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! 

Latest blogs

Waterside places to eat & drink in Bristol

You're never far from the water in Bristol, whether you're looking for a place to enjoy a pint in the Harbourside, or a riverside terrace for a special meal. Here are our top picks for where you can drink or dine by the water's edge. Harbourside No.1 Harbourside One of the city centre's most…

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A gin drinker’s guide to Bristol

Do you know your juniper from your geneva? Is ‘gin o’clock’ scheduled firmly into your diary? Never mind the cider, Bristol has several gin distilleries to its name and plenty of places to drink this splendid spirit. If you’re looking for a bit of gin-spiration, get the Bristol gin low down here… 6…

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Gluten free places to eat in Bristol

The prospect of dining out in a new city when you're coeliac or avoiding gluten can be daunting. Luckily, Bristol's cafes, restaurants, attractions and hotels are better than ever when it comes to options for varying dietary requirements, so you can easily enjoy food and drink that’s gluten free…

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A cider drinker's guide to Bristol

The cliché is true – Bristolians love their cider. So, of course, there’s a smashing selection of pubs where you can stop for everything from super strength scrumpy to refreshing perry. We’ve rounded up five of the best places serving top-quality ciders in Bristol, to make your search for pints of…

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The best coffee shops for studying in Bristol

Any university student will know that the library can be crowded and boring at times, and not the best environment for inspiring motivation and creativity during the essay writing or revision season. Luckily, Bristol is full of cafes which suit all types of students, whether you prefer a quiet…

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The best places to eat al fresco in Bristol

From harbourside restaurants to stunning roof terraces, we've picked out some of the best places to eat al fresco in Bristol when the sun is shining. By the water Aqua, Welshback Whether you're looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner, you can enjoy your food with a view of the water from the sunny…

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Bristol's brewery taprooms

Bristol is a beer lover's paradise, with over 20 breweries in the city and surrounding countryside, and you'll be pleased to hear that many of them have tap rooms that you can visit! Not only can you enjoy a great pint, but there's usually the option of booking on to a tour of the brewery too. Most…

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Bristol's best steak restaurants

On a quest to find a perfectly cooked medium-rare steak and the best peppercorn sauce in this fair city? Here is Bristol’s epic selection of steakhouses. The Ox Hidden away in the basement of a bank vault under Corn Street The Ox is a class act. Their steaks are dry aged for at least 35 days and…

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Where to go for cocktails in Bristol

If you’re looking for a special night out, it’s worth seeking out some of Bristol’s top cocktail bars, whether you’re looking for a secluded speakeasy or a bit of glitz and glamour. Hyde and Co. Bristol’s original prohibition-style bar, Hyde and Co. is inconspicuously tucked away down a side street…

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Pre-theatre dining in Bristol

Bristol has theatres and venues dotted across the city, and many restaurants offer special pre-theatre dinner deals and early bird menus when you show your theatre ticket or eat before 7pm. Here are some of our suggestions for where to grab a bite before a show... Going to Bristol Hippodrome? If…

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