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! 

Alternative stag and hen do ideas in Bristol

Stag and hen parties (or 'sten' dos!) can be more than learner plates and pub crawls. Here are our suggestions if you fancy doing something a bit different with your group in and around Bristol. From river cruises around Bristol's iconic harbour to trampoline parks and even making your own gin…

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Where to go for cocktails in Bristol

If you’re looking for a special night out, it’s worth seeking out some of Bristol’s top cocktail bars, whether you’re looking for a secluded speakeasy or a bit of glitz and glamour. The Granary Club Housed in one of Bristol's most historic and beautiful buildings, The Granary Club serves up some…

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Michelin-starred restaurants in Bristol

Bristol is home to two Michelin-starred restaurants and several more that have been awarded a Bib Gourmand, Green Star or Michelin Plate. Here's the full list of restaurants that have been given an award in the city... The Michelin Plate This distinction is given to restaurants singled out in the…

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Bristol's best rooms with a view

From Harbourside hotels and waterfront views to dramatic Avon Gorge-edge vistas, ancient spires and Somerset countryside, these Bristol hotels have rooms with beautiful, awe-inspiring and interesting sights to be seen: On the waterfront: The Bristol On a busy stretch of the city’s Floating Harbour…

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Bristol's best steak restaurants

On a quest to find a perfectly cooked medium-rare steak and the best peppercorn sauce in this fair city? Here is Bristol’s epic selection of steakhouses. The Ox Hidden away in the basement of a bank vault under Corn Street The Ox is a class act. Their steaks are dry aged for at least 35 days and…

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Bristol's best spa breaks

We all need a bit of chill out time, so whether you’re after a romantic getaway, a girls’ (or boys!) pamper day or just some well-earned ‘me-time,' come and get blissed out in Bristol… Harbour Hotel Bristol and Spa Restore yourself to full marvelousness with a prosecco lunch above ground in the…

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Landmark tales from Bristol's LGBTQ+ past

These days, Bristol enjoys a vibrant and friendly LGBTQ+ scene, with a fantastic variety of gay districts and nightlife, gay-friendly accommodation, shopping and culture. Every July the city also hosts one of the best Pride events in the UK. Throughout history, Bristol has also played its own role…

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16 romantic Bristol restaurants

If you’re looking for the perfect date night location in Bristol, we’ve got plenty of suggestions to make your evening extra special… The Ox Bristol's seductive steakhouse, hidden away in an unassuming basement in the Old City and packed full of old school glamour, with wood-panelled walls and low…

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Romantic places to stay in Bristol

For Valentine’s treats, honeymoons and loved-up weekend breaks, fall madly in love with Bristol’s most romantic rooms... Gorge-ous views: Avon Gorge by Hotel du Vin Clifton’s elegant old lady has re-emerged as a bright young thing following a major refurbishment under the Hotel du Vin brand…

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Where to watch the Six Nations in Bristol

The Six Nations is back, keeping rugby fans on the edge of their seats over five weekends from 31 January to 15 March 2025. Unless you’re lucky enough to be watching inside one of the six host stadiums, the next best thing is the atmosphere at a packed-out pub or bar. Our handy round-up of places…

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