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! 

25 Things to do in Bristol in 2025

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 25 things to do in 2025 is here to help, covering everything from uniquely Bristol attractions to outdoor adventures. Plan the perfect city break around these…

Read More

Review: Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Bristol Hippodrome

Ian from Visit West reviews Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Bristol Hippodrome, which runs until 5 January. Goldilocks and The Three Bears was a vibrant, wonderful performance. It's a show for all ages, and there's something for all to enjoy as you band together to save the circus. Image - The…

Read More

Review: Mary Poppins at Bristol Hippodrome

Helen from Visit West reviews Mary Poppins at The Bristol Hippodrome I am a huge fan of the classic film and was very excited to see the show. I was delighted that it captivated from start to finish managing to retain the charm and classic songs from the movie whilst giving a fresh interpretation of…

Read More

Luxmuralis returns to Bristol Cathedral this Christmas

This Christmas, a stunning display of festive light and sound is coming to Bristol Cathedral, transforming this ancient building into a dazzling spectacle of light and sound as the Nativity story is retold like never before. In The Beginning is a stunning visual display, bringing a contemporary…

Read More

Nine ways to make the most of #SummerInBristol

From soaring hot air balloons to bustling Harbourside festivals, incredible live music to new cultural event spaces, food festivals to family fun; there’s something very special about #SummerInBristol... Read on to find out why Bristol is always a good idea: find out what’s coming up and how to make…

Read More

Top 6 tips for Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is one of the most popular and striking outdoor events on the calendar. This year, the world-renowned free Fiesta returns to Ashton Court between Friday 9 August and Sunday 11 August 2024. Each morning and evening of the fiesta you can join one of the fiesta's…

Read More

Look Up! The Story of Hot Air Ballooning in Bristol

Aerospace Bristol and Cameron Balloons present this exciting new exhibition, at Aerospace Bristol until Sunday 1 September. 'Look Up! The Story of Hot Air Ballooning in Bristol' will showcase balloons, baskets, burners, and balloon-themed activities, alongside the last Concorde to ever fly. From…

Read More

Two new family experiences in Bristol this summer

Bristol’s summer event calendar is heating up with two immersive experiences perfect for explorers of all ages. First up is Space Shanty at M Shed for 6 weeks, an intergalactic voyage like no other, exploring Bristol's involvement with science and space travel. Then there’s Lumosphere at Cabot…

Read More

Ignite your Caveman Curiosity at Cheddar Gorge & Caves this summer

Looking for something different to do this school holidays? Make fun and lasting memories this summer and join Cheddar Gorge & Caves on an action-packed journey back to the Stone Age that will keep the whole family entertained. Can you imagine what it was like to live in the Stone Age? From 25 July…

Read More

10 things to do at Bristol Pride 2024

Bristol Pride is back for 2024, celebrating its 15 th anniversary with a spectacular and diverse lineup of events across the city between the 29 June and the 13 July. The main festival day returns on Saturday 13 July on The Downs, with four stages, circus tent, family and youth zones. The legendary…

Read More

Latest blogs

Find something to do

Get some inspiration for your trip to Bristol...