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: History

Air Raid Shelter in Bristol - credit Visit West

Itinerary: Bristol in World War II

Apr. 21, 2025

Thursday 8 May 2025 is the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe or VE Day, which marked the end of the Second World War in Europe. There are celebrations and commemorations across the city, including Celebrate VE80 at Berkeley Castle and Spirit of '45 at Aerospace Bristol, both taking place from 4…

A view of the Stonehenge monument near Bristol by day

6 World Heritage Sites to visit near Bristol

Apr. 09, 2025

Bristol makes a perfect base to explore the historical wonders of the region. Here you’ll find ancient countryside and world-famous landmarks that sit proudly alongside their diverse and unique UNESCO World Heritage Site counterparts such as the Pyramids of Egypt and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef…

Black and white photo of a woman on a horse being led by a man

16 incredible Bristol women

Mar. 03, 2025

For some International Women's Day inspired reading, check out our list of amazing women who have helped shape Bristol. Image - Adela Breton with her guide in Mexico, Pablo Solorio. Courtesy of Bristol Museums. Adela Breton – Explorer Adela, brought up in nearby Bath, was no normal Victorian…

Weston-super-Mare beach and Grand Pier - credit Visit West

The story of The Grand Pier

Oct. 03, 2024

The Grand Pier, located in Weston-super-Mare, has a rich history dating back to the late 1800s. As seaside towns became popular, thanks to the railway network and more leisure time for workers, Weston-super-Mare saw a surge in visitors. To cater to these tourists, a grand attraction was needed…

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…

Bristol icons: From Brunel to Banksy

Apr. 16, 2024

Bristol has more than its fair share of icons, from famous residents to groundbreaking inventions. Discover how each has made their mark on the city. Aardman Academy Award-winning studio Aardman Animation is a Bristol institution, based here since 1976. Since then, they’ve been nominated for…

A plaque commemorating the Bristol Bus Boycott of 1963 on display at Bristol Bus & Coach Station

The story of The Bristol Bus Boycott

Apr. 03, 2024

On the anniversary of the beginning of the Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963, Dr Roger Griffith MBE writes about this landmark event. The 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott was a landmark event for British civil and legal rights. Campaigners, vexed from signs that read ‘No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs’, fought for…

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…

Interior of John Wesley's New Room, Bristol - credit John Wesley's New Room

The story of John Wesley's New Room

May 10, 2023

Learn about the life and legacy of John and Charles Wesley and the history of John Wesley's New Room, a museum in the centre of Broadmead and the oldest Methodist building in the world at over 280 years old. John Wesley was an Anglican clergyman, evangelist, and founder, with his brother Charles, of…