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!

Exterior of Tyntesfield House, near Bristol - credit Andrew Butler

Stay on a film set: overnight at Bristol filming locations

Mar. 12, 2025

Did you know that Bristol is a UNESCO Creative City of Film? This permanent status recognises Bristol's global contribution to film and television over many years, its world class film festivals, popular filming locations and pop-up screenings. While it's easy to be blown away by the film and TV…

A performer on stage at The Wardrobe Theatre on Old Market, East Bristol - credit Paul Blakemore

Pre-theatre dining in Bristol

Mar. 10, 2025

Bristol has theatres and venues dotted across the city, and many restaurants offer special pre-theatre dinner deals and early bird menus when you show your theatre ticket or eat before 7pm. Here are some of our suggestions for where to grab a bite before a show... Skip to restaurants near: Bristol…

Train on the track at Avon Valley Railway near Bristol - credit Avon Valley Railway

Train rides and railway attractions in Bristol

Mar. 07, 2025

Enjoy a day out a local heritage steam railway, or take the family along to a miniature railway! 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway. Bristol has its place at the centre of UK railway heritage, with Isambard Kingdom Brunel engineering the Great Western Railway between…

Black and white photo of a woman on a horse being led by a man

16 incredible Bristol women

Mar. 03, 2025

For some International Women's Day inspired reading, check out our list of amazing women who have helped shape Bristol. Image - Adela Breton with her guide in Mexico, Pablo Solorio. Courtesy of Bristol Museums. Adela Breton – Explorer Adela, brought up in nearby Bath, was no normal Victorian…

A group of cyclists riding along the Harbourside Loop path in central Bristol - credit Cycle the City

Top 5 Bristol cycling routes

Feb. 26, 2025

Bristol was named the UK’s first Cycling City in 2008, and today boasts more cycling commuters than many other large British cities. There are a wide range of options to hire bikes in the city, or even a tandem! There are lots of marked routes which both traverse and surround the city - here are a…

A plate of stacked pancakes with berries and cream on top - Credit Mollie's Motel and Diner

Where to go for pancakes in Bristol

Feb. 24, 2025

We’re lucky to have stacks of places in Bristol where you can fill up on pancakes. If you don’t fancy faffing around with the frying pan and whisk at home this year, get yourself to one of these restaurants instead. The Pancake Man Tuck into a stack of pancakes at this little cafe in Wapping Wharf…

A group of men trying raft building at Mendip Activity Centre near Bristol - credit Mendip Activity Centre

Alternative stag and hen do ideas in Bristol

Feb. 19, 2025

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…

Bottomless Brunch cocktails at Coal Kitchen in Cabot Circus Bristol - credit Coal Kitchen

Where to go for cocktails in Bristol

Feb. 17, 2025

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…

Creedy carver duck breast and celeriac dauphinoise

Michelin-starred restaurants in Bristol

Feb. 12, 2025

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…

Avon Gorge Hotel Du Vin restaurant - Credit Hotel Du Vin

Bristol's best rooms with a view

Feb. 10, 2025

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…