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! 

Five easy Bristol hikes

Looking to lace up your boots and go on some long walks and hikes around the city? We asked Mike from Hiker Hero to share a few of his local favourites... Some parts of Bristol are hilly enough that a walk to the shop feels like going on a hike. That said, there’s no better feeling than leaving the…

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Top 10 music venues in Bristol

Bristol has a vibrant music scene beating behind the doors of its many characterful venues. From musical legends in revered concert halls, to 25-piece Samba bands strumming under Banksy-covered walls, from indie hangouts to gigs afloat an old German boat, these music and arts venues cater for all…

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Go for a Chew Valley adventure with the X91 bus

Did you know that you can travel directly from the heart of Bristol to the beautiful landscapes of the Chew Valley by bus? The Big Lemon’s new X91 ‘Chew Valley Sprint’ bus service connects the city directly to the scenic slopes of the Mendip Hills, as well as the banks of the spectacular Chew Valley…

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Where to watch the Women's Rugby World Cup in Bristol

The biggest-ever celebration of women’s rugby, the Women's Rugby World Cup, comes to England from Friday 22 August until Saturday 27 September, and Bristol will be hosting two of quarter-final games and both semi-finals! If you're planning on coming to the games at Ashton Gate, or just heading into…

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A guide to the Women's Rugby World Cup in Bristol

The biggest-ever celebration of women’s rugby, the Women's Rugby World Cup, comes to England from Friday 22 August until Saturday 27 September, and Bristol is lucky enough to be one of the host cities! We've rounded up everything you need to know about the tournament in Bristol, whether you're…

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Itinerary: Explore Brunel's Bristol

Legendary engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel is one of Bristol's icons - he may have been born in Portsmouth, but many of his greatest engineering achievements were right here in Bristol. Two of the city's best-known attractions, the Clifton Suspension Bridge and SS Great Britain, were designed by…

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The definitive guide to afternoon tea in Bristol

Jam or cream first? Ahh the great Devonshire or Cornish cream tea debate…well, we suggest seeing how it’s done Bristol fashion. From the quirky to highly traditional, grab a brew and indulge in some of these afternoon teas. Central Bristol Hotel du Vin & Bistro Located in an old sugar factory, this…

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The story of Ashton Court Estate

One of Bristol’s most-loved parks is the stunning Ashton Court Estate, which covers 850 acres. It's known for its gorgeous landscape, intriguing mansion, variety of wildlife and huge amounts of green space . Located in Long Ashton, it’s the perfect place for anyone keen to spot some wildlife on a…

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Bristol’s best picnic spots

Warm summer weather calls for alfresco eating at some of Bristol's best picnic spots. Please remember to take your rubbish home with you, to help keep our parks and green spaces clean. 1. The Downs The Downs is an enormous expanse of green up in Clifton and is loved year-round by runners, dog…

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10 Day trips from Bristol by train

Staying a few days in Bristol? Take advantage of Bristol being the capital of the South West with a day trip to some of the impressive cities, historic towns, and seaside destinations nearby. 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, so what better way to celebrate than travelling by…

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