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! 

Itinerary: Explore Cary Grant's Bristol

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…

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Review: Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Bristol Hippodrome

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…

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Independent places to stay in Bristol

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…

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Christmas carols, concerts and services in Bristol

If you’d like to add a touch of the spiritual to your Christmas celebrations, we’ve put together a list of the most enchanting and sacred spaces around Bristol. Bristol Cathedral Bristol Cathedral is an extraordinary building filled with secrets of Bristol’s past. Christmas is a busy time for the…

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Take some time out for play and discovery this Christmas

The silly season has arrived but before you get swept away by the festive frenzy, why not plan in a spot of time for play? A day out at Bristol’s surprising science experience, We The Curious, is the perfect way to escape and enjoy being together. Step out of the cold and through the…

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What's on at Bristol Christmas Market 2024

Get into the holiday spirit at Bristol's much-loved Christmas Market. Open from early November until 23 December, Broadmead is alive with the spirit of the season, featuring enchanting chalets, festive treats, and joyful entertainment. Shop for gifts With over 50 stalls offering everything from…

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Where to see Santa in Bristol this Christmas

He's making a list, he's checking it twice; he's gonna find out who's naughty or nice, Santa Claus is coming to Bristol. Here are all the places you can meet the jolly old man in red…#MerryBristmas! Jump on board First Bus to explore festive events across the city, and if you're coming from out of…

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24 Festive things to do in Bristol

Christmas markets, winter wonderlands, enchanting light trails, festive events and experiences, not to mention the magnificent theatre productions – Bristol is brimming with exciting things to do this Christmas. Everyone's welcome to our place this Christmas. Here's our round-up of what’s on this…

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The ultimate Bristol Christmas gift guide

Frantic for ideas on what to get your loved ones for Christmas? Worry no more! Visit Bristol’s elves have searched Bristol's sensational shopping selection high and low to sniff out the top Bristol-themed gifts that’ll have your nearest and dearest dancing a Christmas jig for joy. Fact…

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Experience the reimagining of A Christmas Carol

There won’t be a single “Bah, Humbug!” in the city when Celestial and Yuup’s reimagining of A Christmas Carol takes to the skies above Seat Unique Stadium in December, which will see the classic Charles Dickens tale be told in a format never seen before. The new, 45-minute show reimagines Charles…

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