It’s been about six months since I last wrote about my beautiful city of Bristol so I thought I’d chirp up again about why it’s ace 😉 There are a few more places we’ve visited and discovered since then so it made sense to share them with you guys. If you’ve not visited before then you must!
Bristol is a place that will always hold so many memories for me, there’s the pub I met my husband (at the King Bill before a comedy gig in Colston Hall) the place we went on our first date (the Rummer) or the place we got engaged off St Nics market (an eco metal caravan). There’s the registry office we got hitched at, the local pub we held our reception and of course our own home where I gave birth to my son.
What I love about our city though is how it never gets dull, we can tread the same grounds over and over and still discover something new. It’s a city thats full of colour and character and as a parent it makes for a exciting and cultured place to raise my kiddo.
It’s hard to choose three things I love about my city but if I were to generalise I’d say the art, the food and it’s ‘eco friendliness’.
Let’s start with food because it’s almost always on my mind 😉 So if you have never visited Bristol and are just stepping of the train? I’d recommend a stop off at St Nics market as your first port of call. I wrote a little about my three favourite places to eat there here but to summarise it’s a fantastic place for a mooch, a spot of Moroccan tea or if you’re hungry you really do need to visit Pie Minister, I think that’s a Bristolian right of passage actually.
Clifton is a beautiful part of the city and one I haven’t really fully explored as much as others. Brilliant for taking pictures of victorian architecture, pastel houses and of course the suspension bridge. Sometimes on a work day I will try to inspire myself by working from a coffee shop instead of at home (where I despair at the mess and yet do nothing about it). My favourite place to do this is The Mocking Bird cafe just off Whiteladies Road, it’s perfect as it’s just minutes from the train stop so you can easily get there from around the cities’ many train stations or direct from Temple Meads within about 5 minutes. They serve southern style food with many veggie options and some of the best coffee in town.
Park Street is a great one to stop at for some independent shopping or a bite to eat. We love Rocotillos for milkshakes and Boston Tea Party for a quick coffee and a cake.
One of my favourite parts of town is Stokes Croft, I was born just off it on a street called Thomas St. It’s full of street art and independent shops, my favourite is the Here Gallery which is next to another of my favourite cafe’s Kafe Kino. Actually pretty much everywhere around the city you will see brilliant graffiti and installations. It’s the perfect backdrop for pictures and makes sure I never lose my inspiration when it comes to taking pictures out and about.
The house I was born in! (well the room above me really)
Bristol has just won the European Green Capital title for 2015 which makes me love my city even more! If you are visiting you can stay in a bunch of eco friendly options (including the airsteams I mentioned at the start of this post) or how about a cosy eco-cabin for just £49 a night? The restaurant Friska has just won ‘best ethical restaurant’ which I’ve yet to try and there are lots of vegetarian and vegan cafes and restaurants to choose from including Maitreya Social. What I really love about Bristol is how many parks and green spaces there are and not just little parks either! Our favourites are St Andrews, Eastville and St Georges park.
Did that tempt you to want to visit? I hope so!