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! 

Christmas light trails in and around Bristol

Grab a warm coat and a woolly hat and head out to experience some Christmas magic. Create your own new Christmas traditions with a festive lights walk in and around Bristol. Remember to tag us in your photos and videos on Instagram and TikTok, and include #MerryBristmas in your posts! Jump on board…

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Top places to propose in Bristol

If you're plotting where best to get down on bended knee and pop the question to your beloved, then consider Bristol your amorous wing-lady. The city’s unique, jaw-dropping backdrops are bound to capture the mood and help you put a ring on it! Here are some of the most romantic places to propose in…

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Things to do in Bristol on a Sunday

In town on a Sunday and stuck for entertainment? Well, just so happens we have a few ideas. From *free* dance classes to *free* gigs, there’s no excuse to be holed up in your hotel room watching The Antiques Roadshow… Take a tour Get to know the city on a guided walking tour - the Blackbeard to…

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24 Festive things to do in Bristol

Christmas markets, winter wonderlands, enchanting light trails, festive events and experiences, not to mention the magnificent theatre productions – Bristol is brimming with exciting things to do this Christmas. Everyone's welcome to our place this Christmas. Here's our round-up of what’s on this…

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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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Swap London for Bristol: our top travel 'dupes'

Avoid the stress and bustle of the capital city and come to Bristol instead! We've listed some destination dupes where you can swap some of London's best-known attractions for a quieter (and often cheaper) version in our beautiful city. Swap The Cutty Sark for... Brunel's SS Great Britain The famous…

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A guide to slow travel in Bristol

If you’re looking to experience Bristol at a gentler pace, this guide is for you. Slow travel is about swapping whirlwind itineraries for meaningful moments, letting curiosity rather than checklists shape your days. Instead of rushing between sights, you’ll have time to savour what matters most to…

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Yarr! How to have a pirate-themed day out in Bristol

It's been over 300 years since the death of the notorious pirate Blackbeard. Previously known as Edward Teach, the infamous Bristol-born buccaneer terrorised the West Indies and eastern coast of the USA before meeting his demise in America in 1718, when he was captured and killed by the Governor of…

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Itinerary: Bristol in 60 minutes

Got an hour to kill in Bristol? Perhaps your train has been delayed, or you're pottering around until you can check into your hotel? Maybe you're looking for an interesting way to spend your lunch break or are just eager to squeeze even more lovely Bristol experiences into your day. Who can blame…

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A solo traveller's guide to Bristol

Planning a solo trip to Bristol? Bristol is a great option for independent travel, and has gained a reputation as a friendly, safe and fun city. Book the perfect solo adventure with our tips below... Skip to: Travel | Where to stay | Top things to do | Day trips Getting to and around Bristol…

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