People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Tristan Ralph
Tristan Ralph is the newly appointed bridge master of the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Tristan has overall responsibility for the operation, maintenance and long-term preservation of Bristol’s world famous landmark.
The experienced civil and structural engineer has specialised in bridges and major infrastructure projects throughout his career, previously working at Parsons Brinckerhoff and Arcadis.
These are Tristan’s top-five Bristol favourites:
Leigh Woods
Thanks to a £200,000 revamp, the Yer Tiz trail at Leigh Woods is more fun than ever – photo: Forestry England
“I’ve been going to Leigh Woods for years and it’s become woven into so many parts of my life. I love heading out for walks with my family, especially at the weekends when we take the dog to let him burn off some energy. But it’s not just about the walks; I go there for the mountain bike trails too which are some of the best around. They’re well maintained, properly looked after and they feel like a real gift to the city. Whether I’m out there for a fast ride or just a slower wander with the dog, Leigh Woods has always been one of those places that makes me feel grounded and properly connected to Bristol.”
St George’s
St George’s 580-seat concert hall on Great George Street just off Park Street was converted from a 200-year-old Georgian church – photo: St George’s
“Music has always been a big part of my life. I used to play the flugel horn in brass bands when I was younger, and even now, I find myself drawn to live music. St George’s has become one of my absolute favourites as there’s something special about the acoustics in that hall and the way the sound wraps around you. I went there over Christmas for their seasonal concert, and it was magical. St George is a wonderful venue.”
Ashton Gate
Celebrating a Bristol Bears try at Ashton Gate – photo: Martin Booth
“I’ve always been a rugby fan and since living in Bristol I became a supporter of the Bristol Bears. There’s nothing quite like a Friday evening or weekend afternoon at Ashton Gate, the whole place buzzing the energy building and it’s great to catch up with friends over a pint before the game. The only running joke in our house is that every time I take one of my daughters with me, the Bears seem to lose. Without fail. But honestly, even on those losing days, I love being there. It’s become one of those father‑daughter experiences I really treasure, even if the scoreboard doesn’t always go our way.”
La Rocca
La Rocca nightclub prides itself on being “a safe, fun and reasonably priced venue for like-minded people” – photo: La Rocca
“When I first moved to Bristol in my late 20s, La Rocca on the Clifton Triangle quickly became the place for a night out. Exactly what you wanted at the end of a long week. Some friends and I have kept the tradition going ever since. We partied there in our 20s, rolled back in during our 30s, somehow kept up in our 40s and even made it through the door in our 50s, although just the once! We fully intend to show up in our 60s too (if they’ll still let us in), even if it’s only for a few minutes. At this point, La Rocca has become a decades‑long ritual. And proof that we’ve still got a few moves left.”
Bristol Museum
“One of my favourite ways to spend a lazy Sunday is wandering around Bristol Museum where I generally end up drifting towards the Egypt gallery. My wife and I honeymooned in Egypt years-back, and after that trip we both became deeply interested in the world of Egyptology. We also really enjoy the many temporary exhibitions that visit each year and the annual Wildlife Photography of the Year display is a big family favourite.”
Main photo: Jon Craig
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