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! 

Where to go for pancakes in Bristol

We’re lucky to have stacks of places in Bristol where you can fill up on pancakes. If you don’t fancy faffing around with the frying pan and whisk at home this year, get yourself to one of these restaurants instead. The Pancake Man Tuck into a stack of pancakes at this little cafe in Wapping Wharf…

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Where to see Santa in Bristol this Christmas

He's making a list, he's checking it twice; he's gonna find out who's naughty or nice, Santa Claus is coming to Bristol. Here are all the places you can meet the jolly old man in red (or green)…#MerryBristmas! Jump on board First Bus to explore festive events across the city (remember that children…

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Self-guided experiences to try in Bristol

Treasure hunting, road tripping, street art spotting, fact finding, beer tasting – you can try out all these activities and more via self-guided experiences in Bristol. Great for exploring the city safely and at your own pace, here’s an introduction to some of the best on offer. Race Across the…

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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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Fun things to do with teenagers in Bristol

Worried about keeping teenagers entertained during a visit to Bristol? Don’t be! There’s an endless amount of fun and adventure on offer for their age group, thanks to exciting attractions and activities. Whether they’d be happiest in a wetsuit, on roller skates or holding a spray paint can, here…

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6 top tips for Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is one of the most popular and striking outdoor events on the calendar. This year, the world-renowned free Fiesta returns to Ashton Court between Friday 8 August and Sunday 10 August 2025. Each morning and evening of the fiesta, you can join one of the fiesta's…

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Motorway breaks near the M5 and Bristol

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…

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Have a dinosaur-themed day out in Bristol

Ahead of the Jurassic World: Rebirth release this summer, Bristol is going dino-mad! From Jurassic takeovers to T-rex encounters, plan the perfect day out for the dinosaur lover in your life... Dinosaur Valley at Avon Valley Adventure Park Get up close with the largest collection of animatronic…

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Where to find sweet treats in Bristol

Whether traditional crêpes, epic pastries, gelato cocktails or luxury chocolates are more your jam, there’s a fine selection of indulgent sugary treats to get stuck into in Bristol. Here’s our guide to some of the best and where to find them. Chez Marcel Chez Marcel has brought a taste of Brittany…

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