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! 

The local's guide: Clevedon

Looking for a day out by the coast near Bristol? We've got just the itinerary for you! About half an hour’s drive away from Bristol city centre is the seaside town of Clevedon. Known as one of the locations for the hit ITV drama Broadchurch, there is lots to do, whether you are visiting with friends…

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The local's guide: Thornbury

In need of an itinerary for the historic town of Thornbury? Andy Clarke tells us why it is worth venturing out of Bristol to explore this South Gloucestershire market town... It is easy to come to a city and only venture to places you find on foot, never venturing far from your hotel or the train…

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The local's guide: Cotham and Kingsdown

Want the inside scoop on where to eat in the foodie districts of Cotham and Kingsdown? Check out this itinerary from a local resident. Gin peddler, cocktail connoisseur and food fanatic Danny Walker tells us why this hilly suburb of Bristol is worth the climb... Kingsdown is a happy little suburb…

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Itinerary: Take a dark tour of Bristol

Local author of the Weird Bristol history books, Charlie Revelle-Smith, takes us on his personal tour of some of Bristol’s macabre and gruesome history. From haunted pubs to bloody murder, wrap up warm and retrace the steps of our city’s darkest days… The Tour Map The route is approximately two…

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The local's guide: Bishopston

Local foodie Charlie Harding gives us a guided tour of the neighbourhood surrounding the popular Gloucester Road. Read on for her itinerary, featuring top food & drink spots, where to shop, and more. Where to eat Bishopston has a thriving independent restaurant and bar community with enough choice…

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The food lover's guide to Bristol

Bristol is known for its fabulous food scene, from sizzling street food markets to glamorous speakeasies, and more award-winning restaurants than you can shake a stick at. Here are our recommendations for a food-tastic trip to the city... 1. Book a food & drink tour One of the quickest ways to get…

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The local's guide: Montpelier

Local Tim Crutchley talks us through the must-see bits of Montpelier, Bristol's bohemian neighbourhood nestled just behind Stokes Croft. Read on for Tim's brief itinerary... I’ve lived here for almost 7 years and truth be told, I didn’t know much about the area when I moved in. Montpelier might not…

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The local's guide: Windmill Hill

Local foodie & film buff Tim Popple gives us a tour of this cosy corner of South Bristol with a short and sweet itinerary... Windmill Hill is only half an hour’s walk from the centre, but you'll be surprised how little temptation there is to venture into town when there's so much to do here…

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Itinerary: A long weekend in Bristol

Planning to spend a few days in the city? Here's a list of must-sees in Bristol to get you started... Day one: The Harbourside Grab a coffee by the Harbourside and visit M Shed, a museum telling the story of Bristol’s past and present, before climbing aboard The Matthew on the quayside nearby. The…

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The local's guide: Brislington

Looking for a new neighbourhood to explore? We asked local stand-up comedian Mark Olver for his recommendations on where to go in this leafy suburb of East Bristol, read on for his quickfire itinerary... Image - Beeses Riverside Bar I have lived in Brislington all of my life (apart from university…

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