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! 

Latest blogs

The ultimate Bristol Christmas gift guide

Frantic for ideas on what to get your loved ones for Christmas? Worry no more! Visit Bristol’s elves have searched Bristol's sensational shopping selection high and low to sniff out the top Bristol-themed gifts that’ll have your nearest and dearest dancing a Christmas jig for joy. Fact…

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Experience the reimagining of A Christmas Carol

There won’t be a single “Bah, Humbug!” in the city when Celestial and Yuup’s reimagining of A Christmas Carol takes to the skies above Seat Unique Stadium in December, which will see the classic Charles Dickens tale be told in a format never seen before. The new, 45-minute show reimagines Charles…

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Review: Mary Poppins at Bristol Hippodrome

Helen from Visit West reviews Mary Poppins at The Bristol Hippodrome I am a huge fan of the classic film and was very excited to see the show. I was delighted that it captivated from start to finish managing to retain the charm and classic songs from the movie whilst giving a fresh interpretation of…

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Independent shops for gift shopping in Bristol

Buying local and handmade is easy in Bristol, we've got a wealth of independent shops and markets for you to browse to your heart's content! Take a look at our top picks for gift shopping in the city, from bookstores and delis to art shops and more. If you're looking for a way to support local…

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Christmas light trails in and around Bristol

Grab a warm coat and a woolly hat and head out to experience a little bit of Christmas magic with a twinkly festive light walk in and around Bristol. Remember to tag us in your photos and videos on Instagram and TikTok, and include #MerryBristmas in your posts! Jump on board First Bus to explore…

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Experience Christmas in Bristol by train with Great Western Railway

Save the stress and the Earth by travelling to Bristol by train with Great Western Railway (GWR) this Christmas. Unwind and enjoy the festive feeling from the moment you step on board, getting you in the mood for exploring all Bristol has to offer at Christmas. The city is bursting with activities…

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Bristol’s best winter walks

Crisp air, frost-coated foliage and beautiful views - an invigorating wintry walk is the perfect way to experience Bristol this season. So head out on one of these head-clearing strolls around Bristol… The Harbourside When the mist rises on a chilly winter’s morn, the Harbourside is a sight to…

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Festive shows and experiences in Bristol this Christmas

Roll up! Roll up! Christmas is coming to Bristol and 2024 is set to be a cracker with a host of festive experiences, shows and workshops. Yuup is a marketplace showcasing an exciting collection of unique experiences, all hosted by wonderful local people, so you can discover new, fun things to do…

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Travel the season with First Bus

Whether you’re coming to Bristol to do your Christmas shopping or for a festive evening with friends, why not forget about the stresses of traffic and parking and hop on a First Bus instead? These are some of our favourite things to do in Bristol, and how to get there by bus. Quick links: Fare…

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Cosy pubs in Bristol

When it’s cold or rainy outside, there’s nothing better than finding a comfy corner in a traditional pub. Here are a few of our favourite places to get snug in the colder months. The Cottage Inn Come rain or shine, it's hard to beat the view across the harbour from The Cottage. On colder days, pull…

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