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! 

Popular reads

Things To Do

24 Things to do in Bristol in 2024

  • 22 min read

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 24 things to do in 2024 is here to help, covering everything from uniquely Bristol attractions to outdoor adventures. It’s no surprise Bristol was…

Latest blogs

Beaches and seaside towns near Bristol

Bristol is only a few miles from the coast, so if you're looking for places to enjoy a long walk, do some watersports or take a dip, here are some of the places within easy reach of the city. Beaches near Bristol Sand Bay One of the most scenic spots along the North Somerset coast, Sand Bay has a…

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Where to swim and splash outdoors in Bristol

Make the most of warmer days and cool off at these alfresco swimming spots, from Bristol Harbourside to open air lidos, marine lakes and more. Jump to: Outdoor swimming pools - Open water swimming - Splash parks Outdoor pools Bristol Lido Tucked away down a quiet street in Clifton, this Victorian…

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8 of Bristol's best water-based activities

With our lovely harbour at the heart of the city, it’s no surprise that Bristol is awash with water-based things to do. These range from a leisurely cruise on a boat tour right up to a day of adventure on a canoe or stand up paddleboard. Here are eight of Bristol’s best water-based activities to…

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Experience Summer in Bristol by train with Great Western Railway

Save the stress and the Earth by travelling to Bristol by train with Great Western Railway (GWR) this summer. Unwind from the moment you step aboard and enjoy the beautiful West Country scenery from the comfort of your seat, getting you in the mood for exploring everything Bristol has to offer in…

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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…

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Catch the summer in Bristol with First Bus

Bristol is packed with so much to see and do that you simply couldn’t do it all in a day…or could you? There’s never been a better time to take in as much of Bristol as possible. With the school holidays stretching across the coming weeks, there’s plenty of things to fill the time across the city…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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