The Bristol Magazine January 2026

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ISSUE 254 I JANUARY 2026

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26 FILL YOUR DIARY Start 2026 the right way with these things to do and see throughout January

28 ATOMIC BOMB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

66 PITCH PERFECT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Simon Horsford visits Bristol Downs Football League to watch the beautiful game that’s always played at home

76 COLOUR TRENDS Do you follow the trends or do you prefer to stand out from the crowd? We share plenty of interiors ideas to suit every approach for the year ahead

The inside story of Frantic Assembly’s latest show Lost Atoms that’s exploded onto the stage at Bristol Old Vic

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For more content and updates find us on: thebristolmag.co.uk

From Pantone’s Colour of the Year ‘Cloud Dancer’ influencing interiors trends to giving your mind, body and soul a total MOT, our January issue is positively packed with cracking ideas for the year ahead...

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Follow us on social media @thebristolmag

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

On the cover

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We catch up with one of the stars from BBC hit kids’ series Horrible Histories ahead of its live show

ISSUE 254 I JANUARY 2026

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32 ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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A G E

Celebrating a decade of creative performance at The Wardrobe Theatre in Old Market

Our curated round-up of the best local businesses ready to guide you towards better health this year

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22 A PERFECT 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

56 HEALTH & WELLNESS IN 2026

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New threads for a new year: Wadswick Country Store has everything you need for a blustery January adventure

The city looks ahead to 2026: what’s in store for all of us?

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18 GOD’S OWN COUNTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

44 THE FUTURE’S BRIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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What’s occurring, who’s who and what’s what?

What’s hot and what’s not when it comes to 2026’s food and drink trends? Melissa Blease investigates

LIVE CON

12 CITYIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

40 COMFORT FOOD

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Move your body with Angie Edwards, director of AE Dance + Fitness

Our pick of art shows and exhibitions to marvel at throughout this month

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10 MY BRISTOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

36 WORKS OF ART . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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FIVE THINGS TO DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Kickstart the New Year with these essential events

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Contents

Images (L-R): Cheeky Little Astronomer by Yinka Shonibare; Lost Atoms, photo by Tristram Kenton

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IN THIS ISSUE

IVING IN BRISTOL

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from the

EDITOR

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s much as I try and avoid a ‘new year, new me’ mentality, we’ve done rather a good job at neatly packaging up lots of ways you can kickstart 2026 by investing in yourself with our first issue of this next 365-day journey around the sun. We much prefer to think of it as a ‘new year, same-but-shinier me’ approach. We want you to get your spark back this year (and if you never lost it, then we’re here to help you glow even brighter), whether that’s thanks to a new skincare routine (p. 16), reading a self-help book with a difference (p.34), trying to be more mindful of the present moment (p.62), getting some fresh air and heading for the hills in some brand-new country-style get-up (p.18), indulging in a new spa treatment or two (p.64), redecorating your house inspired by the latest colour trends (p.76) or giving your entire body an MOT with the help of a whole host of local experts (p.56).

But there’s really no pressure from us to do anything new this year.

If you prefer to simply stick the kettle on, put your feet up, flick through these pages and roll your eyes at all of it, that’s fine too. What might take your fancy, however, is our 2026 outlook (p.44), which brings you a slice of things to expect from lots of different sectors across the city – with everything from sport to property and arts in the mix. It’s not exactly a ‘prediction’ of what’s definitely on the menu (I think we’re all much more cautiously optimistic these days after having such high hopes for 2020… where’s Mystic Meg when you need her?!), but more of a ‘wouldn’t it be nice if this happened?’ round-up of confirmed events, developments and things to look forward to. Let’s hope I don’t live to regret this, but I’ve got a good feeling about 2026...

Rosanna Spence 6 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

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Contact us Publisher Email:

Steve Miklos steve@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

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Email: sales@thebristolmagazine.co.uk The Bristol Magazine is published by MC Publishing Ltd. An independent publisher.

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2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED Disclaimer: Whilst every reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Bristol Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to such material. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. This publication is copyright and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers.

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5 things Take the plunge It’s the best time of year to make waves, boost your mood and support hospice care when it matters most. St Peter’s Hospice’s annual fundraising cold water dip at new venue The Wave (8 February) is more than just a chilly challenge: it's about courage and community.

There are four slots to choose from, two in the morning among the excitement of the waves and surfers, and two in the evening if you prefer calm water and twinkling lights.

There’s time to defrost in the hot tubs and sauna afterwards, too, and sip a free hot drink.

Book your place before they sell out at stpetershospice.org

Credit: Matt Crockett

Have a laugh The Bristol Comedy Festival is back with two weeks of world-class entertainment (15-31 January) guaranteed to inject a whole lot of humour into the glummest time of year. The festival will welcome a mix of local legends, rising stars and established acts to venues across the city, including Jayde Adams, Jonny Pelham, Harriet Dyer, Fatiha El-Ghorri and Maisie Adam (pictured). The Bristol Comedy Festival is supported by Bristol BID; donations from the event will support TAP for Bristol, which raises funds for local homelessness charities. thebristolcomedyfestival.com

Find healing at a gallery

Sip whisky on Burns Night Celebrate Burns Night with a special vintage of screening of 1983 classic movie Local Hero, pictured below, at Averys Wine Merchants with Bristol Film Festival (24 January, 6.45pm). Filmed almost entirely on location in Scotland and enduringly heartwarming to this day, enjoy this beloved film in style, starting with a sparkling wine reception on arrival, then over the course of the film, you will sample four single malt whiskies from the key regions of Scotland with tasting notes. Tickets, more info and add-ons are available online at bristolfilmfestival.com

Arnolfini is inviting Bristolians to slow down with its month-long Season of Healing, which is a programme of workshops, conversations, and shared moments, responding to themes of loss, renewal, rest, and connection explored in its current exhibition Emma Talbot: Everything is Energy. Activites include baby sensory play sessions (8 January and 5 February), Drop-in printmaking (16 January), yoga in the gallery (pictured, 16 and 23 January), a grief walk (22 January) and much more. arnolfini.org.uk

Tuck into some plant-based treats Discover a mouth-watering selection of hot food, refreshing drinks, artisan deli delights and handcrafted treasures at Bristol Veganuary Fest, taking place on 31 January (10am to 6pm) by the harbourside at Waterfront Square and the Amphitheatre.

Whether you’re vegan, curious, or simply love exploring fresh flavours and creativity, the market will have something for everyone to enjoy.

To find out the latest information, visit the website kordiaevents.com and search ‘Bristol Veganuary Fest’ on Facebook.

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The The City Cityist

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Angie Edwards, Director of AE Dance + Fitness.

Photo by Dani Bower

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My Bristol

Meet Angie Edwards, Director of AE Dance + Fitness I’m originally from Wales and spent my teenage years living in The Netherlands. It was on a very sunny Bristol Uni open day, in the summer of 2008, when I first fell in love with the city.

When I was 12, I launched my first dance class at school. When I was 15, I announced I wanted to run a dance school someday. At 19, I moved to Bristol to study psychology and began choreographing for and running the UoB dance society. Aged 21, after a couple of years working in marketing, I realised that I didn’t need to commit the rest of my life to working for someone else in ‘a real job’. So, when I was 25, I moved back to Bristol and started building my dance teaching career. In April 2017 I started my first independent classes on a Friday afternoon at Hamilton House. And we’ve not stopped spreading joy ‘n’ dance since that day! Today, we run more than 50 different dance classes, taught by 13 local teachers across the city.

Something that would’ve scared me three years ago but I now love, is that each class has its own vibe! My Jazz class is high energy and fast, whereas Paola’s Floorwork class is grounding and explorative. But whatever class you head to there’ll always be a feeling of community and collaboration. We believe dance classes are a team sport, not a solo game.

Joining your first AE dance class is, hopefully, spirit-lifting! You’ll be entering a room of enthusiastic, welcoming, good people who all love to throw themselves around to big tunes. We laugh lots. We’re ambitious. And we put ‘feeling good’ over ‘looking perfect’ any day.

I remember that when I first moved back to Bristol, the thing that struck me the most was that everyone I met had chosen to live here for an interesting reason. They’d picked Bristol rather than just ending up in London, like so many of my peers had. They love living here and you can feel that.

I’m on the hunt for new hidden gems in the city! I’ve been living off Cheltenham Rd (covered in hidden gems) for the past 10 years but we’re hoping to move to the more grown up Bishopston/Horfield area next year. I’ll report back when I find a new hoard of hidden gems.

I could happily live off the frittata and salad plate from Spicer + Cole or FED for the rest of my life. But I’d equally be happy on the top deck of Under The Stars, or hidden in the back of Chido Wey. Or Tomo No Ramen. Or Snobby’s. Or Wilson’s…

When I need to get out of the city’s hustle and bustle, I’ll visit my parents, who live just over the bridge in South Wales. And while Wales has a reputation for being very rainy, their garden is a sun trap and the most relaxing place on earth.

Over the summer, I had the absolute pleasure of teaching a dance workshop to the Bristol Bears (women’s team. To be honest, I forget there’s a men’s one). And those women – many of them World Cup winners – were solid 10s. The kind of people I adore - full of laughter and up for giving the ridiculous a go. But also, actually really giving a s*** about things, committing, working together. My favourite kind of people.

If you’d like to know more about AE, head to aedancefitness.com and follow along on Instagram @ae.dance.fitness.

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | JANUARY 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 11

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CITY NEWS

Credit: Freia Turland Photography

New Dawn French sitcom filmed in Bristol to air early this year

First trees planted in wood just outside city for new Western Forest A major milestone towards creating the UK’s first new national forest in more than three decades is underway as the first trees are planted in the new Pucklechurch Wood, part of the Western Forest, which is working with partners and communities to increase trees and woodlands from the Cotswolds to the Mendips.

Located just outside Bristol city, the 30-hectare Pucklechurch site – equivalent to around 42 football pitches – lays the foundation for a future woodland which will evolve into a vibrant green space for people and nature for generations to come.

Between the end of November 2025 and March 2026, 22,000 native and climate-resilient trees will be planted by volunteers, with a further 22,000 the following November to March. In 10-15 years, the young trees will be recognisable woodland, with some trees reaching up to 10 metres in height.

Tree species were carefully selected to ensure climate resilience, combining native trees like the English oak, with a small range of nonnative species including the sweet chestnut, also known as the European chestnut, that can withstand warmer, drier conditions.

The BBC has released first look pictures of Can You Keep a Secret?, the six-part sitcom starring Dawn French, Mark Heap, Craig Roberts and Mandip Gill, and written by Simon Mayhew-Archer, the producer of hit BBC Comedy This Country, that was filmed at The Bottle Yard Studios and on location in the West Country earlier this year.

Dawn (French & Saunders, The Vicar of Dibley) plays widow Debbie Fendon – granny, lawn bowler, tinpot dictator – who will stop at nothing to make sure her family’s protected.

Unfortunately, most of the time the person they really need protecting from is her. When her hermit-like husband William (Mark Heap – Friday Night Dinner, Green Wing) unexpectedly dies, she makes an outlandish decision that will put the family under more pressure than ever before.

Keep your eyes peeled as Can You Keep a Secret? will land on our screens any day now... bbc.co.uk/iplayer

L-R: Harry (Craig Roberts), William (Mark Heap), & Debbie (Dawn French), image courtesy of BBC

forestofavon.org/western-forest

Music programme for children in care to expand Bristol Beacon’s Hope Creative flagship programme for children in care, the only one of its kind in the South West offering sustained creative support for care-experienced children, young people and families, is expanding following 10 years of impact.

Delivered by Bristol Beacon in partnership with Bristol City Council Children’s Services, the Hope Virtual School and Barnardo’s, the programme began with just four children in a single room. Since then, it has grown into a long-term creative journey that has supported more than 400 participants aged 0 to 25, from babies and toddlers through to care leavers, as well as foster carers.

A major focus of the expansion will be on helping care leavers transition from the creative space into the world of work. Many face significant barriers in employment, training or education. To support this, Hope Creative has piloted trainee programmes offering paid placements and mentoring at Bristol Beacon in areas such as front-of-house, bar service and session-leading. In 2025, two care leavers completed structured placements, with plans to grow this strand significantly from 2026.

A 2025 evaluation of the programme showed its significant impact: 88% of children in care reported improved social skills. Every care leaver surveyed said they had developed new skills. All infants in Hope Minis demonstrated improved communication and language development, while 93% of foster carers reported feeling more connected to others in similar roles. bristolbeacon.org (Photo taken at the Creative Lives Awards in 2023 in which an album project produced by care experienced young people was shortlisted for an award) 12 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

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CITY NEWS

Electric’s not rubbish, according to Bristol Waste Bristol Waste Company is now trialling new electric vehicles for collecting waste and cleaning the city’s streets.

The vehicles, a Refuse Collection Vehicle (RCV), a truck that collects general waste from black wheelie bins, and three mechanical street sweepers, are included in the trial.

Bristolians can spot the newly appointed truck, with its ‘I’m electric’ design, around the city until April 2026. The truck itself is a repurposed model, building on Bristol Waste’s commitment to reducing, reusing and recycling.

It joins the existing fleet of electric vans already being used by the company across roles such as community engagement, street cleansing and refuse and recycling collections.

The trial is part of preparations for a wider plan to renew an ageing fleet, with a decision due to be made later this year

by Bristol City Council, owner of Bristol Waste.

As an example of the environmental benefits of the electric vehicles being trialled, the electric 'RCV' truck is expected to produce approximately a quarter of the carbon of a diesel vehicle over this six-month trial. That is just over 6 tonnes of carbon for an electric truck, compared to around 22 tonnes, saving a whopping 16 tonnes -the equivalent of the carbon produced from charging 1.25 million smartphones.

The three electric street sweepers will cover central Bristol, from Cumberland Basin to Whiteladies Road, Old Market, Jacob’s Wells Road and everything in between. bristolwastecompany.co.uk

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CITY NEWS

Public servants to benefit from art pass discounts Bristol’s public servants can now enjoy free and half-price entry to galleries, museums and historic houses in the city and across the UK with Boundless membership club, which has added Art Fund’s National Art Pass to its range of benefits.

Boundless Plus members will be able to access more than 1,000 cultural spaces nationwide with National Art Pass, which can include one additional adult and any children in the household.

In Bristol, this includes 50% off exhibitions at major galleries and museums such as Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, RWA (Royal West of England Academy) and John Wesley’s New Room, as well as free entry to The Stradling Collection and gothic revival mansion Tyntesfield. boundless.co.uk

People urged to participate in Big Garden Birdwatch The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch returns this month, with people watching and counting the UK’s birds across the last weekend in January. The survey provides a valuable snapshot of how our most common garden birds are faring and taking part is one way to take action for birds and nature.

This year’s event takes place on 23, 24 and 25 January. People in Bristol are asked to spend an hour watching and counting the birds in their garden or local park, or from their balcony, then send their results to the RSPB. In Bristol, the top three birds recorded last year were the House Sparrow, Wood Pigeon and Blue Tit. To receive your free Big Garden Birdwatch guide, which includes a bird identification chart and top tips for your Birdwatch, text BIRD to 82727, or you can choose a free digital guide by visiting rspb.org.uk/birdwatch.

Image credit: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

14 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

Credit: Music On My Mind

Old Market Assembly turns 10 Friday 23 January will be a big 10th birthday party for Old Market Assembly, with a performance from local legends The Bristol Hornstars.

Born from Bristol University's Big Band Society, The Bristol Hornstars are one of the city's most-loved jazz bands, so guests can expect live jazz, dancing, and flowing drinks in true Old Market Assembly style.

Keeping the 10 theme going, throughout the week, customers can tuck into discounted £10 pizzas and in partnership with The Wardrobe Theatre, the Snug Gallery will showcase never-before-seen photographs from the venue’s earliest days as a trip down memory lane into the making of the venue. The Old Market Assembly is asking the public to share their standout memories from the last decade: your wild nights, wedding memories, funny stories, and everything in between. Find out more at oldmarketassembly.co.uk and buy tickets for the birthday bash.

Arnolfini appoints Professor Paul Gough as new chair of trustees Arnolfini has announced the appointment of Professor Paul Gough as its new chair of trustees, effective 5 January.

Professor Gough joins Arnolfini at a landmark moment in its history, as the organisation marks 50 years at its iconic Bristol Harbourside home and prepares to launch an ‘ambitious new vision’ that will carry it into 2030 and beyond. In his new role, Professor Gough will work closely with Arnolfini’s Board and with Suzanne Rolt, who was appointed CEO earlier this year.

“Paul is an ideal match for Arnolfini and has the skills and experience needed to lead us forward into the next chapter of our history,” says Suzanne. “As well as being a practising artist, broadcaster and writer on the visual arts, he is closely connected with the cultural sector in the region and has worked in senior university roles in this country and across the world. He is highly and warmly thought of across the city and has a deep understanding of the importance of the arts in people’s lives.” arnolfini.org.uk

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From the Lord Mayor’s Parlour...

Exclusive insight from The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Henry Michallat

W

ishing you a Happy New Year! Over the past couple of weeks, I have had the privilege of taking part in a number of engagements that highlight the generosity and community spirit that makes Bristol such a remarkable city at Christmastime. One of the standout events was the Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal concert at St George’s Bristol.

The festive evening was filled with wonderful Christmas songs and carols, performed with warmth and enthusiasm. It was heartening to see so many people come together, not only to enjoy the music, but also to support a cause that makes a genuine difference to children and families across the city. The kindness shown through donations on the night will have had a lasting impact at a time of year that can be particularly challenging for those facing hardship.

Alongside the concert, I was honoured to visit numerous businesses across the city as part of our annual Toy Drive for the Children Appeal. Collecting donated toys from so many generous organisations was truly uplifting. Each stop offered a reminder of the compassion that runs through Bristol’s business community, with a wide range of gifts from books and puzzles to dolls, Lego and games, that were ready to bring joy to some of the city’s most disadvantaged children. The effort and thought put into every donation ensured that families who needed support the most felt the warmth of Bristol’s collective goodwill last Christmas.

Another highlight of the past month was the honour of meeting Her Majesty The Queen during her visit to The Bottle Yard Studios. It was delightful to have a tour of the set of Rivals, gaining a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creativity and craftsmanship that bring this world-renowned series to life here in Bristol. Meeting members of the production team and witnessing the dedication that goes into every detail underscored the growing importance of our city as a hub for film and television.

I would like to wish readers a very Happy New Year, and, as ever, if you wish to invite me to an event, tour or talk, please get in touch with the Lord Mayor’s Office via lordmayor@bristol.gov.uk. n

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BEAUTY

Time for TLC Now that December’s merrymaking with loved ones is over for another year, it’s time to turn your attention to the most important person in your life... you! From an energising boost to deep recovery, these beauty picks will help guide your body towards feeling brand new in 2026

Sensse Professional LED Light Therapy Face Mask The Sensse Pro stands out by offering more than just anti-aging skincare benefits. It's the ultimate 'thirst aid' for your dry, dehydrated skin. Transform your complexion from sun-damaged to sun-kissed with the mask proven to eliminate all your skin nightmares and give you that supercharged skin glow all year round. £119.99 | boots.com Foreo Luna 4 hair 2-in-1 LED Scalp Massager Eliminate oil buildup and dandruff on your scalp while strengthening your hair with Luna 4 Hair, a scalp massaging device that aims to increase hair thickness and reduce hair loss. Features include ultra-hygienic silicone bristles, T-Sonic massage, and red LED light therapy. £189 | johnlewis.com

Grace & Stella Under Eye Masks Set of Six These nutrient-rich gold eye masks work to reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles, especially when kept cold.

Vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free.

Apply under eyes on makeup-free skin, wear for 15-20 minutes, discard and pat remaining essence into skin. No need to rinse! .£10 | oliverbonas.com

Jo Malone London Lavender & Moonflower Pillow Mist, 50ml Embrace the evening with a soft, serene scent.

Aromatic English lavender nestles among a cocooning note of white musk and nightblooming moonflowers. Mist over bedding and soft fabrics to enhance your night-time ritual. £38 | johnlewis.com

NEOM Energy Boosting Trio Overnight Recovery Cream Supercharge your day with an energising and invigorating scent of 100% natural with Sea essential oils, including spearmint, Buckthorn and rosemary and eucalyptus. Scrub, cleanse White Rose and moisturise the skin and expect a wakeA rich, reparative up call like no other. Includes Super overnight face Shower Body Polish, Body Cleanser and cream powered by Energy Burst Body Milk naturally derived £22 | marksandspencer.com antioxidants and plant-based ingredients to restore and nourish the skin barrier while you sleep. It contains an expert blend of sea buckthorn extract to protect the skin from water loss and free radicals, while rosehip extract gently boosts collagen production and Mirabilis jalapa soothes and calms, leaving skin re-plumped and replenished in the morning. £120 | thirns.co.uk 16 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

ESPA Signature Blends Aromatherapy Bath & Body Oil Set (105ml) These Bath & Body Oils harness the power of aromatherapy to elevate each moment with sensorial connection.

Re-balance the body, mind, and skin for holistic wellbeing.

Each blend complements your everchanging emotions with its distinct olfactive composition. £28 | waitrose.com

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FASHION

Schöffel Women’s Isla.

Tweed Blazer, £380.

Schöffel Colwell Cap, £30.

Schöffel Hathersage.

Silk Scarf, £95.

This country

Desperate to escape Bristol’s urban streets on a dreary January day? Head straight for the countryside to get some fresh air and soak up the South West scenery. And who says your outdoor gear has to match the drab weather... Step out in style with our picks from Wadswick Country Store in Corsham, which is well worth the trip out of the city. wadswick.co.uk | Wadswick Country Store, Bradford Road, Corsham, SN13 8DW

18 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

WADSWICK FASHION BRISTOL.qxp_Layout 1 15/12/2025 15:18 Page 2

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Ridgeline Men’s0Monsoon0 Classic Smock, Teak, £179.990

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | JANUARY 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 19

Terry Cox January Left Page.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2025 16:23 Page 1

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Terry Cox January Right Page.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2025 16:10 Page 1

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WARDROBE THEATRE.qxp_Layout 1 15/12/2025 14:30 Page 1

THEATRE

A

fect Te r e P n The Smoking Puppet Cabaret (credit: Adam Fung)

Goldilock, Stock & Three Smoking Bears (credit: Paul Blakemore)

One of the city’s finest live performance playgrounds The Wardrobe Theatre, located inside The Old Market Assembly, is celebrating 10 years in its Old Market home. Here, its devoted team reflects on more than 4,000 performances that have stormed its tiny‐but‐mighty stage, shining the spotlight on the venue’s vital contribution to Bristol’s creative scene

T

en years ago, a former bank-cum-cabaret bar in Old Market reopened its doors as a new pub-café-restaurant with a 100seat hand-build fringe theatre squeezed in the back. As The Wardrobe Theatre and The Old Market Assembly mark a decade in their Old Market home, the venue stands as a testament to what Bristol can build when creativity and collaboration are given room to thrive.

The Wardrobe Theatre’s origins stretch back to 2011 in a cramped upstairs room at The White Bear pub on St Michael’s Hill. The founders – a group of young, local theatre-makers – expected to run a short-lived pop-up theatre but the attic space quickly developed a devoted following.

“It was only supposed to be a pop-up,” recalls now Artistic Director and CEO Matthew Whittle. “But artists and audiences loved it, so we kept finding ways to keep it open and running for longer and longer.”

With just 50 seats, volunteer staff and £5 ticket prices, the theatre became an unlikely incubator for emerging talent. Regulars squeezed up narrow staircases to watch everything from offbeat new writing to burlesque, to the fledgling episodes of what would become Closer Each Day: The Improvised Soap Opera, now the UK’s longest-running show outside of London.

Closer Each Day: The Improvised Soap Opera (credit: Daisy Tian Dai)

A new door opens By 2015, it was clear The Wardrobe Theatre had outgrown its temporary home. The team began the search for a venue that could offer stability without losing the intimacy and scrappy energy that had defined the theatre from the start. Their search led them to Old Market and a disused bank that had more recently operated as a cabaret venue.

“When we saw the space, it just felt right,” says co-founder and Technical Director Chris Collier. The feeling was immediate but the 22 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

The Good, The Bad & The Coyote Ugly (credit: Craig Fuller)

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THEATRE

Drac & Jill (credit: Paul Blakemore)

Cliff Jumping For Beginners (credit: Paul Blakemore)

work that followed was anything but straightforward. Funding arrived unpredictably.

Building schedules slipped. Budgets wobbled. But volunteers – friends, family, old colleagues and fellow artists – showed up daily with tools in hand. “We were still fundraising while we were building, so half the time I didn’t know what we could afford,” Chris says. “But every day, people walked through the door willing to help. Everyone gave what they could.”

What emerged was a theatre quite literally built by its community: repurposed wood, mismatched chairs, hand-painted surfaces and enough personality to fill a space twice its size. The team worked long into the nights to prepare for their opening show – one of The Wardrobe Theatre’s now-famous Christmas mash-ups, Goldilock, Stock & Three Smoking Bears. When the show opened in December 2015, it sold out its run, and the venue immediately became a fixture in Bristol’s cultural landscape.

“The old theatre was tiny – we sold tickets from a table in the pub,” remembers Theatre Manager and Artist Development Producer, Aisha Ali. “Moving to Old Market felt huge by comparison and the community-built nature of it made it feel even more special. That spirit has stayed with us.”

Over the past decade, The Wardrobe Theatre has staged more than 4,000 performances.

Its programme spans theatre, comedy, storytelling, drag, puppetry and cabaret, and its Wardrobe Theatre Team 2025 (back to front, L-R: Aisha Ali, Chris Collier, Giulia Bernacchi, LK Reed, Kate Stokes, Daisy Kennedy, Matthew Whittle, Luke Mallison)

10 Years of The Wardrobe Theatre in 10 Shows Some of the team’s favourite performances over the last decade: Goldilock, Stock & Three Smoking Bears

by The Wardrobe Theatre 2015

Closer Each Day: The Improvised Soap Opera

by Closer Each Day Company 2015-2026

Story Slam

by Story Slam 2016-2026

The Shade Pullers & Lash Stackers Social Club

by Harry Humberstone and Roxytocin 2016-2026

Cliff Jumping For Beginners

by Beyond The Ridiculous 2016-2017

Noisy Holiday

by Kid Carpet 2018

Drac & Jill

by The Wardrobe Theatre 2019

The Deep Sea Seekers

by The Wardrobe Ensemble & The Wardrobe Theatre 2019-2024

The Good, The Bad & The Coyote Ugly

by The Wardrobe Theatre 2023

Barleycorn Barleycorn

Story Slam (credit: Diego Maeso)

by Riddlestick Theatre 2025

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THEATRE

Survival skills

The venue’s growing reputation has not been without challenge. In March 2020, as the pandemic forced theatres nationwide to close, The Wardrobe Theatre cancelled hundreds of performances. “It was devastating,” Matthew says. “But we had to adapt.”

Partnering with Sharp Teeth Theatre, the team produced Sherlock In Homes, a digital interactive detective show that unexpectedly found international audiences, reaching viewers across Europe, Australia and Brazil. “It connected families who were miles apart,” Matthew says. “That felt important.” For Aisha, those months were a lesson in resilience. “We didn’t know if we’d survive,” she admits. “The Cultural Recovery Fund

24 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

helped but the real support came from artists, volunteers and audiences who refused to let the theatre disappear.” Safely reopening in 2021, the venue introduced social distancing and reconfigured entry routes to keep audiences and artists protected. The return was cautious but deeply felt.

Today, The Wardrobe Theatre operates as a registered charity with a small core team supported by volunteers and trustees. Despite growth, the organisation retains the same mission that guided its early years: to make live performance accessible, affordable and The De ep S artist-led. More than 80% of its programme is from ea Se Bristol-based artists and its ITCH platform remains a vital space for work-in-progress performances.

“It started as an unknown,” Chris says. “Now it’s about celebrating what we built together. Every corner represents someone’s time, sweat or kindness.” Aisha agrees. Her own creative practice has shifted from performing to composing and artist development, but the thrill remains. “Watching someone you’ve supported share their work – that’s magic,” she says.

As the theatre looks to the future, its ambitions are clear: expand support for artists, nurture bold new work and continue reflecting Bristol’s creativity in all its variety.

Or, as Aisha puts it simply, “We’re lucky – lucky to work with clever, silly, caring people in a city we love. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” n Check out what’s on at The Wardrobe Theatre on its website thewardrobetheatre.com | The Old Market Assembly, 25 West Street, Old Market, BS2 0DF rs eke

audience now tops 35,000 every year. Its monthly Story Slam has become a citywide staple, offering a platform for ordinary people to share true stories live on stage, with more than 1,800 storytellers having taken part since its launch. Regular nights such as The Shade Pullers & Lash Stackers Social Club, Chuckle Busters comedy, Milk Poetry, Kiota, Lost Cabaret and Aftermirth have established the venue as a creative home for collectives across Bristol.

The Wardrobe Theatre’s annual Christmas mash-ups have become something of a legend: Reservoir Mogs, Muppits Die Hard, The Good, The Bad & The Coyote Ugly – irreverent, chaotic hybrids blending cult films, classic tales and anarchic humour. These productions, devised and performed by Bristol artists, capture the theatre’s ethos: playful, inventive and proudly fringe.

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BRISTOL EVENTS | JANUARY

What’s On...?

Our guide to the best festive things to see and do this month

Bristol Urban Wassail at the Exchange

Bristol Urban Wassail n 16 January, 7.30pm-11.30pm Exchange Bristol, BS2 0EJ

Prepare yourself for a night of cider-fuelled, nearly-traditional music and performance as the Bristol Urban Wassail returns to Exchange on Old Market. Live music comes from cult Scrumpy and Western band Skimmity Hitchers with support from The Shinkickers (featuring members of legendary Bristol cider-punk outfit The Surfin' Turnips) and one-man agricultural-hip-hop supremo Corky. The night will also feature an (almost) traditional Wassail play, written and performed by members of the audience in true DIY spirit. Expect to encounter homemade costumes, questionable accents and the gaffa taping of toast to Apple Tree Man. Real cider will be available on the bar, to help proceedings flow merrily along. exchangebristol.com After Hours at Wake The Tiger n 16 January Wake The Tiger, BS2 0YA

Bored of the usual night out? Want to do something different for your mates or a date?

After Hours is the perfect solution. An 18+ night with no kids allowed. Explore more than 40 spaces with wild and surreal art installations, full 360-degree sets with interactive elements, state-of-the-art theming, robots and even a slide, across two out-of-this-world levels. Follow it up with delicious pizzas and drinks at the fullylicenced Junktion Bar. With access from 7pm and finishing up at 11pm, what's not to like?! wakethetiger.com Imagining Beyond: The Eeriness of Place n 28 January, 6.30pm Arnos Vale Cemetery, BS4 3EW

Join Dr Mary Steadman, artistic director of Dust Ensemble, for an atmospheric and thought-provoking in-person talk that dives deep into the uncanny power of derelict mansions, eerie rural landscapes, and downtrodden towns. As ‘English Eerie’ and ‘Folk Horror’ rise in popularity and creep further into the mainstream, this is the

26 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

perfect moment to look at why unsettling landscapes and derelict places captivate us.

The eerie doesn’t reveal its source – it’s a feeling that 'things are not what they seem', disturbing our sense of reality and opening us to the mysterious and inexplicable. This unique evening draws on the work of M. R. James, David Lynch, PJ Harvey, and thinkers like Mark Fisher and Robert Macfarlane.

Through personal stories and performance footage, Mary shares how she explores the eerie in her creative process and how it connects with English folk horror. arnosvale.org.uk Greater Bristol Young Musician Competition Concert n 23 January, 7,30pm Bristol Beacon, BS1 5AR

Local Rotary Clubs have organised a Young Musician Competition for more than 20 years to give the musical talent in the schools in the Greater Bristol area the chance to show what they can do, and to compete in front of an audience. After three heats

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from Lee, who explains the challenges of urban astrophotography and how he fuses art with science to reveal a hidden universe. bristolmuseums.org.uk

Greater Bristol Young Musician

Come and Sing: Magnificat, John Rutter n 31 January, 1.30pm Tyndale Baptist Church, BS8 2QG

featuring entrants from as far afield as Wells, Cheltenham and Bath, six finalists have been selected and will each play 15 minutes of classical music in front of professional adjudicators at this final, which will be held in the Lantern Hall at the Bristol Beacon.

More info on the competition is available at youngmusicianbristol.com. Tickets for the final are available from bristolbeacon.org or in person at the box office.

Bristol Choral Society presents Rutter's Magnificat, which is a musical setting of the biblical canticle, Magnificat. The latin text is interspersed with the poem Of a Rose, a lovely Rose. Composed and first performed in 1990 it is a piece to be sung with joy. Led by dynamic musical director Hilary Campbell, everyone is bound to be encouraged to lose their inhibitions as asked for by the composer. bristolchoral.co.uk

Introduction to Traditional Hedgelaying n 24 & 31 January Grow Wilder, BS16 1EL

Looking ahead...

Join Grow Wilder for an introduction to the traditional craft of hedgelaying. Lead by local hedge layer Mike Reed, this one-day course will cover the reasons we lay hedges, the different styles of laid hedge (this course will focus on the Midland style), the tools required and how to use them safely, how to lay a hedge using hand tools (billhook, axe, saw, etc), how to stake and bind a hedge, and ongoing maintenance. This course will be predominantly a practical outdoors course and you should dress appropriately for typical January weather. growwilder.co.uk

Galentines – Sing It Back n 14 February, 7pm The Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1AL

Get ready to Sing it Back – the electrifying band that turns every gig into the ultimate sing-a-long celebration! Blending highenergy live music with an interactive karaoke twist, Sing It Back creates an unforgettable party atmosphere where you are the star.

With a killer band backing you up, the lyrics

to your favourite mega bangers scroll across massive screens, perfectly in sync with the music. From 90s classics to today’s charttoppers, Sing It Back transforms every track into a communal karaoke session where the whole audience becomes the band’s lead singer. There are no shy ones here – it’s all about belting out your favourite tunes with abandon and soaking in the contagious energy of the crowd! (18+). grandpier.co.uk Bristol Light Festival n 19-28 February Various locations

Bristol Light Festival will return to the city for 10 unmissable nights, with British visual artist Liz West announced as a headline name. Renowned for her immersive light sculptures and chromatic environments, West will bring two large-scale installations to Cabot Circus, transforming Level 7 of its multi-storey car park into a vast, reflective, colour-saturated spectacle. Our Colour Reflection will feature more than 765 mirrored acrylic discs, in 15 vivid hues and arranged at different heights, will form a reflective landscape that bathes visitors in shifting light, echoing colour across concrete and steel. The full programme will be announced in early 2026, with installations curated to appeal to all ages – from family-friendly fun to ambient, reflective experiences. As always, admission is free and open to all, running from 5pm-9.30pm (tbc) each evening. bristollightfestival.org

Immersed in Starlight n 30-31 January, 6.30pm-9pm Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, BS8 1RL

Immersed in Starlight transforms the museum’s grand interior into a canvas where distant nebulae, star clusters and galaxies are projected. The cosmic vistas on display are real images taken from central Bristol by Lee Pullen, the Urban Astrophotographer. The culmination of years of patient work collecting faint starlight from within the city’s glow, they unfold here with gentle motion that reveals their shifting structures and hidden details. An immersive soundscape by Sam Whitfield from Cyan Music has been especially composed in conversation with the images. The event includes an introduction

Our Colour Reflection by Liz West © Alex Koch for Klanglicht

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | JANUARY 2025 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 27

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THEATRE

Frantic Assembly Lost Atoms with Joe Layton (top) and Hannah Sinclair Robinson (Photo Credit Tristram Kenton)

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THEATRE

Up and at ‘om Kate Wyver speaks to the creatives (including a writer from Killing Eve, One Day and Succession) at the heart of Frantic Assembly’s latest theatrical offering Lost Atoms – heading to Bristol Old Vic this month – about the trust and relationships powering the very core of the show

“

T

he other leg will follow,” laughs Hannah Sinclair Robinson as she and Joe Layton untangle themselves. The pair are in the early weeks of rehearsals for Lost Atoms, twisting and looping around each other’s bodies. Scott Graham, Frantic Assembly's Artistic Director, watches on, suggesting gentle tweaks as the pair nimbly test different ways to hold each other’s weight and best fit their movements to Anna Jordan’s script.

“Sometimes it feels like patting your head and rubbing your stomach,” demonstrates Joe Layton, best known for his murderous turn as Mick Michaelis in Coronation Street, as the team breaks for lunch. “But there’s always a moment when it clicks.”

The two actors revel in Frantic Assembly’s process. They have both performed in multiple Frantic shows before, working together on 2023’s Metamorphosis and 2022’s Othello. “We have a shorthand and a solid friendship,” smiles Hannah, who starred in the dazzling farce, The Play That Goes Wrong, in the West End. “We know how to ask for what we need.” This confidence in each other is vital for a two-hander that relies on their strength and connection. “You’re flinging each other around,” she says, “so there has to be a lot of trust.”

Trust and relationships are at the core of Lost Atoms, Frantic Assembly’s 30th anniversary production. But this is no happily ever after. “What appealed to me was how a relationship defines a life,” says playwright Anna, “regardless of how long that relationship lasts for.” By retracing the stepping stones of a relationship, from the giddy early months to the heavier, bumpier experiences they must traverse together, Lost Atoms questions how partnerships transform us. “Why does a relationship have to last forever,” Anna asks, “for it to be considered successful?”

Scott wanted to explore the full cycle of a relationship after reading Alain de Botton’s Essays In Love. Anna shifted the idea from a single narrator to a dual perspective, enabling our couple – Jess and Robbie – to wrestle with how the other looks back on the same relationship. Anna invites their unreliable memories to shift and slip, so that when they revisit an argument, they can see for the first time their own ugly actions and their partner’s good intentions; when they relive a moment of softness, they are flooded with the complicated thought of what could have been. “I get excited about those moments on stage that feel flawed and messy and broken,” says Scott.

“These moments where we can recognise ourselves.”

Joe and Hannah both studied Frantic before they worked with them.

Joe was introduced to them by an encouraging drama teacher at school, where he remembers the company’s physicality feeling “unattainable.”

Hannah researched Frantic at university, having been immediately drawn to their unique use of movement. “I remember watching Othello and being like, ‘that’s what I want to do’,” she says. For Lost Atoms, the pair have been in the rare position of being involved in the show from the very first workshop. “It has been really special to see it grow from seed to script,” says Joe. Their early involvement in the devising process means both the script and choreography have formed and solidified around them. This has created a particular closeness to their characters. “I see elements of me in Jess,” Hannah notes. “I feel entwined with her.”

In rehearsal, Jordan edits the script as they go, with the team collectively deciding whether something is best said aloud or through the actor’s bodies. “So much of a relationship and our history exudes from us through silence and physicality,” explains Scott; years of love and arguments can be communicated in a pointed look, an outstretched hand, a whisper in the night. Frantic’s process allows the team to find the right way to tell every bit of the story. “Where we have a real common language is the desire to create a feeling,” Anna says, “and how that can be felt tangibly, palpably, by the audience.” Having worked in TV for the last few years, writing on shows including Killing Eve, One Day and Succession, she says this process has held a novel kind of freedom. “It’s like being let loose in a playground,” she grins.

Every day starts with an hour’s workout, nudging the actors closer to the point of making this physically demanding show look dreamily effortless. But the physical efforts aren’t the only aspect of the show’s development that has stretched them. The team’s conversations around the play have naturally sloped into the sharing of their own relationships, as they dive deeper into understanding Jess and Robbie’s lives. “Our development process has been blisteringly honest,” admits Scott. Joe laughs, shaking his head. “The first workshop felt like a group therapy session. I was drained.”

Frantic has been a part of Joe’s life since he was 17, when he took part in the inaugural year of Ignition, the company’s programme for young people with little or no experience in the arts. “It was for a group of people who didn’t know that the arts were for us,” Joe recalls. “The sensitivity and openness was amazing, and continues to inform the way that I work.”

Other graduates of the programme include Paapa Essiedu (The Outrun, I May Destroy You) and Karl Queensborough, who played Hamilton in the West End. “It’s no good sitting in a theatre saying, ‘Come to us’,” Scott reasons, “because they don’t feel they have the permission to go through the doors.”

Since Ignition began in 2008, Scott says, “arts within education have been deliberately attacked.” The talent development programme had to pause last year when funding couldn’t be secured, but a huge fundraising drive has meant it can now begin again. “It’s so important for a society to engage in creativity, to find your voice.” Scott gestures to the theatre around us. “That’s what making a play is.” Frantic Assembly was formed because people opened the door for him and his friends when they initially formed this company three decades ago. Ignition aims to do the same for the next generation.

“I pinch myself that this is what I do,” Scott says sincerely, reflecting on the company’s 30th anniversary before everyone gathers again to continue the rehearsal. “It’s been hard work but it’s been worth it.” The way he describes it sounds very similar to a relationship. “Yeah,” he nods.

“I met people who became friends, who I love, and who have changed my world in a way I couldn’t have imagined.” Like every good relationship, the experience has been transformative. n Lost Atoms is at Bristol Old Vic from 13-24 January. Tickets are available to book online bristololdvic.org.uk THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | JANUARY 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 29

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FAMILY EVENTS | JANUARY

Family Diary Our pick of the best things to see and do with the little ones this month Little Bulb’s Antarctica at Bristol Old Vic Artwork by Louise Boulter

Treasure Island n Until 10 January Bristol Old Vic, BS1 4ED Thrill-seeking teen Jim Hawkins is fed up with her humdrum life on land, and longs for adventure on the stormy seas. So when she discovers Captain Flint’s extraordinary and infamous map, promising a daring mission to a faraway island with secret hidden treasures, it seems all her wishes have come true. With Squire Trelawney, Captain Smollett and the mysterious Long John Silver, she sets sail on a once-in-a-lifetime quest. But with ghostly creatures to encounter and swordfights aplenty to overcome, will they ever be able to find where X marks the spot? Starring Jayde Adams, Adryne Caulder-James and Colin Leggo. bristololdvic.org.uk Antarctica n Until 10 January Bristol Old Vic, BS1 4ED At the bottom of our planet, lies the South Pole: a magical, windwhipped world of snow, ice and some of the most wondrous creatures on Earth including slip-sliding penguins, cheeky albatrosses and mysterious creatures of the deep. In fact, only the bravest of explorers have ever set foot there. Could you be one of them? The Studio will be transformed into a wintry wonderland for younger audiences to be whisked away on an unforgettable journey full of clowning, puppets and plenty of snowy surprises. bristololdvic.org.uk Rapunzel: A Hairy Tale n Until 17 January Tobacco Factory Theatres, BS3 1TF In a secluded tower deep within the forest, Rapunzel charts stars and planets and dreams of a world beyond her walls. When an unexpected visitor climbs through her window and into her strange little world, he 30 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

brings colour, chaos and the thrill of the unknown. Soon, Rapunzel must make a choice between keeping herself safe or exploring freedom.

This heartwarming production tells a story about growing up, venturing out, and discovering your own voice – all wrapped up in an unforgettable adventure (with plenty of extraordinary hair). tobaccofactorytheatres.com Bristol Snowdogs U19 Vs Solent n 25 January, 5.30pm-7.30pm Planet Ice Bristol, BS10 7SR Get ready to witness an intense showdown on the rink as Bristol Snowdogs U19 take on Solent in a thrilling ice hockey match. Expect bold plays, rising talent, and an atmosphere packed with music, giveaways and fan-first vibes. Whether you’re a die-hard hockey supporter or brand new to the game, this match, which is free to attend, promises excitement from the first drop of the puck. There will also be door prizes, merch for sale and on-ice photo opportunities.

Search ‘Bristol Snowdogs U19’ on eventbrite.co.uk Horrible Histories: The Concert n 30-31 January Bristol Beacon, BS1 5AR For the very first time, your favourite songs and characters from the BAFTA Award-winning BBC Horrible Histories series will be appearing live (and dead!) on stage in a special show. When William Shakespeare is asked to create the greatest show on earth, he’s already facing a tough challenge (he knows he’s good but is he that good?!) but he’s no idea how much trouble he’ll get from monstrous monarchs like Henry VIII, Queen Victoria and Boudica! Things hot up when Death appears – and now Boudica, Napoleon and Cleopatra all want to take over! Can things get any worse? Of course they can - Loo Man’s in the building too... bristolbeacon.org

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INTERVIEW

A Royal Welcome Ever wondered what it would look like if Cleopatra, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and a whole bunch of storming Vikings attempted to put on a Shakespeare at the Beacon? If your answer was yes, you’re in luck: Horrible Histories – The Concert is on its way to Bristol, celebrating 20 years of Horrible Histories live on stage. And if your answer was ‘hmm... not sure, that sounds like total madness’, then … well, you’d be completely right. India Farnham catches up with Harrie Hayes, star of Horrible Histories and former Bristol local, to discover why this new live show promises to be “the best kind of chaos”

E

lizabeth I is well known for being the Queen of England with blackened, decaying teeth: a product of her obsession with sugar and a signifier of her wealth. But do you know which sugary snacks were her favourite? Well, as she (played by Harrie Hayes) tells viewers in season 11 of Horrible Histories in a gameshow-esque monarch playoff with her old man, Henry VIII, she thoroughly enjoyed gingerbread, and once asked her chefs to make her gingerbread versions of all her courtiers.

This is exactly the kind of delightfully unnecessary, slightly bonkers and often overlooked historical information that CBBC’s BAFTA-winning live-action sketch show Horrible Histories has been delivering to our screens since 2009. It’s the stuff that humanises these iconic historical figures, their silly interests, their disgusting habits, their hilarious failures – the “stuff they don’t teach you at school”, as the theme song promises.

It’s a winning concept. Horrible Histories, based on the bestselling novels of the same name by Terry Deary, is an absolute institution of British children’s TV. Now onto its 11th series, the programme is still one of CBBC’s most popular brands. Never underestimate the force of poo and wee jokes. Deary’s gorgeously grotesque stories have also come alive on stage thanks to the Birmingham Stage Company, who have produced the incredibly successful Horrible Histories live stage shows since 2005.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Horrible Histories Live on Stage and to celebrate such a theatrical milestone, for the very first time, the TV cast and the theatre cast will be joining forces Avengers-style for an allsinging, all-dancing stage production written by the TV series’ writers Ben Ward and Claire Wetton.

The cast of Horrible Histories – The Concert

32 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

Harrie has been part of the TV cast since 2019, and in that time has played countless classic characters such as Anne Boleyn and Marie Antoinette (the latter being one of her favourites, “her whole look is pretty iconic”), as well as appearing in Horrible Science.

With all that experience, doing it live should be a piece of cake?

“Well, a big room full of excited kids who’ll be joining in, singing along and interacting with the show is very different from making TV,” she tells me, mid-rehearsals.

But despite there being theatre-specific challenges to overcome (“rapid costume changes, full choreography and no chance to re-do it if we mess up the lines!”), she’s looking forward to the new element of audience interaction: “The live shows are going to be chaos in the best way with the kids there. I reckon it’s going to feel like a massive Horrible Historiesthemed party. It’s a celebration of the much-loved characters and songs, as well as the loyal fans who are the reason we make it in the first place.”

A royally good laugh For the show, Harrie will be trying her hand at some new roles, but also dusting off the aforementioned sweet-toothed Elizabeth I. Harrie is excited to bring her back: “I love playing Elizabeth I because she is just so childish and bossy, but also funny and silly. I love the costume, I love doing the voice, and I love being annoying, which I think she was a lot of the time.”

Speaking of costume, Elizabeth I had a very strong, erm, look, what with her halo-like auburn hair and painted white skin. I wonder what part of the get-up eases Harrie into character the most?

“For Elizabeth I it’s always the ruff and ‘wings’; they restrict your movement and vision in such a way that you are forced to focus only on what’s in front of you. It all makes me move in a different way than normal and I’ve been told it can be quite intimidating.”

Queen Liz also happens to be one-half of a musical duet that Harrie is particularly looking forward to with King Phillip of Spain, Ruinous Rivals, who originally appeared in series 10 of the show; “Ethan Lawrence and I had so much fun shooting the version for TV and the stage version has all the original rock energy with added oar choreography. ‘Oarography’!

They both loved their ships so we thought it’d be nice to incorporate that.”

Now, I think I’ve kept this fairly chill so far, but I’m actually somewhat of a Horrible Histories stan myself, particularly the early series. I was seven when the TV show first aired, making me pretty much the ideal target market for a toilet joke.

Naturally, I still know all the words to Born 2 Rule, the Westlife-esque power ballad sung by King George

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INTERVIEW

IV, III, I & II in series one, and am very excited about Dick Turpin’s return to the stage, which obviously has absolutely nothing to do with my childhood crush on Matt Baynton, who played him.

For this reason, I was delighted to hear that Harrie will be bringing some true Horrible Histories icons to the stage, who were originally played in the early TV series by some legendary cast members (Stupid Death, originally played by Simon Farnaby and Boudica, originally played

by Martha Howe-Douglas, to name but two). So, I simply had to ask her how much does she use the original actors’ representations of these figures as inspiration for her own interpretation?

“Recreating much loved characters is obviously a bit intimidating,” she tells me. “But as a fan of those earlier series myself,” she continues, “I hope I’ll be channelling some of the brutal tough girl performance Martha brilliantly gave as Boudica. Then with the character of Death, we’ve decided that there’s no topping Simon’s hilarious take, so for the live show his ‘sister’ will be stepping in and she’s just as tickled by people dying in stupid ways, especially if they involve poo...” Well, thank goodness for that.

Harrie is speaking to me with about two months until Horrible Histories – The Concert begins its UKwide tour, beginning in Darlington before heading our way. Rehearsals are very much underway, and Harrie tells me there’s “a lot of laughter” involved with perfecting the show. I ask her if there’s been a priceless blooper moment in rehearsals that she’d like to share with us?

“Absolutely! The place we’re rehearsing has chickens living in a big pen just outside. One day, someone cracked the door open to get some fresh air. When we arrived back in the room, a couple of brazen chickens were strutting their stuff on the dance floor. We’re still working on a way to incorporate them in the show but between you and me, their agents are being very difficult.”

Bizarre Bristol When the tour stops in Bristol (30-31 January) it’ll be something of a homecoming for Harrie, who, like all the best people, lived here for many years and also studied acting at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Where did she like to hang out in the city, I wonder? “I moved around a bit while I lived in Bristol. I started in Redland then Bedminster and Easton. I was a big fan of the Sweet Mart when I lived in Easton. I also spent a lot of time at the Watershed watching indie films. I worked at Papadeli on Alma Road for years and every single thing they cooked or sold there was absolutely delicious.”

To state the obvious, Bristol is of course a deeply historical city, with its past of maritime trade, street art and activism. And some of its history is probably a bit horrible (Colston, that’s you mate). Harrie suggests that the show could probably do a whole Stupid Deaths sketch just about Southmead’s Pen Park Hole cave: “I don’t know what’s going on down there but it sounds like a lot of people met untimely ends inside”.

I ask Harrie if she could bring one of her characters on a day out in Bristol, who would she choose and where would she take them?

Perhaps she’d take Anne Boleyn up to Clifton Observatory, or Boudica to the pub on busy King Street? “What a brilliant idea; let’s take Boudica down to King Street! You know what would be really fun though, taking her up to some of the lovely establishments in Clifton Village, I think she’d ruffle a few feathers. She could take her army up to the Downs for a bit of marching practice and all.”

I can’t help but wonder if fans of both show and series can look forward to any more collaborations between the Horrible Histories stage and screen team? “A one woman show,” Harrie jokes, “Elizabeth I on stage!” Well, lock up your gingerbread courtiers. Liz is coming for ya. n Horrible Histories – The Concert will be at Bristol Beacon from 30-31 January. Tickets are available from bristolbeacon.org Pictured below, Harrie as Queen Elizabeth I, credit Richard Southgate (and left, Harrie out of costume)

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READING

Book shelf

How to Winter by Kari Leibowitz, Bluebird

We’ve chosen some inspirational reads that will ease you into the New Year, nourishing your mind, body and soul

Nobody can change the weather, but Dr. Kari Leibowitz’s groundbreaking How to Winter will help you dramatically shift how you feel about the darkest and coldest of the seasons. Leibowitz is the world’s foremost winter psychology mindset expert, and here she sets out evidence-based strategies to help you learn not only to accept the chillier months, but even to embrace them. gloucesterroadbooks.com

Strong Ground by Brené Brown, Vermilion Brené Brown returns with an urgent call to reimagine the essentials of courageous leadership.

In a time when uncertainty runs deep and bluster, hubris and even cruelty are increasingly framed as acceptable leadership, Brown delivers practical, actionable insights that illuminate the mindsets and skill sets essential to reclaiming focus and driving growth through connection, discipline and accountability. gloucesterroadbooks.com Less by Patrick Grant, William Collins We used to care a lot about our clothes. We’d cherish them, repair them and pass them on. In this passionate and revealing book about loving clothes but despairing of a broken global system Patrick Grant considers the crisis of consumption and quality in fashion, and how we might make ourselves happier by rediscovering the joy of living with fewer, betterquality things. gloucesterroadbooks.com

On Loneliness by Julia Hawkins, The School of Life Press This transformative book examines loneliness through 50 heartfelt interviews and captivating portraits by the talented photographer Julia Hawkins. Hear from a diverse array of individuals whose lives have been shaped by isolation and leave feeling enlightened and consoled that we are not unique in our solitude; it’s the most universal of emotions. bookhausbristol.com 34 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

Finnish Sauna by Lassi A. Liikkanen, MacLehose Press More and more people across Bristol are rediscovering an ancient secret to wellbeing, relaxation and stress relief: the humble sauna.

They’re popping up everywhere! In this practical guide, leading global expert Lassi Liikkanen teaches us how to plan, build and maintain a new sauna, with detail on insulation, panelling, and bench construction, and uses the examples of an indoor electric sauna and an outdoor sauna cabin with a wood-burning heater. bookhausbristol.com

The Life Trilogy Boxset: Signed Edition by Sir David Attenborough, HarperCollins Publishers David Attenborough’s Life Trilogy is a complete introduction to the animals and plants found on Earth.

The three books – published to accompany the classic BBC TV series – are essential reading for anyone interested in the Natural World. The boxset contains special editions of David Attenborough’s three most important books: Life on Earth, Living Planet and The Trials of Life. waterstones.com

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Ma San Auction In Bath

SPECIALISTS IN ORIENTAL WORKS OF ART A set of Chinese Famille Verte Graduated Porcelain Wine Cups, Guangxu Mark and Period (1875-1908).

SOLD £8450 incl. premium

A Chinese Biscuit Qingbai Glazed Porcelain figure of Guanyin, Yuan Dynasty.

SOLD £5200 incl. premium

A Chinese Longquan Celadonglazed Porcelain Vase, Yuhuchunping, 17th Century.

SOLD £9100 incl. premium

A Chinese Jadeite box and cover, Qing Dynasty, early 19th Century.

SOLD £2600 incl. premium

g Offerin tions a lu a v free e visits & hom ccepting a Now ments for n consig re sales! futu

Shen Ming Cun (B.1956).

Beautiful Maiden of the Dong Tribe. Oil on canvas.

SOLD £5460 incl. premium

Over 30 years experience • Competitive commission rates Direct contacts in Hong Kong and China • Sales every month 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED Tel: 01225 318587

www.masanauction.com THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | JANUARY 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 35

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CULTURE

ART and the galleries Emma Talbot: Everything is Energy, Arnolfini, until 8 February Through vast silk painting installations, intimate drawings, sculptural forms (which the artist refers to as ‘intangible beings’) and animation, Emma Talbot creates immersive environments that explore our relationship with nature, technology and one another.

Talbot’s latest body of work captures the pulsating force of the exhibition’s title Everything is Energy, as it gathers and grows, scooping up myths, objects and provocations and creating a container and ‘tool that brings energy home’. Steeped in folklore and mythology her work playfully takes audiences both back and forth in time, embracing ancient civilisations and a future dictated by scientific and technological developments.

arnolfini.org.uk | 16 Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA Image credit: Everything is Energy, 2024, Emma Talbot, courtesy and copyright Emma Talbot Studio

Clifton Arts Club marks anniversary with invitation to new members The Clifton Arts Club is one of the oldest arts clubs in the UK and is celebrating the 120th anniversary of its founding this year.

Although in the early 20th Century it held theatrical performances and poetry readings, the club’s main activity has always been in the visual arts, with annual exhibitions of paintings, drawings, sculpture and ceramics.

A number of prominent local artists including Paule Vézelay, Doris Hatt and Mary Fedden were members in the past. Later in the summer, Clifton Arts Club is planning to hold a special exhibition in Victoria Church, Whiteladies Road, and is hoping that the RWA will mount a small exhibition of the work past members who were academicians. Anyone wishing to join the club would be very welcome.

Visit cliftonarts.org for more information.

Image: Club members painting in the Bristol Drawing Schools in 1914

Cosmos: the Art of Observing Space at Royal West of England Academy, 24 January until 19 April This major exhibition, delivered in partnership with the Royal Astronomical Society, explores humanity’s enduring fascination with the cosmos through an extraordinary blend of historic artefacts and contemporary artworks.

Cosmos brings together works by celebrated artists including Yinka Shonibare RA, Christopher LeBrun RA, Wolfgang Tillmans and RWA Academicians, alongside compelling pieces by established and emerging artists. Visitors will experience a wide range of artistic responses to Space through painting, sculpture, photography, installation and digital media.

Cosmos: the Art of Observing Space offers a unique journey through time, imagination and enquiry – inviting visitors to experience the awe, wonder, and curiosity that the cosmos continues to inspire. rwa.org.uk | Queen’s Road, Clifton, BS8 1PX

36 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

Images (L-R): Cheeky Little Astronomer by Yinka Shonibare; Impossible Landscapes 15-05-25 by Michael Porter

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COLUMN | CHRIS YEO ON ANTIQUES

Expert opinion Our regular columnist Chris Yeo is away but Clevedon Salerooms report on yet another successful specialist sale.

Saleroom Results

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levedon Salerooms Quarterly Fine Art sale on 4 December brought the year to an end in high style.

A small oil on canvas by Charles Goldie (fl.1855-1879) depicting Joan of Arc in profile had been discovered on a routine house visit by Clevedon Saleroom’s Director Mark Huddleston. Dated 1863 and measuring a diminutive 20cm x 14.5cm, what it lacked in size it made up for in detail: the ill-fated Maid of Orleans depicted at the Siege of Trotes, defiantly holding a battle standard with French fleur-de-lis motifs, butterflies hovering, a tented encampment and figures distant. After a fierce bidding battle it laid waste to its estimate, selling for a remarkable £3,800.

In the present market, it is sadly rare to talk of impressive prices amongst so-called ‘brown furniture’, but the sale saw several good results in this often overlooked area. Chief amongst these was George II ‘red walnut’ side table, probably Irish and dating to around 1750. Consigned from Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity collection, and sold in line with their heritage assets policy, it was being offered by Clevedon Salerooms at no selling cost, a benefit we extend to all registered charities. With a Vitruvian scroll frieze

between bead and reel banding and raised on cabriole supports, it was the sort of piece that would look quite at home in a Palladian country house of the period. Bidders clearly saw its potential and a tense tug-of-war online saw the gavel finally fall at £3,200.

This has been another tremendous year for Clevedon Salerooms with some exceptional sale results. Highlights have included a Lucie Rie bowl, which sold for £26,000, the sale of the Studio of esteemed Bristol artist Barrington Tabb, and a record price of £10,000 for an early Mouseman armchair. As we enter 2026, we are looking forward to bringing you more exciting discoveries. ■ clevedonsalerooms.com; @chrisyeo_antiques (Instagram)

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | JANUARY 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 37

FOOD & DRINK JAN 26.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2025 13:00 Page 1

FOOD & DRINK

Less booze, no January blues

Bristol

Words by Tom Bleathman from The Great Wine Co. January is always a challenging month. It’s cold, it’s dark, and the festive season feels long gone, though the last Christmas leftovers still linger at the back of the fridge. As if that weren’t enough, we often pile on extra pressure by setting resolutions, joining a new gym, eating ‘superfoods’, or, dare I say it, even cutting back on alcohol. But here’s a better idea: instead of giving up one of life’s pleasures, wine, why not explore non-alcoholic options or bottles with lower alcohol content? To help you get started, here are a few of my top picks, all with varying levels of alcohol content, all available from The Great Wine Co. this January. greatwine.co.uk Kisumé Sparkling Rosé, Aubert & Mathieu (0%) The exciting duo of Anthony Aubert and Jean Charles Mathieu have been taking the French wine scene by storm over recent years, creating a variety of organic and super sustainable wines, all from the Languedoc-Roussillon region, and all with big bold labels that match their wines. More recently, they released Kisumé, a 0% Sparkling Rosé, and it’s a fantastic option for those not drinking. Made from wine that has been de-alcoholised, this is a lively style of bubbles, packed full of elderflower and raspberry aromas. For £12.20 a bottle, it’s a great first step into the non-alcohol market.

La Spinetta Bricco Quaglia Moscato d’Asti (5.5%) From the rolling hills of Piemonte, La Spinetta have long been a powerhouse producer of the region, creating some of the area’s most iconic wines. Besides creating 15% Barolos, they also produce a couple of stunning Moscato d’Astis.

My favourite is Bricco Quaglia, the glass is filled with rich aromas of peach and honey. The palate is sweet, but the finish is extremely clean and fresh. A great option for someone looking for a low-alcohol wine. £17.75 per bottle.

‘No Lo’ Cantina Puiatti (9.5%) Founded in 1967, Puiatti Winery is a Friulian institution. Spotting the trend for lighter wines, they created ‘No Lo’, a blend of Ribolla Gialla, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc.

Expect peaches, citrus zest and floral notes in a beautifully crafted wine that tastes so good you’ll hardly notice the lower ABV. £13.30 per bottle.

38 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

New waterside restaurant open at SS Great Britain A new all-day dining destination has opened at Brunel’s SS Great Britain on the the city’s harbourside. The Board Walk, operated by Elior, is now serving seasonal ‘Best of Bristol’ specials, with dishes including Bristol cider braised chorizo, beef and Bristol beer pie and grilled squash brushed with spiced Bristol rum glaze.

Also on the menu are charcoal-grilled evening dishes, bar snacks and sharing boards for relaxed dinners with friends. Highlights include Somerset charcuterie, Wookey Hole croquettes and ham hock terrine with Wiltshire apple and cider brandy chutney; freshly cooked breakfasts, light lunches, and homemade cakes; locally roasted coffee from Bristol’s own Wogan’s as well as Wogan coffee tiramisu; a carefully chosen selection of cocktails, local beers from Bristol Brewing Company; and and a wine list featuring curated English and European wines.

Inspired by the ship’s history, the interiors showcase reclaimed wood from the original vessel and framed historical photographs celebrating its legacy, with further artwork to follow.

The Board Walk will also host regular live music nights featuring local musicians, alongside a cocktail hour from 6-7pm Friday and Saturday, showcasing signature and seasonal drinks with two-for-one on selected cocktails. theboardwalkbristol.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK

Caper & Cure team launches new bottleshop Giles Coram and the team behind Caper & Cure and Carmen Street Wine have opened a new bottleshop, which is an extension of the original space and has created 30 more covers.

Carmen Street Wine Bar & Bottleshop now sells bottles to take away and purchase online, as well as pouring wine on site for people wanting to sit in. There’s also a menu of bar snacks, seasonal small plates, charcuterie and cheese available from head chef Matty Grove.

“We will ensure guests continue to feel warmly welcomed while discovering the wines we carefully seek out,” says Coram. “As part of this expansion, we’re now importing directly from wineries, which has been a long-term goal of mine. Currently importing from Alto de Pioz near Madrid and Les Gragnotes near Perpignan, in the new year, we’re excited to broaden our portfolio even further, with our sights set on northern Italy for our next direct import partnership.” caperandcure.co.uk carmenstreetwine.co.uk

Scottish chef creates Burns Night menu for No.4 Clifton Village No. 4 Clifton Village Restaurant & Bar’s resident Scotsman in the kitchen, chef Fraser Toal (pictured) has created a one-off, fivecourse menu inspired by classic Highland dishes (where Fraser cut his teeth in the industry) to celebrate Burns Night on 23 January.

The No.4 Clifton Village team on the bar has worked alongside Fraser to curate hand-picked whisky and wine pairings for each dish, designed to elevate and complement the flavours.

Dishes on the menu include pan-seared scallops, whisky sauce and samphire; neeps and tatties, veggie haggis, turnip and swede purée, and fondant potato; venison loin, pickled forest berry salad, cocoa and bramble jus; and birch and honey panna cotta, fig and honey chutney and pickled apples.

For more information and to book your spot, visit the website no4cliftonvillage.co.uk

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | JANUARY 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 39

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FOOD & DRINK

Food for thought We hope you’re hungry, because Melissa Blease has set out her annual menu of essential food and drink trends you can expect to tuck into and sip on throughout the next 12 months

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FOOD & DRINK

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ash flow, curiosity and the constant search for new sensations: they’re the three driving factors that motivate our choices when shopping for food, planning a dinner party or choosing somewhere to eat out.

But a chorus of unconscious influences generated by marketing agencies, think tanks and multinational enterprises are hard at work behind the scenes to make sure our tastes are continuously evolving; no food retailer, producer or business wants to face stagnation, and a signpost towards the Next Big Thing results in a fresh direction to our Next Big Spend.

So, what have they got in store for us in 2026 – and have we really seen our last bar of Dubai chocolate? Here’s our glimpse into the food world crystal ball...

Plant-based goes back to its roots Data from the most recent YouGov survey on the subject (November 2025) indicates that an estimated 11% of adults in the UK adhere to strictly meat-free lifestyles, while research from Mintel suggests that 38% of the population actively limit their meat intake.

The statistics are largely driven by concerns around animal welfare, personal health, sustainability and rising food costs. But environmental responsibility and food inflation in particular resulted in sales of commercially-produced plant-based food – one of the fastest-selling grocery categories in 2024 – plummeting by a massive 21% in 2025 as shoppers turned away from an increasing abundance of expensive, often ultra-processed meat and dairy ‘alternatives’ and ‘substitutes’ in favour of a back-to-basics approach involving natural meat-free food. Hello again, peas, beans, lentils and nuts! You’re back on our shopping lists as sales of all four are set to soar and our grocery bills come back down to earth.

Freeze your assets… and slow down!

In 2025, sales of ‘revolutionary’ speedy kitchen gadgets – the air fryer, the Crockpot, pizza ovens, tandooris, smokers et al – soared. But on Black Friday 2025, our faithful old friend that is the freezer topped the sales charts. Why? Proper use of the freezer reduces both food waste and grocery shopping bills. Meanwhile, freezing produce and ingredients from fish, meat and bread to herbs, berries, cooked rice, cheese and much more locks in vitamins, minerals, micronutrients… and flavour. And why buy supermarket ready meals when you can batch cook your own, frozen to enjoy at a later date and ready when you are (unless, that is, you spot your ready meal fave raves at a knockdown price, perfect for freezing?).

Working in tandem with the freezer ‘fad’, sales of the sturdy old kitchen workhorse that is the slow cooker soared in autumn 2025 alongside an increased demand for storecupboard soup and casserole staples such as pearl barley, split peas and lentils and ‘forgotten’, realistically-priced cuts of meat including beef skirt, brisket and shin, pork cheeks, oxtail, lamb neck and ham hocks, all of which are perfect for low ‘n’ slow cooking, resulting in silky, flavoursome perfection.

Trends pictured opposite (left to right, top to bottom): premium, infused small-batch vinegars; specialist doughs; restaurants finding ways to fill tables throughout the week; big steak is back; natural plant-based foods; and creative crisp flavours

Five Foodie Fixations for 2026 Creative Crisps: Forget salt and vinegar, cheese and onion and even Prawn Cocktail; super-foodie gourmet crisps will crunch our snacking and even restaurant side dish perceptions up this year, with flavours including Haggis, Oyster, Black Truffle, Beef Tallow, Crab and Tartuflanghe Mustard trending across the UK – at a price: a 125g bag of the Insta-iconic Fried Egg-flavoured crisps from Barcelona manufacturers Torres to enjoy at home will set you back circa £4.95 (if, that is, you can get hold of them) The Carnivores Bite Back: Meat-free mavens should look away now; Big Meat is back on the menu. Tomahawk steaks, Côte de Boeuf, ‘epic’ 3-meat roasts, Chateaubriand and modern, ‘upmarket’ versions of the 1970s carvery offering selections including haunch of venison, 8-hour salt beef, Wagyu short rib and whole suckling pig are kicking mushroom risotto and chestnut Wellington to the kerb in the UK’s hippest restaurants.

Dough Goes Global: In 2025, flavoured butters dominated breadboards everywhere. For 2026, the bread itself bounces back into the spotlight, with fascinating fusion flavours along the lines of Gochujang flatbreads, chimichurri burger buns, caraway and borage baguettes, ‘nduja bagels, balsamic brioche and sumac sourdough fuelling our compulsion for carbs.

Acidic Ascension: While malt, wine and balsamic vinegars aren’t set to trickle off menus any time soon, premium small-batch vinegars will make a big splash in 2026. While you may not fritter your fries with muscat, saffron, Sichuan Baoning, IPA or cucumber fermentations, you’ll spot all of them and more in dressings, drizzles, sauces and even cocktails. Meanwhile, sales of raw, unfiltered, ‘living’ vinegars – valued for their pro- and prebiotic benefits – will dominate the health supplement agenda.

Shopping by Numbers: What Stateside chef, media personality, creative director and content creator (phew!)

Will Coleman started (on TikTok, of course), the Millennials have run with: the 5-4-3-2-1. Say what? Simples! Save cash, simplify meal planning and strike a healthy balance by filling your weekly shopping basket with five types of vegetables, four types of fruit, three protein sources, two kinds of carbohydrates and one ‘treat’.

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FOOD & DRINK

Out and about

…and Five Foodie Fizzleouts for 2026 Dubai Chocolate: Away from Instagram, was it ever really ‘in’? As for Yas Pasta Cake, Stretchy Yoghurt, Wax Candy, Nerd Clusters and Extreme Sours: they tried their hardest to ride and rule viral waves, but all sank without a trace.

The Full English: Calorie-rich, heavy on meat, fat and grease and light on contemporary flavour-trends, the traditional British breakfast fry-up simply can’t compete with Alpine crêpes, Cockles and Laverbread, Crab Benedict, Tamagoyaki Eggs, Dim Sum or fullyladen rotis. But Asian Congee? It’s a wake-up call for sure…

Picky Bits/Picky Tea: Cold sausage rolls, an ancient Babybel and a tub of fridge-cold hummus – what Mumsnet called ‘freedom’, the kidults called ‘a picky tea’ and the Insta in-crowd called #girldinner has been called out for what it is: random bits and bobs of old food on a plate.

According to recent YouGov data (November 2025), 38% of us are eating out “far less often” than we did a year ago, with 63% of those surveyed citing higher prices and static or lower incomes as the main reasons to dine out less frequently than they used to.

Meanwhile, increasing overheads from soaring energy bills to tax and labour hikes coupled with consumer caution have combined to create an imperfect storm for restaurant owners. “While ‘special occasion’ bookings – birthdays, reunions, anniversaries and the like – are around the same as they were this time last year and our weekend and tourist season footfall still remains buoyant, we’ve closed our doors from Monday-Wednesday at the moment as we just can’t afford to stay open,” says one South West independent gastropub owner, who chooses to remain anonymous. But eating out isn’t quite set to become off-trend just yet.

Promotions such as set lunch deals, early dining menus, dedicated on-off themed nights (French/Italian/curry nights, etc) and loyalty schemes are likely to dominate in 2026, while diversity (restaurants hosting regular wine, pudding and cookery clubs; pubs introducing new ‘socialising concepts’ such as movie nights and family-friendly festivals) will subtly shake up perceptions of simply going out for dinner, as will…

The pop-up phenomenon Exciting new styles, flavours and chefs in fun, funky environments at accessible prices: collaborations between hosts and pop-up, one-night-only foodie events from the ‘casual’ (burgers, tacos, etc) to full-on foodie Tasting Menus courtesy of private chefs dominated social media feeds in late 2025 – and the trend isn’t set to pop down anytime soon. n

Haute Dogs: The Philly, the Reuben or the Hollywood? The Korean, the Tex Mex or the Hawaiian? Deconstructed, retro… or caviar-topped, perhaps? Nope, not anymore! We’re giving the gourmet hot dogs that tried but failed to compete with the burger the cold shoulder.

Small Mercies: Tapas? Terrific! Mezze? Marvellous!

Dim Sum? Delicious! But did British food – or indeed, us Brits – ever really adapt to the generally confusing Small Plate format? Our restaurant choices (and our wallets!) will say a big no to small plates in 2026.

Liquid assets set to soar as tide turns on tap water As predicted by, erm, us, in our August 2025 issue, waters combining super-hydration with enriched functionality will be the liquids on everyone’s lips this year. From allegedly health- and lifeenhancing coconut, cactus and birch waters to innovative H20+ tipples blended with collagen, chlorophyll and protein and ‘functional teas’ laden with stress-relieving adaptogens, natural euphorics, mood-boosting minerals and/or vital antioxidants, the tap to a global trend (and multi-million-dollar industry) has been well and truly turned on.

Meanwhile, the concept of meeting up for a couple of drinks continues to undergo a (tee)total transformation as our thirst for alcohol continues to decrease, with roughly 24% of the UK population now totally temperate. Fancy an alcohol-free, functional tea-based mocktail? Cheers!

42 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

A wake up call: is the Full English falling flat on flavour?

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FOOD & DRINK

Recipe: LUCKY LENTILS

BY EVIE HARBURY Lucky lentils (Čočka na kyselo) are gobbled up in the hope of wealth and prosperity for the year ahead – and are said to represent wealth because the individual lentils resemble a huge pile of tiny coins. The more lentils you eat, the more money you’ll have the following year. Served topped with a fried egg, and sometimes with a sausage on the side – though you mustn’t add any chicken or other poultry to the dish, because then it is believed that the luck could fly away from you. I have suggested popping in a bay leaf for flavour, but if you have a sprig of rosemary, thyme or marjoram in your refrigerator drawer that’s crying out to be used, add it in. It will only improve the dish. Do not salt the lentils too early – unless you enjoy mushy lentils.

Ingredients: Serves 4 • 300g (10 1⁄2oz) dried puy lentils • 1 bay leaf • 2 tbsps vinegar (I use white wine vinegar) • 1 large onion, finely chopped • 30g (1oz) unsalted butter • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 1 tbsp plain • (all-purpose) flour

• salt and freshly ground • black pepper

For the fried onions • 1 tbsp vegetable oil • 1 large onion, thinly sliced • 2 tsps (any) sugar Serve with fried eggs and pickled gherkins.

Method 1. Tip the lentils into a sieve and rinse thoroughly under the tap until the water runs clear.

2. Add the rinsed lentils to a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil once, then drain. Return the lentils to the pan and cover again with at least 2 litres (70fl oz) cold water. Add the bay leaf (and any other herbs that might need using up) and bring to the boil. Once boiling, simmer for 20 minutes, then season with salt and 1 tablespoon of the vinegar and simmer for a further 10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, to make the fried onions, heat the oil in a frying pan over a low–medium heat. Add the sliced onion and fry for 8–10 minutes until beginning to soften, then add the sugar and cook for a further 10 minutes to caramelise.

4. Meanwhile, place an additional large saucepan over a medium heat and melt the butter. Add the chopped onion for the lentils and fry for 10 minutes until beginning to brown. Add the garlic and fry for a further minute until fragrant.

5. Stir in the flour and cook for 2–3 minutes to create a smooth golden roux. Gradually add 250ml (9fl oz) of the water from the pot of boiling lentils (leaving the lentils behind for now), stirring constantly as you go to avoid any lumps.

6. When the lentils are cooked and tender, strain them and discard the rest of the water. Remove and discard the bay leaf (and any

other herbs), then add the drained lentils to the roux mixture.

Season with salt, pepper and the rest of the vinegar, and stir to coat and cook for a final 2–3 minutes.

7. Serve the lentils warm, topped with a fried egg and the caramelised onions, with sliced pickled gherkin on the side. Enjoy after midnight on New Year’s Eve and your luck will never end.

About Evie Evie Harbury is a Bohemian-British cookbook author, brought up between the South West and South Bohemia, the Czech Republic.

This recipe is from her first cookbook My Bohemian Kitchen, which is out now.

The book celebrates soulful, seasonal cooking inspired by her Czech heritage. It tells the story of Evie’s childhood summers spent at her granny’s mill and introduces the food and culture to an international audience in a beautiful and modern way.

My Bohemian Kitchen

by Evie Harbury is published

by Murdoch Books, £20, murdochbooks.co.uk evieharbury.com | @evieharbury THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | JANUARY 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 43

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THIS IS BRISTOL | 2026 OUTLOOK

Well hello, 2026!

Woah there, January. We weren’t expecting to see you so soon; 2025 absolutely flew by, didn’t it? And while you city folk were festively frolicking and unwrapping presents in December, we were busy researching the year ahead and consulting some of Bristol’s brightest minds across different sectors, curious to know what 2026 has in store for all of us...

A

round half a million of us live in Bristol (plus hundreds of thousands more if you consider its surrounding communities). Plus millions of people flock here to visit, with numbers expected to rise this year. That’s countless stories unfolding in the city every day, ideas forming, creative pursuits fulfilled, minds learning and jobs done. It’s almost unfathomable.

So when we had a bright idea to put together a 2026 forecast for the city, covering a wide variety of sectors, we knew it would be no easy task. It’s impossible to perfectly predict what will happen in the next 12 months – with exciting new information about things to look forward to being unveiled almost every day – but we’ve given it a ruddy good go across the next four pages, with the help of those in the know. n

CULTURE We know, we know… ‘culture’ is a huge umbrella term. Bristol’s unique culture is truly what sets it apart from other cities, and we’re only chipping away at the tip of the iceberg here. But we’ve enlisted Clare Reddington, CEO of Watershed (pictured left, credit Seb JJ Peters) – probably one of Bristol’s best-known cultural hotspots – to ‘shed’ some light on what to expect from their corner of the city (and beyond).

“January to March at Watershed is always super busy as we hit what is referred to as the ‘Oscar corridor’ and a lot of great films come out,” Clare says. “We are looking forward to Richard Linklater’s beautiful looking Nouvelle Vague, an award-winning performance from Claire Foy in H is for Hawk and Sirāt – a film about a rave in the desert.

“On 23 January we open The Everyworld, a three-month exhibition in our immersive gallery Undershed created by Artist, Writer, and Filmmaker Andrew Kötting and his daughter Eden exploring their collaboration across projection, inflatables, paintings, 3D prints and a VR experience that celebrates the wonders of Eden’s rare neurological syndrome.

“Looking ahead to July we will celebrate 10 years of Cinema Rediscovered – Watershed’s annual festival that brings great films back to the big screen. You can expect a playful strand celebrating

44 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

From property to the arts, what does 2026 have in store for Bristol? (Image by Mikey Harris)

the power of cinema, a deep dive into 70s Hollywood and a marking of Aardman’s 50th anniversary. There are of positive things to look out for – but we also know it’s going to be a tough year – the culture sector has been hit hard by inflation and funding cuts.

We are feeling the pinch and artists and creatives in Bristol are having a really hard time. We will all need to value and support the brilliant creativity in the city if we don’t want to lose it.”

To keep on top of ways you can support the city’s culture this year, make sure you keep picking up your free copy of this magazine each month – which will be crammed with events and things to do, such as our exclusive festival season guide in May. We’re world-renowned for our party spirit here in Bristol, and here’s a taste of the upcoming calendar with some confirmed dates: Bristol Comedy Festival (15-31 January), Slapstick Festival (4-8 February), Bristol Light Festival (19-28 February), Folk Festival (1-3 May), Walk Fest (1-31 May), Good Times Live (20-25 May), Dot to Dot, Love Saves The Day (23-24 May), Festival of Nature (6-14 June), Craft Beer Festival (12-13 June), Bristol Sounds (25-28 June), Forest Live at Westonbirt Arboretum (25-27 June), Pride, Diaspora!, Upfest, Bristol Harbour Festival (July) and Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (7-9 August).

Elsewhere, we can look forward to Brunel’s SS Great Britain opening its £1million redeveloped Dockyard Museum in July as an immersive experience; plus city-wide activities will be confirmed soon to mark the 25th anniversary of Bristol’s sister city relationship with China’s Guangzhou. watershed.co.uk

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THIS IS BRISTOL | 2026 OUTLOOK Dave Bain, Aardman x Bristol mural (credit: Plaster)

BUSINESS, RETAIL AND TOURISM Bristol received a boost for 2026 long before we were all belting out Auld Lang Syne at various New Year’s Eve parties.

It was thanks to our city’s unmatched street art that saw us become the only UK city to be named by Lonely Planet’s prestigious ‘Planet Best in Travel 2026’ destinations last autumn.

“Bristol is renowned for its progressive spirit, creative energy, and strong sense of independence, so it’s only fitting that its streets are alive with vibrant colour and powerful street art,” says Kathryn Davis, CEO of Visit West (pictured above). “Our ever-evolving outdoor gallery draws thousands of visitors from around the world each year, contributing millions of pounds to the local visitor economy.”

We can likely expect a real boost to visitor numbers in 2026 following our inclusion in this list, but there’s plenty for us locals to get stuck into when it comes to goings on in the city centre: “There’s a renewed sense of momentum building across Bristol’s city centre,” Steve Bluff, chief operating officer of Bristol BID (pictured right, credit Ciara Hillyer).

“With the newly unified, expanded Bristol BID now in place, we’re working closely with businesses to make the most of what promises to be a landmark year. From major new openings like Uniqlo, Odeon Luxe and Pop Mart to cult favourites like Insomnia Cookies, the city’s retail and leisure offer continues to diversify and grow. Bristol BID will continue to lead on signature moments that brighten the winter months and bring the city together – from the Bristol Comedy Festival and Bristol Light Festival to crowd-pleasing highlights later in the year, such as Bristol Cocktail Weekend.

“Alongside these city-wide events, Bristol BID will continue to deliver its own year-round programme for businesses and their teams, including workshops, networking and wellbeing events designed to help them connect, learn and thrive. While forthcoming infrastructure improvements will bring changes to travel and traffic in areas like Broadmead and Park Street, we see this as an opportunity to think differently. Expect creative pop-up activations and public-realm interventions designed to maintain footfall, support local businesses and keep the city centre buzzing throughout the transition. With collaboration and creativity at its heart, 2026 is set to be a defining year for Bristol’s city centre – one of ambition, adaptation and collective impact.”

Works continue at Bristol Temple Quarter, with plans to open the new University of Bristol £500 million Enterprise Campus in autumn, along with the £23 million Eastern Entrance to Temple Meads station.

The other huge development project is Brabazon in north Bristol. YTL Developments, which is delivering the project, has appointed leasing agents for it two flagship office buildings at Brabazon: The Interchange and One Brabazon Gateway. Occupiers will enjoy doorstep access to the planned 20,000-capacity YTL Arena and other amenities starting to come online early this year – including Mokoko cafe, padel and pickleball courts, saunas, golf simulators and a new urban food destination. It’s also been confirmed that Waitrose will open its first new flagship supermarket in years at Brabazon – but we’ll have to wait until 2027 for that. bristolbid.co.uk | visitbristol.co.uk

Somnius by Illumaphonium at Bristol Light Festival (credit SHOTAWAY)

SPORT Bristol’s been busily putting itself on the international sporting map, hosting huge games last year – including the Women’s Rugby World Cup matches – and Ashton Gate made headlines again in late 2025 with its inclusion as a host stadium as part of the UK’s (unrivalled, at the time of print) joint bid to host the Women’s World Cup 2035.

If successful, it will be the largest single-sport event ever staged in the UK and the first football World Cup to be played on our turf since 1966.

But looking to the more immediate future, some major sporting events in the pipeline this year include the Red Roses returning to Ashton Gate on 25 April for a Women’s Six Nations Rugby fixture against Wales; And the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will take place at the Seat Unique Stadium (21-27 June) across four matchdays – expect top international teams to be involved, such as the West Indies, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand; the county ground will go on to host a men's Vitality IT20 match between England and India on July 9.

Red Roses with Women’s Rugby World Cup (credit: Rugby World Cup)

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | JANUARY 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 45

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THIS IS BRISTOL | 2026 OUTLOOK

THE ARTS

Exhibition view Mounira Al Solh: A land as big as her skin, installation A Dance with her Myth, Bonnefanten, 2025. Photo by Gert Jan van Rooij

Who doesn’t love a good anniversary, eh? Thankfully there are a bunch of really good ones to look forward to celebrating in 2026.

Three theatres are marking important milestones: Bristol Old Vic turns 260, The Wardrobe Theatre marks a decade in Old Market, and Redgrave Theatre sees in its 60th birthday.

Spike Island will turn 50 – celebrating with a programme of events including Open Studios 50, Spike Print Fair and a Summer Party Fundraiser. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is marking its 80th anniversary, kicking off with a Gala dinner fundraiser event in London on 12 February. And how could we forget Aardman Animations? A 50th birthday is also cause for celebration – namely being marked at a major new exhibition called Cracking Exhibition Gromit: 50 Years of Aardman in Bristol launching at M shed in the summer. Alongside this new exhibition, we can expect, small installations of Aardman ‘treasures’ hidden throughout Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, details of which will be revealed soon.

Arnolfini’s 2026 programme opens with a major new solo exhibition from Mounira Al Solh: A land as big as her skin (28 February to 24 May), which will include her critically-acclaimed Venice Biennale pavilion installation A Dance with her Myth from 2024, taking visitors on a journey through Middle Eastern mythology to contemporary times. Then throughout spring and summer, the gallery will celebrate ambitious new talent in moving image, partnering with Film and Video Umbrella to present FVU New takes (February to October).

British artist Jonathan Baldock will take over the first-floor galleries (27 June to 27 September) with a new commission, channelling his long-held interest in myth and folklore; simultaneously, documentary photographer Polly Braden will explore the effects of coastal poverty in a collaboration with young people from some of the most deprived and often forgotten places across England and Wales in Against the Tide.

Then the autumn exhibition will bring Joy Gregory’s first major survey show to Arnolfini, spanning four decades, that will bring together more than 250 works encompassing photography, film, installation and textile – all of which showcase and celebrate Gregory’s inventive, culturally resonant and materially rich practice exploring identity, history, race, gender and societal ideals of beauty.

Meanwhile Royal West of England Academy is aiming for the stars this year – literally. Starting this month, its major exhibition is Cosmos: The art of observing Space (24 January to 19 April), bringing art and science together celebrating our enduring fascination with space through contemporary and historic artists, featuring an extraordinary range of work inspired by the cosmos.

What’s afoot in the housing market?

(Credit: Larisa Mamonova)

46 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

This will be complemented by an art history course (starting 4 March) called The Truth is Out There: Modern Art & Cosmic Mystery with Dr Justine Hopkins, which will explore how artists respond to science across three evening lectures. Also, SpaceLab will take over the link space (3 February to 22 March) with free interactive exhibits set to ignite curiosity and creativity, inviting children, families and carers to embark on a fun, inclusive journey through the arts and sciences. The RWA is keeping one foot firmly planted on Earth, however thanks to its Elemental exhibition (20 January to 8 March), which brings together the works of four RWA Academicians that trace deep and individual responses to the natural world, such as what it is to be a volcano.

PROPERTY Things are looking up for the residential property market in Bristol, thanks to the Bank of England cutting interest rates – meaning more affordable mortgage repayments for home owners – paired with an expected increase in house prices.

“With the budget now settled, we’re optimistic that a renewed sense of stability and confidence will return to the property market after several challenging years,” explains Robin Engley, Bristol office head for Knight Frank (pictured above). “While buyers have understandably been cautious, genuine demand for high-quality homes in Bristol and the surrounding countryside remains strong – particularly for properties with convenient commuter links and access to excellent schools.

“Looking ahead to 2026, accurate pricing will be key for sellers, especially as the South West continues to grow in popularity among families relocating from London, the South East and abroad.”

In lender Nationwide’s Outlook for 2026, Nationwide’s chief economist Robert Gardner said: “We expect housing market activity to strengthen a little further as affordability improves gradually (as it has been in recent quarters) via income growth outpacing house price growth and a further modest decline in interest rates. We expect annual house price growth to remain broadly in the 2 to 4% range next year.”

At the upper end of the housing market, the government has also confirmed it will introduce a so-called ‘Mansion Tax’ in addition to Council Tax, meaning anyone with a property valued at £2 million or more will pay an annual charge of £2,500 on their home, rising to £7,500 for homes of £5 million or more. (But don’t worry just yet, the new charge won’t be enforced until April 2028.)

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2026 OUTLOOK | THIS IS BRISTOL Top: Bake It! Bristol; bottom, new cycle routes are opening (credit: Raul Cacho Oses)

HOSPITALITY Last year saw some really exciting food and drink businesses open their doors in the city, including Lapin, Ragu, Bake It! Bristol, Six by Nico and Flat Iron – while sad farewells were said to others, such as East Bristol Bakery, Crafty Egg’s Redfield site and The Clifton. There are some big-hitters on the ‘anticipated openings’ list for 2026, including the new Junk Yard dining and event space at Wake The Tiger, opening in spring (details released so far include a stretch tent and pizza oven – and we can expect some music from DJs and other entertainment too.

Also launching in spring is the five-star Hotel Gotham, opening in the historic, listed and marvellously grand Guildhall, which has been closed since 2010. Expect 75 bedrooms, a restaurant, spa and rooftop terrace bar (which is fairly rare in Bristol). Old Market Assembly is celebrating a 10th birthday, kicking proceedings off with a party on 23 January, serving £10 pizzas during that week – hooray! – and showing a special photo exhibition.

And the big question on everyone in the industry’s lips will no doubt be, ‘Will this year see Boxhall actually open?’. The council spent £1.4 million on removing the abandoned Ebenhaezer barge that was moored next to the development at Welsh Back – which was said to be negatively impacting its progress – and it’s been reported that the barge has since been sold for scrap.

Surely this means an opening date might be in sight soon? We’ll continue to watch this space…

TRAVEL

Food at Lapin (credit: Ed Schofield)

Trains at Temple Meads, which is seeing huge regeneration (credit: Winston Tjia)

Things haven’t been plain sailing on Bristol’s roads recently, and we’re sure motorists will be warily watching the news in case the potential Clean Air Zone charge increase comes into force, which could see the daily charge rise to as much as £14. Meanwhile, East Bristol’s Liveable Neighbourhood scheme continues to receive mixed reviews from local residents – with some physical bollards due to be removed and replaced with enforcement cameras to improve access for emergency services – amid the council moving forward with consultations to bring a similar scheme to south Bristol.

There’s better news when it comes to the city’s railways.

Work at the new North Filton train station – forming part of the new Brabazon development – is underway and anther new station at Henbury is also planned. Both stations will be along the Henbury Line, and have seen huge investment from West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, with contributions from South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council, and GWR, with Network Rail as a key partner. It’s thought that North Filton could open as early as autumn this year.

For cyclists, a section the Concorde Way cycle path that’s been closed since 2021 is set to reopen in Lockleaze in spring; and New Greenway, which is a new cycle path connecting Thornbury to an existing route north of the city, should open this year.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, also recently announced £12 million more for active travel in the region: “We know that active travel is good for our health and good for our planet, so being empowered to make those choices easier remains important.

“That means more money for improving walking, wheeling, and cycling routes across the West, with £12 million over the next four years to invest in things like School Streets. It adds to the record transport funding that we secured from the government in the Spending Review, which will see better buses, more trains, and mass transit plans, and the three-year [£42 million] Bus Grant.”

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | JANUARY 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 47

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THIS IS BRISTOL

Bristol at work LOCAL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATION UPDATES

Credit: Alastair Brookes - KoLAB Studios

Bristol Old Vic welcomes new associate artistic director The Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme (RYTDS) has named the first three theatre-makers set to benefit from its trailblazing Fair Play Associate Artistic Director Residency scheme, one of whom will be resident at Bristol Old Vic. The unique initiative offers mid-career directors or theatre makers who identify as working class or from a low socioeconomic background the opportunity to progress to artistic leadership via paid training roles.

Rikki Henry (pictured below), who will spend 18 months contributing to the strategic planning and delivery of Bristol Old Vic’s artistic programme, is a creative technologist who won the Nestroy Award for Best Federal State Performance for a production of Hamlet in Austria in 2020. He worked as an associate director at HOME in Manchester, as a recipient of the BBC Performing Arts Fellowship in 2015. In the same year he was recognised by the Genesis Future Directors Award. He will have the opportunity to direct a mid-scale production as part of his role at the theatre, developing his craft as a director while learning about the role of an artistic or creative director in cultural leadership.

Fair Play Associate Artistic Director Residency is supported using public funding by Arts Council England. bristololdvic.org.uk

RWA appoints all-female executive leadership team The Royal West of England Academy (RWA) has announced an important milestone, with the formation of an all-female executive leadership team, guided by director Ren Renwick. This ‘landmark moment’ has been cemented by the appointment of Caroline Booth Morris as the RWA’s new head of development.

“The RWA was founded by a visionary woman [Ellen Sharples] who believed in the power and importance of art,” says Renwick. “It feels entirely fitting that, nearly 200 years later, our executive team reflects those same values of equality and determination. With Caroline joining us, we are energised and ambitious for what’s next for the RWA. This team is ready to champion our artists and drive meaningful engagement for all our audiences.”

Caroline joins from Bristol Museums, where she served as co-development manager for seven years. rwa.org.uk

New creative hologram studios open in Long Ashton Holotronica, a local specialist in holographic effects, has openedf its new studios at Church House in the village of Long Ashton. The beautifully restored stone building, originally constructed in 1907, will serve as both a large revitalised event space and as a creative hub, with office/studios available to rent on the lower ground floor.

The new facility includes a large hall and stage designed for showcasing Holotronica’s award-winning Hologauze® products, as well as a dedicated research and development studio for their groundbreaking holographic FX systems. holotronica.com

48 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

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THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | JANUARY 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 49

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SCHOOLS

Education matters NEWS FROM THE CITY’S LEARNERS AND LEADERS

Sidcot School and ELAN mark award-winning partnership Sidcot School and the ELAN multi-academy trust celebrated their partnership work recently in a sparkling awards ceremony at the Pearson National Teaching Awards in London.

Hosted by Gabby Roslin, the event highlighted the achievements and transformative impact of educators. Sidcot School and ELAN were awarded a Silver award in the School Partnership of the Year category.

Fittingly, Sidcot School welcomed nine of the ELAN primary schools back in to its school following the award win to celebrate the work of around 300 students from nine schools across the Weston-super-Mare region in this year’s iteration of its longstanding Art partnership.

Commenting, Jo Egan, head of art at Sidcot says: “Inspired by the rich traditions of ancient Central America, this year’s collaborative schools exhibition is entitled Central American Animal Ceramics. Pots, bowls and sculptural forms were decorated with vibrant animal imagery, each creature chosen not only for its beauty but also for its symbolic meaning. Jaguars, birds, monkeys and reptiles all carried cultural significance, representing strength, intelligence, protection or connection to the natural world.

“Drawing on these traditions, students explored terracotta clay and traditional slip-decoration techniques, working with processes that have been used for thousands of years. They studied ancient functional ceramics – vessels made for carrying water, storing food or holding offerings – and discovered how artists embedded identity, belief and daily life into every surface.

The pieces now exhibited in the Sidcot Art Studios were created by students from Years 3-6, who designed their own symbolic animals, considered how form and function work together, and experimented with shape, texture and pattern to bring their ideas to life. sidcot.org.uk

50 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

Preparing for GCSE & A-Level Success: Making the Most of Mocks For many students, GCSEs and A-Levels can feel like a mountain to climb – but with the right preparation, that mountain becomes much more manageable.

Mocks are more than just practice; they’re an early insight into where strengths lie and where support is needed. Rather than seeing them as something to fear, Rachael Tan from Bristol Tutors encourages students to see them as a helpful part of preparation for the real exams. “Mock exams give students valuable, realistic practice that can build confidence, clarify expectations and highlight their strengths as well as areas for growth.”

Successful exam preparation begins months before the final papers. Creating a consistent study routine, revising in small, focused blocks and revisiting topics regularly all help to build long-term memory. Students should use school resources, past papers and revision guides – but also pay attention to wellbeing. Good sleep, regular screen-free breaks and healthy habits make revision far more effective.

When mock results arrive, the most important thing is not to panic. “A disappointing mock result isn’t a failure at all,” says Rachael. “It’s just a great opportunity to find where your weaknesses are and work on them before the real exams.”

With the right mindset and support, students can turn insights from mocks into real progress and approach exam season with confidence.

For anyone who would like additional support with exam preparation, Bristol Tutors can help with both subjectbased and study skills support, including offering tailored support for SEND. You can get in touch via bristoltutors.co.uk, email info@bristoltutors.co.uk or call 0117 463 0523.

We The Curious announces 25,000 free visits for local kids We The Curious has launched Future Sparks: A new initiative to welcome 25,000 children throughout Bristol from primary and secondary schools in BS1-16 – including alternative provisions and SEND schools – through its doors for free by 2030, helping to make science for everyone.

The free visits programme will include entry, a thrilling live science and/or planetarium show, as well as transport to and from the venue, and will primarily focus on schools which have 40% or more students on free school meals.

The Future Sparks initiative has already had a boost to pilot the programme with the help of founding partner The John James Bristol Foundation, which has generously donated £150,000 to enable 6,600 primary school children to visit. wethecurious.org

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www.thebristolmag.co.uk 52 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

IT’S THE NEWSLE TTER

YOU’LL ENJOY READIN G

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HEALTH & WELLBEING: FIND YOUR FIX IN ‘26

Mind, body & soul MOT Who needs New Year’s resolutions? We’re all about championing holistic, lasting changes that genuinely improve your life for the long term. January brings with it the opportunity to move forward with a fresh mindset, and these fantastic local businesses are here to help you find your lasting fix in 2026...

Polly Turnill Fitness Polly Turnill Fitness mainly works with men and women who are older and generally quite active, but know they need to be doing more focussed strength work in order to keep as strong and flexible as possible, for as long as possible!

“I am much more confident around issues of balance; I never hesitate to go for a long walk or a long cycle ride because I know I am now capable of it,” says 74-year-old Colin. “Training in small groups in a safe environment with others in a similar position, is really motivating!” adds Tina, 64 years old.

In celebration of being one whole year at the new studio on Kellaway Avenue, the team will be opening up two new groups in the new year and offering a FREE trial for anyone who would like to give it a go!

Randox Health Start the year with a commitment to your wellbeing at Randox Health Bristol. The state-of-the-art clinic offers comprehensive health testing designed to give you clarity, confidence, and a personalised plan for a healthier year. Whether you’re focused on prevention, early detection, or optimising your everyday health, the Randox advanced in-clinic and at-home tests make it easier than ever to take control.

Make 2026 your healthiest year yet and enjoy 12% off your in-clinic health test using the code BRISTOL12. Start strong, stay informed, and invest in the healthiest version of you. randoxhealth.com

For more info visit pollyturnillfitness.com, email info@pollyturnillfitness.com or call 07954381845

Bristol Float Centre Imagine stepping into a warm, soundproof pool in a private room and leaving the stress and pressure of the world at the door. Start your float journey now by discovering Bristol Float Centre’s three unique float spaces.

You're one step closer to relaxation at Bristol's at award winning destination. Epsom Salt creates a weightless experience, allowing your muscles to relax completely. The silence (or gentle music on request) helps you to relax deeply. Most people experience deep relaxation and a renewed sense of well-being. Expect to emerge from your float feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Experience the power of floatation therapy, recharge and calm your mind. Contact the friendly team to find out more and to book. floatbristol.co.uk

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HEALTH & WELLBEING: FIND YOUR FIX IN ‘26

Alma Physiotherapy

The Eye Unit at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital The Eye Unit is a private clinic offering exceptional care with a focus on advanced cataract surgery, eyelid surgery, retina and general ophthalmology. The team of experienced ophthalmologists utilises the latest technology to provide precise and effective treatments. A patient-centred approach ensures personalised care tailored to your specific needs.

Founding Surgeon Mr Adam Ross is a Consultant Ophthalmologist with more than 20 years of experience, specialising in cataract and lens surgery, retina, uveitis and general ophthalmology. He has led the retinal service at Bristol Eye Hospital and been active in clinical research.

Miss Gemma Manasseh is a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Oculoplastic surgeon with more than 17 years of training across London, Bristol, Bath and Cheltenham, including two fellowships in cataract and oculoplastic surgery.

Miss Rachel Healy is a highly experienced Consultant Ophthalmologist with more than 15 years in the field, specialising in glaucoma, cataract surgery, and general ophthalmology. She is the Glaucoma Lead at the Bristol Eye Hospital, where she provides expert, evidence-based care tailored to individual patient needs.

Did you know stress, foot strength and balance all influence your pelvic floor? Alma Physiotherapy in Redland takes a whole-body, research-led approach, and listens. Its award-winning clinic is one of the few in the UK where all musculoskeletal physiotherapists are dual-trained in sports and pelvic health.

Pelvic floor problems are very common: 70% of athletes leak, and one in three women experience pelvic floor issues in their lifetime through hormonal changes or times of stress. The clinic also successfully treats diastasis recti and offers pre- and post-surgical support for hernia surgery or hysterectomies. The team combines research-backed physiotherapy with inhouse Pilates, yoga, massage, scar therapy, trauma support, nutrition, reflexology and acupuncture; so your recovery is complete and practical for your goals.

Internal examinations are always optional, and informed consent is central to client care. Book a free 10-minute discovery call online for pelvic, breast or abdominal physiotherapy. Gift vouchers are available. £160 for Mummy MOT postnatal check, plus one add-on service of your choice (such as massage, yoga or trauma support); £105 for pelvic health; or £75 abdominal physio one-hour session and treatment plan. All major insurers accepted. almaphysiotherapy.co.uk/book-online

theeyeunit.co.uk

Hidden Hearing Hidden Hearing is one of the UK’s leading private hearing care providers, with over 50 years’ experience, and more than 80 high-street hearing centres nationwide. From its new, state-of-the-art premises in the heart of Bristol, Hidden Hearing offers free hearing tests, provides cutting-edge hearing aid solutions and carry out professional ear wax removal.

Hidden Hearing makes its customers a simple promise: the team will help you rediscover the sounds you love in just 60 days, or your money back.

Book an appointment in person at 98 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, BS8 2QY. For more information, either visit hiddenhearing.co.uk or call 01174 545 342.

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HEALTH & WELLBEING: FIND YOUR FIX IN ‘26

CK Dental In a market crowded with dentistry chains, CK Dental emphasises bespoke private dental care that puts the patient at the heart of the practice.

Run by husband-and-wife team Cornelius and Sheryl Krause, the practice is in Clifton, as well as operating in a local private hospital, which is renowned for treating dental phobic patients under general anaesthetic or sedation.

CK Dental offers innovative dental techniques combined with state-of-the-art digital equipment. As well as routine and restorative dentistry, CK Dental provides the full range of cosmetic dentistry procedures, including dental implants. Call or go online to book.

1 West Mall, Clifton, BS8 4BH | 0117 472 1600 ckdental.co.uk | enquiries@ckdental.co.uk

CURA Clinical Consultancy James established CURA 10 years ago and has built a clinic with a forwardthinking approach to physical healthcare, combining 30 years of hands on and diagnostic care with the latest advancements in regenerative (MBST) and diagnostic (REMS) technologies.

Using this combination, he is able to assess and address conditions for which general medicine often has limited or invasive/risky options in a safe non-invasive manner, while still getting a high percentage of tangible, lifechanging results.

Specialising in the management of arthritis, and assessment and management of bone health, James is working with patients from all walks of life, ages and medical histories to facilitate accelerated healing and boosting the body’s natural repair process.

Trym Lodge, 1 Henbury Road, BS9 3HQ | 0117 959 6531 curaclinical.com

CrossFit Henleaze Looking to get fit, strong, and part of a real community?

CrossFit Henleaze, CrossFit Trym and Bristol Nutrition Company combine expert coaching, varied CrossFit classes and nutrition support – suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

The team loves working with beginners, like Gill, who says: “I was quite nervous about joining CrossFit, but I absolutely love it. Such great coaches who take you through every move in every class so your technique is always spot on.”

Whether you’re starting out, wanting to rebuild strength, or chasing new goals – join in, have fun and feel the difference. Please contact Adam at info@crossfithenleaze.co.uk to find out more. crossfithenleaze.co.uk

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HEALTH & WELLBEING: FIND YOUR FIX IN ‘26

Auburn & Onyx Auburn & Onyx owners Danielle and Lucianna, began their journey more than 10 years ago, working together within a leading hair loss and extensions salon.

Fuelled by a shared vision to create something extraordinary, they combined their passion, creativity, and expertise to manifest a salon that blends bespoke, innovative, and effective hair enhancements, with the highest standards of care.

With their combined experience and training to the highest industry standards, they’re proud to provide not only exceptional services but also a nurturing, understanding environment where clients feel supported and empowered to embrace their unique beauty. Auburn & Onyx is more than just a salon – it’s a sanctuary of transformation, compassion and expertise. auburnandonyx.co.uk

Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital brings patient service to a new level. This 30-bed private hospital in Clifton Village has 14 consulting rooms and three fully digital operating theatres, combining leading edge clinical facilities with an outstanding customer experience.

The hospital offers an extensive list of services including orthopaedics, spinal surgery, gynaecology, ophthalmology and weight loss interventions, as well as physiotherapy, a private GP service and rapid access to diagnostics – including X-ray and MRI. It is also the only private hospital in the city offering robotic-arm assisted hip and knee replacements, with greater surgical precision ensuring improved outcomes for our patients. Visit the hospital website for more details. nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol

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Promoted content

Seeing the Difference An Interview with Miss Gemma Manasseh on Blepharoplasty and the Importance of Oculoplastic Expertise

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lepharoplasty - surgery to remove spare skin from the eyelids has become one of the most requested surgical procedures for patients seeking a refreshed and youthful appearance. But when it comes to such a delicate area as the eyes, choosing the right surgeon is critical. At The Eye Unit, patients are guided by expert consultant ophthalmic and oculoplastic surgeon Miss Gemma Manasseh, whose specialist expertise ensures both safety and exceptional results.

We sat down with Miss Manasseh to discuss blepharoplasty, why expertise in oculoplastics matters, and what patients can expect at The Eye Unit.

Miss Manasseh, can you explain what blepharoplasty is and why people choose to undergo this procedure?

The eyelids are unique—they’re not just about appearance but also about protecting the eyes and maintaining proper vision. Oculoplastic surgeons are first fully trained ophthalmologists, meaning we specialise in eye health and surgery before undergoing further training in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids, orbit, and tear ducts.

A plastic surgeon may focus on aesthetics, but an oculoplastic surgeon brings both an aesthetic and functional perspective, ensuring that your eyelids continue to protect and support the health of your eyes after surgery. In short, we understand the anatomy and physiology of the eyes in a way that is critical for safe and natural-looking results.

Many patients may not realise there’s a difference between plastic surgeons and oculoplastic surgeons. Why is it important to consult someone like yourself, with specialist training in oculoplastics?

Over the past decade, glaucoma management has undergone a remarkable transformation. In the past, treatment primarily relied on daily eye drops, with more invasive surgery reserved for advanced cases or when medications failed. Today, we have a broader and more refined set of tools.

Laser treatments, for instance, have advanced significantly. Procedures like selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) are now quick, virtually painless, and highly effective—making them a strong option even as a first-line treatment for many patients.

Beyond lasers, we’ve seen the rise of minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS), which offer a safer, less invasive way to reduce eye pressure. These techniques often come with faster recovery times and can reduce or even eliminate the need for long-term medications.

Emerging innovations such as sustained-release drug delivery systems are an exciting area of ongoing research. These innovations aim to provide long-term pressure control without the daily burden of eye drops, potentially reshaping how we treat glaucoma in the future.

What are the risks of having blepharoplasty performed by someone without oculoplastic expertise?

If eyelid surgery is performed without specialist knowledge, patients risk complications such as impaired eyelid closure, dry eyes, exposure of the cornea, or asymmetry. These issues can affect not only appearance but also vision and eye comfort. In severe cases, it can lead to ulceration and permanent scarring of the eye. At The Eye Unit, our priority is protecting the health of the eyes first, while achieving the natural and elegant cosmetic results patients want.

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What can patients expect when they come to The Eye Unit for a consultation and treatment?

At The Eye Unit, we offer a bespoke and thorough consultation process.

I take the time to understand each patient’s concerns, assess both their eyelid anatomy and eye health, and then recommend the safest and most effective treatment. Many patients are reassured to know that they’re in the hands of a surgeon who is both an ophthalmologist and an oculoplastic specialist.

Our clinic is designed for comfort and discretion, with state-of-theart surgical facilities and a caring team who support patients at every stage of their journey.

What advice would you give to anyone considering blepharoplasty?

I think the shift towards personalised, precision medicine is very exciting.

We’re moving away from a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Soon, genetic testing, advanced imaging, and new drug delivery systems will allow us to treat glaucoma even more effectively and with fewer side effects.

Why Choose The Eye Unit?

Specialist Expertise: Consultant ophthalmic and oculoplastic surgeon-led care.

Patient-Centred Approach: Tailored treatment plans with a focus on safety and natural outcomes.

State-of-the-Art Facilities: A private, discreet, and supportive clinic environment.

If you are considering blepharoplasty, book a consultation with Miss Gemma Manasseh at The Eye Unit today. Your eyes deserve the care of a true specialist. Visit: theeyeunit.co.uk or call 0117 369 1179 Available for consultations @ Nuffield Bristol.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

A view over the Sharpham Estate (credit: The Sharpham Trust/Ern Stock), and inset, meditation outdoors on a Coach House nature-mindfulness retreat at The Sharpham Trust (credit: The Sharpham Trust)

Seize the moment Struggling to clear your mind and plug into the present moment?

Our friends at The Sharpham Trust are here to help, sharing mindfulness tips designed to ease you into the New Year feeling grounded

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ith any change we are wanting to make in our lives or our minds, we need to be careful to not push ourselves too hard or fast, making mindfulness another thing on our to-do list, or yet another thing we can fail at. Start with what feels manageable, and remember to be kind to yourself. Just as in meditation, our minds wander and we gently and lovingly bring our attention back, the same can happen with a mindfulness practice.

If you have a break in your practice, don't throw in the towel. If you haven't practised for a while, know that you can return to it at any moment.

Meditation and nature are so forgiving – they'll welcome you back any time.

Micro-moments of nature mindfulness Giving yourself 60 seconds of calm can shift your nervous system. Next time you’re outside, pause and tune into something natural: the sky’s colour, the texture of a leaf, the breeze over your skin. These mini-rituals remind us that nature is available to us everywhere, and can act as a refuge of grounding and coming back to ourselves.

Integrate mindfulness into what you are already doing Turn your commute into a practice rather than a chore. Zone in instead of out with your cuppa, noticing the steam coming off the cup, the warmth as you drink it. Each time you have a moment between two things, instead of doom scrolling or mentally jumping ahead to your todo list, bring attention to your breath, the sensations in your body or the ambient soundscape around you.

Family-friendly ‘two-minute arrivals’ For parents racing between nursery drop-offs and meetings, a full meditation session may feel impossible. Instead, try a two-minute arrival wherever you land: the car seat, the kitchen, the office chair. Feel your body, take three slow breaths, and name what’s present: tiredness, tension, warmth, relief. This builds emotional regulation in short, effective bursts.

Community-based moments If carving out an hour in your week is possible, meditation with others is a great way to support your mindfulness practice. If you can’t attend one in person and you’re looking for more flexibility there are great online options, including some on The Sharpham Trust website listed below.

Consider joining a retreat Joining a nature-based mindfulness retreat can be a golden opportunity to focus on meditation and mindfulness, a deep dive that can not only help you retreat from the busyness of daily life, but also strengthen the ‘mindfulness muscle’ that you can easily weave into your life post-retreat. n

Mindful meditation on retreat in Sharpham House (credit: The Sharpham Trust)

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Tasha Bassingthwaighte, author of these tips, manages The Barn, one of The Sharpham Trust’s popular meditation retreat venues on the banks of the River Dart in south west Devon. The Sharpham Trust is an internationally-recognised centre for nature-connection based mindfulness retreats and teaching; for more information visit sharphamtrust.org.

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The whole package Let there be no excuse not to treat ourselves in 2026. We deserve it. So, if you’re looking for a good reason to indulge in some ‘you’ time, then Rosanna Spence has the answer. She tried two new packages now available at Thermae Bath Spa, and urges you to do the same…

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ome people get all the rubbish tasks at work. Imagine having to spend time away from your desk to try out two new transformative packages at one of the UK’s most unique spa settings? Luckily, I’m a martyr at heart, so bravely accepted the challenge.

Many of us living the region likely head on an annual or bi-annual pilgrimage to the Thermae Spa to take the waters there, much like our Celtic and Roman ancestors before us, but I can attest to the fact that these two latest spa packages are reasons to visit again ASAP. The stars under the spotlight are the rather exotic-sounding Lava Shells massage and the Thermae Radiance facial. These are the transformative treatments that form the foundation of your time spent at the spa, and each package includes a two-hour spa session (plus treatment time), meaning you can unwind in the Minerva Bath, steam and sauna in the multi-sensory Wellness Suit and enjoy the iconic vista from the Rooftop Pool.

Your towel and robe are included – pro tip: footwear isn’t provided, so bring your own clean flip flops, Crocs or slippers to pad about in, and a water bottle you can re-fill at the drinking fountains because you’ll need to stay extra hydrated if you’re having a treatment – plus you also get to enjoy a cream tea in the Springs Café with a delicious scone, cream and jam, and a choice of Prosecco, tea or coffee.

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Lava Shells (50 minutes) Thermae uses silky smooth glazed ceramic shells, as this style of massage has grown in worldwide popularity in recent years and sourcing the natural tiger clam shells originally used in this treatment has become a concern over its sustainability.

These alternative shells are hollow – their centres filled with warm water and a ‘charger’ mix of magnesium, iron and lavender scent (the ‘lava’) before being expertly worked across the body.

The temperature of the shells can be tweaked to your preference – mine felt a little hot on my skin to begin with, so my therapist Karolina swiftly adjusted the warmth accordingly.

She then continued to gently check in with pressure and temperature throughout the treatment so I was as comfortable as possible while she used the shells and her hands to work my feet, legs, hands, arms, back, neck and shoulders.

The contours of the shells are an ideal ergonomic fit to the human body: the ridge, ‘nose’ and ‘back’ of the shell all have different uses, provide different sensations, and can soothe and work into areas of tension – they’re ideal to apply very targeted pressure and movements in any niggly bits. Typing at a desk for eight hours a day means daily ‘cold war’-esque tension builds between my shoulders, and I could feel it literally melting away under the relieving heat.

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This massage is for anyone looking for a different experience with the benefits of new sensations, and for those who love to use heat to unwind – it’s an essential addition to any sauna and bathing routine.

Thermae Radiance (85 minutes) To call this a facial is – in my opinion – criminally underselling the treatment. What unfolded over the next 85 minutes was nothing short of an otherworldly transformation.

It began with a friendly skin consultation. My therapist Karolina asked about my skin type, of course, but the Thermae approach centres on using keywords to describe how you want to feel and look afterwards.

Rejuvenated? Radiant? Younger, even? I chose ‘hydrated’, because winter has left my skin parched and uneven.

Within minutes, though, Karolina gently dismantled the belief I’d clung to for some time that I had combination-sensitive skin. In reality, I have very dry skin that’s also sensitive. As someone who has kept my routine minimal out of fear of flare-ups, this was liberating. I left with a far clearer understanding of what my skin actually needs.

The treatment itself unfolded in layers: gentle cleansing and toning, followed by two very different masks. The first incorporated LED technology offering a choice of seven types of light, each targeting different concerns, enhanced further by infrared therapy.

Later came a peel-off mask that set while Karolina delivered a spinetingling scalp massage. Between and after these stages were rich oils, serums, moisturisers, and a full facial massage with extra attention to the jawline, where so many of us hold tension.

A hand and arm massage is included, plus some neck and shoulder work thrown in for good measure.

It’s no exaggeration: I looked like a different person in the mirror by the end – my skin’s texture had softened, I was beaming and my usual redness was soothed. Plus I was equipped with advice from Karolina to keep up the good work.

There are several health considerations to review before booking an LED facial. And if you struggle with claustrophobia, this may not be the right fit. Nearly two hours of cocooning between warm towels, eye patches and masks felt deeply comforting to me, but could feel confining to someone else. Don’t let this take away from the sheer luxury, though.

At several points, I realised I had drifted into a hazy waking dream, meaning I had to concentrate to stay alert enough to remember each detail so I could share it here. I suspect many people happily drift off completely. I certainly will next time. n For full details on each spa package, including when they are available, the latest prices, and who the treatments are not suitable for, visit the website thermaebathspa.com or call the friendly bookings team on 01225 331 234. Minimum age 18 years for both packages.

If you would like to:

doing the activities you enjoy for as long as possible • Keep Have fewer and pains • Lift weightsaches but not sure where to start • Feel fitter, stronger and more confident •

And do it in the privacy of a studio gym with other like minded individuals Then small group strength training could be for you!

We run small group training at Polly Turnill Fitness, 22 Kellaway Avenue, Westbury Park, BS6 7XR What others have said about working with us: “Working in a small group, each at our own level, we get plenty of feedback on technique without the intensity of a 1-1…as someone who has never been in a gym before, this experience has totally changed my attitude to exercise!” Jane, 62 yrs “We’re encouraged to work hard and progress; no matter what our level of fitness.”

Nikki, 54yrs To find out more, including how to arrange a free taster session, contact Polly here:

info@pollyturnillfitness.com www.pollyturnillfitness.com | Tel: 07954 381 845 THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | JANUARY 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 65

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The League of Gentlemen The Bristol Downs League is unmatched in British football culture, bringing together its 43 teams in the same place, so everyone’s always playing at home. Simon Horsford heads pitch side to tackle the story behind a unique sporting community – which was even the subject of a special BBC Sounds podcast series – championing the beautiful game in a way like no other

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ootball, more than any other sport, brings people together. It offers a common bond. A sense of belonging. That connection is surely no better illustrated than with the 43 teams of the Bristol Downs League (BDL) where every game is a home game with 21 matches kicking off simultaneously on Saturdays at 2pm on the adjacent Clifton Down and Durdham Down. During the season, it’s quite the spectacle: a riot of bright and varied football shirts (for those of a certain age, it’s like the old Subbuteo teams colour chart come to life) and one that obviously works because the league has been going for more than 120 years.

This is grassroots football in its purest form, with the league affiliated to the Gloucestershire Football Association, but not connected to the “pyramid” (i.e. the Premier down to Tier 11 and the various county divisions). In essence, it’s a standalone league that captures the soul and the community of football. Players of varying degrees of competence and skill turning up on the Downs simply for their love of the game and the camaraderie. With everyone in their local team pub by 4.30pm – what’s not to like?

Heading up there one Saturday, it was quickly apparent as to why the league is so popular, with upwards of 450 players of varying ages giving their all across the four divisions of the league. As Gareth Browning, chairman and a player for one of the teams, Sneyd Park AFC, puts it: “The attraction is the sense of community. Yes, you’ve got your own team and club but outside that there’s a wider sense of family and because everyone is in the same place week in week out, you do get to know the other teams and clubs very well. It’s quite unique in that sense. The games are competitive but there is much friendlier feel to it and ease is a big factor as well.” As I walk up to the Downs another player is unloading some kit from his car. Alex, who plays for Ashley FC Reserves, tells me: “There’s a really good standard of players at varying levels, but you come on a Saturday and don’t take it too seriously. It’s a big community of people and a good spirit and then [after the game] you can head down to Whiteladies Road for a drink.”

1950s Clifton St Vincent's Norman Hardy Cup winners

Ashley FC (red) vs Helios (yellow) All Saints Cup Final 2025

The history boys Sneyd Park, named after the adjacent suburb, is the oldest club in the league, having been formed in 1897, while Clifton St Vincents, closely followed in 1899. They both have a strong presence on the Downs, each with four teams spread across the four divisions, while Saints Old Boys (formed in 1971) actually have five (with two in Division 4, the second of which, Saints Old Boys C, is a run independently of the other four).

With Torpedo AFC (begun in 1966) also boasting four teams and Portland Old Boys (1956) with three teams and others having a couple, it means there are actually 23 separate clubs across the four leagues. Best names surely go to Sporting Turin (who like their Turin-based counterparts, Juventus, play in black and white stripes) and the two-team Sporting Greyhound. The league also welcomed two new teams last year: 66 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

Hazelcare FC, made up of players who work in the local care industry, and Totterdown Hotspur, comprising an enterprising group of 16-yearold friends; by far and away the youngest team up on the Downs.

Elsewhere, capturing the diversity of the city, I learn that originally another of the teams, Easton Cowboys Downs, comprised refugees and asylum seekers from the area, although now the make-up of the team is less exclusive, while the Bengal Tigers also started as mainly comprising players with British Asian heritage.

The odd famous name has graced these pitches too: the future Arsenal and England star defender Eddie Hapgood played for (the now defunct) Union Jack on the Downs in the mid 1920s, while the same team also at one time featured the soon-to-be esteemed Gloucestershire and England

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batsman Wally Hammond (who also had a brief early spell at Bristol Rovers). Speaking of legends, WG Grace once played cricket up on the Downs for Gloucestershire against Surrey in 1870 – it was the only time the county ever played there.

Pitch (im)perfect Spread out over some 440 acres, the Downs, the “green lungs” of the city can, in theory, accommodate 32 pitches of varying slope, unevenness and quality, and dotted among trees and bushes – the pitches are not the best, several players tell me, but serve a purpose. They stretch down towards the Sea Walls overlooking Avon Gorge – these tend to be inferior to those on the other side of Stoke Road, hence they host the division three and four games.

I head past the rather run-down and unloved changing rooms next to the old Durdham Down Water Tower and the popular Downs Cafe as the players begin to arrive. The league hopes to improve the facilities, which are far from satisfactory but any possible improvement comes down to funding. That may be easier said than done as Browning says: “the changing rooms are tired and have been there a long time. We have explored some options for grants through the FA and other roots of funding but it’s a lot of money.”

The difficulty, I learn, is that Downs are run by the Council and the Society of Merchant Venturers [which has been the case since an Act of Parliament in 1861] and they have to agree on anything that’s built on the land. But the Council says ‘it remains committed to the redevelopment and is still exploring funding options’.

Little wonder that teams such as Sneyd Park have an arrangement with the ‘team pub’, the nearby Coach and Horses, and utilise a converted garage at the back; while Clifton St Vincents change in the Kings Arms, Sneyd Park (red) vs Saints Old Boys (yellow) Norman Hardy Cup Final 2025

Drone aerial shot of the pitches

and All Saints use a nearby school; local pubs have also become associated with various teams for the post-match get-together, such as the Beaufort Arms (Portland Old Boys) and Port of Call (Torpedo).

I make for the pokey referees’ room next door to the changing rooms (there are bags of footballs and lots of post-match snacks) and pick up a handy list of which match is taking place on which pitch – it’s quite the logistical feat. The Downs League president Lee Poole, who has been a referee since he was 16 and dates his association to the league to the mid 1990s, sums up the attraction. “It represents everything that is good about Bristol people from all walks of life regardless of class or ethnicity.

“I’ve been through other leagues and did the Dr Martens [league] as it was once known and the Football League for a short period of time, but was always drawn back to the Downs for the camaraderie. Players don’t tend to cause problems with each other because they know they are going to see each other every week, whereas if you are playing in the suburban league you’ll only see each other twice a season.”

That echoes with Richard Sawyer, the BDL referees' secretary. “There’s the occasional team that like to push the boundaries and every league has those players but it’s still played within the spirit of the game, it’s very respectful and that’s the whole point of the teams coming here because there’s a camaraderie – even outside the league they still socialise and drink together.”

And Poole adds that for some of the players, their Dads might have played in the league. “There’s a loyalty about it and players who just want to be a part of something and the amateur nature of it means it’s not about money [the players, in fact, pay to play with the amount varying from club to club – usually around £10 per game]. It’s about playing and being here, so you get honesty and competitiveness.

“I reffed a game [recently], a division two game, and there was a player who came on and he was in his 60s. It was only for a couple of minutes as he’d been running the line [being a linesman].” That, I learn, was Jerry, who has been coming up here for 35 years and is linked with Portland Old Boys.

Home turf

Clifton St Vincents A Team scoring against Hazelcare in a cup match in October

In recognition of the BDL’s achievements both as the largest competitive league outside of London and for its role in providing “men in Bristol with an outlet to keep physically and mentally healthy”, last July it won the Gloucestershire Football Association’s “League of the Year” award.

I wonder then if the league has ever considered a women’s team, particularly in the light of the double success of England at the Euros?

“It’s an issue that has been brought up over the past couple of years,” says Sawyer, “purely for the fact that when it comes to funding from the FA, they are throwing money at it and it would also future-proof the league THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | JANUARY 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 67

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SPORT

Sporting Greyhound FC

if they had a completely separate division up here with, say, five or six women’s teams. We’ve got the pitches, but of course changing rooms would be a different matter and that's the area that needs looking into.”

And as Poole adds, the league “needs to be aware of inclusivity.”

I wander from game to game – it’s a Cup weekend, with teams competing in the league’s Norman Hardy Cup and the All Saints Cup. The scale is immense and at one match, I’m jokingly accused of actually being a scout for Bristol City as I jot down observations in a notepad.

As Browning points out, there is a wide gap between the divisions.

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“The top division is a pretty reasonable standard, you find you get a lot of players who could play to a ‘higher’ level and could be paid to play [in higher leagues] if they wanted, but actually they just like the convenience and they can be in the same place each week.”

I see what he means about the different levels as I watch, among other games, Sneyd Park Reserves record an impressive win against Jersey Rangers First, while Sporting Turin First ease past Old Cliftonians. Crossing the road, I witness a more haphazard and frenetic blend of sliding tackles, wayward passes and, at one game, a neatly taken penalty. Hazelcare stage a comeback to draw 3-3 against Clifton St Vincents A, while the boys of Totterdown Hotspur go down 4-1 to Helios 1st as their young player/manager Olly tells me the lack of physicality is probably the main issue.

It’s approaching 4pm and the players troop off to change and then head to their various pubs. The social secretary of Sneyd Park is planning a drinking game involving numerous bars on Whiteladies Road, which epitomises the togetherness of the team and the league. And as I make my way to back down to the station, I realise it’s that palpable sense of community together with a communal love of the beautiful game that makes this league a bit special.

Home sweet home on the Downs. n bristoldownsleague.co.uk Listen to the podcast series Always At Home: Bristol's Beautiful Game on BBC Sounds (bbc.co.uk/sounds)

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MBST: Supporting the body’s natural cellular repair process MBST in Sport We have several return to play studies underway with some high profile sports teams across professional football and with Bath Rugby.

We’re fairly early on in the seasons in terms of gathering and presenting data at this point, but the results we’re seeing are very exciting in terms of rapid player healing and care for their bodies which are pushed to the limits.

We observing accelerated return to play by significant amounts which is keeping squad availability higher. We anticipate this to have even greater impact on player availability towards the end of the season.

The data will be published at the end of the 25/26 season.

MBST UK is the official regenerative Partner for Bath Rugby and Wrexham FC. Not only is this leading to dramatic increases in the speed of player rehabilitation and return to play, but it’s allowing us to gather data and explore the full ability of this technology

MBST Bone Health: At CURA we have the latest technology in assessing bone density and fragility. Unlike DEXA that uses X-Ray, REMS Scans use ultrasound to precisely assess the thickness of bone and the bone strength/architecture.

It’s an amazing tool to have, especially to safely monitor the progress our patients are making after using MBST to address the deconditioning of bone in Osteoporosis: We’re seeing remarkable results when applying MBST to bone, both after trauma and in Osteoporosis patients.

GETTING ACCURATE INFORMATION: ‘The most important starting point in preventing Osteopenic/Osteoporotic fracture is to accurately understand and track our bone density: REMS scanning can do this because it doesn’t involve X-ray so it’s safe to repeat scans when necessary to monitor the results of action taken.

REMS ultrasound results are immediate ,accurate and are backed by over 100 peer reviewed published studies.

To book your scan call us on 01179596531

Hip and Knee Arthritis: Shirley is a great example of how MBST can transform a patients life. Shirley was diagnosed with a moderate plus right arthritic knee. The pain was debilitating. A constant 6-7/10 pain-wise.

Mornings were stiff and painful and it was bad at night. Her left hip is also arthritic and was causing her pain.

Standing for long periods was a real issue.

We applied MBST to support the recovery of her knee cartilage and lower limb bone damage.

5 months since the end of her treatment Shirley is leading a very different life. Her knee swelling is so much better. She has no pain and where before she would struggle to stand for 45 minutes, she is now able to participate in 45 minute strength and conditioning wellness classes at David Lloyd.

A really great outcome for a lovely patient.

An award-winning innovative treatment for: Osteoarthritis | Back & disc problems | Bone conditions & fractures | Cartilage damage | Ligament, tendon & muscle damage | Sports & accident injuries.

Call our Bristol clinic today : 0117 959 6531 www.curaclinical.com

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WALK

Bath’s buena vista

The highlight of Andrew Swift’s latest walk to welcome in the New Year is a National Trust property with a difference – a landscape garden in the heart of a city

Prior Park overlooking the city

P

rior Park near Bath is a delight to visit at any time of year, but on a crisp winter’s day it has a magic all its own. With the trees now bare, wider prospects are opened up, while mist rises from the lake and drifts of snowdrops line woodland paths.

Prior Park may not be the largest or most monumental of England’s landscape gardens, but none is more spectacularly situated – and none owes its existence to a more extraordinary man.

Ralph Allen, who created Prior Park, was one of the 18th Century’s greatest entrepreneurs. After being appointed postmaster of Bath in 1712, he drew up proposals for a radical overhaul of the postal system and was awarded the franchise for implementing them. He soon made a small fortune which he invested in his next grand project, buying up and developing the quarries on the hills above Bath. They contained some of the finest building stone in the country, but the cost of hauling it any distance over rough roads made it prohibitively expensive. So in 1731 he built a tramway to carry it down to a wharf on the River Avon, and invested in a scheme to make the river navigable downstream to Bristol so that it could be shipped out from there.

The success of this project turned his small fortune into a large one, with which he built himself a mansion set in landscaped grounds overlooking the city. This was no mere vanity project; it was built with stone from his quarries and served as the finest possible advertisement for them. And, to rub the point home, the tramway which carried stone down to the river ran right past it. The tramway is long gone, having been converted to a road after Allen’s death, but Prior Park mansion 74 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

The view down to Bath

survives as a school, while the garden surrounding it has, since being acquired by the National Trust in 1993, been restored to its former glory.

It differs from other landscape gardens not only by being in the heart of a city; it also has no car park, and, while there are buses from the city centre, a far better option is to walk there. The quickest route – up the former tramway – is not that interesting, but there are several other options. The one described here heads up to Prior Park along a deeprutted, long abandoned lane, while the return journey leads through the village of Widcombe, deep in a hidden valley, where some of the oldest buildings in Bath can be found. En route, it also reveals other aspects of Ralph Allen’s legacy, putting his mansion and its garden in context.

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WALK

Palladian Bridge

First things first The best way to get to the starting point is by public transport – either to Bath Spa station or to the nearby bus station – although car parks are also available. However you choose to arrive, head to the back of the railway station and cross a footbridge over the river. Carry straight on across two sets of pedestrian lights and turn left along Widcombe’s main street – Widcombe Parade.

At the end, turn right up Prior Park Road to follow the course of Ralph Allen’s tramway. Allen also built the White Hart Inn, on the corner, and the row of cottages on the right, which housed his workforce.

At the end of the row, turn right uphill for a few metres before turning left along Prior Park Buildings, where a grand Regency terrace looks out over a millstream fed by the Widcombe Brook. At the end, as you rejoin Prior Park Road, look up to your left to see the semi-circular back of Widcombe Crescent looming over the valley.

After passing the garden centre, the orchard on your right indicates that you are already on the edge of the country. Here the brook disappears under the road. Until 1927, the car dealership across the road was a mill whose wheel was powered by the brook.

The building ahead, with a semi-circular bay, was an 18th-century pleasure garden called the Bagatelle. As you carry on across the end of Lyncombe Vale, another 18thcentury building comes into view – a lodge built to guard the tramway, whose course we now leave by turning right up Perrymead.

across the road at the bottom only lead to Prior Park School.

For the gates to the garden, cross and turn left downhill for 100m. Leaflets, information boards and a friendly reception team make a detailed description of what you will find on entering the garden superfluous. Suffice it to say that few landscaped gardens are so photogenic, with its two keynote buildings – the mansion and the Palladian Bridge – appearing and disappearing as you wander its steep and winding paths.

All paths eventually lead down to the newly restored lake and a tea cabin, beyond which a gate opens onto a lane leading to the heart of the old village. High walls and hedges hide grand houses, until you come to the church of St Thomas à Becket, the oldest in Bath, built in the 1490s.

Before turning right along Church Street, divert left for a little way to look through the gates of Widcombe Manor, The old road whose Baroque facade is adorned with fantastic grotesques.

As you head along Church Street, you pass Widcombe Lodge, once home to the novelist Henry Fielding and his sister Sarah, who were friends of Allen. The pair of cottages a little way along on the right date from the 16th Century. Further along, the cottage with a blocked row of windows high above the street is 17th Century.

At the end of Church Street, turn left down Widcombe Hill, passing Widcombe Crescent – the back of which you saw earlier – on your left.

At the bottom, the White Hart – fast approaching its 300th anniversary – is currently being refurbished. Beyond it, though, on Widcombe Parade, is a range of independent shops, pubs and cafes to tempt you to tarry a while as you head back to the starting point. n Prior Park Landscape Garden is only open at weekends until midFebruary from 10am to 4pm, with last admission at 3pm; thereafter it is open daily to 5pm. For more information visit the website nationaltrust.org.uk/prior-park. Although much of the walk is on pavements, the uphill section along the old road is steep and muddy, while the downhill paths at Prior Park are also steep.

Discover more of Andrew Swift’s work at akemanpress.com. All images courtesy of Andrew Swift 16th-century cottages

Cascade at Prior Park

Following the old road This is the old road, abandoned when the tramway was converted to a road after Ralph Allen’s death, and after 200m, as you turn left by the Priory, its condition deteriorates rapidly. Visitors to Bath as far back as the 16th Century complained about the steep, stony roads down into the city. Most have been transformed beyond recognition, but this lane still gives some idea what those early travellers had to contend with, and makes you realise why Ralph Allen needed to build that tramway.

After 450m, you pass under a grotto-like archway across which ran one of the drives on Allen’s estate. A few metres farther on, turn left along a footpath and carry on along a road. After 150m, turn left downhill. The gates you can see

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INTERIORS

Colour theory Each new year brings with it a batch of fresh colour swatches from those in the know, promising palettes that will welcome the hottest new hues into your homes. So, what does 2026 have in store? Will these trends make you green with envy, be a bolt from the blue, or leave you tickled pink?

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INTERIORS Pictured left: Wall: Adventurer in Absolute Matt Emulsion £59 for 2.5L, Fireplace: Sage Green & Door: Hicks’ Blue both in Intelligent Eggshell £82.50 for 2.5L by Little Greene, littlegreene.com. Pictured below: Michelle Ogundehin, image courtesy of Heal’s Bath, heals.com

Cloud Dancer

A

h, colour trends. Love them or loathe them, it’s rare to enter a new year without feeling surrounded with messaging from experts urging you take notice of in vogue shades that you absolutely must welcome through your front door within the next 12 months – only to rinse and repeat come the following January.

Admittedly, we’ve got a soft spot for trends here at The Bristol Magazine, and love sharing some inspiration with our readers each month. That’s because spaces and rooms that we pass the days in at home often each have their own cycle, crying out for a little TLC or a refresh at different times of year. But that doesn’t mean you have to choose one trend and stick to it. To give you a helping hand for the year ahead, we’ve collated a collection of 2026 ‘colours of the year’ from some wonderful brands, to give you a greater selection.

And although there’s definitely a sense of muted calm to many of the hues – some of which even seem in unintentional conversation with others, each offering an antidote to the fast-paced nature of the world beyond your walls – there are some subtly richer, regal options in the mix too.

Master of design Who better to turn to for advice than one of the greats? A member of our team, Joanna Lewis, recently met with Michelle Ogundehin (pictured, right) – Interior Design Masters head judge, former ELLE Decoration editor-in-chief, homes therapist and all-round interiors expert – whose approach to design centres on working to empower healthconscious homemakers to thrive through considered design choices.

“Home isn't just where you live, it's where wellbeing starts,” says Michelle. “Wellbeing is shaped so profoundly by the things that we choose to surround ourselves with.”

The design expert did point out that she doesn’t believe in trends, noting that she sees them more as a marketing ploy to encourage sales: “They're flighty, they're ephemeral, they're in, they're out.”

Instead, she told Joanna that what she really loves is encouraging people to embrace timeless, well-made items that they truly love; legacy pieces that can be handed down to their children.

“I always ask people to think about what really resonates with them, what colours, textures, and finishes. The things you buy should be an expression of what you love.”

We believe it’s possible to strike some balance between the two – using the official colours of 2026’s finest designers to help inform your buying choices that have the potential to become legacy items and timeless décor. And that’s exactly what we’re here to help you master in your own home – we’ve delved into the stories behind many of the 2026 colours, so you don’t have to, and paired them with some items to buy, inspired by similar shades from local retailers, in case you’re not ready to completely redecorate a room just yet.

Thankfully, one of the ‘trends’ we’ve notice across the palettes is that, well, no one’s really sticking to a single trend – which we think Michelle would be extremely pleased with, and which opens up the scope for imaginative decorating projects for the year ahead... n

Let’s get this one out of the way, shall we? Pantone’s Colour of the Year may be one of the most hotly anticipated announcements of the colour wheel each December, with a preChristmas launch that offers a platform for interiors businesses the world over to present their offerings in line with the chosen hue. The past two years saw Peach Fuzz and Mocha Mousse receive mixed reactions, and 2026’s Cloud Dancer has proved even more divisive.

“Similar to a blank canvas, Cloud Dancer signifies our desire for a fresh start. Peeling away layers of outmoded thinking, we open the door to new approaches,” says Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute. “An airy white hue, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer opens up space for creativity, allowing our imagination to drift so that new insights and bold ideas can emerge and take shape.

“At this time of transformation, when we are reimagining our future and our place in the world, Cloud Dancer is a discrete white hue offering a promise of clarity. The cacophony that surrounds us has become overwhelming, making it harder to hear the voices of our inner selves. A conscious statement of simplification, Cloud Dancer enhances our focus, providing release from the distraction of external influences.”

To many, this ‘whisper of calm and peace in a noisy world’ will indeed be welcome serenity. To others, it’s simply an off-white.

Either way – at home you’ll have the choice to go the whole hog and transform spaces into ethereal, relaxing rooms reminiscent of an Ibiza yoga retreat (perhaps not such a great idea if you’ve got young children and pets), or you can invite the clouds in with statement pieces and surfaces that offer contrast to warmer shades. pantone.com

Chawton Open Dresser in Snow, £2,075 from Neptune, neptune.com

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Adventurer

Rhythm of the blues Blues have long been associated with serene interiors, inviting blue skies and calm oceans into our homes – and they’re no longer reserved only for bathroom walls. Dulux has been experimenting with the ‘transformative power of blue’ for 2026, embracing a ‘versatile family of indigoes: a vibrant Free Groove (pictured above, middle); an airy light blue, Mellow Flow (above right); and the meditative dark blue Slow Swing (above left).

“These soulful indigo blues creating a blue colour family that's both calming and space-changing,” Dulux says of its latest choices. “Whether you're planning a living room makeover, home transformation or seeking playful decorating ideas, there's a shade of blue for every room and mood.

“Colour expert insights reveal that blue is more than just a pretty hue. It's a powerful tool in contemporary home decor, offering both aesthetic appeal and psychological benefits. It’s a colour that offers a sense of stability, fluidity and boundlessness – just the panacea we need in today’s hectic world. It’s also, apparently, the world’s favourite colour. The calming properties of blue make it perfect for creating serene, fluid colour schemes that can transform any space.”

Escaping today’s hectic world is certainly a running theme, and we think this family of colours would work well if you want to experiment with colour capping – using varying shades from the same colour family from floor to ceiling (a subtler approach than colour drenching). dulux.co.uk English Rose Traditional Kitchen from Gardiner Haskins, gardinerhaskins.co.uk

Peckish, anyone? Little Greene’s chosen colour is Adventurer, inspired by food, which it describes as: “Regal and reassuring… a timeless plum aubergine paint shade. It works beautifully in bedrooms to create atmosphere and intimacy. Consider related neutrals or pale pink pairings to create a harmonious balance.”

Again, this could pair well with Pantone’s Cloud Dancer to create contrast and break up colour blocks. It’s delicately regal – a muted version of some of the rich, jewel tones that popped up all over the place last year. Positively delicious, and even though Little Greene recommends adorning bedroom spaces with this shade, we think it would look just as at home in hallways (helping to warm up the space and make a feature of oft-forgotten areas) and kitchens (keeping in with the cuisine theme). littlegreene.com

Fitz Claret Honed Marble, from £118.56 /m2, Mandarin Stone, mandarinstone.com

Silhouette Sticking with a hot drinks theme from last year, think of this as an evolution of 2025’s Mocha Mousse offering from Pantone – Benjamin Moore’s Silhouette AF-655 (picutred, left) “weaves rich espresso with refined notes of charcoal… lending style and grace to the Colour Trends 2026 palette of enchanting pales and handsome midtones.”

Silhouette may be the standout colour of the year for Benjamin Moore, reminiscent of a tailored suit and inspired by fashion crafts (and we can’t help noticing that yet again, it would pair rather well with Pantone’s Cloud Dancer for a muted, monochromatic look, much like a shirt for that suit), but it’s part of a wider palette of “ethereally lifted and deeply grounded hues”, with notes of sage, tan, plaster pink, terracotta red and hushed teal in the mix. We love that Silhouette sits at the opposite end of the spectrum to Cloud Dancer, and is likely the most unusual hue in this wider 2026 collection from various design houses, yet it could still hold a conversation with many of the shades. benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk

Set of 4 Michigan Mugs, £15, M&S, marksandspencer.com

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INTERIORS

Grown-up primary palette There’re more warming neutrals on the way from Lick, which, rather than picking out a single colour of the year, has instead released an entire palette that has reimagined primary colours to pick from.

“This edit is about letting go of the rules and rediscovering the joy of play through colour,” says Tash Bradley, Lick’s director of interior design. “Primary colours are our very first introduction to colour as children – they’re the foundations of colour theory, the simplest building blocks of creativity, and the starting point of our lifelong relationship with colour. That’s why revisiting them now with a refined twist feels both nostalgic and exciting.”

Red 06 is a dark wine red with lilac undertones softened by a touch of grey, it wraps spaces in comfort while radiating a quiet, compelling energy; Taupe 03 is a light, subtle taupe inspired by the warm bricks of Ibiza with warm red undertones and a softening drop of grey, bringing a sense of calm; White 06 is a warm, contemporary white with the softest drop of pink; Blue 18 is a cool mid-blue, softened with grey undertones that give it a grounded, steel-like elegance; Blue 03 is a modern, duck-egg blue with gentle green undertones that bring warmth and a sense of connection to nature; Green 18 is mossy green enriched with warm brown and yellow undertones giving it a grounded, earthy depth; Green 05 is a dusky olive green warmed with golden undertones; and Yellow 07 is a mellow, muted ochre, softened with brown and grey undertones, bringing a natural warmth and welcoming energy. lick.com/uk

John Lewis Luxury Deep Pile Pure Wool Rug, Green, £350£850, johnlewis.com; and below, At The Helm Paolo Fabric Accent Chair, Judy, £849, Park Furnishers, parkfurnishers.co.uk

Burlington Arcade We love it when colours exist in the space between two known families. Mylands’ colour of the year Burlington Arcade does just that, ‘sitting between green and blue, the colour's complexity adds to its depth and character. Its deep undertones warm a space, rather than cool it, creating an enveloping richness that feels livedin and deliberate’.

Mylands says it’s inspired by the ‘genteel grandeur of its Central London namesake, the shade carries an instant freshness and an air of provenance, which is ideal for interiors that demand both personality and permanence’. An excellent choice for living rooms, dining spaces and bedrooms.

Dominic Myland, CEO of Mylands, explains: “It’s a colour that feels both reassuringly historic and modern. It embodies Mylands’ vision to bring rich, enduring tones into everyday spaces and offers a sense of comfort and escapism that is appealing in today’s world. Whether introduced in a small area or used for a whole room, it has a transformative effect."

The richly layered teal can be used in both modern and classic décor – excellent news for Bristolians living in period houses that have been renovated, marrying the new and old seamlessly. mylands.com Leitmotiv Table Lamp Binc Enamel, £59, Fig1, fig1.co.uk

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GARDENING

Shape up...

At this time of year, topiary comes into its own, writes Elly West, bringing structure and form to the winter garden when many other plants have died back and lie dormant

I

’ve always been intrigued by the art of topiary, whether formal geometric shapes or more imaginative creations. There’s a hedge in my village that’s shaped like a blobby caterpillar (or possibly some kind of sea dragon?), and the whimsical fun of it has an undeniable appeal that brightens my day when passing. The word topiary comes from the Latin topiarius, meaning ‘ornamental gardener’, and refers to the training of plants by clipping them into defined shapes. Plants used for topiary are generally evergreen, such as yew, box, holly or privet, and are commonly seen for sale as balls, cones, lollipop trees or spirals.

The earliest record of topiary is found in the letters of Pliny the Younger of ancient Rome, who described his lavish Tuscan villa gardens with clipped shrubs and hedges in the forms of animals, figures, ships and obelisks. But it wasn’t until the Renaissance that topiary re-emerged as a major fashion in Europe, in keeping with the time period’s ideal of imposing order on nature. The grand gardens of Italy and France were typically controlled and symmetrical, with parterres, knot gardens and other sculptural topiary forms.

By the 17th Century, topiary was a major status symbol in England as well, seen in the gardens of many country estates. The world’s oldest topiary garden at Levens Hall in Cumbria was designed in 1694. Existing ancient yew trees in churchyards were also made the subjects for topiary, and two enormous peacocks dating back to 1704 can still be seen at St Mary’s Church in Bedfont, near Heathrow.

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During the 18th Century, however, gardens became much more naturalistic, with landscape gardeners such as Capability Brown favouring sweeping lawns, flowing lakes and a much less rigid style. Topiary became unfashionable and satirists of the time mocked those upper-class gardens with clipped peacocks, calling them out as artificial, fussy and overly ornate.

Topiary made a comeback in Victorian times, when structured gardens regained favour, and remains popular today in its many forms. Two lollipop bay trees flanking a doorway has timeless, classic appeal, while clipped balls within a border create punctuation and repetition, but could be part of a looser and more natural planting scheme, contrasting with grasses and flowering perennials. Neat, low-growing evergreen hedges bring order to a garden, separating areas and containing them, for example around a herb or vegetable garden. Classic English gardens are often divided into ‘rooms’ by taller evergreen hedging.

Cloud-pruned trees and shrubs make fantastic ‘statement’ plants, otherwise known as Niwaki and originating in Japan. The idea is to create shapes resembling clouds on multiple branches. Topiary specimen plants can create a focal point at the end of a vista, or lead the eye along an axis, for example with a row of pyramidal shrubs, perhaps in pots, along a path.

If you want to have a go at creating your own topiary, choose an evergreen plant with small, neatly packed leaves. Although box (Buxus sempervirens) has always been a good choice, this topiary stalwart has been ravaged by blight and caterpillars in the last few years, so is no

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GARDENING longer to be recommended unless you’re willing to keep on top of regular spraying and monitoring. Yew is a great alternative, as is Ilex crenata, Ligustrum japonicum, Euonymus japonicus or Lonicera nitida. Sometimes a plant almost chooses its own shape, and just needs some nurturing and encouragement. Balls, cubes and cones are relatively easy to create by shaping the plants as they grow.

Early summer is the best time for pruning, after the risk of late frosts has passed. Use sharp shears and keep standing back to assess the shape, viewing from different angles and removing a bit at a time. A second trim at the end of summer can be carried out for fast-growing plants. Avoid cutting when it’s very hot or during frosts as the leaves may turn brown.

To create a lollipop or standard tree, select a plant with one strong central leader and remove side shoots along the lower stem. Keep the stem straight with a cane until it reaches the desired height, then allow a bushy tuft of foliage to develop at the top. For more complicated shapes, such as animals, you can buy (or make) topiary wire frames. Place the frame over the plant while it is small, then start to prune it once it fills the space. The leaves will eventually hide the frame.

To see topiary on a large scale, local gardens open to visitors include The Newt in Somerset (pictured, left), where the clipped yew trees and neat beech hedging in the Four Seasons gardens are particularly impressive, as well as the carefully trained apples in the Parabola – not strictly topiary as such, but trained into a multitude of sculptural shapes. The National Trust’s Tyntesfield estate has plenty of topiary evergreens, including some beautiful hollies, while Lytes Cary Manor near Somerton (open from mid-Feb) has an Arts and Crafts-inspired garden with clipped hedges, including a peacock, globular domes, angular pillars and softer cloud shapes. n Elly West is a professional garden designer, working in and around the Bristol area | ellyswellies.co.uk

Plant of the month: Yew Although a mature yew tree (Taxus baccata) can reach 20m or more, this evergreen British native responds well to pruning and can easily be kept at a small size, making it a popular choice for topiary and hedging. It has small dark green needles and, unlike many other conifers, regenerates with fresh growth when cut back hard. It also differs from other conifers, which typically have cones, as it has red berry-like fruits, the seeds of which are highly poisonous.

Yew trees are among the oldest living species in Europe, with some trees thought to be over 2,000 years old. They are often found growing in or near churchyards, their evergreen and ancient nature symbolising eternal life. The tree’s toxicity also helped to keep livestock from grazing on churchyards in bygone times. Yew grows well in sun or shade, is tolerant of urban pollution but prefers soil that’s well drained rather than waterlogged. Water new plants regularly, particularly during their first season and in dry summer months.

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | JANUARY 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 83

TO LET — QUEEN SQUARE, BS1

Looking for a beautifully refurbished office that combines historic charm with modern amenities?

49 & 50 Queen Square, Bristol 49 & 50 Queen Square offer self contained Georgian office buildings located in the heart of the city’s finest business district with allocated car parking spaces directly on Queen Square.

With top-tier features like advanced air conditioning, Cat 6 wiring, secure bike storage, and luxury breakout areas, it’s designed for businesses that value comfort and functionality.

49 Queen Square — 2,283 sq ft + 2 car parking spaces 50 Queen Square — 1,909 sq ft + 3 car parking spaces Energy Performance Certificate Rating of B New leases available on flexible and competitive terms.

Only an 8 minute drive from Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station.

Further information can be obtained via the sole agent Burston Cook finola@burstoncook.co.uk Burston Cook January.indd 2

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BRISTOL’S LEADING RETAIL AND LEISURE AGENTS

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A small selection of our deals in 2025

Charlecombe Court, BS9

Let to an independent wealth management firm

Let to an independent salon with a full refit

T North Street, BS3 Premium achieved for a new lease and surrender

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LE The Mall, Clifton Lease assignment to popular Bristol cafe, Burra

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Chandos Road, BS6 Let to an independent award winning salon

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Druid Hill, BS9

Let to Chandos as an intimate tapas bar

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Princess Victoria Street, Clifton

High Street, Thornbury

Whiteladies Road, Clifton

Gloucester Road, BS7

Let to Coffi Lab for our clients at St Mary’s Centre

Let to TAPPS wine bar

2,318 sq ft Let and property fully refurbished

HAPPY TO HELP YOU IN 2026 PLEASE CALL ...

Burston Cook January.indd 3

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BRISTOL & CLIFTON’S PREMIER COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AGENTS Keep up-to-date with our latest news, deals, testimonials and market comment at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk Bramford House, Westfield Park, BS8 TO LET – £23.00 psf 1,521 sq ft (141.3 sq m)

Market Place, Warminster FOR SALE – £325,000 1,680 sq ft (156.07 sq m) Offered for sale is a freehold investment opportunity in Warminster. The property consists of a ground floor retail unit, and two residential units on the first and second floor.

A contemporary office located just off Whiteladies Road. Due to be refurbished to a high standard with 3 onsite car parking spaces.

West Street, Bedminster FOR SALE / TO LET 916 sq ft (85.10 sq m)

Gloucester Road, BS7 FOR SALE – POA Fully let, mixed use investment opportunity on a fantastic retail pitch and popular location on Gloucester Road. Comprising three retail units, three residential flats, a four-bedroom HMO plus MOT/car repair garage with yard.

An excellent opportunity to acquire a new build commercial unit, offering ground floor open plan accommodation in shell condition, ready for own bespoke fit out. Suitable for a variety of uses within Class E.

High Street, Shirehampton TO LET – POA 544 – 3,278 sq ft (50.54 – 304.53 sq m)

Thornbury Industrial Estate, BS35 TO LET – POA 3,493 sq ft (324.5 sq m) A modern industrial unit located on Thornbury Industrial Estate providing large open industrial space at ground floor. There are 4 car parking spaces to the front of the unit plus yard space in front of the loading door.

Offering flexible retail space over ground and first floor in a prime high street with good footfall.

Rear yard available and ample customer parking bays in close proximity.

Waterside Offices, BS8 TO LET – £22 psf 2,375 sq ft (220.64 sq m)

Horseshoe Lane, BS35 TO LET – £17,500 PAX 1,032 sq ft (95.87sq m)

Modern and contemporary offices, providing open plan space with stunning views overlooking the harbourside.

4 car parking spaces and fitted meeting rooms.

A bright and airy ground floor commercial unit with glazed frontage at St Mary’s Shopping Centre in Thornbury. New lease.

Falfield Garage TO LET – POA 0.23 acres (0.09 Hectares

Unity Street, Bristol, BS1 FOR SALE (MAY LET) – POA 362 –2,750 sq ft (33.60 – 255.5 sq m)

An excellent roadside covered forecourt with a purpose-built sales office. There is also a car valet area to the rear of the garage. The forecourt can hold between 30–50 cars/vans dependent upon size.

Julian Cook FRICS

Jayne Rixon MRICS

Burston Cook January.indd 1

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Finola Ingham FRICS

Tom Coyte MRICS

Charlotte Bjoroy BArch

A self contained building. Potential for development/investment/owner occupation. Suitable for a variety of uses - office, medical,or residential (to include a single dwelling house, flats or a non student HMO).

Luke Dodge MRICS

19/12/2025 15:30

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PROPERTY

Why digital presence matters more than ever in property

By Peter Greatorex, Managing Director, Peter Greatorex Unique Homes reflect that same care. The homes we represent deserve more than a basic listing. They deserve to be properly presented, thoughtfully positioned and given the best possible chance of standing out.

That belief is what drove the decision to invest significantly in our website. We wanted it to feel editorial rather than portal-led, to tell stories rather than just list properties, and to showcase lifestyle as much as layout. Every property page is treated as a presentation in its own right, combining professional photography, video and carefully written narrative to help buyers understand not just what a home looks like, but how it feels to live there.

The benefits to clients are tangible. Strong presentation attracts more engaged buyers, generates better quality enquiries and often shortens the time it takes to achieve a sale. In a market where buyers are more selective and more informed, that matters. Good digital marketing does not replace good agent work, but it supports it by creating momentum from the very first interaction.

Peter Greatorex winner of Website of the Year at The Negotiator Awards 2025

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t the end of November, I was genuinely proud to see our website named Best Website of the Year at The Negotiator Awards 2025. Awards are never the reason you do something, but they can be a useful moment to pause and reflect on why you invested the time, energy and resource in the first place.

For me, the answer is simple: in today’s market, a home’s first viewing almost always happens online.

Before a buyer ever books a viewing, they have already formed an opinion. They have scrolled through the photography, read the words used to describe the home, watched the video if there is one, and compared it, consciously or not, with everything else they have seen. That moment matters more than ever, and it is why I have always believed that an agent’s online presence is not about vanity, but about responsibility to the client.

When I founded the business, my aim was to create an agency that felt personal and considered, not corporate or transactional. As the market evolved, it became clear that our digital presence needed to

92 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 | No 254

A strong online presence also builds trust. Sellers want to know that their home will be handled with care and professionalism, and buyers want reassurance that they are dealing with an agency that pays attention to detail. Increasingly, that judgement is made before any conversation takes place.

Winning Website of the Year was recognition of the thought and intention behind that approach, but more importantly, it reinforced why the investment was worthwhile for our clients. The website is not a shop window for us; it is a tool that works hard for every instruction.

As we move into 2026, we are not standing still. There are some exciting developments coming that build on the work we have done this year, and I look forward to sharing more in our next article at the beginning of the new year.

Saville Court, Saville Place, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4EJ 0117 325 2600 | info@petergreatorex.co.uk www.petergreatorex.co.uk

SOLD STC

SOLD STC

Ladye Bay, Clevedon

Lacuna Gardens, Blagdon

West Stoughton, Somerset

OIEO £2,000,000

OIEO £1,075,000

OIEO £875,000

SOLD STC

SOLD STC

SOLD

SOLD STC

SOLD

Shipham, Somerset

Rhodyate, Blagdon

Langford, Somerset

OIEO £1,100,000

OIEO £460,000

OIEO £950,000

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD STC

The General, Bristol

West Stoughton, Somerset

Lacuna Gardens, Blagdon

OIEO £850,000

OIEO £1,350,000

OIEO £935,000

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