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!

Visitors at an exhibition at RWA Bristol in central Bristol - credit RWA Bristol

Give the gift of Bristol: Vouchers, gift cards & donations

Nov. 09, 2026

Buy vouchers for Bristol attractions and activities as gifts or just to treat yourself to the gift of Bristol - not only do these make for extra special and thoughtful presents, but also help to support our local businesses. Attractions We The Curious You can buy a gift membership for hands-on…

Customers at the Made in Bristol gift fair - credit Jo Hounsome

The ultimate Bristol Christmas gift guide

Nov. 06, 2026

Frantic for ideas on what to get your loved ones for Christmas? Worry no more! Visit Bristol’s elves have searched Bristol's sensational shopping selection high and low to sniff out the top Bristol-themed gifts that’ll have your nearest and dearest dancing a Christmas jig for joy. Fact…

Christmas Day lunch at Coppa Club in Clifton, Bristol - credit Coppa Club

Where to go for Christmas Day lunch in Bristol

Nov. 04, 2026

Want to take the stress out of the big day? Gather your family or friends and book a table at one of these restaurants or pubs, which are serving a special lunch on Christmas Day. Hort's Townhouse Cosy up in this sprawling city centre gastropub and tuck into three indulgent courses for your…

A bedroom at Hort's Townhouse Bristol a boutique hotel in Bristol city centre

Bristol's cosiest hotels

Nov. 04, 2026

‘Tis the season of colourful leaves, crisp sunny strolls, beautiful misty mornings and cosying up by a log fire. Make the most of this snuggly time of year with a bit of ‘hygge’ at one of Bristol’s cosiest hotels for autumn hibernation. Harbour Hotel Bristol Step out of the cold and hunker down in…

A black and white image of Cary Grant on College Green in Bristol - credit Bristol Post

Itinerary: Explore Cary Grant's Bristol

Nov. 03, 2026

Did you know that Hollywood legend Cary Grant started his life as Archibald Leach in Bristol? Find out where one of the most iconic film stars called home, learned his trade and is now commemorated in the city. The Cary Grant Statue Start your Cary Grant tour of the city by seeking out the statue of…

Mysterious figure on St Nicholas Street - credit Charlie Revelle-Smith

Itinerary: Take a dark tour of Bristol

Oct. 29, 2026

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…

Exterior of The Llandoger Trow on King Street, Bristol

The Weird Bristol Pub Crawl

Oct. 28, 2026

Bristol is famed for its varied and popular pub scene, but locals and visitors alike are often unaware of the stories behind some of our most historic drinking establishments. Local author Charlie Revelle-Smith (Weird Bristol) has put together a pub crawl featuring five of Bristol's oldest pubs…

A view of Christmas Steps in central Bristol at night

11 of the most haunted places in Bristol

Oct. 26, 2026

As Halloween is fast approaching, it’s got us in the mood for goosebump-inducing tales of supernatural, mystical goings-on. We asked Bristol ghost Pundit John, of Haunted and Hidden Walking Tours, to reveal his top 11 most haunted places in Bristol, visited on his excursions around the city. From a…

Restaurants in Bristol perfect for large groups

Oct. 23, 2026

There are plenty of places to treat your gathering to a special meal, from a boat with a view to a grand house in the countryside. These are 12 of the best, suited for large groups and with delectable food and drink offerings. Racks Bar and Kitchen Located in Clifton just off Whiteladies Road, Racks…

An aerial view of hot air balloons flying over Bristol Harbourside

Swap London for Bristol: our top travel 'dupes'

Oct. 20, 2026

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…