MANX TAILS
MANX TAILS
The Wild, Mild West...
London-lover Hayley Richardson breaks the mould and explores what the West Country’s big smoke has to offer... For a cheeky city break across the water, England’s capital has always been my port of call. According to Boris Johnson, London is “the best city on the planet” (well, he would say that wouldn’t he?). To his credit, there’s something for everyone; its steeped in history, has a thriving arts scene, plush parks and, of course, Europe’s busiest
arriving in Bristol in three hours. I must admit I really like to have my own car – it means I can take more clothes – and bring even more home! Plus you don’t have to go through the normal airport traumas of baggage weight, security checks etc etc! It was now that I faced my usual dilemma when visiting any city; where should I begin?! Balloon festival.
“Head up Park Street towards the bustling University quarter and you’ll catch a glance of some of Banksy’s famous graffiti art”
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shopping street. Consequently, it’s also one of the busiest, most expensive cities on the planet, and as I edge (reluctantly) into my late twenties, a weekend battling the capital’s crowds has become less appealing. As an alternative, a friend suggested I give Bristol a bash. He assured me it has everything the big smoke has to offer but on a smaller scale. It’s also pretty easy to get to from the Island. I booked my car on the Steam Packet’s excellent fast-craft Manannan to Liverpool, then embarked on a straightforward trip down the M6 and the M5,
Being an archetypal female, naturally I was eager to sample the city’s shopping quarter and opted for this as my starting point. Thankfully I wasn’t disappointed. The stylish new Cabot Circus shopping centre - which offers over 120 shops, including 15 major flagship stores, all encased under an impressive glass roof, made for a generally more pleasant (and productive) shopping experience than bustling Oxford Street. A short stroll away from the shopping quarter is the ‘Old City’ of Bristol. Though Bristol is arguably less renowned for its Palladian architecture than its
opulent neighbour Bath, it has its fair share of grandeur. Castle Park and Queen Square offer a genteel atmosphere, with elegant Georgian buildings and monuments. Bordering Castle Park is St Nicholas Market - Bristol’s answer to the cosmopolitan Portobello Road - which dates back to the 1700s and is one of The Guardian’s Top 10 markets in the UK. Should independent shops be your bag, head north of Bristol’s shopping quarter and you’ll find yourself in the bohemian Stokes Croft area, famed for its decorated buildings, live music nights and trendy night clubs. Further north you’ll reach Gloucester Road; Bristol’s equivalent to London’s Shoreditch. Here the streets are lined with vintage independent shops, retro restaurants, cafes and galleries. If you’re more “Made in Chelsea” than East London, head northwest of the City centre and you’ll discover the affluent Clifton village, home to stylish boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants. We paid a visit to Bar Chocolat – a family-run coffee shop, popular with numerous local celebrities (including Carol Vorderman!). We indulged in their delicious homemade cakes, hand-crafted chocolates, quality coffee, a couple of consonants and a vowel for the road... Clifton is home to the world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, completed in 1864 and designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel when he was just 24 years old. At the time of its construction it had the longest span of any bridge in the world, measuring a vast 210m. Brunel also designed the SS Great Britain - the world’s first ironhulled ocean-going steam ship - which now welcomes visitors in Bristol’s picturesque Harbourside
area, having been Caboc Circus. lovingly restored in 1970. Bristol prides itself as a city of creative and artistic talent. Head up Park Street towards the bustling University quarter and you’ll catch a glance of some of Banksy’s famous graffiti art; a feature which has helped Bristol earn its title of ‘street art capital of the UK’. Bristol Old Vic Theatre is Britain’s oldest continuously-working theatre (described as ‘sublimely beautiful’ by actor Daniel Day Lewis) and the Bristol Hippodrome hosts multiple West-End musicals and touring productions. Bristol is blessed as a city by its surrounding spectacular countryside. We took a short drive south of the city and found ourselves in the delightful village of Chew Magna. Voted ‘Best Village in Britain’ in 2011 and situated close to the northern edge of the beautiful Mendip Hills, Chew Magna is the perfect place to wind down after a busy weekend in the city. We popped into the Bear and Swan, a charmingly traditional 18th century pub boasting a roaring fire, a cheery atmosphere and a delicious a la carte menu. I’m yet to meet someone who has a bad word to say about Bristol, and I can genuinely see why. There’s something about the place; it competes with London on so many levels, yet the vibe is different. It’s more laid back, people say hello to you on the street, it’s cheaper (!) and you’re never more than 10 minutes away from the stunning south-west countryside (when it’s not underwater, that is). As we embarked on our journey back to the Island, I felt a pang of penitence for leaving this multifarious city behind.
Hayley travelled to Liverpool aboard the Steam Packet’s fast craft Manannan. Having her car with her meant plenty of space for purchases made on the trip! Sailing time 2hrs 45 mins 28th March - 20th May & 8th Sept - 2nd Nov Douglas to Liverpool Mon 7.30am & 3pm Tue, Wed, Thur 3pm Fri, Sat 7.30am & 3pm, Sun 3pm Liverpool to Douglas Mon 11.15am & 7.15pm Tue, Wed, Thur 7.15pm Fri, Sat 11.15am & 7.15pm Sun 7.15pm 10th June - 7th Sept Douglas to Liverpool Mon 7.30am & 3pm Tue, Wed 3pm Thur, Fri, Sat 7.30am & 3pm Sun 3pm Liverpool to Douglas Mon 11.15am & 7.15pm Tue, Wed 7.15pm Thur, Fri, Sat 11.15am & 7.15pm Sun 7.15pm Times may vary. For more information visit www.steam-packet.com
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