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! 

Where to watch the World Cup in Bristol

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday 11 June, with 48 teams taking part in a total of 104 matches in just over five weeks. The tournament is being hosted across Canada, Mexico and the United States, but this is our guide to where you can catch all of the action right here in Bristol…

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Review: Matilda the Musical at Bristol Hippodrome

Find out what Laura from the Visit Bristol team thought of Matilda the Musical, the RSC's beloved adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic story, currently at the Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday 27th June 2026. If you're looking for a night out in Bristol that's joyful, mischievous and genuinely moving…

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The story of Bristol Old Vic

As Bristol Old Vic celebrates its 260th birthday in May 2026, we asked the team to talk us through the history of this grand theatre... The story of Bristol Old Vic is hard to pin down. Theatre is all about storytelling, and this theatre has been telling stories for 260 years, which is quite a lot…

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Outdoor theatre in and around Bristol this summer

Watch dramatic Shakespeare performances and family-friendly shows alfresco this summer! Here's our guide to the outdoor shows you won't want to miss, both in the heart of the city and nearby countryside... As You Like It at Boiling Wells Amphitheatre (Sun 21 June) Head to a tucked-away corner of St…

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Places to stay with swimming pools in Bristol

Looking for a Bristol hotel with somewhere to take a splash, swim some lengths or simply soak to your heart’s content? These hotels, located in and around Bristol, all have indoor pools for year-round swimming. HarSpa at Harbour Hotel Bristol The pint-sized, mood-lit indoor pool at this luxury…

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Howzat! Bristol and Cricket

As Bristol prepares to host several fixtures for the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, we thought it would be useful to give some background on Bristol's links with the sport. When it comes to cricket, Bristol has some fascinating stories to tell - birthplace of one of the game's true greats, home of the…

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Top country pubs near Bristol

Whether you’re staying on the outskirts of Bristol or in the city centre, you're never far from a traditional country pub that serves a great selection of food and drink. They provide a relaxing spot for Sunday lunch or a pitstop on a long country walk. Avon Valley Between Bristol and Bath, you'll…

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Fun things to do with toddlers in Bristol

Exploring Bristol with children under three years old is an exciting adventure, and you're never short of options! Bristol offers a mix of fun, educational, and interactive activities perfectly suited for toddlers and young children. Whether you're seeking hands-on play spaces, outdoor parks with…

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Dog-friendly pubs in Bristol for a pint with your pooch

Fancy a cheeky pint somewhere in Bristol after exercising your doggy? No problem! The city has plenty of dog-friendly pubs and bars that are happy to welcome you for a pint with your pooch. Bambalan Brightly coloured Bambalan's dog-friendly staff are always happy to offer water and food bowls if…

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Wildlife spotting in Bristol

Bristol may be a bustling city, but it also has a greener and wilder side. Along with our own wildlife spotting suggestions below, we asked Heather from the Bristol Nature Channel to tell us her top five wild places that have inspired their nature documentaries and show that Bristol is bursting with…

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