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! 

Popular reads

Things To Do

24 Things to do in Bristol in 2024

  • 22 min read

With a seemingly never-ending list of sights to see and experiences to tick off, how can you pack the best of Bristol into your year? Our top 24 things to do in 2024 is here to help, covering everything from uniquely Bristol attractions to outdoor adventures. It’s no surprise Bristol was…

Latest blogs

Holiday parks and campsites near Bristol

Summer is the perfect time for a break outside of the city, whether you opt to stay on site at a local attraction with the family or enjoy a peaceful countryside camping trip. Bristol is surrounded by stunning countryside, dramatic coastline and some award-winning attractions just waiting for you to…

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Places to stay with kids in Bristol and beyond

Bringing the family to Bristol? After experiencing the excitement of the city’s attractions, adventurous activities and delicious food and drink, you’ll need somewhere to rest and recharge. Luckily, there are countless places to stay with kids, whether you fancy a city centre hotel with big…

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Places to stay with swimming pools in Bristol

Looking for a Bristol hotel with somewhere to take a splash, swim some lengths or simply soak to your heart’s content? These hotels, located in and around Bristol, all have indoor pools for year-round swimming. HarSpa at Harbour Hotel Bristol The pint-sized, mood-lit indoor pool at this luxury…

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Quirky places to stay in Bristol

Explore some of the more unusual places to stay in and around the city, from lakeside glamping to a grand Tudor castle. Luxury living in a former bank Book one of the stylish apartments in the former Bank of England building in Bristol's Old City. The building itself is Grade I listed and each Mint…

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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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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... Love is in the air: 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 stay for parents visiting students in Bristol

Dropping your son or daughter at university for the first time or visiting throughout the year is the perfect excuse to book in a short break to Bristol. You can get to know the city they've chosen to spend their uni days in a bit better and make your way around the many attractions on offer at the…

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Places to stay in Bristol for Christmas shoppers

Take any stress out of Christmas shopping in Bristol this year by extending your day trip into an overnight stay or short break. Allow us to guide you through the best areas for gift shopping and the remarkable places to stay in each. Jump on board First Bus to explore shops, markets and more across…

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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. Leaf a smile on your face at Harbour Hotel Bristol Step out of…

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10 of the best Bristol hotels for foodies

If West Country fodder is calling you, and you’re looking for somewhere to stay in the Bristol area, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect combination of delicious food, fine wines and a comfy bed. We’ve rounded up some top places to stay for foodies, from charming boutique hotels to country…

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