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

A family in a cave at Wookey Hole in Wells, near Bristol - credit Wookey Hole

The story of Wookey Hole

Jul. 02, 2024

Nestled in the picturesque Mendip Hills of Somerset, less than an hour's drive from Bristol, Wookey Hole has captivated the imaginations of visitors for generations. This enchanting destination, deeply ingrained in the hearts of Bristolians, is as iconic as Banksy, hot air balloons, and the…

A Bristol Packet Boat Trips boat in Bristol Harbour - credit Bristol Packet Boat Trips

The story of Bristol Packet Boat Trips

May 16, 2024

Over the past five decades, Bristol Packet Boat Trips have provided boat trips to the people of Bristol, and beyond, and are proud to have played a roll in some of the most important moments in people’s lives. From school trips to platinum wedding anniversaries and bustling club nights, they’ve…

A view of Broad Quay on Bristol's Harbourside looking towards the city centre

The story of Bristol's Floating Harbour

Jan. 03, 2024

One of the marvels of Bristol’s prestigious engineering history, Bristol's Floating Harbour has a long and interesting history. The name comes from the fact that the water in the harbour remains at a constant level and is not affected by the tides of the River Avon which flows into it. We’ll go on…

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…