! 50 years of Aardman at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

May 7, 2026 - Sep 13, 2026

The Greatest Showman: The Musical at The Bristol Hippodrome

May 7, 2026 - May 10, 2026

Leave what's real behind and be the first to experience the spectacular stage adaptation…

The Greatest Showman: The Musical at The Bristol Hippodrome

May 7, 2026 - May 10, 2026

After Hours at Wake the Tiger

Wake The Tiger
May 8, 2026 - Dec 19, 2026

Got a mate or a date and looking for something a little different for your next evening…

May 8, 2026 - Dec 19, 2026

Upfest

Tobacco Factory Theatres
May 15, 2026 - May 31, 2026

Upfest is Europe's largest street art festival, taking place across the South Bristol…

May 15, 2026 - May 31, 2026

Introduction to Paddleboarding Course on Bristol Harbour with SUP Bristol

May 17, 2026 - Sep 6, 2026

SUP Bristol has recently launched a number of monthly Introduction to Paddleboarding courses…

Introduction to Paddleboarding Course on Bristol Harbour with SUP Bristol

May 17, 2026 - Sep 6, 2026

Sunday Roasts on Board Brunel's SS Great Britain

May 17, 2026 - Dec 13, 2026

Sunday Roasts in Bristol just got even better! Step aboard the SS Great Britain and enjoy a…

Sunday Roasts on Board Brunel's SS Great Britain

May 17, 2026 - Dec 13, 2026

May Half Term - Curious Connections at We The Curious

May 23, 2026 - May 31, 2026

With two floors of interactive exhibits to explore and an action-packed programme of…

May Half Term - Curious Connections at We The Curious

May 23, 2026 - May 31, 2026

May Half Term at Aerospace Bristol

Aerospace Bristol
May 23, 2026 - May 31, 2026

Get crafty, explore the Bristol Freighter, sit in the Concorde Simulator & get closer to amazing…

May 23, 2026 - May 31, 2026

ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 at Bristol County Ground

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club
Jun 12, 2026 - Jul 5, 2026

The tournament will open with England Women taking on Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on Friday…

ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 at Bristol County Ground

Jun 12, 2026 - Jul 5, 2026

Bristol Comedy Garden

Jun 17, 2026 - Jun 21, 2026

Bristol Comedy Garden, the South West’s largest comedy festival, returns to Queen Square…

Jun 17, 2026 - Jun 21, 2026

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Festivals

The Story of Upfest

7 min read

Upfest, Bristol's street art festival and the largest of its kind in Europe, returns to the…

Accommodation

Places to stay with kids in and near Bristol

10 min read

Bringing the family to Bristol? After experiencing the excitement of the city’s attractions…

Places to stay with kids in and near Bristol

Food and Drink

Where to go wine tasting in and around Bristol

9 min read

Want to become a wine aficionado, discover the secrets of local Bristol vineyards, learn about…

Where to go wine tasting in and around Bristol

Outdoors and Nature

Best gardens to visit in and around Bristol

10 min read

Now that spring is finally showing signs of sticking around, it’s the perfect time to venture…

Best gardens to visit in and around Bristol

Food and Drink

Bristol's best brunch spots

6 min read

Whether it's a ‘grab and go’ or a leisurely feast, Bristol has a wide variety of…

Events

Unmissable live music in Bristol 2026

10 min read

Known as the birthplace of ground-breaking music from legendary acts such as Massive Attack…

Accommodation

Independent places to stay in Bristol

6 min read

Bristol is an independent city and fiercely proud of it too, so where better to stay than in an…

Things To Do

Bristol’s festival line-up in 2026

17 min read

Ready for dancing to live music, tucking into delicious street food and sipping pints of cider in…

Things To Do

Alternative stag and hen do ideas in Bristol

12 min read

Stag and hen parties (or 'sten' dos!) can be more than learner plates and pub crawls. Here…

Alternative stag and hen do ideas in Bristol

Things To Do

Explore the city with Bristol Walk Fest 2026

13 min read

From 1-31 May, there are hundreds of walks on offer all around the city as part of this year's…

Explore the city with Bristol Walk Fest 2026

Things To Do

6 World Heritage Sites to visit near Bristol

7 min read

Bristol makes a perfect base to explore the historical wonders of the region. Here you’ll…

6 World Heritage Sites to visit near Bristol

Outdoors and Nature

Top 20 Spring walks around Bristol

8 min read

Spring’s colourful carpets of flowers, sunny days and blossom-heavy trees make it a great…

The Official Guide to Bristol

Welcome to Bristol! Take a trip around some city highlights with our video guide...

Visit Bristol - The official tourist guide to Bristol

Exploring Bristol for the First Time - The Magic Geekdom

From iconic places like Brunel's Clifton Suspension Bridge and the SS Great Britain museum to unique…

Exploring Bristol for the First Time (Not What We Expected)

24 Best Things to do in Bristol - The Intrepid Guide

From Banksy to bridges, markets to museums, and churches to castles, this Bristol city guide shows…

How to spend 24 hours in Bristol - Steph and Pete

A family-friendly guide to the city, with some top food picks and activities.

Bristol Narrated Walking Tour

This walk around the city takes in many local landmarks, including the Wills Memorial Building…

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Let us choose

From late availability to money-off discounts, we have a special offer to suit you. Find a saving on your next Bristol break. Whether you're in need of a last-minute getaway or you're simply looking for a saving for your next trip, we have an offer for you. From last-minute trips to early bird…

A group of balloons lifting off in a mass ascent at Bristol International Balloon Fiesta - credit Paul Box

Film and TV

Young Sherlock filming locations in Bristol

4 min read

The exciting new series from acclaimed director Guy Ritchie is full of action…

Young Sherlock filming locations in Bristol

Film and TV

Agatha Christie's Seven Dials filming locations in Bristol

4 min read

Netflix's new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials has an all-star…

Agatha Christie's Seven Dials filming locations in Bristol

Film and TV

The Bristol TV watchlist

11 min read

How many TV shows starring Bristol can you name? As well as shows set in the city…

Film and TV

Bristol film & TV filming locations

20 min read

In celebration of the city's status as a UNESCO City of Film, we take a look at…

Want to know what makes Bristol so special? It's more than just boats, bridges and…

About Bristol

Banksy's 'Well Hung Lover' on Park Street, central Bristol

The city of Bristol is made up of a series of districts and areas, each with its own…

Areas of Bristol

A balloon flying over Bristol Harbourside during the Bristol Balloon Fiesta - credit Paul Box

Make the most of your time in Bristol while keeping your trip as sustainable as…

Sustainable Bristol

A canopy of trees in the grounds of Ashton Court Estate near Bristol, credit Paul Box

Before you arrive

So you’re planning a trip to Bristol? Or maybe you
are already here?

Either way, we want to make your visit to our city as easy and enjoyable as possible. In this section you’ll find all the important information that you might need when visiting.

Perhaps you want to know more about the different areas of Bristol? Take a look at a map of Bristol? Or how to get here and get around? Browse the articles and pages here to help you plan your visit.

As a visitor to Bristol, you are in the right place to find out about the best things to see and do in the city and its surrounding area. Let us help you with anything you’re unsure about and make your break the best it can be!