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!

Category: Accommodation

A family of 4 eating lunch at a table with a view of the Mendip Hills - Credit Wookey Hole

Places to stay with kids in and near Bristol

May 05, 2026

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…

A bed and side table in Beech House - Credit Urban Apartments

Independent places to stay in Bristol

Apr. 21, 2026

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…

A red dog sat on a grey bed in the corner of a room - Credit Jamie Street

Bristol's best dog-friendly hotels

Mar. 09, 2026

In Bristol, you’re never far from green space; the city is home to over 400 parks and gardens, and it’s just a short journey out of the city centre to beautiful countryside. Add to that some fantastic dog-friendly hotels, and you have a great city break with a dog in tow. So, instead of leaving a…

Indoor pool with loungers at Foxhills Spa - credit Old Down Estate

Bristol's best spa breaks

Jan. 30, 2026

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 & Spa Restore yourself to full marvelousness with a prosecco lunch above ground in the…

Thornbury Castle - The Queen Mary Bedchamber

Romantic places to stay in Bristol

Jan. 19, 2026

For Valentine’s treats, honeymoons and loved-up weekend breaks, fall madly in love with Bristol’s most romantic rooms... Gorge-ous views: Hotel du Vin Bristol Avon Gorge Clifton’s elegant old lady has re-emerged as a bright young thing following a major refurbishment under the Hotel du Vin brand…

Leonardo Bristol City Standard double and single

Bristol's most accessible hotels

Oct. 21, 2025

Looking for an accessible room in Bristol? Here are some of our recommendations, with adjusted bathrooms, lift access and more. Novotel Bristol Centre This hotel is ideally located for those travelling for business or pleasure, just a few minutes from the city’s central railway station, Bristol…

A bedroom at Hort's Townhouse Bristol a boutique hotel in Bristol city centre

Bristol's cosiest hotels

Oct. 16, 2025

‘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…

A suite in Artist Residence boutique hotel in Bristol

Bristol's top-rated hotels in the Michelin Guide

Oct. 08, 2025

Find out which boutique hotels in and near Bristol have been awarded a prestigious MICHELIN Key in the MICHELIN Guide. Each of the hotels in the Guide is vetted by MICHELIN's hotel experts and has been judged as excelling in these key areas: architecture and interior design quality and consistency…

De vere Tortworth Court near Bristol exterior with outdoor bar and seating in garden - credit De vere Tortworth Court

Country house hotels near Bristol

Sep. 22, 2025

Birdsong or Bansky? Hedgerows or Harbourside? If you can’t decide between a city break or a country retreat, do both. North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, the Cotswolds and the rolling hills of the Mendips are all within a hop and a skip of Bristol city centre. Dress like a city weekender, but…

Aircraft waiting to depart at Bristol Airport - Credit Bristol Airport

The best places to stay near Bristol Airport

Sep. 09, 2025

Bristol Airport is just a few miles south of Bristol City Centre (around 20-25 minutes away) and has 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…