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! 

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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Things to do at night in Bristol

No matter what time it is, there is always something to do in Bristol. Nightlife in Bristol is legendary, whether you are a party-goer or want a more cultural night out. Here are some of our top picks for things you can do in Bristol at night. Activity bars to play and socialise Not one for…

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Train rides and railway attractions in Bristol

Enjoy a day out on a local heritage steam railway, or take the family along to a miniature railway! Bristol has its place at the centre of UK railway heritage, with Isambard Kingdom Brunel engineering the Great Western Railway between London and Bristol, which opened in 1838. There are numerous…

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8 of Bristol's best water-based activities

With our lovely harbour at the heart of the city, it’s no surprise that Bristol is awash with water-based things to do. These range from a leisurely cruise on a boat tour right up to a day of adventure on a canoe or stand up paddleboard. Here are eight of Bristol’s best water-based activities to…

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Adventurous activities in Bristol

Whether you’re looking for daring date ideas or a fun day out with friends or family, Bristol and the surrounding area is home to plenty of thrill-seeking activities, from rock climbing to surfing! Head for heights? Enjoy the views from 25 metres above the harbour after climbing the rigging in Go…

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Stay on a film set: overnight at Bristol filming locations

Did you know that Bristol is a UNESCO Creative City of Film? This permanent status recognises Bristol's global contribution to film and television over many years, its world-class film festivals, popular filming locations and pop-up screenings. While it's easy to be blown away by the film and TV…

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Outdoor theatre in and around Bristol this summer

Watch dramatic Shakespeare performances and family-friendly shows alfresco this summer! Here's our guide to the outdoor shows you won't want to miss, both in the heart of the city and nearby countryside... As You Like It at Boiling Wells Amphitheatre (Sun 21 June) Head to a tucked-away corner of St…

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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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Bristol film & TV filming locations

In celebration of the city's status as a UNESCO City of Film, we take a look at Bristol: the TV and movie star. Many film productions have beamed Bristol onto the big screen, and as well as being a featured location, the city has often played film double and production base for many movies. In fact…

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