Lily Doble

Ah, Christmas parties – that time of year where you show yourself up in front of your colleagues by having a few too many eggnogs, belt out a cheesy tune on the karaoke machine and desperately try to resist photocopying something you really shouldn’t. This year, save yourself the embarrassment and do something different. We’ve compiled six suggestions for an alternative Christmas party in Bristol: Head back in time   Backstreet boozer not your cup of tea? Then step back in time at one of Bristol’s four secret prohibition bars. Red Light, a seductive secret club in the city centre, offer cocktail making masterclasses. If you’re going to have a Christmas tipple, then do it in style and encourage Gatsby-style fancy dress. Red Light, 1 Unity Street, Bristol, BS1 5HH Explore underground Flickr: Andrew Gustar   Bristol’s secret smuggler past means the city’s not short of an awesome underground destination. The Tunnels, situated under Temple Meads, is available for hire for an epic disco, or go all out and go for a guided tour of the old smuggler HQ, Redcliffe Caves. Redcliffe Caves, Lower Guinea Street, Bristol, BS1 6TJ Take to the water The Matthew   If your heart belongs to the sea, leave the landlubbers behind and hire The Matthew for a cruise up and down the harbour. Don’t worry – they have an onboard bar so the rum will never run dry. If you’re after more of a merry booze cruise then the Bristol Packet Company offer a range of packages for even the hardiest of pirates. Th

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, step right up and prepare to be amazed. Feast your eyes upon intricate works of art. Marvel at the wonder of fantastical mechanical beasts. Gasp in awe at daring feats of acrobatics – Circus City is coming to town this October! But this is no ordinary run-of-the-mill big top. Bristol Circus City promises to be a completely different kettle of fish to your average touring circus. With a blend of performance, puppetry, theatre, comedy, dance, photography and digital arts – plus opportunities to jump in and get involved – there’s something for the whole family. It’s got all the ingredients to be a one of a kind event to remember, and is definitely not one to be missed.     The ambitious Circus City follows on from the spectacularly successful Bristol Circus Festival in 2013, housed at the Big Top on Creative Common. With a comprehensive line-up of contemporary performance in venues all across the city, including Knowle West Media Centre, Circomedia and Wickham Theatre, Circus City promises to give experienced circus-goers and brand new revellers alike the opportunity to discover something different and see modern circus performance in a new light.   Circus City   The 24-day festival kicks off on Thursday October 8 with a special screening at the Cube Microplex, and is running right the way through ‘til Halloween, finishing with a bang with a spectacular end-of-run party at a secret underground location.   Circus City   Highlights includ

Ahh, l’amour. Nothing is as sweet as a summer Tinder romance. And when the weather’s as fine as this, forget Paris – Bristol can offer plenty of delightful places for budding courtships. However, dating isn't cheap and this can be a problem if you are full of passion but lacking in pounds. Still, there's no need to worry as we've got some ideas for a fantastic free first date which will make a great impression on the object of your affection, but not the contents of your wallet.   Cabot Tower   A photo posted by Richard Bullows (@rubric_wolldash) on Jul 2, 2015 at 1:50pm PDT   Take a casual stroll through beautiful Brandon Hill and stop to make the climb up the steps of Cabot Tower. Built between 1896 and 1898 to commemorate John Cabot’s sailing of the Matthew, this landmark offers a truly magical panoramic view across the whole of Bristol. Just check first if your date is afraid of heights!   Bristol Art Gallery and Museum    A photo posted by Helen Rogerson (@helenrogerson80) on May 26, 2015 at 8:04am PDT   If you’re looking to show a date your appreciation for art and culture, this gem at the top of Park Street is home to some of the most wonderful historical treasures, housed in the most spectacular surroundings. There’s an entire menagerie of taxidermy, historical maps of the city, a Romany caravan and more art than you can shake a stick at.    Bristol to Bath Railway Path    A photo posted by Jenny van der Hoeven (@jenny_vdh) on Jun 11, 2015 at 9:55am PDT

The weather’s warming up and the South West is (occasionally) enjoying some glorious sunshine – summer is just getting started! In Bristol we're not only lucky enough to be treated to a fantastic city packed with exciting things to do, we are also just a stone’s throw from some of the most breathtaking areas of natural beauty in the country. So, with the temperature rising, what better way to cool off than taking a refreshing dip in one of nature’s greatest wild swimming spots near Bristol? Here we’ve compiled some of the best weirs, waterfalls and rivers in the South West where you can take the plunge.   Claverton Weir, near Bath   Tanners at #ClavertonWeir #Claverton A photo posted by Ryan Hunt (@hyanrunt) on Jun 21, 2014 at 2:17pm PDT   One of the most popular spots for wild swimming is the stunning Claverton Weir (also known as Warleigh Weir), conveniently located on the A36 just outside Bath. Whatever you choose to call it, cool clear water and a hundred-meter stretch of man-made waterfall make this an idyllic and popular place to take a paddle on a sunny day.   West Lydford, near Glastonbury   A photo posted by :) (@nattynat213) on Jun 11, 2015 at 10:59am PDT   This peaceful stretch of river is situated in the quaint, chocolate-box Somerset town of Lydford. Starting at the Parish Church yard and winding its way down through the countryside to an ancient stone bridge, this certainly is a picturesque swim. But mind you keep the peace when you go for a dip –  acc

There’s no need to wait till the summer for a well-deserved holiday. Take a trip to one of our neighbouring counties and make the most of the spring sunshine at one of these bucolic destinations, less than hour's drive away from Bristol. All you have to do is pack up the car and go – we promise you won’t be disappointed! The Mendip Hills We really are spoilt for choice when it comes to spectacular natural beauty in the South West and you could do worse than spend the weekend ensconced in the beautiful rolling green hills of the Mendips, which stretch from Weston Down to Wells. Pack your tent and take your pick from one of the many excellent campsites, and enjoy an open fire and some countryside stargazing. Stewart Black via Flickr       The Blackdown Hills Carry on a little further from Bristol and discover the truly breathtaking Blackdown Hills, a designated area of outstanding natural beauty which stretches across the Somerset/Devon border. Pitch up at one of many excellent campsites in the area and get those walking boots on ready for some rambling. There are plenty of excellent country pubs to fill up on some proper grub after all that exercise, and don’t forget to pay a visit to the cider farm on your way back home.   Back home #blackdownhills #sungoingdown #springtime A photo posted by Suzanne Limbert (@suzannelimbert) on Apr 9, 2015 at 12:52pm PDT     A yurt in Herefordshire If tents aren’t your thing, take glamping to the extreme with your own private yurt in t

If there’s one thing us Bristolians love to do when the sun comes out, it’s sink a pint or two in celebration. We’ve all got our favourite watering holes in the city, but what about venturing a little further out of the centre and seeing what the south has to offer? We’ve already hailed Southville, but here in the south we hide some of Bristol’s best pubs, too. The Victoria ParkTake a stroll away from shopping favourite North Street, and pay a visit to the Victoria Park for a pint of ale. This upmarket backstreet boozer is just a stone’s throw away from the beautiful expanse of greenery that provides its namesake, and offers a generous garden out back if you can’t stand to be away from the sunshine. Pop down for a lovely pint of cider or enjoy a proper stone-baked pizza from their clay oven in the garden. Lush.    A photo posted by TheVictoriaPark (@thevictoriapark) on Aug 11, 2013 at 3:44am PDT The WindmillA hop, skip and jump away on the other side of the park on equally lovely Windmill Hill is the cleverly-titled The Windmill. Sister pub to Ashley Down’s The Lazy Dog and the fantastic Pipe and Slippers in Stokes Croft, this quirky little establishment offers a beautifully snug environment, lovely bar staff and delicious home-cooked food, plus plenty of well-kept real ale. The Windmill The HareTake a wander up North Street and pay a visit to The Hare. Opened just a couple of years ago, it’s already established itself as one of the go-to drinking destinations along th

The weather is beginning to to think it's summer, so it's time to get excited about all the fun happenings around Bristol in the next few months. In the summer months, the city really does come alive, with festivals, pop-ups, street-food galore, and wonderful celebrations of what makes our city truly unique. Here we count down some of the best goings-on in Bristol when the sun finally pops its hat on. Harbour FestivalThis Bristol institution has been going since 1971, and it’s still free to enter. Invading the harbourside, from the amphitheatre to College Green year on year, in 2015 the Harbour Festival promises live music, dance workshops, circus performers, a celebration of the city’s maritime heritage, and of course plenty of decent grub from Bristol’s finest. Take a stroll down the harbour on July 17-19 to get in on the action.   A photo posted by Bristol Harbour Festival (@bristolharbourfestival) on Jul 28, 2013 at 12:27pm PDT Love Saves the DayAfter a wee bit of controversy at the state of Castle Park after last year’s event, Love Saves the Day has not been perturbed, and returns for its fourth year in Eastville Park on May 23-24. With headliners Jessie Ware and Azealia Banks, plus more flower crowns and glitter face-paint than you can shake a day-glo stick at, this isn’t to be missed. Keep an eye out for Maisie Williams - the pint-sized Game of Thrones star is known for popping down to the festival.   A photo posted by Holly Tobía Parkyn (@holly_tobia) on Apr 10

It’s Bristol’s most iconic symbol. Last year, everyone’s favourite suspension bridge celebrated 150 years with a spectacular firework display, watched by what seemed like the whole city. But delving a little deeper into the history of our most famous landmark turns up some surprising information. Here are a few factual nuggets about that bridge in Clifton… Brunel didn’t actually build all of itSure, Bristol’s best engineering brain designed the majority of the structure you see today, and described the Clifton Suspension Bridge as, 'My first love, my darling.' However, following the 1831 Queen’s Square riots, early construction on the bridge had to be halted and on Brunel’s death in 1859 the bridge was still not completed. The task fell to Sir John Hawkshaw and William Henry Barlow, who modified the bridge's design, and it wasn’t until December 1864 that the bridge was finally opened to the public.   It’s supposed to have sphinxes on itSeriously. Brunel’s original plans were an ornate, Egyptian-inspired design, complete with sphinxes sitting atop the towers. Sadly, once construction began they realised that this wasn’t going to be possible and it was redesigned in a more plain format. I think a couple of sphinxes would look pretty awesome though, eh, Bristol City Council? One of the towers is not a solid constructionIt was always assumed that the two towers that make up the bridge were solid lumps of brick. But in 2002 it was discovered that, true to Brunel's fascination wit

The dude-food epidemic has, we hope, heaved its last sigh, and Bristol is now being treated to a new food revolution: Mexican. Bristol likes it hot and is already well primed. Chilli lovers can satisfy their appetite for heat – and destroy their tongues – at the ever-excellent Dr Burnorium’s Hot Sauce Emporium in St Nick’s market, which will let you taste test their wares, if you dare. If you’re after fire in your belly but not quite brave enough to take the burn, satisfy your burrito cravings at some of Bristol’s finest Mexican restaurants. They've been popping up across the city at a rapid pace, so here are some favourites for a fiery bite. The Plumed SerpentOne of the more recent avant-garde additions to Bristol’s Mexican line-up is The Plumed Serpent, serving up a West Country twist on some of the Mexican classics. Their first pop-up event at 40 Alfred Place went down a storm last year; if you want to keep up with the latest happenings from these culinary wizards then follow them @PSCantina. Mathilda’sIf chilli is more your thing, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better place to grab a bowl than your friendly neighbourhood chilli bar, Mathilda’s. Tucked away in the deepest, darkest corner of the recently revamped Bear Pit, Mathilda’s offer up three varieties of gert lush chilli, and some amazing sides to boot. Deep-fried pickles with blue cheese dip, anyone? Lily Doble Casa MexicanaDon't you worry, our friends on Gloucester Road aren’t left out of the loop. Casa Mexican

If you've left it late to get mother dearest something for Mother's Day or just can't face the bog-standard bouquet, chocolates and fancy meal options, then here's a helpful little guide for enjoying Mother's Day in Bristol this Sunday. Take her for a spa dayThere’s a wealth of fantastic treatment rooms in Bristol, but none so fancy as the Lido, nestled away in Clifton. This beautiful historic Victorian spa underwent an extensive refurbishment before re-opening in 2008, and now boasts an open-air swimming pool, luxurious spa and award-winning restaurant. Treatments don’t come cheap, but they certainly are worth every penny. If you're strapped for cash, just pop in for a cup of tea and a bite to eat and watch the swimmers go by. Bristol LidoFlickr: nicksarebi Go sightseeingIf your mum's visiting from outside Bristol, why not show her what our fine city has to offer? Hop on the Bristol Ferry and take a trip down to the Cottage, have a pint of shandy in the sunshine and take the trip back up to Brunel's ss Great Britain. From there you can hop on the open-top tour bus and take in iconic sights such as the Suspension Bridge, Clifton Downs and St Mary Redcliffe church.   A photo posted by Joanna Bennett (@jo_my_gosh) on Aug 28, 2014 at 9:00am PDT Take her for an epic roastIf there’s one thing Bristol does well, it’s heavenly food on Our Day of Roast. Thank your mum for all those roast dinners she’s ever cooked you by tucking into some proper pub grub at some of Bristol’s fi

The greater Southville area has enjoyed something of a renaissance over the last few years, becoming arguably one of the best places to live in Bristol. The so-called gentrification of North Street has become a hot topic, but whatever your opinion, there are many, many benefits to living in the area. You know you live in Southville when... You buy your brioche burger buns from a graffiti-accompanied AldiSince Aldi have added their swish new extension on North Street, there’s no need for you to compromise on your choice of burger bun, as they now stock a wide selection of brioche varieties. Everyone’s favourite budget supermarket also still manages to maintain a Bristolian charm in the form of the Herakut mural directly opposite, painted on the side of the Tobacco Factory. Lily Doble Your local is an old factory… owned by the Mayor of BristolHistorically, Bedminster was the heart of the tobacco industry, of which one of the last remaining warehouses is now home to the mighty arts-space-cum-theatre-cum-bar, the Tobacco Factory. Saved from demolition by our own red-trousered Mayor George Ferguson, since 2001 this Southville institution has been serving the locals well, and has led the way for much of the redevelopment of the North Street area. Flickr: Joanne Conlon You’re treated to a trip to Morocco every weekend for brunchThere’s a dozen and one great places to grab a bite to eat when in need of a well-deserved treat brekkie at the weekend, but absolutely nothing rivals th