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: Outdoors and Nature

A group of people walking in a field as part of Bristol Walkfest - credit Jeni Nott

Explore the city with Bristol Walk Fest 2025

Apr. 14, 2025

From 1-31 May there are hundreds of walks on offer all around the city as part of this year's Bristol Walk Fest. Most of them are free, and they cover all abilities and interests. Whether you are a casual walker who fancies a gentle stroll to explore new parts of the city, or an enthusiastic…

Cyclists on the Bristol & Bath Railway Path - credit Sustrans

Explore Bristol by bike

Apr. 11, 2025

Cycling and Bristol go together like Wallace and Gromit. Named as England’s first cycling city back in 2008, Bristol has flourished as a bike-friendly haven and is home to excellent cycle routes and experiences suitable for every type of rider, from regular pedal-heads and fearless mountain bikers…

Person swimming at Conham River Park in Bristol - credit Georgie Duckworth

The best wild swimming spots near Bristol

Mar. 31, 2025

Georgie Duckworth, author of new book ‘Wild Swimming Walks Bristol & Bath’, shares her favourite walks and wild swims close to Bristol. This book shares 28 unique and enticing wild swimming walks, all within one hour’s journey time from the city. Each walk differs in length and complexity level…

Ashton Court Mansion in the grounds of Ashton Court Estate near Bristol, credit Chris Bahn

Top 20 Spring walks around Bristol

Mar. 24, 2025

Spring’s colourful carpets of flowers, sunny days and blossom-heavy trees make it a great time to get out and about in the city. We’ve put together our favourite spring walks around Bristol – whether you’re a serious hiker or gentle stroller, there’s something to suit all springtime wanderers. Every…

Cabot Tower at the top of Brandon Hill in central Bristol - credit Chris Bahn

Best gardens to visit in and around Bristol

Mar. 18, 2025

Now that spring is finally showing signs of sticking around, it’s the perfect time to venture out of hibernation and see Bristol’s beautiful gardens in bloom. From tiny Knot Gardens hidden behind tall Georgian town houses, to unforgettable estates in rolling countryside, here are our pick of…

A group of cyclists riding along the Harbourside Loop path in central Bristol - credit Cycle the City

Top 5 Bristol cycling routes

Feb. 26, 2025

Bristol was named the UK’s first Cycling City in 2008, and today boasts more cycling commuters than many other large British cities. There are a wide range of options to hire bikes in the city, or even a tandem! There are lots of marked routes which both traverse and surround the city - here are a…

A mother walking with her two young sons through the grounds of Westonbirt Arboretum near Bristol - credit Johnny Hathaway

Bristol’s best winter walks

Nov. 04, 2024

Crisp air, frost-coated foliage and beautiful views - an invigorating wintry walk is the perfect way to experience Bristol this season. So head out on one of these head-clearing strolls around Bristol… The Harbourside When the mist rises on a chilly winter’s morn, the Harbourside is a sight to…

A family walking through the grounds of Westonbirt Arboretum near Bristol in autumn - credit Johnny Hathaway

Bristol’s best parks for autumn leaf peeping

Oct. 21, 2024

The leaves have started changing colour and by evening, there’s an unmistakeable whiff of autumn in the air. To make the most of this colourful season, we’ve put together a guide to Bristol’s best parks for autumn leaf peeping: Westonbirt Arboretum No leaf peeping list would be complete without the…

A mother and her young daughter in the grounds of Westonbirt Arboretum near Bristol in autumn - credit Johnny Hathaway

Bristol's best autumn walks

Oct. 14, 2024

When the landscapes of Britain are starting to change colour, golden leaves spatter the ground and there’s an official whiff of autumn in the air, there’s nothing quite like heading outdoors to experience this magical time of year. We’ve put together a guide to some of the best places for an…

The bar area at The Swan Inn in Rowberrow, near Bristol - credit Butcombe

Top country pub walks near Bristol

Sep. 04, 2024

From rolling hills to ancient woodland, we’re lucky to have what feels like an endless supply of green space just beyond Bristol. Of course, the wondrous wildlife and gorgeous scenery is reason enough to get out for a walk. But there’s nothing like a country pub pitstop to make a rural ramble even…