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: Harbourside

An aerial view of central Bristol landmarks, including the Harbourside and Queen Square

Itinerary: Bristol in 60 minutes

Mar. 03, 2022

Got an hour to kill in Bristol? Perhaps your train has been delayed or you're pottering around until you can check into your hotel? Maybe you're looking for an interesting way to spend your lunch break or are just eager to squeeze even more lovely Bristol experiences into your day. Who can blame…

Pirate street art in Bristol - credit Show of Strength Theatre Walks

Yarr! How to have a pirate-themed day out in Bristol

Nov. 16, 2021

It's over 300 years since the death of the notorious pirate Blackbeard. Previously known as Edward Teach, the infamous Bristol-born buccaneer terrorised the West Indies and eastern coast of the USA before meeting his demise in America in 1718, when he was captured and killed by the Governor of…

Underfall Yard Visitor Centre and boats - credit Underfall Yard

The story of The Underfall Yard

Mar. 31, 2021

The red brick buildings and chimney of Underfall Yard are an iconic sight on Bristol’s Harbourside. But how did this working boatyard and visitor attraction, now considered the heart of the harbour, come to be? Discover its fascinating story in this guest article from the Underfall Yard team…

A view of Bristol Harbourside through a mooring chain ring looking towards the M Shed - credit Jim Cossey

Itinerary: Explore maritime Bristol

Jul. 14, 2020

Bristol’s past is awash with nautical goings-on. Ever heard the saying ‘ship shape and Bristol fashion’? That goes back to when sailors here had to keep their cargo neat and tidy, on their impeccably crafted ships, to prevent them tipping over when the tide went out as Bristol has the second biggest…

Exhibition space with large head of Brunel on wall

8 things not to miss at Being Brunel

Mar. 17, 2020

Venture back in time to 1840 and visit Brunel’s drawing office and much more at Bristol’s Being Brunel. The museum features some of Brunel's most prized posessions, and items which have never been viewed by the public before. Get an insight into the way Brunel worked and designed some of the most…