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!

Tag: Day Trips

Weston-super-Mare beach and Grand Pier - credit Visit West

10 Day trips from Bristol by train

Aug. 05, 2025

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…

Flamingos at WWT Slimbridge near Bristol - credit Amy Alsop

Motorway breaks near the M5 and Bristol

Jun. 27, 2025

Travelling along the M5 this summer? Long car journeys don’t have to mean constant cries of ‘are we neeearrrly there yet?’, expensive, soggy service station sandwiches and hours and hours of pure motorway. If you’re passing through the West Country along the M5 this summer, there are some great…

A view of the Stonehenge monument near Bristol by day

6 World Heritage Sites to visit near Bristol

Apr. 09, 2025

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…

Train on the track at Avon Valley Railway near Bristol - credit Avon Valley Railway

Train rides and railway attractions in Bristol

Mar. 07, 2025

Enjoy a day out on a local heritage steam railway, or take the family along to a miniature railway! 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway. Bristol has its place at the centre of UK railway heritage, with Isambard Kingdom Brunel engineering the Great Western Railway…

Beach and Knightstone Island in Weston-super-Mare near Bristol - credit Dave Peters

Beaches and seaside towns near Bristol

Sep. 10, 2024

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…

An wide shot of the Great Bath at The Roman Baths in central Bath, near Bristol

Best day trips east of Bristol

Aug. 05, 2024

As the capital of the South West, Bristol makes the perfect base to explore the very best the region has to offer. World-famous attractions, ancient landmarks and gorgeous countryside are all just a short train journey, car ride or cycle away! So why not add a few extra days onto your stay in the…

A view of the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare near Bristol at sunset - credit Dave Peters

Best day trips south of Bristol

Aug. 01, 2024

As capital of the South West, Bristol makes an ideal base to discover the very best the region has to offer. Iconic attractions, historic landmarks and stunning countryside are all just a short bus, train journey, car ride or cycle away! So why not add a few extra days onto your stay in the city and…

A view of Castle Street in the town of Thornbury, near Bristol

Beautiful towns and villages near Bristol

Jul. 23, 2024

Bristol is the confluence of the beautiful counties of Somerset and Gloucestershire, home to varied landscapes, rolling countryside, stunning natural wonders, and plenty of charming historic villages! Here are some of our favourites, all waiting for you on the city’s doorstep. If you don't drive or…

British Airways Concorde Alpha Foxtrot supersonic airliner inside Concorde Hangar at Aerospace Bristol - credit Adam Gasson

Best day trips north of Bristol

Jul. 15, 2024

Bristol makes the perfect base to explore the very best the region has to offer. So why not add a few extra days onto your stay in the city and tick off some iconic sites at the same time? Here’s our pick of the best day trips north of Bristol, from castles and historic towns to animal attractions…

Exterior of Tyntesfield House, near Bristol - credit Andrew Butler

Best day trips west of Bristol

Jul. 01, 2024

As capital of the South West, Bristol makes the perfect base to explore the very best the region has to offer. World-famous attractions, iconic landmarks and beautiful countryside are all just a short train, bus journey, car ride or cycle away! So why not add a few extra days onto your stay in the…