People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: John Hughes
John Hughes runs the Haunted & Hidden Bristol Walking Tour, which is now in its 21st year.
The tour visits many buildings around some of the oldest parts of Bristol, with special Halloween tours taking place on October 31 and November 1.
Learn about a poltergeist called George, a cinema where the manager was shot dead in 1946 and a church guarded by a monk murdered during the Reformation period.
These are John’s top-five Bristol favourites:
The Hatchet
With its name inspired by the woodsmen of Clifton Wood, records show that the Hatchet was first licensed in 1606 – photo: Martin Booth
“Bristol’s oldest pub has really lovely staff and is where I held my 50th birthday do. The Hatchet has an amazing Sunday carvery lunch plus a door with human skin that we feature on my weekly walking tour.”
County Ground
A view from the boundary at the County Ground in Ashley Down – photo: Martin Booth
“I have so many great Gloucestershire Cricket memories from here including seeing a Mike Proctor hat-trick and the pure genius of Jack Russell behind the stumps at a ground once graced by Grace. Always take an extra layer if visiting as it can be a little chilly some afternoons!”
The Fleece
The Fleece is one of Bristol’s best live music venues – photo: Anna Shrimpton
“One of the most important music venues in Bristol and one we must cherish and support! I’ve been a regular at the Fleece since the 1980s, and I put on an amazing gig here with Les McKeown’s 70s Bay City Rollers and my own band, Fab 208, back in the 90s!”
Rendezvous Fish Bar
Rendezvous owner Michael Georgiou – photo: Martin Booth
“Rendezvous is a Denmark Street institution run by a lovely family, and somewhere myself and many others have staggered to over the years after a long night out!”
The Lanes
Bdrmm on stage at The Lanes during Dot to Dot festival – photo: Alice Boeglin
“I always enjoy a nostalgic visit to The Lanes as I once worked here. It’s a quirky, excellent venue for live bands and DJs, as well as having very very hot pizza!”
Main photo: Yuup
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