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!

Ashton Court Mansion in the grounds of Ashton Court Estate near Bristol, credit Chris Bahn

The story of Ashton Court Estate

Aug. 07, 2025

One of Bristol’s most-loved parks is the stunning Ashton Court Estate, which covers 850 acres. It's known for its gorgeous landscape, intriguing mansion, variety of wildlife and huge amounts of green space . Located in Long Ashton, it’s the perfect place for anyone keen to spot some wildlife on a…

Two women eating a picnic in the grounds of Tyntesfield House, near Bristol - credit Alana Wright

Bristol’s best picnic spots

Aug. 06, 2025

Warm summer weather calls for alfresco eating at some of Bristol's best picnic spots. Please remember to take your rubbish home with you, to help keep our parks and green spaces clean. 1. The Downs The Downs is an enormous expanse of green up in Clifton and is loved year-round by runners, dog…

Weston-super-Mare beach and Grand Pier - credit Visit West

10 Day trips from Bristol by train

Aug. 05, 2025

Staying a few days in Bristol? Take advantage of Bristol being the capital of the South West with a day trip to some of the impressive cities, historic towns, and seaside destinations nearby. 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, so what better way to celebrate than travelling by…

Family playing in kitchen - credit Upside Down House

Fun things to do with teenagers in Bristol

Aug. 04, 2025

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…

Child playing in the Tudor knot garden at The Red Lodge Museum in Bristol - credit Visit West

Spotlight on Bristol’s small museums

Aug. 01, 2025

Home to iconic landmarks and big world-class attractions, Bristol also has its share of smaller, unusual and fascinating museums which shouldn't be overlooked... John Wesley’s New Room Tucked away in the heart of Bristol's main shopping district is the world’s oldest Methodist building, The New Room…

Gromit Unleashed 3 - Beagle 3 at Aerospace Bristol - credit Ambitious PR

Gromit Unleashed 3: North and East Bristol

Jul. 30, 2025

Plan some day trips to complete Gromit Unleashed 3 this summer! There are 53 sculptures in total on this year's trail, so to break them into more manageable chunks, we've split them into groups that you can do by area. Our East Bristol route takes in Eastville, Kingswood and areas around the ring…

Gromit Unleashed 3 - Suply Ply Guy at Ashton Court - credit The Grand Appeal

Gromit Unleashed 3: South Bristol and beyond

Jul. 29, 2025

For the latest of our Gromit Unleashed itineraries, we're heading south of the river. The first route takes in the Gromit Unleashed 3 sculptures in Bedminster and Southville, which is easily walkable from the city centre and uncharacteristically flat for a walk in Bristol! The second route focuses…

Night Glow at Bristol International Balloon Fiesta - Credit Paul Box

6 top tips for Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Jul. 28, 2025

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is one of the most popular and striking outdoor events on the calendar. This year, the world-renowned free Fiesta returns to Ashton Court between Friday 8 August and Sunday 10 August 2025. Each morning and evening of the fiesta, you can join one of the fiesta's…

People swimming at Lido Bristol and chilling by the pool

Outdoor swimming pools and splash parks in Bristol

Jul. 25, 2025

Make the most of warmer days and cool off at these alfresco swimming spots, from Bristol Harbourside to open air lidos, marine lakes and more. Jump to: Outdoor swimming pools - Open water swimming - Splash parks Outdoor pools Bristol Lido Tucked away down a quiet street in Clifton, this Victorian…

IDLES Block Party: Things you need to know

Jul. 24, 2025

IDLES will be playing their only UK tour dates of 2025 in Bristol on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 August 2025. Their homecoming gig will take place in Queen Square in the city centre, with 15,000 attendees expected on each night. Saturday is fully sold out, with just a few tickets remaining for Friday…