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! 

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…

Read More

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. Harbour Hotel Bristol Step out of the cold and hunker down in…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

The best places to stay near Bristol Airport

Bristol Airport is just a few miles south of Bristol City Centre (around 20-25 minutes away) with direct services to destinations across Europe. It's also in the middle of some beautiful Somerset scenery, giving you the perfect opportunity to combine a city break with some glorious English…

Read More

22 Bristol breaks for every kind of traveller

Discover what makes Bristol’s accommodation offering special and make the most of limited-time and year-round offers. Whether your idea of the perfect hotel has a storied past, gives a warm welcome to pooches or has a spa you can escape to – Bristol has accommodation you’ll love. To give you an idea…

Read More

Bristol on a budget: Get the best deal on accommodation

It doesn’t matter how far your budget stretches – there are ways to get a great deal on accommodation in Bristol. Whether you prefer to rest your head in a cheap and cheerful hostel or a luxury hotel, here are our four top tips for getting more for your money: Look for special offers on…

Read More

Latest blogs

Find something to do

Get some inspiration for your trip to Bristol...