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! 

Latest blogs

The story of The Grand Pier

The Grand Pier, located in Weston-super-Mare, has a rich history dating back to the late 1800s. As seaside towns became popular, thanks to the railway network and more leisure time for workers, Weston-super-Mare saw a surge in visitors. To cater to these tourists, a grand attraction was needed…

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Discover Rivals filming locations in Bristol

The hotly-anticipated new television adaptation of Jilly Cooper's steamy 1988 novel Rivals comes to Disney+ in the UK on 18 October 2024. The series revolves around the tense rivalry of two powerful men in the British television industry of the 1980s, with stars Alex Hassell and David Tennant…

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Bristol's cosiest hotels for autumn hibernation

‘Tis the season of colourful leaves, crisp sunny strolls, beautiful misty mornings and cosying up by a log fire. Make the most of this snuggly time of year with a bit of ‘hygge’ at one of Bristol’s cosiest hotels for autumn hibernation. Harbour Hotel Bristol Step out of the cold and hunker down in…

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Luxmuralis returns to Bristol Cathedral this Christmas

This Christmas, a stunning display of festive light and sound is coming to Bristol Cathedral, transforming this ancient building into a dazzling spectacle of light and sound as the Nativity story is retold like never before. In The Beginning is a stunning visual display, bringing a contemporary…

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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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How to have a Banksy-themed weekend in Bristol

One of the latest, greatest mysteries of the art world is the Bristol-born graffiti artist Banksy. His identity remains one of the biggest secrets and subjects of interest of the past three decades and rumours swirl every time a potential clue about who he is surfaces. Once just a kid on the streets…

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A guide to Bristol's student nightlife

If you're lucky enough to have chosen Bristol as your university city, you've got plenty of choice for going out, from live music to comedy, magic and of course the city's world-class club scene. We've rounded up the need-to-know club nights and venues around the city. Let us know what you think…

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Beaches and seaside towns near Bristol

Bristol is only a few miles from the coast, so if you're looking for places to enjoy a long walk, do some watersports or take a dip, here are some of the places within easy reach of the city. Beaches near Bristol Sand Bay One of the most scenic spots along the North Somerset coast, Sand Bay has a…

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Top country pub walks near Bristol

From rolling hills to ancient woodland, we’re lucky to have what feels like an endless supply of green space just beyond Bristol. Of course, the wondrous wildlife and gorgeous scenery is reason enough to get out for a walk. But there’s nothing like a country pub pitstop to make a rural ramble even…

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Adventurous activities in Bristol

Whether you’re looking for daring date ideas or a fun day out with friends or family, Bristol and the surrounding area is home to plenty of thrillseeking activities, from rock climbing to surfing! Head for heights? Climb, jump and swoop your way around the high ropes course at Bristol Zoo Project’s…

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