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THE
THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK
ISSUE 263 I OCTOBER 2026
THEBRISTOLMAG
MAGAZINE • Psychedelic science • New Penfold exhibition •
• Gothic interiors • DBM Wine School • Lanny •
£4.95 where sold
AND SO MUCH MORE IN THE CITY’S INTELLIGENT GUIDE TO LIVING IN BRISTOL
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IN THIS ISSUE
Contents
72 16 8
5 THINGS TO DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Watch a spooky play, tuck into a food festival, look to the stars
10 MY BRISTOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meet filmmaker, photographer and storyteller Asher Flatt
12 CITY NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . What’s occurring, who’s who and what’s what?
16 LAYERING UP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Menswear from local retailers that will see you into autumn comfortably without sacrificing style
22 TALE AS OLD AS TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We hear from actor Amanda Lawrence who’s starring in a very special West Country folktale: Bea Roberts’ adaptation of Max Porter’s spectral novel Lanny
26 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Adventures to embark on around Bristol and beyond this month with friends and family
30 MUSIC TO YOUR EARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
40 STATE OF THE ART . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The exhibitions that should be on your ‘to visit’ list around the city this month
46 SUBLIME WINE A brand-new wine school is opening in Clifton from the team at DBM Wines
50 A HAUNTING READ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Melissa Blease tucks into a festering feast of horrifying Halloween(ish) food and drink
72 SCHOOL OF THOUGHT We visit the family home in Hotwells that was the birthplace of psychedelic science
76 A/W26 INTERIORS GUIDE Our latest seasonal installment of local experts waiting to help you realise your interior (and garden) dreams
88 NAME THAT PLANT Elly West is on hand to offer support if you’ve ever been left feeling flummoxed learning Latin names
We hear from Mark Wigglesworth, Chief Conductor of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, who are performing at Bristol Beacon this month
36 MYTHICAL CREATURES A special photo essay from Maria Meco offering a glimpse into the otherworldly work of artist Beth Carter Follow us on social media @thebristolmag
For more content and updates find us on: thebristolmag.co.uk
4 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2026 | No 263
On the cover Local artist Penfold is kicking things off at Boardwalk’s new gallery space in Clifton with a brand-new solo exhibition. Read more about Cadence and the new space in our city news and arts listings pages.
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THE
B R ISTO L
MAGAZINE
Contact us
from the
A glimpse of Beth Carter’s studio (p.36, photo by Maria Meco)
EDITOR
W
hat’s your favourite local legend? Our region is brimming with myths, superstitions, monuments, folktales and fables both ancient and not-so-old – from the mysterious Bristol hum heard by some since the 1970s, a crocodile who supposedly lurks in the harbour waters and the Fishponds Beast that (quite literally) gobbles our shame… to the majestic standing stones at Stanton Drew, the legendary rival brother giants Goram and Ghyston who carved the dramatic Avon Gorge (leaving their stubborn footprints in the Blaise Castle Estate while they were at it), and the historic pirates and ghosts that some see wandering our city centre once everyone heads home from the pub. The West Country is steeped in lore and stories rising from the earth, which can be re-invented and elaborated upon as each generation wishes, helping to bring us ever closer to the land on which we live. Folklore holds incredible power to explore some really meaty issues – and we’re all about to witness its force in Lanny, which takes to the stage at the Bristol Old Vic this month. West Country playwright Bea Roberts has adapted Max Porter’s mesmeric novel, and I spoke to one of its stars Amanda Lawrence (Star Wars, Doctor Who, The Importance of Being Earnest at National Theatre) about, among other things, why folklore continues to be such an effective tool with which to delve into human nature. In Lanny, these thematic depths include belonging in community, childhood and our relationship with the place where we live. Her response has stuck with me, saying folktales enable us to “go to more difficult, darker – but also more beautiful and enchanting – places within ourselves and community… that are sometimes more difficult to express in a more domestic, pedestrian way.” Through detaching ourselves from reality, and adding a pinch of mysticism, we can possibly end up closer to healing something deep within. I implore you to buy tickets to Lanny, which is set in the region and gives us another local myth to learn from, and I’ll see you there. We have plenty more spectral side quests to see you into spooky season in this October issue, including 90sinspired whimsical gothic interiors to celebrate the release of Practical Magic 2, artist Beth Carter’s mythical creatures carved by hand, Andrew Swift’s investigation into the origins of Samhain and Melissa Blease’s bloody Halloween-inspired feast. No tricks, all treat.
Rosanna Spence 6 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2026 | No 263
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Email: sales@thebristolmagazine.co.uk The Bristol Magazine is published by MC Publishing Ltd. An independent publisher. Every month, The Bristol Magazine is hand delivered to more than 15,000 homes in selected areas. We also deliver direct to companies and businesses across the city. Additionally, there are many places where we have floor-stands and units for free pick-up:
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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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Image: Acclaimed soprano Elizabeth Watts will be singing with the New Bristol Sinfonia (credit: Marco Borggreve)
5 things to do
Image by John Law
ZEITGEIST
Indulge at a food festival Wells Food Festival is back for its 14th year on 11 October (10.30am-4.30pm, free entry), and is set to be a jam-packed celebration of the region’s rich farming and food heritage. In the Artisan Market, more than 200 producers and street food sellers will be offering creative, culinary delights, with everything from dim sum to traditional Somerset cheddar, washed down with a range of drinks from kombucha to locally distilled gin. Feature areas for 2026 include Big Nath’s Fire Stage, with a BBQ masterclass from founder and chef Nathan Ritchie; Food for Thought, an area dedicated to chewing over some food-related issues; a quintessentially English area called Swan Green (which includes the English Wine Marquee) to relax, meet friends, enjoy street food and soak up live music; free children’s cookery workshops with Little Joe’s Kitchen and plenty more. wellsfoodfestival.co.uk
Listen to classical New Bristol Sinfonia will be playing some top Classical favourites including Dvorak Symphony No 8 at Clifton Cathedral on Saturday 10 October, 7.30pm. The orchestra, which is one of the most prestigious in Bristol, will also perform Brahms’ Tragic Overture and Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss, sung by Elizabeth Watts. The soprano’s voice was described by International Record Review as “one of the most beautiful Britain has produced in a generation”. The concert will be conducted by Andrea Quinn who was music director at the Royal Ballet in Covent Garden and the New York City Ballet at The Lincoln Center. newbristolsinfonia.org.uk
Get spooked! Bristol Film Festival’s inaugural screening at Ashton Court Mansion (20 October, 6.30pm) is a 25th anniversary screening of The Others, the chilling and elegant ghost story starring Nicole Kidman, who was nominated for a BAFTA and a Golden Globe for her star turn as a terrorised mother. It’s an intelligent psychological slow burn that will leave you sleeping with the lights on and the curtains open… bristolfilmfestival.com
Look to the stars Looking for a unique date night or party activity, or just a fun Thursday night with friends? Catch stargazing show The Story of Stars and discover famous constellations, experience the life story of stars, fly into a black hole, and witness the fate of our own Sun at The Planetarium at We The Curious. Or if you want some more in-depth science, check the revamped show Light from Afar, discovering how astronomers capture the light from distant objects with advanced telescopes and investigate how that light is used to calculate the scale of the cosmos and to find alien worlds. 8 & 22 October, multiple screenings per night. wethecurious.org (Photo by Lee Pullen)
Watch a timeless, horrorifying tale When Jonathan Harker goes on a business trip to Transylvania, he thinks it will be a routine real estate deal. But his client is Count Dracula – a man, ruthless in life, who is pitilessly sadistic as a member of the undead. He imprisons Jonathan in his castle, along with his Vampire Brides, and makes no secret of his intention to prey upon the young man's beloved fiancée Mina. Back home in England, under the directorship of the mysterious Professor Van Helsing, a small group prepares to take on this threat, to resist the influence of this most pernicious evil. Shipwrecks and Dreams Productions has gathered a truly exciting cast and crew of South West-based creatives to tell Bram Stoker's timeless horror story Dracula in the beautifully iconic setting of The Mount Without (14-15 October, 7.30pm). It is a re-telling focussing on feminine power, folkloric horror and the fragility of the male ego. shipwrecksanddreams.com Image credit: Jordan Davies (@jgdphotography)
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THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | OCTOBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 9
The City
ist
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MyBristol
Meet filmmaker, photographer and storyteller Asher Flatt I moved to Bristol in 2019 from New Zealand, for the sole purpose of trying to make it in the natural history industry, as the city is known internationally as the Mecca of natural history filmmaking; I love wildlife photography and have always had an eye out for the little critters that live around Bristol, such as foxes, robins, crows, deer. My eye is always attuned to the light conditions around the city as well, so I often carry my camera with me when I’m out walking to capture any composition or bit of light that catches my attention. Ashton Court is an amazing and accessible spot to go for wildlife and landscapes, with birds, squirrels and deer galore for a photographer to practice on. I’ve made it over for sunrise a few times to get some shots of the park’s famous red deer silhouetted against an orange Bristol morning sky. I have a soft spot for robins in particular, as we don’t have them in New Zealand, and they are just so bold and inquisitive. They are a real dream to photograph as they will often let you get quite close without flying away! I must have taken hundreds or thousands of photos of robins and they never get old for me. I’ve been wanting to capture a mass ascent of hot air balloons from the Balloon Fiesta for a number of years, and this year it finally happened, all the conditions came together. I got a few shots I was very happy with of balloons flying over the suspension bridge as well as a mass of hot air balloons ascending over the SS Great Britain down by the Floating Harbour. One of my favourite places to head for a coffee is La Tazza on Whiteladies road, which is run by the loveliest Italian family, and also turns into an amazing wine bar/restaurant in the evening. One B on Cotham Hill is another favourite, they do amazing coffee and excellent pastries. I think there are some amazing green initiatives in Bristol right now, including the floating gardens that are being installed down in the Floating Harbour to try and clean up the waterways and provide habitat for birds, insects and other wildlife. I’d love to see even more green initiatives like this around the city to try and beat back the grey concrete and make Bristol a more beautiful, clean and green place to live. I manage a series of live talks called Wilderness Live that run over the winter months. This series gets speakers from all over the world to share their tales of adventure and exploration and is always an inspiring and motivating way to spend a cold, dark winter evening. We have an incredible lineup of speakers this year, ranging from someone attempting the highest wingsuit jump on record to the first person to cross Saudi Arabia on foot from north to south, and so much else in between. We try to keep the tickets as cheap as possible to make it accessible for everyone, to build a community of outdoor-lovers and adventurers and inspire people to embark on their own adventures. For more information about Wildnerness Live, visit the website at wildernesslive.com, and you can see Asher’s photos and more of his work online at asherflatt.com THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | OCTOBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 11
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CITY NEWS
New £4.5m production fund to boost TV and film production in the region
People encouraged to walk for wellbeing UK charity Hospitality Action’s annual fundraising event, Walk for Wellbeing, returns to Bristol on 25 October (10am at DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol City Centre), bringing together hospitality professionals from across the region in support of wellbeing across the industry. Hosted locally by Bristol Hoteliers Association, participants will undertake a 20km walk. Everyone in the hospitality industry and beyond is invited to lace up their walking shoes and come together for this inclusive charity event, celebrating mental health and wellbeing through raising critical funds required to support individuals and their families in the hospitality sector facing challenging times. Last year alone more than 1,400 participants raised £170,000 for Hospitality Action’s wellbeing and support services. Those unable to attend can ‘Walk It Your Way’ anytime from World Mental Health Day on 10 October to 25 October, providing the flexibility to create a route and distance which best suits them. Whether walking on their own, or with friends, family, colleagues, or pets, participants have the opportunity to connect with their community and the industry in their own way.
A new £4.5 million production fund has been launched by the Mayor of the West of England, aiming to bring more film and TV productions – and bigger ones at that – to the region. Greenlight West represents the biggest boost to production in the region in more than a decade, building on the West of England’s position as the UK’s third largest screen hub of its kind. The investment is forecast to generate £20.7 million in production spend across the region, supporting more than 230 jobs as well as freelancers, local suppliers and the wider screen supply chain. Grants of between £50,000 and £500,000 will be available, depending on the production route, for ambitious and commercially viable screen projects that can demonstrate a meaningful impact locally through production spend, employment, skills development and other benefits. The fund is open to incoming productions filming in the region, productions made or led by regionally based companies, and projects carrying out significant post-production work locally. And, unlike many other incentives available in different parts of the UK, the funding is non-recoupable – something that is expected to give the West of England an even stronger competitive edge as a filming destination. westofengland-ca.gov.uk West of England Combined Authority Mayor Helen Godwin, pictured middle, at the launch of the fund
walkforwellbeing.org
Play The Bluey Way campaign launches with new Bluey mural
Getty Images for BBC Studios
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A new Bluey mural painted by a team of talented local artists has been unveiled in Millennium Square to mark the launch of new campaign Play The Bluey Way from BBC Studios. Taking part in the project were artists Phoebe Tonkin, Tanith Gould, Alice Humphreys, Joe's Murals and Nina Raines, curated and managed by Bristol-based public art producer Art Sync. The five connected towers, which together form a single Bluey mural, have transformed the Square into a colourful celebration of play, creating a unique public installation that families and visitors can enjoy until the end of October. Bluey activities will be also available inside We The Curious for the duration of the campaign. Play The Bluey Way encourages families everywhere to embrace more play, connection and fun in their everyday lives. More info and activities can be found via a dedicated hub on Bluey.tv. wethecurious.org | artsync.uk | bbcstudios.com
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CITY NEWS
Rare floodplain habitat to return to Bitton Naturum, a national provider of biodiversity net gain solutions, has confirmed a major 30-year nature recovery project at Holm Mead in Bitton. Works are set to begin within weeks, following the special biodiversity registration of the site with Natural England in the summer. The 90-acre site sits on the River Avon between Bristol and Bath, and sits alongside seven designated wildlife sites, including two Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Species expected to benefit directly from the restored floodplain and meadow habitats include rare native British species, the lesser horseshoe bat; as well as grass snakes, slow worms, kingfishers, owls and otters. Beavers are also known to be present on this stretch of the river, and Naturum is engaging with a local university to track their presence on site. The company is also set to install interactive information boards along the site’s footpaths to encourage local residents to engage with the wildlife, and record species sightings via QR code. Local schools will also be offered guided educational visits led by Naturum's ecologist team. naturum.co.uk
Bristol Bisons RFC celebrate historic World Cup win Bristol Bisons RFC, the South-West’s first inclusive and queer-friendly rugby team, have made club history by winning the Hoagland Cup at the 2026 Bingham Cup in Brisbane, Australia, for the first time. The victory marks the Bisons’ highest-ever finish at the Bingham Cup improving by two places on their previous tournament result in Rome in 2024. The result came after a hard-fought contest against the Chicago Dragons RFC, with the Bisons eventually defeating Chicago 31–26 after extra time. The Bingham Cup, held earlier this summer, is the International Gay Rugby World Cup, and brings together thousands of players, supporters, and clubs from across the globe in a celebration of rugby, inclusion, and community. For the Bisons, the tournament also marked the club’s first appearance in the Southern Hemisphere. bisonsrfc.co.uk
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CITY NEWS
New gallery space launching with Penfold’s latest show Boardwalk Property Co. is opening its new gallery space with Cadence, the first Bristol solo exhibition from artist Penfold since 2019. Running from 16–31 October, (and a private view on 15 October, 6-9pm) Cadence will be the inaugural exhibition at Boardwalk Gallery, a new gallery just off Whiteladies Road. Bristol-based Penfold (Tim Gresham, pictured) is known for his graphic, abstract work spanning large-scale murals, canvas and sculpture. Cadence brings together a new body of work (which is also gracing our front cover this month!) alongside earlier pieces, revisiting motifs and ideas from when the artist first moved to Bristol 11 years ago. The exhibition explores Penfold’s enduring interest in colour, rhythm, movement and flow, while bringing past and present into conversation through ideas of memory, transition and personal growth. “I don’t know how, but the last 11 years have flown by,” says Penfold. “When I first moved here I was going through a rough time. I’d switched my whole life up and quite spontaneously moved to Bristol. “My artwork was going through loads of changes and I was rediscovering myself personally and artistically. The work I’m showing in this show reflects back on that period in my life.” The gallery forms part of Boardwalk’s new headquarters as the estate agency marks ten years in Bristol, with part of the space dedicated to showcasing work from the city’s artists, photographers and makers. “There’s something really fitting about Cadence being the first show here,” says Tom Lack, Creative Director at Boardwalk. “Tim’s looking back at more than a decade in Bristol, at how his work and life have changed in that time. We’re doing a bit of the same ourselves. “Boardwalk started here ten years ago and a lot has changed since then – the business, the city and the people around us. Opening this new space feels like a moment to look back at where we started, but also at what comes next. Cadence felt like the right story to begin with.” boardwalk.events
Broadcaster Samira Ahmed becomes latest Slapstick Festival patron Author, broadcaster and film aficionado Samira Ahmed (pictured) is the latest celebrity to become a patron of Bristol’s annual festival of classic screen comedy, joining a line-up which already includes Oscars winner Nick Park; the multi-talented Rob Brydon and Michael Palin, Aardman’s newly knighted co-founders Peter Lord and Dave Sproxton and Suzanne Lloyd, granddaughter of the silent movie star Harold Lloyd, among others. Her first appearance at a Slapstick event since accepting the role will be at St George’s Bristol on Sunday 4 October when she opens a trio of back-to-back festival fund-raisers by teasing stories from Graeme Garden about his six decades long comedy career. Both are regular Slapstick Festival participants and Samira was among the first to interview Graeme after the recent death of his fellow Goodie, Bill Oddie. Festival director Chris Daniels says: “Running a festival like ours, combining film, live music and special guests, becomes more expensive year on year due to increased venue hire costs and higher payments for film/TV rights, insurance, specialist kit and so on. This means we’re delighted our patrons are rallying to help us fund-raise for Slapstick 2027 and thrilled, too, for audiences as these will be unique events, repeated nowhere else ever.” Details about the event mentioned above and other diary dates can be found online at slapstick.org.uk 14 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2026 | No 263
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BRISTOL FASHION OCT 256.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2026 15:53 Page 1
FASHION Jules Hand-Stitched. Leather Loafers. £229, allsaints.com.
Street smart
Leather Crossbody. Messenger Bag. £299, allsaints.com.
Neutrals don’t have to be dull and lifeless. This Autumn, our menswear is taking its cues from the cityscape’s softer side: warm stone, weathered brick and muted shades that echo our architecture, with plenty of texture and natural materials. From relaxed tailoring to hard‐wearing layers, these are pieces made for navigating the streets before heading beyond the city limits on a countryside adventure Rusland Padded Gilet. £199, allsaints.com.
Barbour Tomorrow's Archive. Conrad Cable Knit Crew. Neck Wool Jumper. £129, johnlewis.com.
Armani Exchange. AX2651 42mm Round. Bracelet Strap Watch. £169, johnlewis.com.
Tollgate Linen Cotton. Blend Waistcoat. £29.95, seasaltcornwall.com.
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Morpeth Wool-Blend Check. Single-Breasted Overcoat. £350, reiss.com.
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FASHION Helliford Suede. Funnel-Neck Bomber Jacket. £398, reiss.com.
Men’s Cabin Socks. £12.95, seasaltcornwall.com.
Hugo Boss. Cotton Paddy Polo Shirt. £99, johnlewis.com.
Hallantide Straight. Leg Trousers. £69.95. seasaltcornwall.com.
Autograph. Slimfit Trousers. £40, marksandspencer.com.
Nike Air Force 1 07 LV8 Trainers. £109.99, johnlewis.com.
Watchcap Beanie. £45, finisterre.com
Lofty Patterned Crew Neck. Jumper with Wool. £40, marksandspencer.com.
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HEALTH & BEAUTY
beautynotebook
It’s never too early to snap up the best beauty advent calendars that sell out sooner rather than later every year. So, we’ve shared our perfect picks for the countdown to Christmas, which also deliver huge savings on the products waiting behind each door...
SEPHORA £135 (worth £1,025) Sold out four years in a row, this year’s lineup is the biggest ever for Sephora. Filled with 40 handpicked treats and 27 luxury full sizes – we don’t know how they squeezed them all in either. Promising to be one of the most exclusive beauty advent calendars of the year with 10 only-at-Sephora products, discover treats you can’t get anywhere else. Think Sephora Collection, Glow Recipe, Merit Beauty, PHLUR, Tower 28 and more. sephora.co.uk
BOOTS £150 (worth £705.59) Make this December truly magical with the Boots 24 Days of Luxe Beauty Advent Calendar. Bigger, better and more luxurious than ever, the Premium Beauty Advent Calendar is packed with 27 incredible beauty treats from some of the world's most-loved brands. Favourites from Sol De Janeiro, Rituals and Huda Beauty, classics from Clinique, Estee Lauder, NARS and Benefit and exciting beauty treats from Amika, Color Wow and Fenty, plus so many more! Unwrap 19 full-size products, including the Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo & Conditioner, ICONIC London Face Palette, Amika Hydro Rush and the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, alongside an irresistible selection of great sized beauty discoveries. boots.com
SPACE NK £275 (worth £1,200)
JO MALONE £375 (worth £595)
The Space NK 2026 Beauty Advent Calendar is a must-buy. Jam-packed with 35 beauty icons, including 26 full-size favourites from the likes of Augustinus Bader, REFY, Hourglass and more, with no repeated products from 2025. Whether you've been desperate to try the new Medik8 PDRN serum or want to upgrade your makeup bag with must-haves from Charlotte Tilbury, with some doors containing more than one product, every morning in December is guaranteed to feel magical. spacenk.com
Roar into a holiday of charm and cheer with this luxurious trunk – which doubles up as an advent calendar. Seek out a scented surprise each day throughout December. Hidden inside crackers, ornaments and stockings are miniature seasonal favourites – including timeless colognes, candles and bath & body treats – with a 30ml fragrance waiting to be revealed on the 25th. A jubilant present for someone extra-special, or a deserved treat to keep for yourself. jomalone.co.uk
LIZ EARLE £79 (worth £203) THE WHITE COMPANY £195 (worth £336) Consistently five-star reviewed and a sell-out every year, this iconic Advent Calendar returns for 2026. From the front door to the top floor, The White Company has filled this townhouse-inspired calendar with a carefully curated selection of favourites, as well as some new exclusives and even more fullsized products. Inside each of the 25 drawers is a little moment of joy for the day – whether that’s a candle to light or a scented bath and body treat to enjoy. And yes – that’s 25, not 24 (they think Christmas Day deserves a present, too). thewhitecompany.com
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Embark on a luxurious escape for the senses this festive season with the muchcoveted Liz Earle 12-Piece Beauty Advent Calendar (available from John Lewis) featuring the special-edition fragrance Mandarin & Nutmeg and plenty more to discover. Products include the Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, 100ml; Cleanse & Glow Transforming Gel Cleanser, 30ml; Smooth & Glow Exfoliating Tonic, 50ml; Skin Repair Light Cream, 15ml; Instant Boost Skin Tonic, 50ml; Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion, 50ml and much, much more. johnlewis.com
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Terry Cox October. DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2026 15:23 Page 1
More than
experience
Terry Cox
Clifton Village Antiques New stock arriving every week Unique Emerald and Diamond pendant 4ct. Total Diamond weight min 2ct. Average high street price: £6,500 – £7,000 OUR SPECIAL OFFER: £3,450
To celebrate 50 years of business in Clifton, we are offering VERY LARGE DISCOUNTS on our jewellery. Every week until Christmas – look out for one EXTRA SPECIAL OFFER in Terry’s Diamond window Jewellery Design and Commissions • General Repair • Restyling of Jewellery • Valuations Bring us your quote for a for bespoke Diamond ring (any quality) – and we will match or improve on the price. GIA Certificated Diamonds
Vintage Opal and Diamond cluster ring. Opal approx.: 3.5ct. Average high street price: £3,900
Ruby and Diamond three-row cluster. Set in 18ct yellow gold. Average high street price: £2,200
Diamond solitaire ring – approx. 1ct. Good quality and colour . One only. Average high street price: £6,500 – £7,500
Our Price: £2,000
Our Price: £1,450
Our Price: £4,000
Tanzanite and baguette Diamond cluster ring. Very unusual. Tanzanite 9.3ct. Average high street price: £9,500 (minimum)
Waterfall-style ring set with three Diamonds set in yellow gold. Average high street price: £1,950
Emerald cut Aqua (min 3ct.) and Diamond ring Average high street price: £4,500
Our Price: £6,750
Our Price: £1,250
Our Price: £3,200
2 Clifton Arcade, Boyces Avenue, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4AA Tel: 07877 633 030
* All items in stock on day of going to press.
Terry Cox October. DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2026 15:24 Page 2
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Terry Cox - Clifton Village Antiques 2 Clifton Arcade, Boyces Avenue, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4AA Tel: 07877 633 030
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THEATRE
Our neck of the woods
A special story with a West Country twang is coming to Bristol Old Vic this month, with award‐winning playwright Bea Roberts’ adaptation of Max Porter’s spectral novel Lanny stirring something mysterious and ancient from the land. The story centres around an old village not far from Bristol, where Lanny has recently moved with his family to join locals who have resided there for generations. But the village is also home to Dead Papa Toothwort, who has woken from his slumber in the woods and is listening to everything… As rehearsals got underway, we caught up with one of the show’s stars Amanda Lawrence to talk magical realism, our ties to the land we live on and why folk tales allow us to delve even deeper into issues at the heart of human nature and belonging...
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Images: Lanny artwork, left, by Rosanna Morris; and below, Amanda Lawrence photographed by Rii Schroer
Hi Amanda, how familiar were you with Max Porter’s Lanny before joining the production? I wasn’t familiar with it at all, though I did know Max's work. I’d read Grief Is the Thing with Feathers and Shy… but not Lanny. When I mentioned this production to people their faces lit up, with many saying: ‘Oh, that’s one of my favourite books.” I thought, ‘I’ve missed something here!’ I read the script during a workshop exploring the ideas for Bea Roberts, the playwright, and for Nancy Medina [Bristol Old Vic’s Artistic Director and Director of Lanny]. The workshop was thrilling because we were singing folk songs and learning folk rounds, which I love – whether its world folk or British folk – it’s something I’ve been drawn to from a very young age. I’ve lived in Bristol for nearly six years now and I’m from Devon, so it felt really lovely being in the Southwest, singing these songs, and then reading the story, which has a lot of folklore in it. The words that Nancy used in the workshop that made me really excited for the show were ‘magic realism’, exploring how we are so rich in folklore in the Southwest. Everywhere has it; everywhere you go has ancient stories.
The story is rooted in the West Country, and both Bea Roberts and Bristol Old Vic have strong connections to the region. Does that sense of place feel particularly important to the production? Yes, it’s a meeting of peoples. Bea said something the other day that I found very moving. We've changed one of the characters who was possibly from London to make him from Cornwall, and somebody in the room said, “Why have you done that?” And she said, “I want a Southwest hero.” I think that’s a wonderful thing. We need these local stories, and it makes things more accessible to explore maybe difficult or exciting issues, and to find magic in your own life that’s very close to home. There’s warmth and a bigger hug there. →
You’re playing Peggy, among other roles. What can you tell us about her? Peggy is from the village; her family has been there for generations and you get the feeling she is almost of the land. There are layers to her with the land and with belonging to this village, so there's something quite symbolic there with Peggy and what she knows about the stories of the land – the myths, the legends and the folklore. She's connected to this and it’s important to her, and there’s a total belief in it. So that’s exciting, but also, it’s interesting how this can flip when things go wrong. Is she a bit haggy? Is she a witch? Is she weird? This is present in the book and the play, which Bea has beautifully adapted – showing how a community can treasure these stories and people, but how it can flip when things get difficult, and that is reflected in Peggy.
What do you think makes folklore and folk-horror such effective ways of exploring very real things – belonging, community, childhood and our relationship with the places we live? I think we can go to some difficult, darker (and also beautiful and enchanting) places within ourselves and within the community, and we can ask some difficult questions that maybe, if you do that in a more domestic way, can feel a bit too much on the nose, or it's difficult to express sometimes in a more domestic, pedestrian way. Though realistic drama is fantastic, there’s something that happens when you put in the magic realism. I think we can lose touch with ourselves a bit with being very divisive. Sometimes it’s either this or it’s that. It’s A or it’s B. And there’s many more layers which I think you can explore with folktales, magical realism and the language of theatre. You can go into some very dreamlike states, even just by using a song that can shift people into a different way of looking at a situation, yourself, your community… and of what might be missing.
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Do you have any personal relationship with, folk folklore, superstition or mysticism? I’ve always been drawn to it from a very young age with the music. When I was 16, I suddenly got into the band Fairport Convention, for example. I was listening to them and other American folk music. I think we are all capable of feeling magic and the unknown, but often, as we get older, we shut it away, shut it down or get afraid of it. And actually, that is often when very good horror or beautiful tales can open up this feeling and we can try to explore if we’re still open to it. I moved into a new house about six months ago, and a woman opposite me came over the road and said, “This road is wonderful. Apparently, it’s built on ley lines.” And I thought, ‘Really? And I can’t feel that’. But at the same time, this is something that people want. There is more to just living in this terraced house. There’s something special going on between us. I think people need that – even if it’s crowding around Stonehenge and other standing stone circles. We want to hear the stories of our land and learn what else is here.
What do you hope audiences will take away from Lanny? I want them come away feeling that they’ve been under some kind of spell. You know, like when you see a really good piece of art and you come out of the art gallery and you suddenly see buildings in a different way, or moths in a different way, re-looking at the world differently for a while. I’m hoping that audiences come out and feel that there’s been an enchantment, that they’ve been on a journey, and they’ve re-looked at themselves – even for a moment – differently, and it opens up something within them. And maybe contemplate looking at the community and how we react to stories. In Lanny, people suddenly jump to blaming particular individuals in the community. We see that a lot in real life, and of course social media. There are lots of knee-jerk reactions, and this affects younger people and communities especially. Perhaps after Lanny, they’ll slow down and pause, re-looking at what matters. Hopefully, the magic of theatre will stay with them a little longer, because it’s really great when that happens, isn’t it? You walk out feeling something has shifted within you slightly. That is good art. n Lanny is at Bristol Old Vic from 16 October until 7 November. More info and tickets are available from bristololdvic.org Image below: Amanda Lawrence in rehearsals as Peggy (credit: Helen Murray)
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What’s On? The best things to see and do this month
Daredevil bikers will descend onto the sands at Weston-super-Mare for a huge race
Antique, Vintage and Collectables Fair n 4 October, 10am-3.30pm Ashton Court Mansion House, BS41 9JN
Discover fine jewellery, gold and silver, china, militaria, books, prints, paintings, vinyl,vintage clothing and accessories, furniture, watches, toys and lots more. More than 40 stalls all inside Ashton Court Mansion. The café will be serving teas, coffees and cakes. £2.50 entry, under-16s go free. Wilderness Live: Tom Harding n 7 October, 7.30pm 1532 Bristol, BS8 1SJ
Tom Harding will talk about his recent bike packing trip through Mongolia to find and climb some little known and unclimbed mountains. As with all good adventures, things didn’t go to plan and an infectious disease outbreak, a lost ice-axe, and a broken bike turned it into unforgettable trip. It’s also a talk about the local population who constantly amazed the team with the kindness, generosity and ability to keep a Toyota Prius running on the countries appalling roads. Tom will also talk about the alluring world of unclimbed mountain hunting, how teams find them, where there are still ripe pickings and ask what the point is. wildernesslive.com
Celebrating 150 years at the University of Bristol n 10 October, 10am-5pm Clifton and Temple Quarter campuses
Celebrate the University of Bristol’s 150th year and the opening of the new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus. Join throughout the day for a chance to explore historic and brand new buildings in Clifton and Temple Quarter, learn about the Bristolians who built a global university, and get involved with the amazing work that happens at Bristol today, through talks, interactive exhibits and plenty of handson experiences for people of every age. Food and drinks will also be available at locations throughout campus. bristol.ac.uk BBC Young Musician Grand Final 2026 n 15 October, 7pm Bristol Beacon, BS1 5AR
Look to the future of classical music with the Grand Final of BBC Young Musician 2026, as three exceptional young instrumentalists compete for the coveted title. The competition has launched the careers of international stars such as cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, saxophonist Jess Gillam, pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, and violinist Nicola Benedetti.
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From initial entries of over 260, three finalists will each perform a full concerto with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and at the end of the evening one will be named BBC Young Musician 2026. bristolbeacon.org Weston Beach Race n 16-18 October Weston-super-Mare beach, BS23 1AL
The world-renowned Weston Beach Race is the maddest and baddest beach motocross event in the country and it never fails to live up to that heady billing. Thrills, falls and drama are guaranteed as hundreds of daredevil bikers from Britain and beyond race around the beach and over a variety of tough and speciallycrafted sand dunes in a motorbike spectacular where amateur riders go head-to-head with the professionals. Rider and spectator tickets are still available. rhlactivities.com A Sense of the Divine with Exultate Singers n 17 October, 7.30pm St George’s Bristol, BS1 5RR
Exultate Singers performs a captivating and vibrant concert exploring music of the British Isles, pairing grand choral masterpieces with
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lyrical contemporary works and choral arrangements of traditional songs, interspersed with beautiful harp solos. At the heart of the programme is Tallis’s extraordinary 40-part motet, Spem in alium. Tickets from St George’s Bristol box office at stgeorgesbristol.co.uk and 0117 929 4929. Bristol Bach Choir: The Glory and the Dream n 17 October, 7.30pm Redland Park United Reformed Church, BS6 6SA
The Glory and the Dream has as its centre piece Richard Rodney Bennett’s rarely heard evocative and imaginative setting of Wordsworth’s Intimations of Immortality. This famous and highly influential poem ponders the passage of time and how the joyous wonder of childhood passes over the years, and is beautiful, melancholy, and optimistic by turns. It features a virtuosic organ part which adds colour to the wonderfully lyrical choral writing. It is joined on the programme by Vivaldi’s much-loved Gloria, which is full of Italian sun and timeless melodies, its multi-movement form including solos, duets, and full choruses. The choir will also perform some motets by Henry Purcell, and Jonathan Dove’s Seek Him That Maketh the Seven Stars in what will be an inspiring and varied programme. bristolbach.org.uk Wilderness Live: Adam Lockwood n 21 October, 7.30pm 1532 Bristol, BS8 1SJ
At just 25, Adam Lockwood has become one of the world's most daring urban free solo climbers, scaling some of the planet's most iconic skyscrapers without ropes or safety equipment. But behind the headlines and breathtaking images lies a deeply human story of adversity, identity and finding purpose. This session will go beyond the viral moments to discover the experiences that shaped him, from a difficult childhood and struggles with belonging, to climbing London's Shard, spending time in prison, and ultimately finding a new direction through adventure. wildernesslive.com Spring Bulb Planting Workshop n 23-30 October, 1pm Badminton Estate, GL9 1DD
Join the Badminton Estate gardening team for a hands-on Spring Bulb Planting Workshop and learn how to create beautiful seasonal displays for your garden, patio or home. During this practical, smallgroup workshop, you’ll discover a variety of spring-flowering bulbs, learn the best planting techniques and receive expert advice on choosing bulbs for different locations and displays. The gardeners will share tips on bulb care, planting depths and colour combinations to help you create stunning displays year after year. All materials and refreshments are provided. You’ll take home your own planted arrangement, ready to flower next spring. badmintonestate.com
Coming Soon... Choral Fireworks n 7 November, 7.30pm St George’s Bristol, BS1 5RR
Experience a spectacular evening of live music celebrating peace with City of Bristol Choir and Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra under the direction of conductor David Ogden, featuring Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks and Vivaldi’s newly-rediscovered Dixit Dominus, performed by more than 100 voices. Tickets from St George’s Bristol box office at stgeorgesbristol.co.uk and 0117 929 4929. 28 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2026 | No 263
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Sweet symphony Superstar conductor Mark Wigglesworth is in his third season at the helm of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) as Chief Conductor, having conducted at the finest concert halls and opera houses around the globe, including with the Berlin Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and LA Philharmonic. We caught up with him ahead of a series of upcoming concerts at Bristol Beacon (5 November, 18 March 2027 and 29 April 2027), to talk about the BSO making this iconic venue its home in the city, the extraordinary experience of seeing a live orchestra and his family’s interesting Bristol backstory… Images on this page: centre, Mark Wigglesworth and below, a BSO performer at Bristol Beacon (credit Mark Allan)
You’ve conducted some of the world’s greatest orchestras. When you look back over your career so far, are there any moments that still make you stop and think, ‘I can’t quite believe I got to do that’? I have been lucky enough to conduct at iconic venues like The Sydney Opera House and The Hollywood Bowl. But the ‘pinch yourself ’ moments have always been meeting extraordinary people. I spent an hour with Leonard Bernstein at the Savoy Hotel once – not as salacious as it sounds! – and going over Stravinsky scores with Pierre Boulez was equally unforgettable. This is now your third season as Chief Conductor of the BSO. Has your relationship with the musicians changed since those first concerts together, and does that growing familiarity influence what happens on stage? A successful relationship between orchestra and conductor depends on mutual trust and respect. I cannot speak for the players’ opinions but every concert we do together deepens my admiration for what they achieve. I feel the potential for realising our dreams of how music should be played is unlimited and it is a privilege to share in the orchestra’s ongoing ambition to keep raising the bar of how we express ourselves. The more we work together, the more we understand what we all need to be the best musicians we can be. We are developing a shorthand of communication that allows us to travel further down that path. And in constantly adding to our shared musical experiences, we enrich what it is we feel is possible. The BSO has made Bristol Beacon its home in the city. What do you think makes Bristol such a rewarding place to perform, and what have you enjoyed most about building a relationship with audiences here? Bristol is a vibrant city with a fascinating past, a stimulating present, and an ambitious future. I think the same could be equally said of the BSO and so for us to be the Bristol Beacon’s resident orchestra is a privilege that we are proud of, and a responsibility that we take very seriously. I feel very inspired by the quality of listening that the Bristol audiences bring to the performances. Having so many people sitting behind the orchestra also adds to the sense that we are all in this together. Many halls accentuate the ‘them and us’ divide between performer and listener 30 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2026 | No 263
but in the Beacon the community feels conjoined, and the result is a truly shared experience for all that are there. You have some interesting family connections to Bristol through your grandfather’s time at Redland Chapel as priest-in-residence and your father’s studies with the renowned, one-armed piano teacher Douglas Fox. Has that history given the city a special significance for you? My personal connections to the city do feel strong, but I wouldn’t say they are relevant to anyone else. I know that my ancestry would be very proud of the links I am forging in Bristol and that in turn makes me proud too, but to be honest I don’t think about it during the actual concert! Conducting can take you all over the world, often with very little free time. When you do have a few hours to yourself in Bristol around rehearsals or performances, how do you like to spend them? Are there any favourite places you've discovered? I always have limited time in the cities I visit, and I find it hard to mix business and pleasure as it were. There is a focus on the music that begins a long time before I walk on stage and lingers long after as well, so it
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MUSIC Images on this page: left, Mark Wigglesworth and BSO with Jess Gillam; below, BSO at Bristol Beacon (credit: Mark Allan)
any other language. Actors performing Hamlet have just as many questions to answer as we do playing Beethoven and so the decisions we all make as performers do indeed affect the experience for those listening. The main job of the conductor is, like a theatre director, to enable a shared vision among the players as to what that story is going to be in this particular concert. So yes, my main process in preparing my work is trying to articulate that story, initially for myself, so that I can better share it with others. There are nuts and bolts to work out as well, of course. But even they generate a question as to how any given cog in a piece might best serve the over-arching story you want to tell. is never that straightforward to get out the guidebook and be a tourist. But when I do have time, I often visit the cathedral and find its combination of time and space both inspiring and relaxing. A reminder that as performers, we are but footprints in the sand. For people who perhaps only attend one or two orchestral concerts a year, what do you think they’re often surprised by when they experience a live symphony orchestra in full flight? The sound is extraordinary. Even the best digital recordings significantly reduce the range of volumes and hearing a live orchestra is to be amazed at how loud it can play, and how soft too. But it is the human quality of live music that makes it unique. There is jeopardy in what happens on stage and to see the musicians as well as hear them is a reminder of quite what an extraordinary achievement a concert is. Like watching great sport, one is inspired by what humans can do. An orchestra of up to a hundred people play their instruments with such skill and artistry, and they express their feelings about the music with total unanimity. On both an individual and a collective level, it is a phenomenon that needs to be seen to be believed. Without giving too much away, what can audiences look forward to across your upcoming performances, and is there a particular piece you’re especially excited to share? Our Beethoven journey – Road to Joy – in which we perform all Beethoven’s symphonies across an 18-month period, is going to be very special. No composer understood the humanity of music more than Beethoven. He is the world’s most famous composer because his music is about us. His emotions feel like our emotions. We feel heard by him. We can relate to his struggles and aspire to his triumphs. More than any other composer, Beethoven reminds us what it means to be human. The music expresses empathy and compassion, heroism and hedonistic joy, triumph and adversity, and above all the need for us to reach out to one another and celebrate a sense of community that allows us to be more than the sum of our parts. It will be an unforgettable experience for all of us in the Beacon – whether we are playing or listening.
What would you say to someone who’s been meaning to try an orchestral concert but hasn’t yet taken the plunge? There are no rights and wrongs of how to behave. It doesn’t matter what you wear. You can laugh or cry, clap or not clap. The reason to come is to be part of the music. Just as you’ve only really seen the Mona Lisa if you stand in front of it, so too have you not experienced the music unless you have heard it in the flesh. Because by being part of the performance, you create a relationship with the music that is unique to you. You develop a relationship with the composer, with the musicians on stage, and with those around you listening. And it is those relationships that define what music is. Finally, when audiences leave Bristol Beacon after one of your concerts, what’s the feeling or lasting impression you hope they take home with them? I want people to realise that what they heard has never happened before, and will never happen again. It was unique. And they were part of it. For however long the concert lasted, time stood still. It is only when we actively engage in the moment, in the present, are we truly alive. There are not many opportunities to be in the here and now, connected to our own emotions as well as connected to those of others. A concert is one of them. Above all I hope that when people leave the Beacon, they cannot wait to return! n For full details of Mark’s upcoming performances at Bristol Beacon (5 November, 18 March 2027, 29 April 2027) and to book tickets, visit bsolive.com
When you’re preparing a score, are you thinking first about the technical details, or about the story and emotion you want the audience to feel? All music is story telling. It is why we invented it. It exists in order to bring people together through shared narratives of who we are and why we are human. The question each piece asks of us as performers is, of course, what is the story. The language of music is open to interpretation, but I would argue no more than THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | OCTOBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 31
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Family Diary
The best things to see and do with the little ones this month
Ma-ad Science Mayhem n Until 1 November Bristol Dockyards, BS1 6TY To celebrate the release of new film Shaun The Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, you can visit Shaun’s science lab at Bristol Dockyards: he needs the help of you and your flock to complete a string of baa-rilliantly bonkers challenges to help Shaun power up the SS Great Britain. Get it right and you'll earn your title as an official Ma-ad Scientist. Rain or shine, indoors or out, there's challenges to be found across the site – and it's all included in your ticket. bristoldockyards.org Ma-ad Science Mayhem n Throughout October Bristol Zoo Project, BS10 7TP The Beast of Mossy Bottom is on the loose and causing havoc at Bristol Zoo Project! Join a spooktacular tracking adventure to celebrate Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom. Follow the evidence and solve the clues to find The Beast in Bear Wood... but with bears, wolverines, lynxes and wolves living here, make sure you get the right beast! Track footprints, identify fur and detect the images. When you’ve found The Beast, collect your stamp for your Conservation Kit. bristolzoo.org.uk Pumpkin Patch n Selected dates between 3-31 October Avon Valley Adventure Park, BS31 1TP Give yourself ‘pumpkin’ to talk about with a fab-boo-lous trip to Avon Valley’s Pumpkin Patch, back with even more seasonal fun for all ages to enjoy. New for 2026 is the Rival Games Bar and the Big Boo Trail walkthrough light installation, which join returning favourites including the seasonal shop and interactive games, speciality market, and, of course, the pumpkin patch. Don’t forget to bring your pooch! avonvalley.co.uk The Home of Halloween n 3 October until 1 November Wookey Hole, BA5 1BB
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Something spooky is waiting in the caves at Wookey Hole
Deep beneath the Mendip Hills, explore the famous Wookey Hole Caves and see the legendary story of the Witch of Wookey Hole to life amongst ancient rock formations. Follow a mysterious pumpkin trail, solve the Witch’s puzzle and claim a Halloween prize. The Witch herself will be making special appearances throughout the event, with families invited to come dressed in their best Halloween costume for a magical photo opportunity. Everyone who meets the Witch in fancy dress will be entered into a daily prize draw to win a year-long Wookey Hole Membership, including entry to the attraction’s brand-new Winter Wonderland experience. Fun above ground includes the Monster’s Ball Circus Show, Halloween-themed Monster Golf, a thrilling 4D cinema adventure, giant indoor soft play and dozens of other family attractions, all included in your ticket. wookey.co.uk/halloween Back to the Future: The Musical n 8 October until 21 November Bristol Hippodrome, BS1 4UZ Based on the iconic 1985 movie and brought to the stage by the film’s original creators Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis, this multi-awardwinning production is dazzling critics and thrilling audiences across the globe – and now it’s Bristol’s turn to experience the ride of a lifetime. International icon of stage and screen Roger Bart returns as Doc Brown, who is reunited with rising Australian star Axel Duffy as Marty McFly. atgtickets.com/bristol Bristol Film Festival: The Addams Family n 14 October, 5.30pm Arnos Vale Cemetery, BS4 3EW Bristol Film Festival is returning to Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol’s very own necropolis, for Halloween. Make your way to the beautiful Anglican Chapel to take your seat, and enjoy the show in this unique and historic venue. The gloriously ghoulish The Addams Family is somehow turning 35 this year... Featuring a stellar ensemble cast – including Anjelica Huston and the late, great Raúl Juliá as Morticia and Gomez – this bona fide cult classic was voted Best Horror Film of 1991 by the Horror Hall of Fame. bristolfilmfestival.com Community Service n 28-31 October Bristol Old Vic, BS1 4ED Join award-winning Cornish artist Seamas Carey for a mischievous, joyful, feel-good theatre/workshop/ experience like no other. Geoff is doing Community Service and he needs your help. He’s been sent by The Council to build a new community, spread social cohesion, harmony and collective joy. The only problem is: Geoff hates people... So, will he succeed in forming a new community with a bunch of random strangers, in just 60 minutes? Can you help Geoff see the good in people again? bristololdvic.org
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In Beth’s hands
Beth Carter makes figurative sculpture, often human‐animal hybrids which engage deeply with the human condition and tell stories of power, vulnerability and transformation. With a major exhibition in France this year, she welcomes photographer Maria Meco into her South West studio for the first time
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B
eth Carter’s work explores archetypal imagery: clowns and fools, horseheaded creatures, Harlequins, bird-men and most centrally, the Minotaur. It’s through this mythical, theatrical symbolism that Carter has developed both a personal, visual language and a lens through which to explore her recurring themes. Much of her work is concerned with duality and being in its presence often invokes feelings of empathy and introspection. She says: “I am fascinated by the poetic power which certain symbols have in our psyches, I want to make sculpture which provokes emotion and human connection.” Having worked in Bristol for more than 20 years, and an as Academician at the Royal West of England, a recent move to the outskirts of Bristol and Bath has rooted Carter in her most treasured studio to date: an old school building with large airy windows and wooden floors. “It’s got a beautiful atmosphere – something to do with the light quality, there’s a real melancholy here. It’s a very soft and solitary space and has a soulfulness that is really palpable to me.” Carter has worked around the world, and mainly in cities for the last few decades (including a stint in New York), but reflects that it is the quieter, more rural studio settings where she has made her best work. Working in a busy urban ➲
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environment she has found, requires an effort to shut out the surrounding noise and distractions. The contrasting serenity of a rural setting allows her to daydream and imagine – an approach that takes her closer to the poetic, sometimes brutal, fairy-tale world that her work inhabits. In the studio, she begins with a hunch of an idea and follows it by building an armature, modelling clay directly onto the metal framework. Each piece will go through many stages, it changes shape countless times, playing with different heads; evolving over time through iterations and experiments. Often, she improvises a mask or face out of a lighter material like cardboard, finding that it often brings a spontaneous, surprising direction to the narrative of the piece. Once the character is finished in its clay state, a mould is made and it travels onward to the foundry to begin the long and magical process of casting into bronze. The transformation from impermanent clay to durable, solid bronze is an integral stage of the making that Carter holds dear. Here, the production process is synonymous with the content: shape shifting, the grey space in-between states. Carter’s work stands all over the world, in galleries and private collections. Currently, 30 of her large bronze sculptures are to be found across the town of Mougins, a medieval hilltop town near Cannes in the south of France for a major exhibition, ‘Mougins Monumental’. In conjunction, Centre d’Art Mougins displays a two-storey exhibition of Carter’s drawings and smaller sculptures. ➲
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Mougins has become an important place for Carter and her work. A small town with a huge artistic history, Mougins was the last place Picasso lived and worked. Poignantly, Picasso and Carter both conjure in their work repeated depictions of the Minotaur (albeit from different perspectives) and in 2023 Carter was invited to exhibit three of her Minotaur sculptures to mark the 50th anniversary of Picasso’s death. For Carter, the year in Mougins has been an unprecedented opportunity to see a large collection of her work in the one place at the same time. Some of the pieces reach back 25 years, and it is in seeing the full collection – life-size bronze figures, large-scale charcoal drawings, plaster sculpture and relief works – that the reoccurring themes come through with profound effect. The works will travel onward or home after 1 November, but at least one piece will stay: Carter’s Minotaur on Box is in the permanent collection at FAMM (Femmes Artistes du Musée de Mougins), the first fine arts museum in Europe dedicated exclusively to female artists. Carter’s piece sits beside works by the likes of Frida Kahlo, Marina Abramović, and Louise Bourgeois. “Standing before her work, one can feel overwhelmed by an empathy and a curiosity to comprehend the paradoxical compositions… human figures adorned with crowns, dunce hats or masks, dream, reflect, and contemplate their fate whilst we find ourselves questioning our own aspirations,” says Leisa Paoli, director of FAMM. Beth Carter is represented by galleries in the UK, USA and Belgium, and her work is held in private collections internationally as well as the permanent collections of the Muskegon Museum of Art, MI, USA; the New Salem Museum and Academy of Fine Art, MA, USA; and FAMM. n bethcarter.co.uk | @bethcarterartist All photos taken by Maria Meco | mariameco.com THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | OCTOBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 39
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CULTURE
ART
and exhibitions Penfold: Cadence, Boardwalk Gallery, 16-31 October
Joy Gregory: Catching Flies with Honey, 17 October until 7 February 2027 Catching Flies with Honey is the first major survey exhibition of Joy Gregory's work, bringing together more than 150 photographs, films, installations and textile works spanning four decades. Across Arnolfini's galleries, the exhibition reveals an artist who has continually redefined the possibilities of photography, inviting audiences into new ways of thinking about identity, history, beauty and belonging. Since the early 1980s, Gregory has been a pioneering force in contemporary photography, challenging expectations of both the medium and what Black or feminist art should look like through work that is visually seductive, materially inventive and conceptually rigorous. Using processes ranging from Victorian cyanotypes and kallitypes to digital media and performance, Gregory continually expands photography's aesthetic and material possibilities. arnolfini.org.uk | 16 Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA Image: Joy Gregory, Stockwell Siren from the series Celebrity Blonde, 2003 performance © Joy Gregory
Shared Lives, Shared Futures at Sparks until 11 October A photography exhibition celebrating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) has brought stories from around the world to the heart of the city. Shared Lives, Shared Futures unites powerful human stories exploring the impact the UN has had on everyday lives, from peace, security and humanitarian action to climate action and sustainable development. The international exhibition features more than 200 stories in total, with Bristol selected to showcase 35 curated panels. sparksbristol.co.uk | 78 Broadmead, BS1 3JA 40 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2026 | No 263
Boardwalk Gallery’s inaugural show is Cadence by local artist Penfold. Penfold’s first solo exhibition in the city since 2019 brings together the signature elements of his diverse practice, exploring the relationship between physical space, movement and the passage of time. Penfold (Tim Gresham) is a multi-disciplinary artist known for his graphic, abstract work spanning large-scale murals, canvas and sculpture. For the exhibition, he has created a new body of work shown alongside earlier pieces, revisiting motifs and ideas from his practice when he first moved to Bristol 11 years ago. Returning to these early visual languages has allowed him to reconnect with ideas and narratives associated with that period of his life, while viewing them through the perspective of his evolving practice. boardwalk.events 20 Brighton Mews, BS8 2NW
The Secret Life of Colour at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, 24 October to 31 January 2027 This autumn, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery will open The Secret Life Credit: Andy Brown of Colour, a major new exhibition exploring the powerful role colour plays in our lives. From Pop Art to Pointillism, this exhibition will showcase work from global blockbuster artists such as Andy Warhol, Wassily Kandinsky, Georges Seurat, Bridget Riley, Peter Blake and Katsushika Hokusai. Alongside these famous masterpieces, the exhibition will display a range of colourful treasures including Delftware ceramics, seabird eggs, carnival costumes, tribal outfits, taxidermy Kingfishers and Hummingbirds, historic poison bottles, as well as stained glass and rare colourful rocks and minerals, including native copper from The Lizard, Cornwall. bristolmuseums.org.uk | Queens Road, BS8 1RL
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ART & EXHIBITIONS
Journeys: Asafo Flags from the Karun Thakar Collection, Dyrham Park, until 1 November The National Trust is partnering with collector, author and curator Karun Thaka for Journeys, an exhibition that draws on highlights from Thakar’s global textile collections to explore themes of migration, trade, craftsmanship, colonialism, global history and beauty at the historic property. Born in Kenya, raised in India and now based in London, Thakar’s lifelong relationship with textiles began in his mother’s couture tailoring shop in Delhi, where he learned to sew, crochet and embroider as a child. Through the universal theme of ‘journeys’, which express individual experiences as well as the global movement of people and material culture, the exhibition examines both tangible heritage and living traditions. Many of the textiles carry deeply personal histories, including pieces connected to Thakar’s own family. At Dyrham, vibrant Asafo flags – one of the most important West African art forms – fuse European naval insignia with local traditions and symbolism, reflecting resistance and adaptation during colonial encounters. Displayed throughout Dyrham’s interiors, and placed alongside portraits and objects, they will deepen narratives of the 17th-century house built with the proceeds of colonial enterprise. nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrham-park South Gloucestershire, SN14 8H
173rd Annual Open Exhibition at Royal West of England Academy, until 3 January The RWA has announced its 173rd Annual Open Exhibition, bringing together more than 500 works and feature artists. Selected artists include John Maine RA RWA (Hon); Angela Lizon RWA, the 2026 Jackson’s Art Prize winner, and Jemma Image: 172nd Annual Open (Credit: Khali Ackford, KoLAB Studios) Appleby RWA, this year’s Charles Wollaston Royal Academy Summer Exhibition award winner. Exhibited works include a watercolour painting, Ackergill Tower, Caithness, 2022 lent by the RWA’s Royal Patron and honorary Academician, His Majesty The King. The exhibition showcases many artists living and working in the Southwest, including Luke Jerram RWA (Hon), Leah Hislop, William Trewartha-Jones as well as artists represented by Art in Motion, based at Spike Island Studios. Each year, the Academy invites an artist whose practice demonstrates exceptional ambition and achievement. This year’s invited artist is internationally acclaimed artist and former Paralympian Mo Barrangi. rwa.org.uk | Queen’s Road, BS8 1PX
Image: Journeys, Dyrham Park (Credit NT Images / James Dobson)
GOLDEN YEARS at Rainmaker Gallery, until 31 December The autumn exhibition at Rainmaker Gallery is a solo show by octogenarian Rick Grimster. GOLDEN YEARS presents his most recent paintings alongside works made in the creative surge that followed his remarkable gallery debut BELONGING, in 2023. Grimster's vibrant acrylic paintings are abstracted autobiographical landscapes that chart his shifting identity from adoptee to Indigenous elder. In these works, the artist combines the layered organic forms and repeated symbols of his distinctive visual language, inviting the viewer to share in his life-affirming world of colour. Grimster is a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. His birth father was a Native American GI based in England during World War II. Grimster attended Cheltenham School of Art in the 1960s and gained an MFA in 1970. An intensely private man, he continued to paint throughout his life without any intention of exhibiting his work until three years ago. GOLDEN YEARS radiates the creative force of an artist enjoying commercial success in the autumn of his life. rainmakerart.co.uk | 140 Whiteladies Road, BS8 2RS Image: Golden Hour 2026, acrylic on paper by Rick Grimster
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COLUMN | CHRIS YEO ON ANTIQUES
Expert opinion Our regular columnist Chris Yeo is away. Ellis Molinghen reports on the recent specialist sale at Clevedon Salerooms.
Sale Successes
O
ne of the highlights of Clevedon Salerooms Autumn Specialist sale was a Bueche Girod 18ct gold bracelet wristwatch originally gifted by Hollywood legend Cary Grant. Born Archibald Alec Leach in Bristol in 1904, Cary Grant rose from modest beginnings to become one of Hollywood's most celebrated leading men. Despite his international fame, Grant maintained strong ties to his Bristol roots and family connections throughout his life. The vendor's great-uncle, Eric Leslie Leach (1921–1976), was Cary Grant's half-brother. Owing to the sensitive and complex family circumstances, Grant often referred to Eric publicly as his ‘cousin’, and their true relationship remained largely private. Eric and his wife Maggie visited and cared for Cary Grant’s mother Elsie, both at her home and later in the nursing home where she spent her final years. In gratitude for their kindness and support, Cary Grant presented this watch to Maggie. It certainly struck a chord with bidders and having garnered considerable media interest, the watch quickly outshone its estimate to sell to an American buyer for £6,800.
The showbusiness connections didn’t stop there, as it was a case of from Hollywood to Aardman-Wood. A star was ‘moulded’ when Morph, with an accompanying letter of authentication from his creator Peter Lord, achieved £780 on the rostrum. Morph was sold with no selling fees on behalf of The Stradling Collection in Bristol; we are extremely proud to continue to support the arts in Bristol with this sale. From modern pieces to the most beguiling antique artistry, our bona fide star of the Autumn Specialist Sale was Lot 31, a double-sided diamond enamelled portrait miniature pendant, painted with a portrait of Oliver Cromwell. Inherited by its vendor, the incredible piece was discovered during a house visit by Saleroom Director Mark Huddleston, where it immediately drew excitement. With an initial estimate of £3,000 to £5,000, heated bidding surpassed double the higher figure, with a final hammer price of an incredible £11,000, a handsome price for a wearable piece of history. ■ clevedonsalerooms.com | Instagram: @chrisyeo_antiques
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FOOD & DRINK OCT 26.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2026 09:18 Page 1
FOOD & DRINK
Tannin: Taste or Texture?
Bristol bites
Elodie Hind of DBM Wines, a wine merchant in the heart of Clifton Village, sheds light on the qualities of tannin 7 Princess Victoria Street, BS8 4BX | dbmwines.co.uk That dry, gripping sensation in wine? That’s tannin. Rather than being a taste in itself, tannin creates astringency – the drying, puckering sensation you feel in your mouth. It can also contribute to bitterness, which is why the two are easily confused. Tannin comes naturally from grape skins, seeds and stems, and is extracted during winemaking. The amount depends on the grape and how the wine is made. Oak can contribute tannin too, particularly from new barrels, while ageing can help integrate and soften its effect. It is also why tannic wines can work so well with hearty food. Protein and fat can reduce the perception of astringency, making structured wines a natural match for dishes such as roast meat and rich stews. Here’s the spectrum in three bottles…
Food and drink businesses spearhead new charity initative Bristol Beer Factory, Left Handed Giant and the businesses behind Team Canteen have come together to launch We Back Bristol, a pioneering community giving movement asking businesses to give a percentage of revenue – in cash, assets and time – to the grassroots groups and charities holding the city together. Working with Quartet Community Foundation, We Back Bristol will offer grants, donate assets and gift staff time – turning individual generosity into shared momentum for the whole city. Its first citywide round of grants of £36,000 was announced last month on the International Day of Charity. We Back Bristol works by particpating businesses donating at least 1% of revenue (or 1% of venue, brand or product), with at least half given in cash. These cash donations are distributed via Quartet Community Foundation to maximise efficiency and equity; assets are donated directly between businesses and community groups to build relationships; time and skills are matched to charity need through Quartet’s Pro Help service. Member businesses can then use the We Back Bristol plaque, logo, Annual Impact Report and shared platform to showcase their contribution and the causes they care about. Charities and businesses connect and conversations grow. Phase two grants will be awarded in March 2027. webackbristol.org Images: Above, Community Kitchen boxing meals; below, Coexist Community Kitchen
The Path, Pinot Noir, California, 2021, £14.95: Silky and easydrinking, with bright strawberry, raspberry and cherry followed by soft, gentle tannins and good acidity. Serve with roast chicken or mushroom risotto. Piekenierskloof Wines, Cinsault, Piekenierskloof, South Africa, 2023, £18.99: Elegant and supple, with red berries, ripe cherries and a hint of spice. Fine, well-balanced tannins sit in the middle of the spectrum. Serve with grilled lamb or roast chicken. Trentham Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, Australia, 2021, £19.95: Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, well-structured with real grip on the finish, backed by violet, cassis and dark chocolate. Serve with a rare steak or hard, aged cheese. 44 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2026 | No 263
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FOOD & DRINK
Lucknam Park to host special Champagne Bollinger dinner Chef Hywel Jones has created a stunning 5-course seasonal menu at his Michelin-starred Restaurant Hywel Jones at Lucknam Park in Colerne (near Bristol) as part of a special evening celebrating Champagne Bollinger on 22 October at 6.45pm. The menu will include canapés, with carefully selected Champagne Bollinger wine pairings to complement and enhance each course. The dinner will be hosted by Alex Beelsey, Champagne Bollinger Brand Ambassador, and Bastien Martinole from Fine Wines Direct UK, who will share their knowledge and passion for these remarkable wines throughout the evening. Spaces are very limited and booking is essential (£295 per person).
Wild Oats celebrates 45 years in business Wild Oats Natural Foods celebrated 45 years in Bristol on 11 September, bringing together customers, staff and friends of the business for a special morning at the store on Lower Redland Road. Founded by Mike and the late Loes Abrahams in 1981, Wild Oats has remained an independent Bristol business throughout 45 years of enormous change in both the city and the health and wellbeing sector. For the anniversary the team joined forces with two local independents, Everest Bread and The Great Cake Company, while customers joined for coffee, anniversary totes and plenty of reminiscing. One particularly special guest was Jay, who has been shopping at Wild Oats for more than 40 years and brought a planted tree as an anniversary gift. woats.co.uk
lucknampark.co.uk
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FOOD & DRINK
Best in glass Pop your corks, folks, because there’s reason to celebrate: Bristol has a new home for wine. This fresh addition to the city has, however, sprouted from already fertile ground, as the trusted minds behind DBM Wines are now cordially inviting the curious and connoisseurs alike to explore their programme of courses that promise to clear any stuffiness out of the room and welcome everyone to the table...
Elodie Hind, pictured, willl deliver the new accreddited courses
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W
hen it comes to learning about drinks, few things stir the curiosity like walking into a room lined with its own special collection of wine books. Pages that promise journeys to far-flung vineyards (and, hopefully, long lunches) are held together by every spine; labels tell stories of bottles that embody places, and – if you look closely enough – even the most intimidating-looking volumes beckon you closer to discover something within. So, it feels rather appropriate that, tucked behind the shelves of DBM Wines on Clifton’s Princess Victoria Street, a new chapter in Bristol’s own wine story is about to begin. The newly-created DBM Wine School is inviting, rather handsome with sustainably sourced navy wood panelling and totally un-stuffy. Old bottles, vineyard posters and framed labels from the Rothschild Estate bring the outside world in, and the dedicated library has books dating back decades: the whole space has been designed to be somewhere to learn, drawing the eye down, encouraging you to settle in and get ready to sip. When we visit, Richard Davis (one of DBM Wines’ three Partners) and Elodie Hind (who will be leading the education there) are putting the finishing touches to a space that has been a long time coming. Among the shelves are books gathered from three different wine merchants, their collections gradually being combined and duplicates sorted through. One particularly fascinating volume Richard pulls out dates back to 1920. The former office space has been transformed into a room that’s now the permanent home of DBM’s wine education programme. It’s now a place for formal qualifications (some courses on offer are accredited by the Wine & Spirits Education Trust [WSET] – regarded as one of the world's leading providers of drinks education) – as well as tastings, meet-the-producer Tasting events will continue to take place evenings, talks and friendly conversations about the endlessly fascinating subject of what we drink.
been hosting in the shop, which pretty much always sell out. Until now, however, making those events happen has meant transforming the shop itself – dismantling displays, bringing in trestle tables, laying everything out and then restoring it all afterwards. The new room changes that. And more importantly, it gives the team somewhere permanent to build a community around wine. This community will encompass both consumers and the trade. DBM already supplies around 40 to 50 of the city’s finest restaurants, so there is an obvious appetite for professional training among Bristol’s hospitality industry. But the wider ambition is to make wine education something that anyone can enjoy, whether they are contemplating a career in wine or simply want to know why one bottle tastes so much better than another.
Every glass tells a story The formal programme will begin with WSET Levels 1 and 2, with further qualifications planned in the future. Level 1 is a one-day introduction; Level 2 is a three- or four-day course covering regions, viticulture, winemaking and key grape varieties. Alongside the formal qualifications will be the fun stuff – and it is clear that this is where the team is particularly keen to get creative. There will be introductory wine courses, meet-the-winemaker evenings, sustainability talks, sessions with Masters of Wine and tastings that might take in everything from Old World versus New World wines to orange wine and the ever-evolving world of natural wine. That appetite for a story is something DBM is particularly well placed to satisfy. This is not a wine school conjured from a textbook; it sits within an established local wine business whose three partners have more than a century of experience in the trade between them.
New school of thought What sets DBM Wines’ School apart is that the slightly daunting atmosphere that can often accompany wine education is nowhere to be seen. There’s no sense that you should already know your Grüner Veltliner grapes from your Malbec’s elbow before you walk through the door. Instead, the School feels like an extension of what DBM has been championing for a long time: making wine approachable rather than intimidating. The idea grew naturally from the tastings the team has THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | OCTOBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 47
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Elodie Hind and Richard Davis in the bottle shop
They have close relationships with producers, they have travelled to the vineyards, they have talked to winemakers and they know the people behind many of the bottles lining the shelves. Bristol’s connection with wine goes back a long way. Richard describes the city as the second most important wine city in the country after London, thanks largely to its position as a major port through which wine was historically brought into Britain and distributed elsewhere. The great Bristol wine merchants of the past – Howells, Harveys and Averys – are part of that heritage, and though the wine trade may have changed beyond recognition since, the city’s appetite for wine knowledge remains. There is history here, but there is also a sense of looking forward. And perhaps that is particularly important now. Wine consumption in the UK is falling, with younger drinkers approaching alcohol differently, often drinking less but placing greater value on quality, provenance and experience. Richard sees this as a reason to engage with these drinkers who are seeking in-person experiential occasions, rather than feel threatened by a change in behaviour. The challenge is to bring those drinkers in without making wine feel like an exclusive club. That philosophy is already evident in the shop, where wines under £15 are arranged by style rather than country. Anyone can walk in and choose something according to what they like 48 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2026 | No 263
without needing to navigate the wine world geographically. Then, as your confidence grows, DBM’s knowledgeable minds can take you further. It is much the same approach Elodie wants to bring to teaching. Having recently completed the qualifications required to deliver the WSET courses, she is keen to make sure the classroom works for different kinds of learners, from practical kinaesthetic approaches and maps for visual learners, rather than assuming everybody absorbs information in the same way. There’s going to be a real opportunity to progress here. You might arrive knowing very little beyond the fact that you like Sauvignon Blanc; a few months later, you could be confidently talking about soil types, fermentation methods and the difference between the Loire and Marlborough. Or… you might simply discover a bottle you simply can’t get enough of and want to share with others. Perhaps some of the joy in wine isn’t found in knowing absolutely everything, but also from realising how much there is left still to discover. n For more information about the Wine School and the upcoming programme of courses and tastings, get in touch with the team. dbmwines.co.uk | 7 Princess Victoria Street, Clifton Village, BS8 4BX
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THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | OCTOBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 49
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FOOD & DRINK | FOLKLORE
Eat, drink and be scary From bloodthirsty legends and petrifying pumpkins to Soul Cakes and fortune-telling Barmbrack, Halloween’s culinary traditions have a distinctly dark past. Melissa Blease digs into the folklore behind our spookiest feast
H
alloween is on the horizon, and supermarket shelves are laden with ‘ghoulish’ goodies as Monster Mash, Cheesy Bat Fangs, Gooey Ghosts and many more similarly-themed ‘terrifying’ treats all compete for their place on the (fake) blood-curdling buffet. But there’s more antediluvian symbolism in those ghoulish goodies than there is sugar in a bag of Eerie Eyeball Gobstoppers.
Bring on the megalo-vein-iacs Throughout history, blood has been laden with cultural and religious symbolism. It forms an intrinsic part of multiple dark rituals, it’s laden with powerful taboos… and of course, just like the vampires who dominate our imaginations when the clock strikes midnight on 31 October, we can’t live without it. For hundreds of years, Rangda, Bali’s ‘Queen of Demons’, has apparently scoured graveyards across Indonesia in search of the blood of new-born babies to keep her ‘alive’ in the dead zone – a trait shared by transcendental mythological icon Lilith, whose name pops up in ancient tracts such as the medieval Alphabet of Sirach where she’s credited as being Adam’s rebellious wife-before-Eve who chose eternal exile in limbo over patriarchal control in the earthly realm. Elsewhere… On his deathbed in 1492, Pope Innocent VIII tried to prolong his life by drinking the blood of recently-deceased teenage boys. The ruse, however, didn’t work; he died the following day. In modern times, North Korea’s ‘Eternal President’ Kim Il-Sung demanded blood transfusions from young people in an effort to reach his target age of 120 (another failed attempt; Il-Sung died in 1994, aged 82.) And of course, Vlad ‘The Impaler’ Tepes, who ruled across a large area of 50 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2026 | No 263
Romania in the second half of the 15th century, had a penchant for drinking the blood of captured Ottoman Army soldiers. Did the habit buy Vlad eternal youth? In one way, yes; he’s the guy credited to have influenced Bram Stoker’s Dracula. If you want to rustle up a feast fit for a thirsty bloodsucker this Halloween, British black pudding, French Boudin Noir and Spanish Morcilla all contain up to 50% pig or beef blood… and we all know how well fava beans and a nice Chianti pair with liver. But unless you’re planning to party on your own, might I suggest a more palatable alternative, best served with a chilling caveat?
Mirror, mirror, on the wall: which is the bloodiest cocktail of them all? Halloween is a great excuse for a spot of spirited indulgence – and a Bloody Mary is the obvious choice. According to popular urban myth, you can conjure up a vision of ‘Bloody Mary’ herself simply by standing in front of a candlelit mirror on Halloween and chanting her name three, 13 or, erm, 47 times depending on which guide to Captromancy (an ancient form of divination using a reflective surface) you rely on. Do it with intention, and a horrifying blood-drenched apparition will step out of the glass and attempt to steal your soul. Most sources will tell you that Mary is the ghost of 17th-century Hungarian countess Elizabeth Báthory, accused of slaying up to 650 young women (making her the most prolific serial killer in history) and bathing in/drinking their blood. She could, however, be Queen Mary I (Mary Tudor), the 16th-century English queen responsible for reviving heresy laws and putting an estimated 300 Protestant dissenters to death.
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FOOD & DRINK | FOLKLORE
Or perhaps she’s New England herbalist Mary Worth, who was accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake during the Salem Witch Trials? All three Marys allegedly vowed to take revenge on anyone who chanted her name in front of a mirror on Halloween. But if all that’s put you off your favourite cocktail for good, bear this in mind: in Wicca world, alcohol is highly valued for its purifying qualities, chillies (a key component of Tabasco sauce) repel bad vibes and ward off curses, while a sprig of celery and a slice of lemon clean negative environments and dispel dark auras. Take that and party, Mary!
Petrifying Pumpkins Did you know that the iconic Halloween lantern made from a carved, hollowed-out pumpkin symbolises a portable sconce lit by a burning ember, tossed from the flames of hell by the Devil, and destined to be carried around the dark earth for all eternity by 17th century Irish scammer Stingy Jack? And he’s still around today. Folkloric rumour has it that Jack often misinterprets ‘tributes’ to his plight as welcoming beacons of support for his salvation and makes attempts to con his way into homes that he hopes may offer refuge – now that’s an image I’d like to see captured on a Ring Video Doorbell.
“ There’s more antediluvian symbolism in those ghoulish goodies than there is sugar in a bag of Eerie Eyeball Gobstoppers ” But the Halloween lantern tradition dates back to long before the Stingy Jack days. Ancient agricultural societies as far back as 500BC carved terrifying faces into root vegetables and lit them from within in an effort to prevent malevolent spirits (and/or, perhaps, their earthly, living equivalents) from entering their settlements or attacking their crops, believing that the glowing, macabre faces acted as a spiritual defence. The original UK ghoul-grabbers wouldn’t have used pumpkins, though; we made do with turnips, swedes and even potatoes until the bright orange icons with roots firmly embedded in North America became readily available on our shores during the 1990s, creating a seasonal, commercial hot property uplift for farmers across the land. But whatever you do or don’t believe about the ‘power’ of the illuminated pumpkin, make the most of this glorious gourd while you can: that bright orange flesh is nutrient-dense, super-tasty and works well in all manner of recipes from soups and stews to cakes, desserts and even smoothies.
Soul Food Last Halloween, Haribo’s Gruesome Gummies took pole position on the contemporary trick-or-treater’s most wanted wish list. But since as far back as 500AD and all the way up to the Victorian era, most households had a plate of Soul Cakes – spiced biscuits with the mark of a cross baked into the top – ready to be handed out to the ‘soulers’ who offered prayers to release deceased relatives from Purgatory (the intermediate state between earth and heaven) in exchange for a home-baked sweet treat. If you didn’t have any Soul Cakes at the ready, you ran the risk of opening your door to malevolent spirits – and lo, the custom of trick or treating began. If you can make shortbread, you can make Soul Cakes: add a smattering of mixed spice, ground ginger and nutmeg along with a
handful of currants, turn the dough into cookies and mark the top with the all-important cross – the effort will save you a small fortune on Gruesome Gummies.
Terrifying Tea Time Recipes for Barmbrack – a sweet Irish bread packed with tea-soaked dried fruits and warm spices – date back hundreds of years. But when served during the ancient Gaelic harvest festival Samhain (31 October until 1 November), it’s traditionally packed with symbolic trinkets said to predict the finder’s future, turning every bite into a gamble. While finding a coin or a ring predicts prosperity or marriage, a dried pea forecasts the opposite story, a matchstick warns of domestic disputes… and let’s just say that if you don’t choke on a recovered piece of rag, you’ll wish you had during the coming year. While I don’t suggest, for obvious reasons, that you bake a tea cake stuffed with choke-inducing trinkets this Halloween, serving homemade Barmbrack accompanied by a lucky (or otherwise) bag of coins, dried peas and matchsticks keeps Samhain tradition alive… although it might be a good idea to omit the piece of rag. n
Recipe | Spicy Roast Pumpkin Soup Carving pumpkins in readiness for Halloween? Don’t let all that fabulous pumpkin flesh go to waste! This mildly spicy, silky soup is guaranteed to keep the spooky season hunger ghouls at bay. Try to keep your pumpkin chunks neat as you carve, though; aim for evenly-sized chunks.
Ingredients (Serves 4) • The deseeded flesh from 1 large pumpkin (usually 1.5-2kg) • 1 tbsp garam masala • 2 tsp dried cumin • 1 tsp dried red chilli flakes • 3 tbsp olive oil • 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
• 3cm nub of fresh ginger, peeled and grated • 3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed/grated • 900ml vegetable or chicken stock • 100ml double cream or crème fraîche
Method Preheat the oven to 190°C gas mark 5. Tumble the chopped pumpkin flesh into a large bowl, sprinkle with the garam masala, cumin and chilli flakes, season well and drizzle with 2 tbsp of the olive oil. Toss to cover the pumpkin in the spiced oil, transfer to a baking tray and roast for around 40–45 minutes (turning halfway through) or until the pumpkin flesh is very soft when pierced with a fork. Heat the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan and fry the onion for 10 minutes or until just turning translucent. Add the ginger and garlic and fry for a few more minutes until fragrant. Add the stock and roasted pumpkin flesh to the pan, stir well and simmer gently for 10 minutes. Remove the soup from the heat, season to taste and blitz with a hand blender (or in a food processor) until smooth and silky. Return to the pan over a low heat, add the cream, season to taste and bring back to a gentle simmer before serving in warmed bowls topped with an extra drizzle of double cream or crème fraîche and a pinch of chilli flakes to taste... and, of course, an evil laugh!
THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | OCTOBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 51
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FOOD & DRINK
Kindred spirits
A new drinks festival is coming to Clifton from the team behind Bristol Film Festival. Guaranteed to raise your spirits...
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ristol has never been short of a good excuse for a tipple, and this autumn there’s a new date for the diary for anyone who likes to discover what’s in their glass. The inaugural Clifton Spirits Festival is coming to the Avon Gorge Hotel by Hotel du Vin on Sunday 15 November, bringing together an impressive collection of producers, distillers, importers, merchants and spirits specialists for an afternoon and evening of tasting, chatting and discovering something new. The festival comes from the team behind Bristol Film Festival, whose relationship with the drinks world is longstanding. Since launching, the festival has hosted its popular Vintage Screenings at Averys, pairing classic films with wine flights, as well as working with local breweries and exploring the world of spirits through its Spirit of Cinema series. With an established network of producers and suppliers, expanding into drinks-focused events is a natural next step. A dedicated spirits festival had already been in the works, but the success of the inaugural Clifton Wine & Drinks Fair launched earlier this year alongside its Summer Season in Clifton Village helped fuel the idea. And there’s certainly no shortage of material to work with. Bristol and the wider South West are home to a wealth of producers and importers, while the city’s long history as a major port and centre for distilling has given it a particularly rich relationship with spirits. Today, that heritage sits alongside a Welsh Celtic Rebel Smoked Agave Spirit from Kilted Dragon thriving contemporary drinks scene, from award-winning local distilleries to some seriously accomplished cocktail bars and independent merchants. Clifton Spirits Festival aims to bring together a distilled selection from this world under one roof, offering visitors the chance to sample the spirits that help shape the city’s cocktail culture – as well as enjoying them neat, just as their makers intended. Taking place in the elegant Aquam Bibe Suite at the Avon Gorge Hotel, the festival will run across two sessions, creating a relaxed and sociable setting for exploring an extensive selection of drinks. Around 10 to 15 producers, brands, merchants and specialists are expected to take part, showcasing more than 100 different products. The organisers have 52 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2026 | No 263
carefully curated the line-up to avoid too much duplication, instead looking for a broad range of expressions and styles. There will be plenty of familiar names and classic spirits, alongside unusual bottles, awardwinning producers and drinks that visitors may not otherwise have encountered. Expect gin, rum, vodka and whisky, alongside tequila, mezcal, Chairman’s Reserve Original brandy, liqueurs and even mead. There will also be sample cocktails and a selection of alcohol-free spirits, ensuring there’s something for every kind of drinks enthusiast. Among the names already confirmed are Portishead-based FreddyB Posset, recently crowned Bristol’s Best Craft Spirits Producer; Wiltshire’s Witchmark Distillery, a gin and vodka producer and the highest-scoring B Corp distillery in England; and Mangrove, specialist Clifton Spirits Festival will take place importers representing a diverse range of at the Avon Gorge Hotel spirits from producers around the world. Bristol-based Collective Spirits will be showcasing tequila and mezcal, with sustainability and community at the heart of its approach, while Hive Mind Mead will bring its award-winning traditional meads from the Wye Valley, made using 100 per cent British honey. From South Wales, Kilted Dragon will showcase spirits and liqueurs blending Welsh and Scottish influences. There’s plenty more to come, with the final line-up still being confirmed – and, if the organisers’ current list is anything to go by, there could be some intriguing discoveries in store. Among the bottles already generating excitement are rum from St Lucia’s only remaining distillery, quality mezcal and, rather wonderfully, a Black Forest Gateaux liqueur. While the bottles are undoubtedly the stars of the show, the people behind them are just as important. Visitors will be able to chat directly with producers and importers throughout the event, tapping into their knowledge and enthusiasm, as well as purchase any new-found favourite bottles to boost your bar at home. So, whether you know your mezcal from your mead or simply fancy an afternoon spent discovering what’s new behind the bar, Clifton Spirits Festival promises plenty to raise a glass to. n More info and tickets for Clifton Spirits Festival are available from bristolfilmfestival.com
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THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | OCTOBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 53
BIZ NEWS OCT.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2026 14:06 Page 1
THIS IS BRISTOL
Bristol at work LOCAL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATION UPDATES
Sky helps Clifton locals embrace the joy of sending cards Sometimes, you don’t need an occasion to send a card, and that was the thinking behind Sky Bristol’s ‘Just Because’ weekend, held at its Clifton shop in late September. The Waterloo Street multi-award winning shop/gallery and picture framer invited visitors to choose a free ‘Just Because’ card, pen a message to someone special and pop it into the shop’s bright orange post box, with postage covered. The campaign celebrated the simple pleasure of putting pen to paper, whether to reassure a worried parent, reconnect with an old friend or simply let someone know they’re being thought of. The response was suitably heartwarming, with 148 cards posted to recipients across the country over the weekend. skybristol.co.uk
Lomond acquires award-winning estate agency
Local landlords’ association offers free property expertise The Association of Local Landlords Wessex (ALL Wessex) is raising awareness of its free community for landlords across Bath, Bristol, North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire. With significant changes underway in the private rented sector – including the Renters’ Rights Bill, evolving housing standards and ongoing challenges around rental supply, HMOs and student accommodation – the association aims to provide practical, local insight. ALL Wessex works in contact with local councils and housing stakeholders, and has a wealth of practical experience across the private rented sector. Find out more at allwessex.co.uk 54 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2026 | No 263
Lomond has purchased Ocean Property Services Group, Bristol’s leading, awardwinning property services company. Founded more than 40 years ago, Ocean has grown from a single branch in Bishopston into a market-leading property business with 12 branches and a fully integrated offering spanning residential sales, lettings, conveyancing, property management and financial services. The business has earned multiple industry awards, reflecting its commitment to excellence and its position at the forefront of modern estate agency. With Lomond’s backing, Ocean is well positioned to accelerate its growth across the Bristol region, continuing to lead the market in service, innovation and results while staying true to the local knowledge and values that have defined the business. “After founding the Business 42 years ago, I am extremely proud of what Ocean has today become,” says Ocean’s Paul Harris. “I leave behind a business with a strong brand, great people and valued clients and wish everyone well on the next chapter.” Ocean has been a long-standing client of The Bristol Magazine, among many of our most regular advertisers, and the whole team looks forward to working with them again in the future. oceanhome.co.uk lomond.co.uk
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THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | OCTOBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 55
EDU NEWS OCT 26.qxp_Layout 1 25/09/2026 15:24 Page 1
SCHOOLS
Education matters NEWS FROM THE CITY’S LEARNERS AND LEADERS
Haberdashers' Monmouth School's hosts Future Education Symposium Leading voices from education, business and government gathered at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School recently to tackle one of the most significant questions facing schools today: how do we prepare young people for a future we cannot yet predict? The school’s inaugural Future Education Symposium brought together an expert panel including former Rolls-Royce CEO Sir Warren East, former President of Trinity College Oxford Dame Hilary Boulding, Welsh Government curriculum leader Yvonne Roberts-Ablett, E-ACT CEO Tom Campbell, former Haileybury Master Martin Collier, former St Paul’s Girls’ School High Mistress Sarah Fletcher and Haberdashers’ Monmouth School Headmaster Melvyn Roffe. The discussion ranged from artificial intelligence, changing career pathways and university admissions to teacher recruitment, literacy, curiosity and the future skills employers are seeking. A recurring theme was that while technology continues to transform the workplace, human qualities remain more important than ever. habsmonmouth.org
Ashton Park School earns prestigious anti-racist award South Bristol school, Ashton Park School and Sixth Form, is celebrating after being officially awarded the Bronze Anti-Racist School Award by the Centre for Race, Education and Decoloniality at Leeds Beckett University. The award recognises the school’s deep commitment to building an inclusive, welcoming, and equitable community for all of its 1,300 students and staff. Over the past two years, Ashton Park School has worked to embed anti-racist practices across every level of school life - from leadership and the curriculum to student voice and community outreach. excalibur.org.uk
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Sidcot School crowned finalist for International Student Experience in major awards Sidcot School has been named as a finalist for International Student Experience in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026. The recognition follows the School being shortlisted in the same category last year and celebrates the inclusive, supportive and enriching environment the School has created for students from around the world and highlights the strength of its vibrant international community. Home to students from more than 30 countries, Sidcot embraces cultural diversity as a cornerstone of its educational experience. Students bring a wealth of perspectives, traditions and experiences to campus life, creating a dynamic and globally minded community. Recent initiatives have included expanding food offerings to better represent the cultures within the School community and launching a professional basketball programme, ensuring students feel valued, supported and able to flourish both academically and personally. sidcot.org.uk
Finding the right approach for your child this school year A few weeks into the new school year, and things are beginning to settle. New classrooms are becoming familiar, routines are taking shape and children are finding their feet. For parents, it’s also a chance to get a clearer picture of how their child is getting on.Maybe they’re thriving. Or perhaps you’re noticing that some things aren’t quite clicking. It might be a subject they’re finding harder than expected, homework that takes longer than it should, or a child who feels overwhelmed by everything they need to organise. Sometimes, it’s simply the feeling that they’re capable of more, if only they could find an approach that works for them. Every child learns differently. That’s why the team at Bristol Tutors takes the time to understand each individual child before carefully matching them with a tutor who is right for them. The expert tutors make learning engaging, build confidence and explain things in ways that make sense. For children with SEND, that individual approach can be particularly important. Support can also extend beyond subjects, helping students develop their study skills and organisation, providing accountability and breaking daunting workloads into manageable steps. To find out more, get in touch online: bristoltutors.co.uk 0117 463 0523 | info@bristoltutors.co.uk
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BOOKS OCT 26.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2026 15:24 Page 1
READING
Spine chilling Our friends at at Gloucester Road Books conjure their must‐have spooky reads just in time for Halloween...
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loucester Road Books is a fascinating place to explore, and the team places a significant focus on titles published by small independent presses, noting: “There are lots of really brilliant small publishers putting out incredibly exciting books, and we want to help get these out into the world.” Visit the website for more details on book launches, talks and other events at the shop: gloucesterroadbooks.com @gloucester_rd_books | 184 Gloucester Road, BS7 8NU Open Mon-Tues 9.30am-5pm; and Weds-Sat, 9.30am-6pm
Saltwash by Andrew Michael Hurley Hurley’s latest offering uses the form of folk horror to interrogate some big questions around guilt, ageing, and mortality. Saltwash centres on two oncology patients who have been corresponding through a pen pal service, and the crumbling hotel where their first IRL meeting is due to take place. Hurley’s ability to turn landscapes into places of creeping dread sounds as if it will be in full force here, and the dilapidated seaside town of Saltwash sounds like a hauntingly brooding atmosphere. Highly appropriate reading for a rainy winter’s night!
Perilous Enchantment: The True History of Faeries by Sarah Clegg If you are wondering what’s scary about faeries, and how on earth they fit with the rest of this list of spooky Halloween reads, you might do well to get yourself a copy of this book. Clegg has a commitment to educating the public on the history of faeries, which is truly a fascinating subject. Stories and folklore of fairy-like creatures exist across nearly all cultures and countries, but they’re often quite far removed from the pink-winged, benevolent beings presented in children’s books. They are often mischievous, or downright malevolent! We can’t wait to read this informative book. 62 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2026 | No 263
The Language of Bones by Carla Valentine If there is such a thing as a celebrity mortician, Valentine fits that bill. Having spent her gap year working as an embalmer’s assistant, and now working as a pathology museum curator, we can think of no-one more qualified to guide us through a variety of bone houses. The perfect Halloween companion, this fascinating non-fiction book takes readers on a journey through different ossuaries and catacombs in the UK and central Europe. A mixture of scientific fact, historical knowledge, and human interest stories, this book purports to be surprisingly funny, whilst also being a meaningful look at loss, and what we leave behind.
Worlds of Fear and Wonder: Living with the Supernatural, Past and Present by Malcolm Gaskill Literature’s resident witchcraft expert presents a deep dive into the history of the supernatural in the Western world, from Medieval times to the present day. Gaskill’s keen historian’s eye encompasses Spiritualist mediums, Catholic saints, and modern megachurches, ghosts, charms, seances, curses, and of course, witches. By choosing to explore the emotional bedrock of these beliefs, we suspect Gaskill will bring a humanity and empathy to the subject matter, rather than falling for the tempting trap of treating it as pure spectacle.
The Hill in the Dark Grove by Liam Higginson The Hill in the Dark Grove is the creepiest book we’ve read this year. Another folk-horror novel that leans heavily on its use of place, we are introduced to Carwyn and Rhian, two ageing sheep farmers in Snowdonia. One day, Carwyn finds an artifact on the land, and this begins his obsession with uncovering a stone circle. We loved how creepily unsettling this novel is in places, blending ever-building tension with Welsh folklore and a pointed indictment of gentrification.
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HISTORY
Samhain Revival Happy Halloween – or, rather, blessed Samhain. Andrew Swift explores the roots and traditions of annual celebration when it’s believed the veils between worlds is at its thinnest, and many people welcome in the darkest part of the year
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n late October, as the days grow ever shorter, the chances are that those old enough to remember the back garden Guy Fawkes Night parties of yesteryear, when rockets lit up the sky and roasted chestnuts were handed round, will bemoan the Halloween shenanigans that have taken their place. While it cannot be denied that Guy Fawkes Night is hardly even a shadow of its former self, we should not forget that many of the celebrations that once accompanied it were anything but cosy, and that the now almost forgotten mantra of ‘penny for the guy’ could be packed with just as much menace as ‘trick or treat’. The biggest bonfires were built not in back gardens but on patches of open ground, where pandemonium often prevailed. As the 5 November drew near, emergency services were placed on high alert and A&E departments braced themselves for one of the busiest nights of the year. Restrictions started to be placed on unofficial bonfires in public spaces in the 1950s. In Bristol, they were banned from everywhere except the Downs, and in 1960 they were banned from there as well. The sale of fireworks continued to soar, however, and in 1968 casualties peaked, with more than 2,500 children in the UK injured by fireworks, almost 400 of them seriously. This marked a turning point, as hardhitting safety campaigns and industry controls started to put a dampener on things. Today, while boisterous festivities are still held in such staunch outposts as Lewes, Bridgwater and Ottery St Mary, elsewhere – apart from large-scale organised displays – Guy Fawkes festivities are a thing of the past, and the void they left has been filled by Halloween.
Home-grown Halloween Contrary to popular belief, Halloween is not just an ungodly import from America. The tone of current festivities may owe more to films such as E.T. or TV shows, such as Happy Days and The Addams Family, than to home-grown traditions, but Halloween has been celebrated on this side of the Atlantic for centuries. It was especially popular in Scotland. In the 19th century, Queen Victoria’s Halloween parties at Balmoral were the stuff of legend, and as unsettling as the wildest Guy Fawkes shindig. At one event, the effigy of a witch was hauled before 200 torchbearing revellers, and, after being found guilty at a mock trial, hurled
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onto a huge bonfire. Most festivities were a good deal more restrained and featured elements we would recognise today. Guising – particularly popular in Scotland and northern England – involved children going from door to door, wearing masks and costumes cobbled together from cast offs, and carrying hollowed-out pumpkins with faces carved into them and candles lit inside. At each house they would perform a party piece in exchange for sweets, nuts or a few coins. Elsewhere in the UK, Halloween dances and parties remained popular throughout the 20th century, and not just among children. In Bristol, for example, in 1950, a Grand Halloween Dance was held at the Royal Hotel, a Halloween Party at the Folk House on College Green, and a Halloween Ball at the University Union. What these events had in common was that, compared with the mayhem unleashed on 5 November, they were all eminently respectable.
Trick or treat? But then, in the late 1970s, as Guy Fawkes Night fell out of favour – and taking its cue from America – came trick or treat. And the ire formerly directed at Guy Fawkes Night was soon directed at that instead. The irony is that trick or treat was just an updated version of guising, which Scottish emigrants had taken with them to America, and from whence it returned to these shores via the medium of television. Halloween – or All Hallows’ Eve – dates from the middle ages, and was part of Hallowtide. This also included All Hallows’ Day, on 1 November, which celebrated the lives of the saints, and All Souls’ Day, on the 2nd, which remembered the faithful departed. The roots of Halloween, however, go back much further. Just as Christmas adopted many of the aspects of the ancient festival of Yule, so Halloween adopted elements of the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced ‘sah-win’), which also fell on the cusp of October and November. Here, though, one needs to tread carefully, for this is contested territory. There is also a remarkable lack of agreement about what was actually celebrated at Samhain. But perhaps that is not too surprising, given that both Halloween and Samhain deal with such imponderables and intangibilities. Samhain marked the end of harvest, and was a time of feasting, but was also the time when the boundary between the physical and spirit worlds was at its most porous, making it an auspicious time
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HISTORY Pictured: An early 20th century postcard by Fred Little showing Stapleton Bridge with Bridge Farm high on the hill beyond. This view has been transformed utterly, with the M32 now sweeping across the valley on a high bridge. The farm, however, has survived and is the now the focus of a community-led regeneration project.
for communion with the souls of the departed. Food and drink were laid on to welcome kindly spirits, while bonfires and torches were lit to ward off the malevolent ones and to provide assurance of warmth and light through the cold, dark days ahead. Despite the arrival of Halloween, Samhain continued to be celebrated in the far west and north of England, as well as in parts of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man. It has even been suggested that Samhain was the inspiration for Guy Fawkes Night, transforming an essentially pagan festival into one celebrating the failure of the Gunpowder Plot.
Windmill Hill City Farm in Bedminster. May Day festivities were also held at Bridge Farm on Bell Hill in Stapleton, which is now planning Samhain celebrations, featuring storytelling, lantern processions, fire ceremonies, music and dancing, with hoods, masks and cloaks encouraged. Bridge Farm is a fitting place to revive the customs of the past in a world which is changing faster and more bewilderingly than ever before. The farmhouse was built in the early 18th century, and stood on high ground in open country, looking out over a bridge across the River Frome. All that changed in the early 1970s when the M32 was built. It passed within a few metres of the farmhouse and the area surrounding it was transformed beyond recognition. When the farm came into community ownership in 2018, much of the 4.4-acre site was overgrown with brambles and the house and outbuildings needed complete renovation. The transformation since then has been extraordinary, sustained by the vision of creating a communityled sustainable living project – a vision for the future inspired by respect for the soil and the seasons and for the wisdom of the past. n For more information, visit bridgefarmbristol.co.uk
Rituals and revelry Today Samhain is experiencing a revival, the manifestation of a desire to look back beyond the manufactured thrills of Halloween, beyond the Protestant triumphalism of Guy Fawkes Night, to a ceremony rooted in the rhythm of the seasons, the cycle of death and rebirth and the ever-elusive spirit world that hovers at the edge of consciousness. It is part of a wider craving to draw inspiration from ancient rituals to address the concerns of today. In sharp contrast to the frenetic commercialism of Halloween, the celebrations that seek to revive ancient customs are characterised by sustainability and environmental awareness, and rely on things crafted or home grown rather than bought, and on community participation and involvement. The seasonal festival most widely celebrated is May Day, which marks the beginning of summer and traces its roots back to the Celtic festival of Beltane. May Day events in Bristol earlier this year included a Jack in the Green procession from the Harbourside to Horfield Common, and Beltane celebrations at
Discover more of Andrew Swift’s books and writings online from akemanpress.com | Photos provided courtesy of Andrew Swift One place where Guy Fawkes Night is still celebrated in grand style is Bridgwater. This photograph taken over a century ago shows part of the squibbing display which brings the carnival to a dramatic close
THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | OCTOBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 65
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A Calmer Approach to Dentistry How Stoke Lane Dentistry is changing the experience for nervous patients An interview with Dr Armineh Arzandeh, Principal Dentist at Stoke Lane Dentistry, Bristol
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or many people, the thought of visiting the dentist can bring feelings of anxiety, fear or even panic. For some, previous experiences, a fear of needles, a strong gag reflex or concerns about treatment can become a significant barrier to looking after their oral health. At Stoke Lane Dentistry, we believe that exceptional dentistry starts with understanding the person behind the patient. With a highly qualified team, modern facilities and a strong focus on prevention, dental wellness and anxiety management, the practice is creating a more comfortable way for patients across Bristol to access high-quality dental care. We sat down with Armineh, Specialist in Endodontics and Principal Dentist at Stoke Lane Dentistry, to discuss dental anxiety, sedation and how the practice is helping nervous patients feel more confident about their dental care.
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Dental anxiety is very common. Why do you think so many people feel nervous about visiting the dentist? Dental anxiety is much more common than people realise. It can come from a previous difficult experience, fear of pain or needles, embarrassment about the condition of their teeth, or simply not knowing what to expect. For some patients, anxiety can become so significant that they avoid dental appointments altogether. Unfortunately, delaying care can sometimes allow relatively small problems to develop into more complex ones. Our approach is to take the time to listen. We don’t believe patients should feel rushed or judged. Understanding what makes someone anxious allows us to build a treatment experience around their individual needs.
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What can patients do if they are nervous but still want to have dental treatment? There isn’t one solution that works for everyone. Anxiety management starts with communication. We can take things slowly, explain procedures clearly and agree signals with patients so they feel in control. Sometimes simply knowing what is going to happen and having the opportunity to stop or take a break can make a huge difference. For patients with more significant anxiety, sedation can be an important part of their care plan. The aim isn't simply to “get through” dental treatment. We want patients to have a positive experience that can help them feel more comfortable about returning for future appointments. What is inhalation sedation and who can benefit from it? One of our exciting new services at Stoke Lane Dentistry is inhalation sedation, providing another option for patients who find dental treatment particularly challenging. Inhalation sedation is sometimes known as “happy air”. The patient breathes a carefully controlled mixture through a small nosepiece. It can help patients feel calmer and more relaxed during treatment while remaining conscious and able to communicate with the dental team. We are particularly pleased to offer inhalation sedation for children who are anxious about dental treatment, helping them develop a more positive relationship with dentistry from an early age. It can also be suitable for needle-phobic adults and selected patients who have additional or complex needs, following an appropriate assessment. Why is early anxiety management particularly important for children? A child’s early experiences of dentistry can influence how they feel about dental care for many years. Our goal is to make children’s appointments as positive, calm and predictable as possible. We use age-appropriate communication and take time to help children become familiar with the dental environment. For children who are particularly nervous or who may struggle with treatment, inhalation sedation can provide an additional level of support when clinically appropriate. We want children to grow up understanding that looking after their teeth is simply part of looking after their overall health — rather than something to be feared.
Depending on the type and level of sedation, patients remain conscious and can communicate with the dental team. The exact experience varies from person to person, which is why careful assessment and personalised treatment planning are so important. Our team of sedation-trained specialist dentists and nurses, support the practice’s commitment to safe, high-quality patient care. How does Stoke Lane Dentistry approach nervous patients differently? We believe anxiety management should be part of the whole patient journey, rather than something considered only when sedation is required. That means creating a welcoming environment, listening carefully to concerns, explaining treatment in understandable language and giving patients time to make decisions. Our practice is also equipped to provide a broad range of dental care, supported by a highly qualified multidisciplinary team. What does “dental wellness” mean at Stoke Lane Dentistry? For us, dental wellness is about looking beyond simply treating a problem when it occurs. Good oral health is something we want to help patients maintain throughout their lives. Regular examinations, professional hygiene care, prevention and early diagnosis can all play an important role. When treatment is required, we aim to provide high-quality, carefully planned dentistry that considers not only the immediate problem but the long-term health and function of the mouth. We also recognise that oral health can affect a person’s confidence. Helping patients feel comfortable smiling, eating and speaking can make a positive contribution to their overall wellbeing. What would you say to someone in Bristol who has avoided the dentist because of fear? Don’t feel embarrassed, and don't feel that you have to face it alone. We see patients with all levels of dental anxiety, and there is no judgement. You can tell us what you are worried about before your appointment, and we can discuss the options available to you. Sometimes the first step is simply coming in for a conversation and meeting the team. What else does Stoke Lane Dentistry offer? We welcome referrals from general dentists, as well as self-referrals, for a broad range of specialist treatments, including, but not limited to:
What about adults who are extremely anxious or afraid of needles? For adults, we offer a range of approaches depending on the individual’s needs. For some patients, inhalation sedation may be appropriate. For others, particularly those who are not needle-phobic, intravenous (IV) sedation is available. IV sedation is administered by a suitably trained clinician and can create a deeply relaxed state while the patient remains responsive to the dental team. It can be particularly helpful for adults who have previously avoided dental treatment because of anxiety. Every patient is assessed before sedation is recommended, and safety is always at the centre of the process.
• Specialist root canal treatment (endodontics) • Dentures and dental implants • Specialist gum disease treatment • Complex surgical tooth extractions • Michigan splints Dental Trauma and Emergency Appointments Available
Visit www.stokelanedentistry.co.uk or call 0117 962 9902 for more information
Does sedation mean that patients are asleep? Sedation is designed to help patients feel relaxed and less anxious; it is not the same as a general anaesthetic.
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Seeing the Difference An Interview with Miss Gemma Manasseh on Blepharoplasty and the Importance of Oculoplastic Expertise
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llepharoplasty - 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? Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin, muscle, and sometimes fat from the upper or lower eyelids. Patients often seek it because drooping or puffy eyelids can make them look tired, aged, or in some cases, impair their vision. The results can be both functional and cosmetic—helping patients not only see better but also look more refreshed and confident. 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? 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.
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? Do your research and ensure you’re consulting a surgeon with the right expertise. Ask about their background in ophthalmology and oculoplastics, not just general plastic surgery. The eyes are too precious to take risks with. At The Eye Unit, our focus is on achieving safe, lasting, and natural results that enhance not just how patients look, but also how they feel.
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.
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.
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.
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.
www.theeyeunit.co.uk
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To make an appointment Contact us today: Tel: 0117 369 1179 Email: office@theeyeunit.co.uk
Available for consultations @ Nuffield Bristol.
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HISTORY One of the rooms where after-hours salons explored the boundaries of consciousness
The doors of perception Tucked away in a quiet corner of Hotwells, a Georgian house was once the setting for experiments that changed medicine, science, photography – and even the way we think about the mind – forever. Now, its owner James Dale is opening the front door to share the untold story of Davy’s House: the birthplace of psychedelic science, the Romantic movement and much more
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estled into a leafy corner of Dowry Square in Hotwells, behind an unassuming but smart façade, Davy’s House is the sort of place you might walk past a hundred times without realising that more than two centuries ago some of the most curious minds of the age were gathering inside to inhale nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas), debate philosophy and experiment with the limits of human consciousness. Today, it is, surprisingly, not a museum. There are no queues, gift shops or glass cases in sight. Instead, it is a calm, family home, albeit one with an extraordinary past. James Dale bought the house in 2022, looking for somewhere with plenty of character, and has spent the years since carefully restoring and reimagining its interiors. The result feels both historic and comfortably lived-in: an atmospheric canvas filled with antiques, curios and unusual objects collected through James’s parallel career in the antiques trade. The home’s previous interiors have been gently pulled back towards a much earlier aesthetic, with James taking inspiration from Dennis Severs’ celebrated house in Spitalfields, London, and its evocative recreation of 72 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2026 | No 263
an 18th-century domestic world that celebrates the quality of ‘English light’. There are deep window reveals, old floorboards, period details and rooms that seem to absorb the sunlight. Davy’s House has already understandably caught the eye of television producers, having been used as a filming location for The Forsytes. But these cameraready interiors somehow feel secondary to what happened within these walls. “This was the birthplace of psychedelic science,” James explains. It’s a bold statement, especially considering there’s a real psychedelic renaissance happening culturally around the world these days, but the historical receipts add up. In the late 1790s, Bristol’s Hotwell Spa culture was fading and the spring waters that had once attracted visitors seeking cures for everything from consumption to melancholy were losing their credibility. Into this world stepped Thomas Beddoes (pictured, left), a radical physician and polymath who became fascinated by the potential of newly discovered gases as treatments for disease. His idea was pneumatic medicine: could inhaling particular gases cure illness? By 1798, Beddoes had secured this premises in Dowry Square and recruited a remarkable
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HISTORY The rooms are adorned with James’s antiques
young chemist. Humphry Davy was just 19 (pictured opposite, right). The Pneumatic Institution opened its doors in 1799 and quickly became a remarkable laboratory of experimentation. Davy tested different gases, recording their physiological effects, sometimes with spectacular disregard for his own safety. Most famously, he became fascinated by nitrous oxide. What happened next was part medical research, part scientific adventure and, increasingly, something much more difficult to categorise at the time.
describes sensations of extraordinary intensity – altered perceptions, vivid imagery and a feeling of discovering entirely new ideas. The experiences recorded by Davy and others are now regarded as among the earliest documented psychedelic experiences in Western science. The consequences stretched far beyond an evening’s intellectual entertainment. Davy observed that people under the influence of nitrous oxide appeared not to feel pain and, in his 1800 publication, suggested that the gas might have applications in surgery. It would take decades before that idea was put into practice, but the connection between nitrous oxide and anaesthesia would eventually become one of the Institution’s most consequential legacies (supported by the plaque adorning the wall by the front door). And Davy himself was only getting started. After leaving Bristol for the Royal Institution in London, he went on to discover seven elements, including potassium, sodium and calcium (which, incidentally, are the three most important ions used in the connection between neurons in the brain – something James admires as “poetic coincidence” considering the nature of Davy’s experiments at the house), and he became one of Britain’s most celebrated scientists. The most fascinating thing about Davy’s House, however, perhaps isn’t any individual discovery, but the incredible collision of minds that took place inside its rooms. The Institution was a laboratory, of course, but it also became a kind of salon – somewhere people could come together and ask questions that did not necessarily belong neatly to one discipline. What happens when chemistry meets poetry? What does an altered state of consciousness tell us about the nature of thought? Can an experiment in a laboratory change the way an artist sees the world? James has become fascinated by this aspect of the house’s history during his
Mind over matter Davy and his contemporaries discovered that nitrous oxide could produce powerful changes in perception. The Institution became a gathering place for poets, writers, scientists and philosophers, with evening salons in which the boundaries between science, literature and consciousness became pleasingly blurred. Samuel Taylor Coleridge (pictured above, left) was among those drawn into the circle, alongside Robert Southey, Peter Mark Roget and Thomas Wedgwood. The latter is particularly significant to another of the house’s extraordinary stories. Wedgwood was already experimenting with light-sensitive materials, trying to create images using silver nitrate and sunlight. His meetings with Davy at the Institution provided an opportunity for their ideas to intersect. In 1802, Davy published observations on Wedgwood’s work – an early landmark in the history of photography. The crucial problem of fixing the image had not yet been solved, but the foundations were there. It is just one of the interconnected stories of science, art, literature and invention converging from the property. There was also Davy’s infamous Boxing Day experiment. In December 1799, he sealed himself inside an airtight chamber and inhaled an extremely large quantity of nitrous oxide. His subsequent account
James has renovated the property with an 18th century aesthetic
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HISTORY own research. He has spoken with members of the Beddoes family and developed a relationship with author Mike Jay, whose work Free Radicals explores the history of psychedelics and consciousness at Davy’s House. He has also unearthed tangible reminders of the house’s past. On the parlour table is an original letter from 1797, written by Beddoes as he reassured early backers that his project was progressing. On the same table are a pair of rather disconcerting cow bones discovered in the garden – an echo of the decidedly experimental approaches to medicine that took place in the Pneumatic Institution. It is easy to imagine the space as it might have been, with conversations continuing late into the evening, ideas bouncing between rooms and great minds testing the boundaries of consciousness.
Opening the door James now wants to revive something of that spirit. He is opening some of the rooms – the downstairs parlour and two reception rooms upstairs – for occasional small-scale tours, talks and intimate gatherings (as there’s only room for around 20 people at a time). “It's difficult to be in these rooms and not feel the echoes of all that happened here,” James says. “My job is just to open the door.” Hopefully, he says, Beddoes and Davy would approve of him continuing their legacy in a way that speaks to modern Bristol. The first opportunities to experience the house are already taking shape. This autumn, actor Robert Lloyd Parry will perform ghost stories by M. R. James on 22 October. And on 13 November, for Clifton LitFest, author Mike Jay will lead a Tour & Talk at 1.30pm, exploring the Pneumatic Institution and its remarkable cast of characters, including Davy, Beddoes, Coleridge, Southey, Roget and Wedgwood.
James will lead intimate tours of Davy’s House
Each room is brimming with curiosities
The hour-long LitFest event will include a tour and Q&A. Other special events, including magic shows, are being considered for next year. Davy’s House feels like a portal hidden within the square. James describes it as “like a Tardis”, and he’s right. Though the house may be private, its history feels too significant to remain entirely behind closed doors. “I think it's slightly ridiculous that this is a private home,” he says. “By rights it should be a museum, and instead it’s got me in it.” If this much intellectual history is tucked away behind one inconspicuous doorway in Hotwells, how many other extraordinary stories are hiding around Bristol? Davy’s House is a reminder that our city has always attracted restless, curious souls. And with James now calling this place home, the building will hopefully continue to be a magnet for the meeting of minds for many years to come. n For a fuller history of the house, its characters and upcoming events, visit davyshouse.co.uk 74 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2026 | No 263
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HOMES, INTERIORS & GARDENS | AUTUMN/WINTER 2026
Check o ut our Interior s Guide full on thebris tolmag line! .co.uk
HOME COMFORTS Our Autumn/Winter 2026 Interiors Guide features our favourite traders and services best placed to make your dream home and garden a reality. From those delicate finishing touches to overseeing a total renovation project, this directory has a treasured range of local experts waiting to give you a helping hand
BENNETT BUILDERS 07586459565 | waynebennett@hotmail.com Wayne Bennett of Bennett Builders is a trusted local tradesman who has been working locally, mainly in the Clifton and Redland areas, for the last 40 years. Works undertaken include renovations, new-build and general maintenance for both commercial and domestic customers. Working with an established network of other local trades and contractors, your project will be completed on time and on budget to a high standard and you will be kept informed of progress from start to finish. Contact Wayne for a no obligation quotation, or to discuss your plans.
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JUST SHUTTERS 0117 370 1594 | justshutters.co.uk/bristol Whatever your style – contemporary, modern, cosy or traditional – Just Shutters has the perfect fit for you. The shutters do not fade, warp or age and come with a lifetime guarantee. Rob and Linda Reeves are experts in the field, trained to the market-leading Just Shutters standard. They are passionate about shutters and transforming the homes of local people, with an understanding of outstanding quality, great value and professional customer service. Work closely with Rob and Linda as they tailor Just Shutters to your tastes, giving you honest and impartial advice. The company has the largest range of material and finishes in the UK, granting you choice and options in terms of shutter style.
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AUTUMN/WINTER 2026 | HOMES, INTERIORS & GARDENS
IVYWELL INTERIORS To book a discovery call with the team, email hello@ivywellinteriors.com or visit: ivywellinteriors.com
Ivywell Interiors is a local, award-winning studio specialising in high-end residential design for refurbishments, renovations and extensions. Collaboration is at the heart of what they do. Through the team’s close connection with sister practice DHV Architects (though they’ll also work seamlessly alongside other teams already appointed), they bring interior design and architectural expertise together from the outset, with work that goes beyond the creative concepts to include the technical design, detailed drawings and specifications needed to communicate the vision clearly. From first ideas to final details, the studio provides creative, practical and technical support throughout the entire journey, helping clients balance style and budget without compromise. Whether future-proofing a period property or bringing a contemporary extension to life, the team designs homes that feel timeless, tailored and truly personal.
MARBLE SUPREME Unit 8, Bridge Road, Kingswood, BS15 4FW 0117 956 3030 | marblesupreme.com Marble Supreme provides master craftsmanship in stone. Whether you’re looking for new stone worktops for your kitchen or bathroom, it offers a range of materials to suit your needs. With more than 40 years of experience, the team produces a wide range of products, from beautifully crafted granite kitchen worktops and flooring, right through to bespoke stone fireplaces, vanity tops, splashbacks and sink surrounds. Marble Supreme provides a complete service – from sourcing the perfect stone to crafting perfectly-fitting and beautifully-finished kitchen worktops. It also prides itself on delivering the very best in granite, marble and quartz stone, knowing its creations will play a part in family life for years to come. Whether you know what you want or are considering the options, the team is happy to discuss your plans, so pop into the Kingswood showroom.
BONITI Dunsdon Barn, West Littleton, Wiltshire, SN14 8JA 01225 892200 | boniti.com Run by Giles and Simon Lunt, Boniti is a high-quality interiors and exteriors business. The showroom is a destination for all things natural stone, porcelain, and timber flooring. Boniti offers expert restoration and professional installation services, ensuring every project is completed to the highest standard. For large and small projects, the Boniti team are masters of their profession and it shows in every detail. The showroom is easily reached from J18 of the M4.
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HOMES, INTERIORS & GARDENS | AUTUMN/WINTER 2026
MARKSON Pop in for a Markson coffee at 41 Alma Vale Road, Clifton, BS8 2HL 0117 973 4588 | markson.uk | enquiries@markson.uk If you live in the Clifton area, you may well have seen one or more of the Markson vans around. A new kid on the block, Markson is becoming the go-to property partner for Bristol, offering two main services; leasehold management and construction. Using the new office on Alma Vale Road as a showroom for its construction work and with a warm welcome, you’re encouraged to pop in for a Markson coffee, meet the team behind the name and discuss your needs. ‘Managing the Present – Constructing the Future’ is truly what they are all about.
BRACEY INTERIORS 15 Waterloo Street, Clifton, BS8 4BT 0117 973 4664 | braceyinteriors.co.uk With more than 50 years’ experience, Bracey Interiors has earned an enviable reputation for its design services. The Bracey Design Team offers a complete architectural and interior design service, which is tailored to your individual needs. Within the retail showroom in Clifton Village, you’ll find fabrics and wallpapers from all the major design houses as well as an eclectic mix of home accessories. Bracey is a stockist of Little Greene and Paint & Paper Library paints, which are mixed in the showroom in a matter of minutes. There are also in-house workrooms where the team creates bespoke curtains and blinds, which are installed by Bracey’s own fitters.
PARK FURNISHERS Unit 1 A/B, Eastgate Retail Park, Eastgate Road, Eastville, BS5 6XX parkfurnishers.co.uk Sixty years in Bristol, and Park Furnishers is still here with the biggest of welcomes. It’s your home for furniture, kitchens, wardrobes and carpets – all under one roof, all backed by genuine expert advice from people who know their stuff. You’ll find the best brands so you get quality that lasts, whether you’re choosing a new sofa, planning a kitchen, fitting a wardrobe or laying new flooring. Don’t just take our word for it – Park Furnishers is rated five stars on Trustpilot by customers across Bristol and beyond. Pop in and see why generations keep choosing Park Furnishers.
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AUTUMN/WINTER 2026 | HOMES, INTERIORS & GARDENS
WOVEN ARCHITECTURE STUDIO 07340843948 | wovenarch.com Woven Architecture Studio is a Bristol-based boutique practice specialising in thoughtfully designed residential properties across the South West and beyond. Woven offers a full range of architectural and interior design services; from feasibility studies and planning applications to contract administration and delivery across all RIBA stages. With extensive international experience in the UK, New York and Paris the team combines a global perspective with a strong commitment to sustainability; weaving together creativity, care and craftsmanship with great design to create harmonious spaces. The Woven approach is grounded in listening, dialogue and collaboration to ensure your project, no matter the size, is a true reflection of your needs, desires and aspirations. Whether it’s a bespoke country home, a life changing extension or reimagining your existing space, the team will bring your vision to life.
BEN ARGENT KITCHENS Dunsdon Barn, West Littleton, Wiltshire, SN14 8JA 01225 892 270 | benargentkitchens.co.uk Award-winning creators of beautiful bespoke kitchens. Ben Argent Kitchens is a local independent company run by Ben and Emi Argent, who have been designing and hand crafting timeless, sophisticated kitchens since 2011. Every design detail you see has been meticulously refined. Every function and material application has been imagined with the most in-depth level of consideration. And every kitchen has been installed with the highest level of precision and finesse. Their beautiful showroom is conveniently located near M4 J18 with plenty of free parking. Please contact them to arrange a viewing.
DUNSDON BARN Dunsdon Barn, West Littleton, Wiltshire, SN14 8JA dunsdonbarn.com With joined-up thinking by three of Bath’s most-loved independent homes, interiors and exterior businesses, Dunsdon Barn is a destination showroom for Boniti, with its beautiful stone, porcelain and timber flooring products; the brilliant kitchen designs by Ben Argent – with working kitchen displays on show, and Coopers Home Appliances for a fabulous range of the highest quality stoves and range cookers – including AGA, Everhot, La Cornue and Lacanche. The showroom space has been completely re-imagined and all three businesses are well-known for offering the highest standards of customer service, care and can work together to provide excellent delivery and fitting by skilled craftspeople. Conveniently located just a few miles north of Bath near Dyrham Park and J18, and with free parking, Dunsdon Barn is the perfect place to start your next dream project. THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | OCTOBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 79
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HOMES, INTERIORS & GARDENS | AUTUMN/WINTER 2026
TABITHA TARLING GARDEN DESIGN 34 Fairfield Road, Montpelier, BS6 5JP 07811169636 | tabithatarling.co.uk
PAUL WHITTAKER BATHROOMS AND WETROOMS
Tabitha is a highly experienced landscape designer with more than 20 years of designing and installing projects of all sizes, both in the UK and abroad. She offers a full garden design service, including design concept, construction management, planting and styling. She can also provide consultations, garden coaching and advice. Tabitha works collaboratively with clients, carefully listening to their needs, to ensure the end results are elegant as well as functional. She is keen to make sure her design solutions sit well within their surroundings, with beautiful, thoughtful planting schemes and a sympathetic use of materials, whether it be it a tiny courtyard, a roof terrace or a large family garden. She works with a select group of landscape contractors and specialists, so that the design process, from concept to completion, is smooth and seamless. Credit: Richard Downer Photography
Showroom by appointment at Bathroom Solutions, 54 Redcliff Street, BS1 6LS 0117 223 0086 | 07879666221 paulwhittakerbathrooms.co.uk Paul Whittaker Bathrooms and Wetrooms is a design, supply and installation bathroom company with a huge reputation in the Bristol area. Working closely with his clients, Paul is able to deliver cleverly-designed bathrooms and wetrooms, expertly installed by his experienced team of fitters. With 3D design layouts to help with decision making and project management through the course of the works, Paul Whittaker makes bathroom renovations easy and stress-free.
GARDINER HASKINS INTERIORS Brunel Rooms,1 Straight Street, BS2 0FQ gardinerhaskins.co.uk Gardiner Haskins Interiors has a luxury interiors showroom that will allow you to create your dream home. The knowledgeable and skilled team of design experts can help you design your own bespoke kitchen, bathroom or bedroom with wraparound project management from start to finish and high-quality manufacturers, such as Pronorm Kitchens, Stoneham Kitchens, Vanity Hall and Crown Imperial. You can also enhance your bedroom with beds on display from Harrison Spinks, Hypnos and Relyon alongside bedroom furniture from Ercol and Wiemann. The latest addition to the showrooms is a stunning sofa and chair display from premium British brand Duresta sitting alongside Parker Knoll and G-Plan. The team has more than 40 years’ experience, so you can guarantee exceptional customer service. Open six days a week with a free customer car park and less than 10-minute walk from Cabot Circus.
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INTERIORS M&S LAURA ASHLEY Star Small Pendant Light, £180. marksandspencer.com.
M&S X KELLY HOPPEN. No. 3 Fragrance 3 Wick Candle. £60, marksandspencer.com.
Gothic Whimsy
OLIVER BONAS. Glass Apple Trinket Pot. £12.50, oliverbonas.com.
PRIOR SHOP. Landscape’ Handmade. Ceramic Coffee Mug, £26. priorshop.co.uk.
LITTLE GREENE. Bedford Square, Ebony Gold. Wallpaper, £102. littlegreene.com.
M&S. Ceramic Dinner Candle &. Tealight Holder, £5. marksandspencer.com.
Practical Magic 2’s recent cinematic release has continued the 1998 cult classic movie’s legacy of the Owens sisters for the next generation, re‐affirming a strong cultural desire for 90s nostalgia. It’s the perfect time to invite romantic, gothic‐yet‐whimsical designs into your home that worship the night sky and embrace mysticism, botany and astrology, creating sacred spaces guaranteed to wake up your inner witch or wizard just in time for spooky season.
M&S MORRIS & CO. Pure Cotton Olive and Rose Bedding Set. From £85, marksandspencer.com.
M&S Set of 2 Petiole Framed Art, £39 & Libra Star Sign Toiletry Bag, £12. marksandspencer.com.
OLIVER BONAS. Issey Velvet Fringed Cotton. Cushion Cover, 45cm. £22.50, oliverbonas.com.
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INTERIORS NEXT ROCKETT ST GEORGE. Black Apothecary Style Console. £449, next.co.uk.
SPROUTS OF BRISTOL. Woven Hanging Plant Pot £18, sproutsofbristol.co.uk
NEXT ROCKETT ST GEORGE. Black Look of Love Beaded Eye. Cushion, £35. next.co.uk.
ERCOL FOR JOHN LEWIS. Hexton Large 3 Seater Sofa, Vintage Ash Leg. £2,699, johnlewis.com.
M&S GALLERY DIRECT. Carved Louis Extra Large. Rectangular Mirror. £250, marksandspencer.com.
NEXT ROCKETT ST GEORGE. Black Ringo Bedside Table. £399, next.co.uk. SPROUTS OF BRISTOL. Cryptanthus bivittatus ‘Super Pink Star’, Earth Star Plant, £8. sproutsofbristol.co.uk
FIG1. Nkuku Chara Hammered. Bottle Vase, £38. fig1.co.uk.
OLIVER BONAS. Sun Dial Gold Incense Holder. £6, oliverbonas.com.
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HOMES & INTERIORS
The soul of a home:
Creating interiors that tell your story Why do some homes feel special the moment you walk through the door? Katherine Raderecht explores how memories, collections and well‐loved possessions create interiors with warmth and personality, giving a house its heart and soul
I
t isn’t necessarily about beautiful architecture, expensive furniture or the latest colours and fabrics. In fact, some of the most memorable homes break almost every conventional decorating rule. They contain furniture that doesn’t match, slightly faded rugs, shelves crowded with books and walls filled with art, photographs and objects that mean something to the people who live there. These are homes with soul. The difficult thing is that soul can’t be ordered online or created during a weekend makeover. It comes from the gradual accumulation of possessions, memories and experiences: the things we inherit, discover, make, collect and refuse to part with. In a world of perfectly styled interiors, there is something refreshing about a home that feels genuinely lived-in. A real home doesn’t have to be immaculate or follow a particular design style. It should tell you something about the person who lives there.
Let your home tell your story Our possessions often carry stories that have very little to do with their monetary value. “The most successful interiors don’t begin with a shopping list; they begin with the things that matter most,” says interior designer Clair Strong. “A favourite painting, a grandmother’s chair or a collection gathered over decades gives a home a sense of identity that no
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trend can ever replicate. These personal pieces become the foundation of a room, with the colours, textures and furnishings evolving around them, creating a home that feels authentic rather than simply well styled.” The battered armchair that belonged to a grandfather may be worth far less than the beautiful new one sitting beside it, but it has a history. A chest of drawers from a childhood home, a mother’s china teacup, an old family clock or a collection of much-read books can connect us to people and places from the past. “A truly warm and inviting home should feel like an authentic reflection of the people who live within it,” agrees Alison Bracey of Bristol-based Bracey Interiors. “The most meaningful interiors are layered with pieces that hold meaning and memory: a beautiful piece of inherited furniture, a well-worn and much-loved chair, or an object that has travelled through generations. These pieces create a tangible connection to our past and heritage, bringing with them stories and a sense of continuity that cannot be replicated.” Alison adds that family photographs, personal collections and treasured memorabilia add another layer of intimacy. “While these details may offer an insight into the lives of those who inhabit a home, their greatest value is often deeply personal. They keep us connected to where we have come from, surrounding us with familiar faces, memories and
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HOMES & INTERIORS
moments that matter.” She believes that it is this sense of history and personal connection that creates genuine comfort and warmth. When a room is filled with objects that have meaning, it feels considered without feeling contrived; beautiful, yet entirely lived in. “Ultimately, the most inviting spaces are those that tell a story – a story that belongs uniquely to the people who call it home.” These pieces give a home an emotional depth that new furniture simply cannot provide.
“ A beautiful home can be designed. But a home with soul is something that is created over a lifetime ” That doesn’t mean a home has to become a museum. The most successful interiors mix different periods and styles. An inherited Victorian table can look wonderful with contemporary chairs. An antique chest can sit in a modern bedroom, while an old oil portrait can bring wit and character to a boldly decorated room. And if a piece of furniture doesn’t work but it can’t be thrown out, turn it into something new. Reupholster a chair in an unexpected fabric, paint a dark piece of furniture with chalk paint, change the handles on an old chest or find a completely different use for something – a wardrobe becomes a larder, an old chest a place to store shoes. The important thing is to keep the story while allowing the object to become part of the way we live now. That idea of adapting rather than replacing is one that Annie Sloan, the celebrated paint and colour expert,
has championed for decades. “Every scratch and dent tells part of a piece’s history,” she says. “Painting furniture isn’t about erasing its past – it’s about giving it a future, so it can continue to be loved for another generation. Some of the most beautiful pieces are those that have evolved over time, carrying their memories with them while becoming part of everyday life once again.”
Collect, don’t decorate There is a difference between decorating a room and allowing a home to evolve. When everything is bought at once, from the same places and for the same scheme, a room can look attractive but frankly rather bland. The most interesting homes usually contain things acquired at different times and for different reasons. Antiques and vintage pieces are an obvious way to introduce individuality, but not everything needs to be valuable or important. A handmade bowl bought directly from a potter can have as much presence as a precious antique. So can a slightly quirky picture found in a flea market, a cushion made from a favourite piece of fabric or a little stool picked up on holiday and somehow squeezed into a suitcase for the journey home. Objects that show the hand of the person who made them bring something particularly special to a room. Pottery, textiles, paintings, baskets, carved wooden objects and hand-blown glass all have a human quality. Small irregularities are part of their beauty. The same applies to collections. The word can conjure up images of glass cabinets filled with valuable objects, but most people collect without ever realising it. Perhaps it is a small ceramic piece brought home from every trip, a shelf of old Penguin paperbacks or an inability to resist an old map. Displayed together, ordinary things gain impact and tell a story about the person who collected them.
Accentuating original architectural features. Interior designer Clair Strong has blended contemporary styling, neutral colours and natural materials with an exposed Bath Stone fire surround
THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | OCTOBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 85
INTERIORS EDITORIAL BRISTOL.qxp_Layout 1 24/09/2026 15:02 Page 3
HOMES & INTERIORS
Colour expert Annie Sloan proves that simple palettes need never be boring
Give memories a place Some of the most precious objects in our homes are almost worthless. Children bring home stones, shells, feathers and pieces of sea glass because they instinctively understand that objects can hold memories. As adults, many people continue to do the same thing, although perhaps more discreetly. A bowl of shells from favourite beaches, a stone picked up on a memorable walk, postcards, old letters, ticket stubs and tiny objects brought back from travels all contain personal histories. The key is to give these things a place rather than hiding them in drawers. Frame a beautiful postcard. Fill a glass jar with shells. Put a collection of stones in a favourite bowl. Frame a child’s drawing properly and hang it alongside other artwork – children’s drawings aren’t just for the fridge door. Family photographs deserve to be seen too. There was a period when photographs seemed to disappear from fashionable interiors, but a home should contain the people who matter to us. A collection of framed photographs on a hall table or bookshelf brings life to a room in a way that no carefully chosen accessory ever can. Old family photos are fascinating and beautiful when framed and connect us to people, places and our past.
Choose art with your heart Art is one of the most powerful ways to bring personality into a home because our response to it is so personal. There is no need to be a serious collector or spend a fortune. Artwork 86 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2026 | No 263
Handmade details and well-chosen fabrics bring warmth, character and individuality to even the simplest room. Image courtesy of The Traditional Upholstery School
should be chosen because it makes you feel something. It might be an original painting, a limited-edition print, a textile, a photograph, or something found in a flea market. A favourite piece of art can also be the starting point for an entire room. Pulling colours from a painting can create a far more personal palette than choosing whatever shade happens to be fashionable that year. And there is no need to worry too much about whether art “goes” with the room. If a piece is genuinely loved, there will usually be a way to make it work. A gallery wall is a wonderful place to mix the serious and the sentimental: original art beside family photographs, vintage prints, children’s drawings and objects that can be framed. The result will be completely unique.
Make room for the life you love The soul of a home isn’t only found in the things on display. It is also in the way a home makes people feel and the rituals it allows them to enjoy. Think about the parts of a home that make its inhabitants happiest. It might be a slightly sagging old sofa in exactly the right position for reading on a Sunday afternoon, with a good lamp and somewhere to put a cup of tea. It could be a bathroom designed for a long soak rather than a rushed shower, or a kitchen table that always seems to attract family and friends. These places may not be the most impressive parts of the house, but they are often the most loved. Good interior design should support the way people actually live, not an imaginary version of it. A reader needs space for books. A keen cook
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HOMES & INTERIORS
might want pots of herbs in the kitchen and favourite bowls within easy reach. If music matters, the piano or record player shouldn’t be hidden away simply because it disrupts a minimalist aesthetic. A home should work for real life.
Design for all the senses Interior design is often treated as purely visual, but the homes people remember engage all the senses. Scent is extraordinarily evocative. Fresh herbs on a kitchen windowsill, roses cut from the garden, a vase of sweet peas, or lavender by the bed can change the atmosphere of a room. So can the smell of beeswax on old furniture, a wood-burning fire, coffee brewing in the morning or a favourite candle lit in the evening. Bringing the outside in makes a home feel alive. It doesn’t have to mean elaborate arrangements from the florist. A handful of garden flowers, a branch in a large vase or a pot of rosemary on the windowsill can be just as beautiful. Texture matters too: the worn leather of an old chair, cool linen sheets, a woollen blanket, a smooth wooden table polished by years of use. These are the sensory details that make people feel comfortable and at home.
“ And there is no need to worry too much about whether art “goes” with the room. If a piece is genuinely loved, there will usually be a way to make it work ” Forget perfection Perhaps the greatest enemy of a soulful home is the pursuit of perfection. Social media has given us access to more interiors inspiration than ever before, but it has also encouraged a particular kind of sameness. It is possible to see a room online and, within minutes, identify and buy the sofa, lamp, rug and cushions. There is nothing wrong with finding inspiration online, but a home shouldn’t be a copy of someone else’s. Use the colours that you genuinely love even if they are seriously out of fashion. Mix patterns because they make you happy. Put together pieces from different periods. Keep the odd thing that makes no sense to anybody else. Display books, photographs and collections. Allow rooms to change as life changes. South West-based upholsterer Joanna Heptinstall believes those wellloved pieces are often the very ones worth keeping. “I love bringing old chairs back to life,” she says. “Recovering and restoring them gives you the opportunity to create something completely personal, whether that’s in a glorious colourful fabric or something more understated. They can be darned when worn, have mismatched cushions and still be utterly beautiful, as long as they invite you to sit down and feel at home. If you love everything in your home, surely it will make your heart sing every time you walk through the door.” Some things will clash. Some pieces will be worn. There may be a chair that is slightly too big for its corner but which nobody in the family will ever agree to part with. But who cares? And that’s the point! The homes with the most soul are rarely created according to a formula. They evolve slowly, through inheritance and accident, holidays and house moves, gifts and discoveries. They contain evidence of the people who live there and the lives they have lived. A beautiful home can be designed. But a home with soul is something that is created over a lifetime. n
The joy of giving old objects new life. Image courtesy of The Traditional Upholstery School
Put together pices from different periods and display old books collections
THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | OCTOBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 87
GARDENING OCTOBER 26.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2026 12:43 Page 1
GARDENING
What’s in a name? Do Latin plant names leave you feeling bamboozled? You’re not alone, writes gardening expert Elly West...
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t’s not unusual to find plant names confusing. The Latin can sound like gobbledegook and common names are many and variable. The same name can refer to entirely different plants, for example mock orange can refer to a philadelphus or a choisya, and some plants have a multitude of common names, often with regional variations. For example, Arum maculatum is otherwise known as lords-and-ladies, cuckoo-pint and jack-in-the-pulpit. Harebells (Campanula rotundifolia) in England are often called bluebells in Scotland. We may just get used to a Latin name, and then the powers that be decide to reclassify the plant and call it something else. Stipa arundinacea is in many of my planting schemes, but is now officially known as Anemanthele lessoniana. Autumn-flowering Sedum spectabile has become Hylotelephium spectabile, but the common names of ice plant or stonecrop are much easier to remember. I chat to many clients about plants in the course of my work, and the only thing that is very clear is that the naming of plants can be a minefield. Very rarely will I correct someone’s pronunciation (unless asked!) or question the common name that they have given a particular garden plant – after all, a common name is simply a nickname, so is it ever entirely wrong? And Latin is a dead language, so who knows how the Romans pronounced a particular word? My eldest son is in his final year studying linguistics at university, and is full of fascinating facts about etymology, which got me thinking this month about the wacky world of plant naming. The two-part nomenclature system is relatively recent and was introduced by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century as a way to classify all living things, allocating them with a capitalised name to signify the genus, followed by a lower-case species, for example Fagus sylvatica, otherwise known as beech. Without needing to have studied Latin, many names hold clues to a plant’s appearance. Alba or album means white, rubra/rubrum is red, lutea is yellow, rosea translates as pink, argentea is silver, and purpurea is purple. 88 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2026 | No 263
Places, shapes and whimsical images The Latin name can also give a clue as to what conditions a plant likes, for example palustris means from the marshes, sylvestris is from woodland, and maritima is from the coast. Plants with canadensis in the name are from Canada, canariensis means from the Canary Isles, chinensis pertains to China and plant names including japonica are from Japan. Other common species names that don’t need much explanation include gigantea (big), compacta (small), odorata (perfumed) and autumnalis (of autumn). Latin names can also describe the shape of the plants’ flowers or leaves. Cordata means heart-shaped, stellata is starry, pinnata is feather-like, trifoliata refers to plants with three-lobed leaves, and ovalifolia means oval. Many of the plants commonly grown in our gardens also have what’s known as the cultivar name. These are generally given by the breeders who have developed the plant and are usually in inverted commas, for example Rosa ‘Gertrude Jekyll’. These are often named after a person, or may be descriptive, such as Malus ‘Golden Delicious’ – a tasty goldyellow apple. Common names are perhaps where the fun lies though. Whimsical imagery is certainly conjured up by the name foxglove, monkey puzzle tree, fat hen, bear’s breeches or mother-in-law’s tongue. Before modern botany, people named what they could see, smell, taste, use and imagine, and these historic names often have interesting folklore attached. Forget-me-not, according to a medieval German legend, is named after the final words of a knight who was gathering these flowers for his lover, when he slipped into a river and was dragged down by his heavy armour. Other names may have come about because of the so-called medicinal properties of the plant. Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) was thought to resemble a diseased lung with its spotty leaves, and was historically used to treat pulmonary infections.
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GARDENING
Our home city of Bristol has its fair share of plants named after the city. Weigela ‘Bristol Ruby’ is one of my favourite flowering shrubs for bees and butterflies, with an abundance of deep-pink flowers from late spring into summer. There is also an Origanum ‘Bristol Cross’, Gypsophila paniculata ‘Bristol Fairy’ and Hemerocallis ‘Bristol Fashion’. The Avon Gorge is said to be one of the top sites for rare plants in England, and is home to the Bristol whitebeam (Karpatiosorbus bristoliensis) and the rare and protected Bristol rock-cress (Arabis scabra). The city’s traditional floral emblem is the Maltese cross, also commonly called the nonesuch flower, Jerusalem cross or flower of Bristow, and formally known as Silene chalcedonica, previously Lychnis chalcedonica. This bright-red starry flower (pictured opposite) was introduced to Britain from Europe in the 16th century and is closely tied to Bristol owing to its historic status as a major port for explorers and traders. The bright red flowers were used to dye cloth to a colour known as ‘nonesuch red’, which is still the traditional colour of Bristol University’s academic hoods. n Elly West is a professional garden designer, working in and around the Bristol area | ellyswellies.co.uk
Plant of the month: Hylotelephium spectabile My memories of this autumn-flowering perennial go back to childhood and of using the tight, compact flowers growing in clusters as flowering bushes in my miniature garden creations for judging at our village autumn show. Although I’ve always known it as a border sedum, DNA analysis in recent years declared it is not closely related enough to the lowgrowing sedums of rockeries, green roofs and container gardens, so it’s been given its own new genus, Hylotelephium. The pink flower heads appear in summer as pale pinky-green buds that open to a deeper rich pink through later summer into autumn, often still going strong in November. The sturdy stems carry scalloped, grey-green fleshy leaves that are both heat and drought tolerant. The flowers stay standing into the winter months and give sculptural interest as they brown and die on the plant, sparkling in the sun when dusted with frost and cobwebs. Plants grow to around 60cm in height and spread, and prefer a sunny spot, where they will attract pollinators such as late-flying bees and butterflies. Prune the old stems back to ground level when they have completely died, in late winter or early spring before the fresh shoots emerge. Popular cultivars include ‘Autumn Joy’ and the dark-leaved ‘Purple Emperor’.
ELLY’S WELLIES GARDEN DESIGNS Turning your ideas into
beautiful spaces Elly’s Wellies Garden Designs will help you to maximise your outdoor space and tailor it to your individual needs. Whether you are looking for a complete redesign or just need advice on what to plant, contact Elly West for a free initial consultation.
ellywellies@gmail.com 07788 640934 www.ellyswellies.co.uk THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | OCTOBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 89
OLIVER ROTH October.qxp_Layout 2 23/09/2026 15:45 Page 1
PROPERTY NEWS
PROPERTY NEWS
DISCOVER THE LATEST NEWS FROM BRISTOL’S PROPERTY EXPERTS
the £2m). Nor are there any signs of the tax driving buyers “inbound” from London or the South East to less expensive, albeit similarly sized, Bristol homes.
Psychological Element
Impact of the ‘Mansion Tax’ to the Bristol market
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he High Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS) is due to take effect from April 2028. It will apply to owners of residential properties in England valued at £2m+, based on 2026 values. Homes crossing the £2m threshold will trigger an additional annual charge starting at £2,500, with a charge of £3,500 for those properties valued between £2.5m and £3.5m. With it estimated that less than 1% of homes in England will fall within this threshold, and 90% of those in being in London, will this have any impact on the Bristol market? Whilst there are signs that the mansion tax is shaping both behaviour and pricing in London and the South East, the latest ONS figures put the average Bristol house price at approximately £352k. In Bristol, the tax therefore affects far fewer properties, mainly isolated across Clifton, Leigh Woods, Abbots Leigh, and Sneyd Park. The impact however should not be underestimated when set against the reality that, over the past three or so years almost 30 properties have transacted at, or above this new threshold. As to the current impact on prices in Bristol at this prime level of the market, right now there is no Bristol specific data to suggest that the local market is showing specific evidence of “bunching” (prices below
90 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2026 | No 263
For buyers in the fortunate position to be buying at this level of the market, many would argue that £2,500 a year is a relatively modest sum compared to the cost of the property and in the scheme of other common outgoings, such as school fees, holidays etc. That said, markets are often heavily influenced by thresholds, and the reality is that for as long as we have a Labour Govt the surcharge may increase in future Budgets, and/or indeed thresholds be lowered (as indeed has been muted just this week). The £2m mark will, I believe, therefore have that psychological element in a buyer’s mind whereby they will inevitably negotiate harder on those homes marketed close to £2m. Sellers in turn will likely also become cautious about pushing prices through the threshold in a bid to appear more attractive to would-be buyers. There are already signs of this behaviour change in London where it is reported that 83% of offers within 10% of £2m came in below the threshold in February 2026, up from 64% a year earlier.
An impact on Supply? Another possible consequence for Bristol’s prime market is that fewer owners decide to sell. If owners become more reluctant to sell, and buyers become more selective about buying a home that commits them to taking on an additional annual charge, transaction volumes at the top end of the market are likely to become fewer. Focus may shift to those homes immediately below the threshold, with distinct markets being created between the £1.75m to £2m mark and levels of stock within them increasing. Whilst traditionally the volume of high quality, turnkey properties at the higher end of the market was scarce in Bristol, and attracted a premium, advisors are now warning sellers against such home improvements through risk of inadvertently crossing that £2m threshold, thereby reducing stock levels of ‘best in class’. In Bristol the prime property market is still relatively small, and therefore small changes in buyer behaviour, pricing expectations and available stock can therefore become visible quickly. For Bristol’s £2 million-plus market, the question may ultimately be less about whether owners can afford an additional £2,500 a year and more about how buyers and sellers respond to the existence of the threshold itself. As 2028 approaches, £2 million could become one of the most closely watched numbers in Bristol’s prime property market. Whatever stage you are at in the search for your perfect home, I’d love to chat. Lili Oliver Oliver Roth Property Consultants T: 0117 9877 828 | E: home@oliverroth.co.uk
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 Westfield Park, Redland, BS6 TO LET – £24.00 psf 1,653 sq ft (153.56 sq m)
Berkeley Square, BS8 FOR SALE / TO LET – POA 4,015 sq ft (372.99 sq m)
A stylish and modern, open plan workspace located just off Whiteladies Road. 4 onsite car parking spaces.
The property offers a fabulous opportunity on Clifton’s renowned Berkeley Square. To suit a magnificent family home, investment or commercial occupier. Available as a whole or in part.
High Street, Shirehampton TO LET – POA 486 – 1,004 sq ft (45.15–93.27 sq m)
Apex Court, Almondsbury TO LET - £11,000 PAX 883 sq ft (82.03 sq m) A modern, 2nd floor office with excellent access to the M4 & M5 motorway. 2 allocated car parking spaces. New lease terms available.
Available separately or as a whole, 37-39 High Street offer open plan sales space with a glazed retail frontage. 39 High Street further benefits from external security roller shutters. New lease available.
Julian Cook FRICS
Jayne Rixon MRICS
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Park Street, BS1 TO LET – RENT ON APPLICATION 752 – 1,522 sq ft (70-142 sq m)
Abbey Wood Business Park, BS34 FOR SALE - £495,000 2,528 sq ft (235.83 sq m)
Upper floor offices to let, with use class E therefore suitable for a range of different uses to include office, medical, employment and other commercial uses etc. New lease available.
Rare opportunity to acquire the freehold of this modern two storey office, within an attractive business park. Use Class E — therefore suitable for a wide range of different uses.
Cater Road, BS13 TO LET – £65,000 PAX 7,349 sq ft (682.72 sq m)
Belland Drive, BS14 TO LET - £18,5000 PAX 704 sq ft (654 sq ft)
Industrial unit in an excellent location on Cater Road with offices. There are 5 demised parking spaces to the front of the unit.
Benefiting from an open plan sales area with rear kitchen fitted with full commercial extraction and a rear store and a single. One allocated parking space to the rear, & customer car parking bays are available to the front of the property.
Ridingleaze, BS11 TO LET - £12,500 PAX 813 sq ft (75.53 sq m)
St Marys Way, Thornbury TO LET - £18,500 PAX 1,830 sq ft (170 sq m)
A competitively priced retail unit on a popular neighbourhood parade in Lawrence Weston. New lease terms available.
An exceptional ground and first floor retail premises, at the thriving St Marys shopping centre in Thornbury. Flexible lease terms available.
Finola Ingham FRICS
Tom Coyte MRICS
Charlotte Bjoroy BArch
Luke Dodge MRICS
Rupert Oliver FP October.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2026 09:30 Page 1
Kingsdown, Bristol | Guide Price £1,250,000 A beautiful Grade II Listed Georgian end-of-terrace townhouse presenting elegant and well-proportioned accommodation over five floors, with a sunny southerly facing rear garden. Stunning Grade II Listed end-of-terrace Georgian townhouse | Walled and very private southerly facing rear garden with rear lane access | Circa 3000 sq. ft of accommodation across five floors | Full footprint open-plan kitchen, dining and family room opening into the garden | Ground floor study and sitting room / library | Full width first floor drawing room | Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom | Four further double bedrooms across the upper two floors and a family bathroom | Elegant, retained period features and superb natural light | Useful vaulted storage
In all circa 3000 sq.ft ( 278.70 sq.m)
@rupertoliverproperty
Tel: 0117 452 3555 home@rupertoliver.co.uk
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Southville Collection Editorial fp.qxp_Layout 1 25/09/2026 12:15 Page 1
THE SOUTHVILLE COLLECTION:
Created for living
A stunning collection of 3, 4 & 5 bedroom houses and 1 & 2 bedroom apartments perfectly located in Southville, Bristol.
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he Southville collection sits within the heart of BS3, one of Bristol’s most sought-after residential postcodes. Combining a strong community feel with city convenience, the area offers a lifestyle that blends independent culture, green space, and excellent connectivity. From North Street’s vibrant café culture to the open landscapes of Ashton Court Estate, this area continues to attract professionals, families and first-time buyers looking for new homes in Southville, Bristol, combining lifestyle, connectivity and long-term value. A neighbourhood with lasting appeal Southville is known for its welcoming community, attractive Victorian streets and vibrant local atmosphere. North Street has become one of Bristol’s best-loved destinations, offering independent cafés, restaurants, boutiques and cultural venues, while nearby parks and the harbourside provide plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. This unique combination of character and convenience has helped establish Southville as one of Bristol's strongest residential locations.
Excellent connections across Bristol Living on Raleigh Road means you’re within walking or cycling distance of Bristol city centre, making commuting straightforward while allowing residents to enjoy a quieter residential setting. The area also benefits from convenient public transport, nearby railway stations and easy access to major road routes, making it well suited to both commuters and those working from home. Why buyers continue to choose Southville Demand for homes in Southville has remained consistently strong thanks to the area’s established reputation and limited supply of quality homes.
96 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2026 | No 263
Many buyers are drawn to the lifestyle the area offers - independent shops, popular eateries, green spaces and a genuine sense of community all within easy reach of Bristol’s business, education and cultural hubs. Rather than simply purchasing a property, buyers are investing in a neighbourhood with long-term appeal. Modern living in a character location While Southville is renowned for its Victorian terraces, today’s buyers are increasingly looking for homes that combine attractive design with modern comfort and energy efficiency. The Southville Collection has been carefully designed to complement its surroundings while delivering the features modern homeowners expect, including thoughtfully designed layouts, quality specifications and energyefficient construction. The result is a home that offers contemporary living within one of Bristol’s most established and desirable neighbourhoods. Discover the Southville Collection Whether you’re buying your first home, moving within Bristol or looking for a well-connected location with a strong community feel, Raleigh Road offers an exceptional opportunity. Combining the convenience of city living with the character that has made Southville one of Bristol’s favourite neighbourhoods, this development provides the ideal place to put down roots and enjoy everything BS3 has to offer. Whether you’re interested in The Southville Collection or exploring our other developments across Bristol, the team would be delighted to help you find your perfect home and arrange a viewing. www.hill.co.uk/the-southville-collection, email TheSouthvilleCollection@hill.co.uk or please call 0117 4545 505.
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Properties For Sale See our latest available properties Andrews Drive, High Street, Marshfield • Prices from £950,000 to £1,250,000
An exclusive collection of two exquisite four bedroom detached new build homes, and one superb three-bedroom semi-detached barn conversion. Situated in the highly sought-after Cotswold village of Marshfield. Each home has been finished to an exceptional standard internally and externally as well as benefiting from a 10-year LABC Warranty. These individually designed, flexible residences built and converted by the award-winning Ashford Homes include level enclosed landscaped gardens, covered, allocated off-road parking with EV charging facilities. Energy-efficient heating is provided by a Daikin air source heat pump, supplying underfloor heating throughout, with individually programmable room thermostats. The heating system can be controlled remotely via a smartphone or tablet, offering convenience and efficiency. Freehold. EPC Rating: B, EPC Rating: C for the Barn Conversion. Council Tax Band: To be confirmed.
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Clifton • Guide Price £575,000
Clifton • Guide Price £465,000
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A charming Grade II listed garden apartment, in need of some modernisation. Three bedrooms, private gardens to the front and rear. Leasehold. EPC rating D. Council tax band D.
St Werburghs Park • Guide Price £400,000
A charming two bedroom garden apartment forming part of a magnificent Grade II* listed terrace. Two double bedrooms, shower room, bathroom, living room, dining area, kitchen. Level enclosed rear garden. No onward chain. Leasehold, EPC rating D, Council tax band D.
Clifton • Guide Price £325,000
S OLD
A charming double fronted period property in need of some modernisation. Two double bedrooms, bathroom. Rear courtyard garden. On street parking. Freehold. Council tax band B. EPC rating D.
City Centre • 2 Bed, 2 Bath, £1,750p/m
TO LET
Stylish 2-bedroom sixth-floor apartment in the desirable Number One Bristol development, featuring an open-plan kitchen/living room, Juliet balcony, two double bedrooms, en-suite, shower room, gym and communal Sky Meadow.
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Royal York House sits in a prime location within Clifton, an impressive raised hall flat with a secure off road parking space. Open plan living/dining/kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom. No onward chain. Leasehold, EPC rating C, Council tax band C.
0117 3291400 | 01225 481010 happytohelp@zestlovesproperty.com zestlovesproperty.com Bristol Branch: Clifton Village, 4A Waterloo Street, Bristol, BS8 4BT Bath Branch: 1a Mile End, London Rd, Bath, BA1 6PT
Bedminster • 2 Bed, 1 Bath, £1,750p/m
LET
Contemporary two-bedroom terrace house in popular Bedminster, featuring private low-maintenance garden, solar panels, full-fibre broadband, stylish kitchen, spacious living/dining room, bi-fold doors, two double bedrooms & modern shower room.
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