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!

A group of balloons lifting off in a mass ascent at Bristol International Balloon Fiesta - credit Paul Box

60 free things to do in Bristol

Jan. 15, 2025

A visit to Bristol doesn’t need to be an expensive one, in fact we’ve got 60 ideas for totally free things to do in Bristol. 1. M Shed Located in a huge 1950s transit shed right on Bristol’s Harbourside, the M Shed museum explores over 2000 years of Bristol’s history and is free to enter. Learn…

Cocktails at No. 4 Clifton Village in Bristol - credit Evoke Pictures

Where to find top non-alcoholic drinks in Bristol

Jan. 10, 2025

Gone are the days when opting for a low or no alcohol drink meant sticking to the same old fizzy drinks. An alcohol-free revolution is underway and Bristol’s pubs, bars and restaurants are embracing it, with mocktails and low ABV spirits and beers for anyone cutting back on booze. Here are some of…

Vegan dishes at The Coconut Tree in Clifton, West Bristol - credit The Coconut Tree

The best places to get vegan food in Bristol

Jan. 08, 2025

Bristol has a great selection of vegan and plant-based options – from vegan pies to sushi rolls. There is something for almost every occasion. We’ve put together a list of the best places and our favourite dishes. Skip to: Restaurants | Street Food | Cafes | Sweet Treats | Experiences Restaurants…

Creedy carver duck breast and celeriac dauphinoise

Michelin-starred restaurants in Bristol

Jan. 07, 2025

Bristol is home to one Michelin-starred restaurant 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…

An aerial view of the crowd and stage at Bristol Sounds - Credit Crosstown Concerts

25 Things to do in Bristol in 2025

Jan. 03, 2025

With a seemingly never-ending list of sights to see and experiences to tick off, how can you pack the best of Bristol into your year? Our top 25 things to do in 2025 is here to help, covering everything from uniquely Bristol attractions to outdoor adventures. Plan the perfect city break around these…

A giant light up reindeer in Quakers Friars - Credit Cabot Circus

Twixmas holiday activities in Bristol

Dec. 18, 2024

Don't just sit around eating turkey sandwiches – banish the lull between Christmas and New Year and find fun Twixmas holiday activities in Bristol. Explore new trails aboard Brunel’s SS Great Britain Step back in time and explore the historic dockyard and ship, which reopens on 27 December and is…

Child with Shaun the Sheep statue - credit Bristol Zoo Project

9 ways to have a cracking Wallace and Gromit themed festive break in Bristol

Dec. 17, 2024

It’s a Cracking Christmas, Gromit! As the latest film Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl premieres on our TV screens this Christmas on BBC One in the UK and Netflix globally afterwards, it’s safe to say the world’s most famous inventor and dog duo are making headlines once again. Did you know…

A black and white image of Cary Grant on College Green in Bristol - credit Bristol Post

Itinerary: Explore Cary Grant's Bristol

Dec. 13, 2024

Did you know that Hollywood legend Cary Grant started his life as Archibald Leach in Bristol? Find out where one of the most iconic film stars called home, learned his trade and is now commemorated in the city. The Cary Grant Statue Start your Cary Grant tour of the city by seeking out the statue of…

Goldilocks and the Three Bears poster on the front of the hippodrome - Credit Charlotte Harris

Review: Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Bristol Hippodrome

Dec. 12, 2024

Ian from Visit West reviews Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Bristol Hippodrome, which runs until 5 January. Goldilocks and The Three Bears was a vibrant, wonderful performance. It's a show for all ages, and there's something for all to enjoy as you band together to save the circus. Image - The…

A lounge area with 2 grey sofas and a table - credit Mint Stays

Independent places to stay in Bristol

Dec. 09, 2024

Bristol is an independent city and fiercely proud of it too, so where better to stay than in an independently-owned hotel, B&B, apartment or guesthouse? Small and family-run places to stay in Bristol can offer a real personalised touch and a chance to get under the skin of the city. Our selection…