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! 

60 free things to do in Bristol

A visit to Bristol doesn’t need to be an expensive one, in fact we’ve got 60 ideas for totally free things to do in Bristol. 1. M Shed Located in a huge 1950s transit shed right on Bristol’s Harbourside, the M Shed museum explores over 2000 years of Bristol’s history and is free tlo enter. Learn…

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The ultimate Bristol student bucket list

If you’ve landed a place to study in Bristol, congratulations – you’re in for a brilliant three years. With all-round friendly vibes and a particularly buzzing student community, unbeatable nightlife, cracking culture and a renowned foodie scene, we’re certain you’ll love your soon-to-be second…

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10 Day trips from Bristol by train

Staying a few days in Bristol? Take advantage of Bristol being the capital of the South West with a day trip to some of the impressive cities, historic towns, and seaside destinations nearby. 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, so what better way to celebrate than travelling by…

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Spotlight on Bristol’s small museums

Home to iconic landmarks and big world-class attractions, Bristol also has its share of smaller, unusual and fascinating museums which shouldn't be overlooked... John Wesley’s New Room Tucked away in the heart of Bristol's main shopping district is the world’s oldest Methodist building, The New Room…

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Motorway breaks near the M5 and Bristol

Travelling along the M5 this summer? Long car journeys don’t have to mean constant cries of ‘are we neeearrrly there yet?’, expensive, soggy service station sandwiches and hours and hours of pure motorway. If you’re passing through the West Country along the M5 this summer, there are some great…

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The best views in Bristol

Bristol is blessed with some amazing vistas and vantage points, here are a few of our favourites... Clifton Suspension Bridge The world-famous Clifton Suspension Bridge was built in 1864 and offers dramatic views down the Avon Gorge into the city and beyond. This iconic attraction is open to walk…

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Train rides and railway attractions in Bristol

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…

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How to spend a Monday in Bristol

Monday blues? Not in Bristol. Swap work for play and get your fill of culture, adventure, great food and good times in the city. Here are some top ways to keep the weekend vibes going and kick off your week in the best way possible. Visit Bristol's top attractions Many of Bristol's most popular…

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The story of The Grand Pier

The Grand Pier, located in Weston-super-Mare, has a rich history dating back to the late 1800s. As seaside towns became popular, thanks to the railway network and more leisure time for workers, Weston-super-Mare saw a surge in visitors. To cater to these tourists, a grand attraction was needed…

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Best day trips east of Bristol

As capital of the South West, Bristol makes the perfect base to explore the very best the region has to offer. World-famous attractions, ancient landmarks and gorgeous countryside are all just a short train journey, car ride or cycle away! So why not add a few extra days onto your stay in the city…

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