People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol favourites: Thomas John Bacon
Thomas John Bacon is the artistic director of Tempting Failure, “a platform for live art, noise art and performance art” which returns to Bristol from November 3 to 8.
Thomas said: “This is such a hard thing to write about as Bristol is filled with so many amazing places, so I decided to turn my brain towards it with a seasonal perspective.”
So here are Thomas’ top-five seasonal Bristol favourites:
Spring
“April showers have often brought me to The Three Tuns in Hotwells. There is no better place to spend a rainy day than in this traditional pub with a twist. It’s a great place to hide away, not to be noticed or just relax with a few friends. A wonderful range of inventively named Arbor Ales, in exceedingly good strengths are on tap. Along with comfortable chairs, the occasional quiz or music night; they even have Buckaroo in their collection of boardgames.”
Summer
“While The Birdcage on Clare Street is my favourite place for cuppa tea in Bristol, I’ve often escaped to Boston Tea Party on Park Street in the summer for no other reason than to sit in the garden at the rear with a cold drink and watch the ever busy robin that lives there. Most people ignore him, but he is always fluttering around and if you sit there long enough he may even come over to your table as if to question what you are doing in his backyard. I’ve had many a conversation with him in my head; it may seem crazy but it makes me smile inside.”
Autumn
“There is no view as stunning as standing at the end of the magnificent locks that separate the Floating Harbour from the Avon. The gorge and Clifton Suspension Bridge are but brushstrokes in the mise-en-scene of the vista of a setting sun. Each afternoon is different, but it is invariably spectacular no matter how fleeting.”
Winter
“Working with artists, I am often asked where is a reasonably priced place to stay and invariably I recommend The Full Moon. This backpackers hostel marks the border to Stokes Croft and is the epitome of vibrancy. It’s attached to a busy bar and regularly hosts music nights. It would be obvious to highlight the beer garden as a summer retreat, but for me this outdoor space is warm with life all year round.”
A place for all seasons
“For my final choice I want to highlight Brandon Hill, as I’ve often frequented this park. It may be home to Cabot Tower but for me its winding paths, steep hills and mix of meadow and garden has offered me a home in good times and sad. I’ve jogged these paths, read a book on a perfect day, admired the views, sat in my sadness on a bench, carried heavy bags of shopping home through it and felt joy in seeing the young of heart play in the snow. It is very dear to me as it was close to one of the nicest places I once lived.”
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