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! 

Bristol's best Sunday roasts

You’re never too far from a great Sunday roast in Bristol. Bristol has an eclectic mix of venues to enjoy a classic roast dinner, from cosy pubs to stylish restaurants. Many restaurants and pubs in Bristol are passionate about sourcing ingredients locally from great producers, in addition to having…

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Itinerary: Take a dark tour of Bristol

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…

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Bristol's cosiest hotels for autumn hibernation

‘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…

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Bristol's best autumn walks

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…

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Top 10 dog walks in Bristol

Unlike a lot of cities, you’re never far from green space in Bristol. The city is home to over 400 parks and gardens offering outdoorsy fun and fantastic walks for owners and their dogs. Beautiful countryside surrounds on all sides, making Bristol a good base for long rambles in nearby South…

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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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Wildlife spotting in Bristol

Bristol may be a bustling city, but it also has a greener and wilder side. Along with our own wildlife spotting suggestions below, we asked Heather from the Bristol Nature Channel to tell us her top five wild places that have inspired their nature documentaries and show that Bristol is bursting with…

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6 World Heritage Sites to visit near Bristol

Bristol makes a perfect base to explore the historical wonders of the region. Here you’ll find ancient countryside and world-famous landmarks that sit proudly alongside their diverse and unique UNESCO World Heritage Site counterparts such as the Pyramids of Egypt and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef…

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Cosy pubs in Bristol

When it’s cold or rainy outside, there’s nothing better than finding a comfy corner in a traditional pub. Here are a few of our favourite places to get snug in the colder months. The Cottage Inn Come rain or shine, it's hard to beat the view across the harbour from The Cottage. On colder days, pull…

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Bristol’s best parks for autumn leaf peeping

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…

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