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!

Interior of the Rough Trade record shop in central Bristol - credit Rough Trade

9 of Bristol's top record stores

Apr. 07, 2025

Love nothing more than geeking out over vinyl at a good record store? In keeping with the city's musical reputation, Bristol is home to stacks of friendly record shops, run by staff with encyclopaedic music knowledge. Here are nine of Bristol's best record stores where you can get rummaging for…

A group of people participating in a yoga class on Queen Square in central Bristol

Where to have a digital detox in Bristol

Apr. 04, 2025

We all need time to relax and recharge, and there’s no better place to take some time away from technology and chill out for a few hours... Take in the greenery at a local park Brandon Hill Park Brandon Hill, Bristol’s oldest park, is a perfect getaway conveniently located just off Park Street. The…

Mezzanine suite at Hotel Du Vin in central Bristol - credit Hotel Du Vin

16 Green places to stay in Bristol

Mar. 28, 2025

Discover Bristol's most sustainable and eco-friendly hotels, which have been celebrated for their commitment to the environment. Enjoy locally-sourced food in your breakfast buffet, charging points for your electric vehicle, water refill stations and other nifty features! Where are the Green Key…

Filming taking place with Boarders cast in Bristol - credit Studio Lambert and BBC

The Bristol TV watchlist

Mar. 28, 2025

How many TV shows starring Bristol can you name? As well as shows set in the city, Bristol has also doubled for Tudor London, 18th century Cornwall, and many more. From sitcom classics such as Only Fools and Horses and The Young Ones, to modern cult hits such as Skins, there are surprising amount…

Stephen Merchant with the pigs at Bristol City Farm

Itinerary: The Outlaws-themed break in Bristol

Mar. 25, 2025

Stephen Merchant’s comedy thriller The Outlaws was set and filmed in and around Bristol. The series follows strangers from different walks of life who are forced together to complete a community payback sentence in Bristol. Throughout the series you’ll be able to spot many of the city’s famous…

Ashton Court Mansion in the grounds of Ashton Court Estate near Bristol, credit Chris Bahn

Top 20 Spring walks around Bristol

Mar. 24, 2025

Spring’s colourful carpets of flowers, sunny days and blossom-heavy trees make it a great time to get out and about in the city. We’ve put together our favourite spring walks around Bristol – whether you’re a serious hiker or gentle stroller, there’s something to suit all springtime wanderers. Every…

Mother’s Day gifts with the Love Bristol Gift Card

Mar. 19, 2025

Give Mum the gift of Bristol this Mother’s Day and support local with the Love Bristol Gift Card Mother’s Day is right around the corner - Sunday 30th March - but have no fear, we’ve rounded up a go-to guide of Bristol independents where the mother figure in your life can be treated with a Love…

Cabot Tower at the top of Brandon Hill in central Bristol - credit Chris Bahn

Best gardens to visit in and around Bristol

Mar. 18, 2025

Now that spring is finally showing signs of sticking around, it’s the perfect time to venture out of hibernation and see Bristol’s beautiful gardens in bloom. From tiny Knot Gardens hidden behind tall Georgian town houses, to unforgettable estates in rolling countryside, here are our pick of…

A view of Clare Street in Bristol's Old City, with a hand holding a photograph of actors David Tennant & Neil Patrick Harris filming one of the 2023 Doctor Who specials in the same spot - credit Logan Walker

Bristol film & TV filming locations

Mar. 17, 2025

In celebration of the city's status as a UNESCO City of Film, we take a look at Bristol: the TV and movie star. Many film productions have beamed Bristol onto the big screen and as well as being a featured location, the city has often played film double and production base for many movies. We’ve put…

Nicholas Hoult as Tony Stonem, April Pearson as Michelle Richardson, and Mike Bailey as Sid Jenkins in Skins series 1 - credit Company Pictures, Storm Dog Films and All3Media International

Itinerary: the ultimate Skins-themed break in Bristol

Mar. 14, 2025

Set and filmed in and around Bristol, the cult classic teen drama Skins has become synonymous with the city since it broke onto TV screens in 2007. The show follows three generations of Bristolian teenagers as they navigate the struggles they face during their two years at sixth form, and…