People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Lucy Reeves Khan
Lucy Reeves Khan is a set designer and founder of Window Wanderland.
The Bishopston resident organised the first Window Wanderland in her own neighbourhood in 2015 and since then more than 350 festivals have taken place across the world.
Over the next six weeks, 15 Wanderlands will happen from Vancouver to Southmead, with Lucy busy working out what to do in her own window for the Bishopston weekend from March 8 to 10.
is needed now More than ever
These are Lucy’s top-five Bristol favourites:
Fed
Fed on Gloucester Road is now just a few doors down from their original premises – photo: Martin Booth
“The morning after the first Wanderland in 2015, I was locked out of my house (having given it over to friends and family) and I found myself on a Sunday at 7.30 am on Gloucester Road with no money. Charlotte, the manager of a local cafe, let me in early and gave me breakfast. It was there that I read over 50 paper surveys of how people had enjoyed this new Window Wanderland experience. It is a morning I will never forget as the responses were so positive, apart from someone commenting that it had rained! Charlotte went on to open the first Fed on Gloucester Road. Once you eat there, you will know why it’s always busy but always worth the wait.”
Ashton Hill
Ashton Hill offers 148 acres of mixed woodland including a magnificent stand of Californian Redwoods – photo: Pedal Progression
“Getting out of the city and hugging trees is part of my physical therapy. We are blessed in Bristol to live a short journey to forests; to visit Earth’s lungs. Ashton Hill at the southern edge of Failand is one of my favourites. It is possible to go on a mobility scooter and not see a soul. Especially fabulous is the ‘Big Tree Grove’ made up of 150-year-old Californian Redwoods. They’re surprisingly soft and love a hug.”
The Mount Without
The Murmuration Choir performing at the Mount Without – photo: Andre Patterson
“The 900-year-old St Michael on the Mount Without church – which was bombed in the war and had no roof since a fire – was rescued in 2019 as a venue. The Mount Without is so very beautiful inside and anything you see there will be pleasurable. Not only is it a stunning venue but they go above and beyond for access needs. I first went with my choir, the Murmuration Choir, who did a gig there which was such a treat. I didn’t know I could sing until I was in my 40s, and now singing is an intrinsic part of my life and very therapeutic. We are so lucky in Bristol which has the most community choirs of anywhere in the UK outside London. Everyone should join a choir – it’s soul food.”
Watershed
Watershed is so much more than just a cinema – photo: Leah Hoyle
“The Watershed programming reminds me of the arthouse cinemas around London that my father would drag me to in the 1980s; it’s always interesting. I’m lucky enough to be a resident of the Pervasive Media Studio at the back of the Watershed, where they explore experience design and creative technology. They are playful and welcoming, and I feel I can embrace my newly discovered neurodivergence there. Every Friday they open their doors to everyone so come along!”
Charity crawling on Gloucester Road
Gloucester Road and some of its characters featured on the front cover of Bristol24/7’s winter 2023 magazine – photo: James Koch
“In less than a mile, there are 15 charity shops, from Amnesty to cats charities, plus 16 independent coffee shops on Gloucester Road. Since I arrived in Bristol I have been shopping there, donating and re-buying as my body changed shape. I really know how it feels to be in other people’s shoes. I even once had a stranger tell me they donated what I was wearing, which 20 years ago felt weird, but now we know how deeply cool recycling is.”
Main photo: Khalid Khan
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