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: Story Of

Exterior of Bristol Old Vic - credit Philip Vile

The story of Bristol Old Vic

Jun. 03, 2026

As Bristol Old Vic celebrates its 260th birthday in May 2026, we asked the team to talk us through the history of this grand theatre... The story of Bristol Old Vic is hard to pin down. Theatre is all about storytelling, and this theatre has been telling stories for 260 years, which is quite a lot…

David McMillian painting a mural at Upfest street art festival in Bristol

The Story of Upfest

May 06, 2026

Upfest, Bristol's street art festival and the largest of its kind in Europe, returns to the city from 15 - 31 May 2026. We asked the festival's founder, Steve Hayles, to tell us about how the festival has developed over the years... So many things collided in the creation of Upfest, it’s difficult…

The tropical pool at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden, credit University of Bristol Botanic Garden

The story of the University of Bristol Botanic Garden

Mar. 31, 2026

Bristol’s Botanic Garden sits at The Holmes in Stoke Bishop, a peaceful oasis in our city. The Garden is a museum, and the plants are the exhibits set in displays that tell the remarkable stories of plants; from their beginnings millions of years ago, how they attract pollinators, and habitats such…

Interior of the Redgrave Theatre in Clifton, Bristol

The Story of the Redgrave Theatre

Mar. 01, 2026

As the Redgrave Theatre approaches its 60th anniversary, we asked the team to tell us more about the history behind this much-loved venue... Hidden away in the beautiful suburb of Clifton, the Redgrave Theatre is one of Bristol’s most popular and distinctive performance spaces. With its tiered…

The community gardens allotments at Windmill Hill City Farm, Bristol - credit Windmill Hill City Farm

The story of Windmill Hill City Farm

Jan. 23, 2026

Based in the heart of Bedminster, Windmill Hill City Farm has been a fixture of the area for decades. In fact, this beloved community space is celebrating its 50th anniversary this September! In honour of this fantastic achievement, we would like to share the inspiring story of how this little farm…

A performer on stage at The Wardrobe Theatre on Old Market, East Bristol - credit Paul Blakemore

The Story of The Wardrobe Theatre

Jan. 13, 2026

This year marks a major milestone for The Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol’s leading fringe theatre: 10 years since it opened its doors in Old Market. From humble beginnings to becoming a hub for collaboration and creativity, their story is one of grit, community spirit and risk-taking. We asked the…

Children running in the grounds of Blaise Castle Estate in North Bristol - credit Blaise Castle Estate

The story of Blaise Castle Estate

Sep. 01, 2025

Blaise Castle Estate is one of Bristol’s best green spaces. It’s loved for its 650 acres of parkland, enchanting woodland areas, and an intriguing castle that sits on a hill. Whether you’re coming for a picnic, a walk, or to explore the museum, it’s the perfect place to enjoy, especially this…

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…

Stoke Park Estate on the northern side of the M32 motorway in East Bristol - credit Bristol Parks

The story of Stoke Park Estate

Jul. 20, 2025

Stoke Park Estate is a gorgeous green space, located in Bristol, which sits beside the M32. It’s particularly known for the iconic yellow house that sits on a hill overlooking the rest of the park. This house, known as the Dower House, is a Grade II listed building. The park, which is 270 acres, has…

The entrance to the Wiper & True Taproom in St Werburgh's, East Bristol - credit Wiper and True

The story of Bristol's breweries

Jun. 17, 2025

We asked Bristol's top beer bloggers and brew aficionados Boak & Bailey for some background on the city's oldest breweries... Bristol has a long history of brewing and traces can be seen all over the city if you know where to look. Back in the 15th century, at a time when hops were being used in…