Bristol

Brizzel

Bristol is my coming of age town. I only spent five months over there and it has changed me like two years of London never could. 2007, from the save, boring haven of Ossenberg, straight into this, and from there on out. I have always pledged to come back, for the past three years I did. It's always been the place where I'll end up in, permanently.

Turns out it isn't. It is, again, my coming of age place. I have changed, the place hasn't. Thank god it's still littered with some of the finest people in the world, but moving back would take the magic away. I'd still like to share this though. This is the place that has made me what I am.

You can also go back home if you fancy.

Harford House

The notorious steps of Harford House, straight outside the Hatchet, my first Friday night regular. The hatchet closes at 3am, and the usual crowd normally gathers right there for the last cigarette of the evening. Or the first spliff. Depends on the mood really.

Ilford HP5+ on Leica M3, 50mm Summicron

Queens Park

The square park right in the center of where everything's happening (that's debatable). I could peek right into this place from my bedroom window up the hill in Clifton. Brilliant place for a Saturday afternoon chillout, right in the center and the next supermarket/ pub is only a street away.

Ilford HP5+ on Leica M3, 35mm Summaron

St Nicholas Markets

Buzzing bazar during the week, mellow cafe place on the weekends. This bloke up there is trying to chat up a part-time model. It didn't work.
That said, Bristol is rivalled only by Manchester in the sheer openness, kindness and friendliness of the people that populate the place. Absolutely brilliant.

Ilford HP5+ on Leica M3, 50mm Summicron

Clifton from up Brandon Hill

Now this is getting seriously nice. In the heart of Bristol we find Brandon Hill and its park, where everyone from your teenage hoodies to middle class seniors picnic away, in the middle of the woods. Lots of mingling too.

Ilford HP5+ on Leica M3, 35mm Summaron

The Pee Alley

No further description needed.

Ilford HP5+ on Rolleiflex 2.8e

@ Bristol, Planetarium

An almost Cloud Gate kind of structure in the middle of a massive harbourside redevelopment. It's housing a mini-planetarium. A few blocks away there is an M&S that almost nobody in Bristol is aware of.

Ilford HP5+ on Leica M3, 50mm Summicron

Harbourside.

Another perfect place for your hangover-cure-picnic, meetup, booze cruise, hangout, whatever you like. Straight next downstream is Thekla Social, that by itself is worth checking out. Google it up. I'm too lazy to link.

Ilford HP5+ on Leica M3, 50mm Summicron

Family Friendly?

Much.

Ilford HP5+ on Leica M3, 50mm Summicron

Cranes at the Floating Harbour

Across the river from the previous picture, you'll find a briliant walkway (leads all the way to an even more brilliant pub) that even serves a little guide into Bristol's industrial past.

Ilford HP5+ on Rolleiflex 2.8e

The Griffin.

One of my locals. Not the best place in the world but the picture shows the hilliness quite nicely doesn't it?

Ilford HP5+ on Rolleiflex 2.8e

The Llandoger Trow

One of the oldest pubs in Bristol, this is the place where Daniel Dafoe met with the very sailor whom he would later base the story of Robinson Crusoe on. It also features a wonderful outside area that it shares with the absolutely sublime Old Duke. Jazz. Nuff Said. King Street, just off Queen Square.

Ilford HP5+ on Leica M3, 50mm Summicron

On King Street

Just between The Old Duke and The Llandoger Trow.
Nothing's better in summer.

Ilford HP5+ on Leica M3, 50mm Summicron

The Hatchet

I went every single Friday night. One house, two bars. I walked in and the first tune they played for me was Crosstown Traffic. I was sold.
God knows about all the Shenanigans that happened there. We won a quiz night only through our expertise to build paper aeroplanes. The team was called "Ze German Luftwaffe". Generally a more metal-oriented crownd in there. Even if you don't dig that, these people are the finest people you can find. Trust me.

Ilford HP5+ on Leica M3, 50mm Summicron

And theres two of them!

Bryony and Matt have just moved together and happily shared their sofa, drinks and two Die Hard films with me.
He's building a Spitfire. ACE.
Also, this is another shot on King Street. The Old Duke in the background.

Ilford HP5+ on Leica M3, 35mm Summaron

Inside The Old Duke

If you fancy a bit of jazz, this is where you go. Live jazz, every night, no excuses. And awesome cider!

Ilford HP5+ on Leica M3, 50mm Summicron

Oh How Very Clifton

If only it wasn't too expensive! Great Sunday afternoon were had though. Your place for coffee, cake, wine and pizza. And beers. Anything, really.
The second shop on the left is Aldo's, who is the most italian barber in the world. He's been running this shop since the 60ies and does it only to finance his summer holidays in, surprise, his home in Italy. Walk in and ask for pictures, he's a legend. A cut costs £6 and takes ten minutes but expect to spend at least half an hour in there for espresso and photos of his home.

Ilford HP5+ on Rolleiflex 2.8e

Denmark Avenue/ Frogmore Street

Denmark Av is home to The Bunch Of Grapes (where they let me play for a night), former Floyd's chip shop, two strip clubs and, of course, your way to the Hatchet. Frogmore street is where The Hatchet and the The Steps at Harford House are.
The double exposure was on purpose, fancy me.

Ilford HP5+ on Rolleiflex 2.8e

Coffee.

Straight next to where I used to live, they give you a massive window on the second floor to look at people.

Ilford HP5+ on Rolleiflex 2.8e

The Seamus.

Oh the karaoke, oh the hangover.

Ilford HP5+ on Rolleiflex 2.8e

There it is. I've talked enough about this place already.
Established 1600, take that, americans.

Ilford HP5+ on Rolleiflex 2.8e

Do you like this? Then why not mail us?
Or just click here to go back to the blog index.