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! 

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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Where to celebrate Lunar New Year in Bristol

Bristol has plenty going on to kick off the Year of the Snake – join in the celebrations at these special Lunar New Year Events. Lunar New Year at Wai Yee Hong, 1 February Chinese supermarket Wai Yee Hong host the biggest free Lunar New Year celebrations in the city. Dance and martial arts…

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Vegan dining on a budget in Bristol

Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or a meat-eater testing the waters, Bristol’s restaurants offer an incredible array of plant-based food for you to try without breaking the bank. Also make sure you read our guide to the Best Vegan Places to Eat in Bristol! City Centre Eat a Pitta A Bristol favourite…

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60 free things to do in Bristol

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…

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Where to find top non-alcoholic drinks in Bristol

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…

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