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: Rural North Somerset & Mendips

De vere Tortworth Court near Bristol exterior with outdoor bar and seating in garden - credit De vere Tortworth Court

Country house hotels near Bristol

Sep. 22, 2025

Birdsong or Bansky? Hedgerows or Harbourside? If you can’t decide between a city break or a country retreat, do both. North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, the Cotswolds and the rolling hills of the Mendips are all within a hop and a skip of Bristol city centre. Dress like a city weekender, but…

A white The Big Lemon X91 bus in North Somerset - credit The Big Lemon

Go for a Chew Valley adventure with the X91 bus

Aug. 19, 2025

Did you know that you can travel directly from the heart of Bristol to the beautiful landscapes of the Chew Valley by bus? The Big Lemon’s new X91 ‘Chew Valley Sprint’ bus service connects the city directly to the scenic slopes of the Mendip Hills, as well as the banks of the spectacular Chew Valley…

Ashton Court Mansion in the grounds of Ashton Court Estate near Bristol, credit Chris Bahn

The story of Ashton Court Estate

Aug. 07, 2025

One of Bristol’s most-loved parks is the stunning Ashton Court Estate, which covers 850 acres. It's known for its gorgeous landscape, intriguing mansion, variety of wildlife and huge amounts of green space . Located in Long Ashton, it’s the perfect place for anyone keen to spot some wildlife on a…

Gromit Unleashed 3 statues in front of Clifton Suspension Bridge - credit Ambitious

Gromit Unleashed 3 locations in Bristol

Jul. 02, 2025

Tick off all of the locations from this year's Gromit Unleashed 3 trail, with sculptures of Wallace, Gromit, Feather’s McGraw and Norbot dotted in and around the city! The Gromit Unleashed 3 trail is running from Monday 30 June until Sunday 31 August 2025, so you'll have plenty of time to visit all…

A purple and beige-coloured Mendip Explorer 376 bus parked at Clarks Village in Street, Somerset - First Bus

Go on a Mendips adventure with the 376 bus

May 20, 2025

Did you know that you can catch one of Britain’s most scenic bus routes from Bristol? The beloved 376 bus service connects the city to the beautiful Somerset countryside on its southern doorstep, and we've put together a list of the best things to do along the route! Hop aboard the 376 at Bay 18 in…

A view of Castle Street in the town of Thornbury, near Bristol

Beautiful towns and villages near Bristol

Jul. 23, 2024

Bristol is the confluence of the beautiful counties of Somerset and Gloucestershire, home to varied landscapes, rolling countryside, stunning natural wonders, and plenty of charming historic villages! Here are some of our favourites, all waiting for you on the city’s doorstep... South…

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…

Tour group travelling aroundcider orchard at Myrtle Farm, near Bristol - credit Thatchers Cider

The story of Thatchers Cider

Aug. 03, 2023

Did you know that some of the UK's most popualr ciders are made just outside of Bristol on a family-run orchard? We asked the team at Thatchers Cider to talk us through the history of the company, from humble roots on a Somerset farm to having the top-selling ciders in the South West! Cider is a…

Vicars' Close and Wells Cathedral in the City of Wells

Itinerary: A day trip to medieval Wells

Dec. 17, 2020

Within an hour’s drive of Bristol is England’s smallest city – Wells. Popular with film-makers and tourists for its medieval architecture and quaint streets, Wells sits at the foothills of the Mendips within easy reach of the bigger cities of the region as well as the beautiful Somerset coast. Wells…