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: Experiences

Street art on Nelson Street in Bristol - credit Blackbeard to Banksy walking tour / AFT Bristol

From Blackbeard to Banksy: 1000 years of Bristol in just two hours

Jul. 02, 2025

Step through the mists of time and clear the fog surrounding Bristol's fascinating origins. What if you could stand where literary giants found inspiration, listen for underground rivers, discover hidden WWII stories, explore ancient taverns, and decode world-famous street art – all in one…

Old Market Assembly venue packed with people enjoying a meal

Bristol's best party venues

Jun. 12, 2025

Planning a party? Whatever the occasion or vibe you're after, Bristol has a whole host of venues to host your event, from private dining to cocktails in a mock prison cell! Here are our top venues to celebrate in the city: King Street Brew House, Old City The Tank Room at King Street Brew House…

Outdoor theatre in and around Bristol this summer

May 30, 2025

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... Henry V at Temple Church (19 June - 2 August) Watch Shakespeare's Henry V set among the ruins of the 14th century Temple Church, which will be…

A view of Clare Street in Bristol's Old City, with a hand holding a photograph of actors David Tennant & Neil Patrick Harris filming one of the 2023 Doctor Who specials in the same spot - credit Logan Walker

Bristol film & TV filming locations

Mar. 17, 2025

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. We’ve put…

Exterior of Tyntesfield House, near Bristol - credit Andrew Butler

Stay on a film set: overnight at Bristol filming locations

Mar. 12, 2025

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…

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 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 between…

Creedy carver duck breast and celeriac dauphinoise

Michelin-starred restaurants in Bristol

Feb. 12, 2025

Bristol is home to two Michelin-starred restaurants and several more that have been awarded a Bib Gourmand, Green Star or Michelin Plate. Here's the full list of restaurants that have been given an award in the city... The Michelin Plate This distinction is given to restaurants singled out in the…

Avon Gorge Hotel Du Vin restaurant - Credit Hotel Du Vin

Bristol's best rooms with a view

Feb. 10, 2025

From Harbourside hotels and waterfront views to dramatic Avon Gorge-edge vistas, ancient spires and Somerset countryside, these Bristol hotels have rooms with beautiful, awe-inspiring and interesting sights to be seen: On the waterfront: The Bristol On a busy stretch of the city’s Floating Harbour…

Person swimming at Bristol Lido by day - credit Bristol Lido

Bristol's best spa breaks

Feb. 05, 2025

We all need a bit of chill out time, so whether you’re after a romantic getaway, a girls’ (or boys!) pamper day or just some well-earned ‘me-time,' come and get blissed out in Bristol… Harbour Hotel Bristol and Spa Restore yourself to full marvelousness with a prosecco lunch above ground in the…

A view of Christmas Steps in central Bristol at night

11 of the most haunted places in Bristol

Oct. 23, 2024

As Halloween is fast-approaching, it’s got us in the mood for goose bump-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…