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! 

Explore Bristol by bike

Cycling and Bristol go together like Wallace and Gromit. Named as England’s first cycling city back in 2008, Bristol has flourished as a bike-friendly haven and is home to excellent cycle routes and experiences suitable for every type of rider, from regular pedal-heads and fearless mountain bikers…

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6 World Heritage Sites to visit near Bristol

Bristol makes a perfect base to explore the historical wonders of the region. Here you’ll find ancient countryside and world-famous landmarks that sit proudly alongside their diverse and unique UNESCO World Heritage Site counterparts such as the Pyramids of Egypt and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef…

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9 of Bristol's top record stores

Love nothing more than geeking out over vinyl at a good record store? In keeping with the city's musical reputation, Bristol is home to stacks of friendly record shops, run by staff with encyclopaedic music knowledge. Here are nine of Bristol's best record stores where you can get rummaging for…

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Where to have a digital detox in Bristol

We all need time to relax and recharge, and there’s no better place to take some time away from technology and chill out for a few hours... Take in the greenery at a local park Brandon Hill Park Brandon Hill, Bristol’s oldest park, is a perfect getaway conveniently located just off Park Street. The…

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The best wild swimming spots near Bristol

Georgie Duckworth, author of new book ‘Wild Swimming Walks Bristol & Bath’, shares her favourite walks and wild swims close to Bristol. This book shares 28 unique and enticing wild swimming walks, all within one hour’s journey time from the city. Each walk differs in length and complexity level…

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Green places to stay in Bristol

Discover Bristol's most sustainable and eco-friendly hotels, which have been celebrated for their commitment to the environment. Enjoy locally-sourced food in your breakfast buffet, charging points for your electric vehicle, water refll stations and other nifty features! Where are the Green Key…

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The Bristol TV watch list

How many TV shows starring Bristol can you name? As well as shows set in the city, Bristol has also doubled for Tudor London, 18th Century Cornwall, and many more. From sitcom classics such as Only Fools and Horses and The Young Ones, to modern cult hits such as Skins, there are surprising amount…

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Itinerary: The Outlaws-themed break in Bristol

Stephen Merchant’s comedy thriller The Outlaws was set and filmed in and around Bristol. The series follows strangers from different walks of life who are forced together to complete a community payback sentence in Bristol. Throughout the series you’ll be able to spot many of the city’s famous…

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Top 20 Spring walks around Bristol

Spring’s colourful carpets of flowers, sunny days and blossom-heavy trees make it a great time to get out and about in the city. We’ve put together our favourite spring walks around Bristol – whether you’re a serious hiker or gentle stroller, there’s something to suit all springtime wanderers. Every…

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Mother’s Day gifts with the Love Bristol Gift Card

Give Mum the gift of Bristol this Mother’s Day and support local with the Love Bristol Gift Card Mother’s Day is right around the corner - Sunday 30th March - but have no fear, we’ve rounded up a go-to guide of Bristol independents where the mother figure in your life can be treated with a Love…

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