• Added: 16th of October 2008
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Bristol BS1 1JH
01179290111

Yabe said
what a selection!
I dropped into the Rummer some weeks ago, mainly out of curiosity, as I had heard that this is the location of the oldest inn in Bristol. The old Inn has gone (except for the foundations, perhaps) but the Rummer Hotel claims to be the oldest licensed premises in Bristol.
It is located just off busy Corn Street, close to the Corn Exchange and Corn Street Market. In its current guise, the Rummer is a smart, slightly understated eating and drinking venue. The interior is a nice blend of ancient, timer beams and stone flooring, and a modern, extremely well-stocked bar, comfortable seating and a homely atmosphere.
When I visited, at lunch time, the Rummer was a busy, yet spacious, pleasant place where it was easy to feel comfortable. It is famous for its huge (seriously large) selection of spirits. The choice of vodkas is mind boggling and the different rums available just go to show how varied the luxury spirits market has become in recent years. Similarly, the Rummer's range of whiskies (and whiskeys) is legendary, from exclusive blends, to single malts, to Bourbons and even an Australian blend.
For some reason, I drank a bottle of one of the best, dark, West Country beers I have ever come across. I can't remember its name (it had a dark purple label), nor why I ordered it, but it was an absolute beauty. Served in a frozen glass from the freezer, the cold, chocolate-coloured ale was a treat on a warm Saturday.

• Added: 16th of October 2008
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Stations and Transport

Bristol BS34 8PU

Yabe said
shiny and efficient
Bristol Parkway is Bristol’s second main railway station.
It is located to the north of town (actually outside Bristol, but let’s not be pedantic), on the busy London Paddington to South Wales line.

The station is much more modern than Temple Meads station and has been extended and improved over the past 5 years. It is now a modern, well-functioning and busy station serving a large part of North Bristol and Sth Gloucestershire.

The large car park is massive. It now very helpfully offers you the chance to pay by phone from your mobile, or even pay in advance. This can make all the difference if you’ve just been stuck in traffic on the ring road or M4 and have a train to catch!

Occasionally, whether it be through flooding or bridge strikes, the station is bypassed by trains from London. It is useful to know that on these occasions it is worth changing trains at Swindon (assuming you are coming from London) to the line that goes through to Bristol Temple Meads.

• Added: 16th of October 2008
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Bristol BS1 5JA
0117 926 4041

Yabe said
laid-back, 'old world' coffee house
This is a long established 'coffee house' and sandwich temple, at the bottom of Park Street and within spitting distance of the Cathedral and College Green.
Woodes is a bit of an institution and offers a useful respite from the traffic-mad thoroughfare outside. An excellent place for a strong, early morning coffee and a bacon roll. If you're into cakes, Woodes usually has a sumptuous range of pastries, cookies, rolls and snacks. The hot chocolate also comes highly recommended.
One of the useful things about Woodes is the relative privacy inside the eating area. The way in which the tables are laid out allows for a comfortable space, where conversation are not easily overheard and where there is no pressure to vacate your table if you were to get carried away gossiping.
Where Woodes really comes into its own is if you are looking for a sandwich at lunch time. Its reputation for freshness and choice is legendary. The long, snaking queue on Park Street confirms this. If you work nearby or are short of time, the take-away side of the business is ideal. The staff here have perfected the art of 'speedy service with a smile'.
If you can stroll into Woodes, who needs one of those bland, pretentious, global 'coffee' outlets? Get real!

• Added: 16th of October 2008
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Stations and Transport

Bristol BS1 6QQ
0870 241 0930

Yabe said
historic building, poor performance
Let's start with the positives....
Temple Meads station is a beautifully designed, terminal station designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for his Great Western railway line between London Paddington and the West Country.

Many of the original roofs, platforms, entrance ways and outbuildings remain and have been incorporated into the present day station. The modern additions, including some extra platforms, lifts, shops and restaurants look a little out of place, but it's generally accepted that they are necessary for an efficient station.

This is where the negatives have to be aired. If only the station operated efficiently! As a regular user, it seems to me that the people who manage the station should be forced to use it in a way that is similar to the many thousands of passengers who have to put up with the mad, random and unpopular 'improvements' that have been made over the past 5-10 years.

OK, we all realise that it is hard if you have to work within the confines of an old, early Victorian railway terminus that is both a listed building and extremely busy. But do you really have to create unnecessary bottle necks everywhere?
The booking hall is a nightmare to get through during the rush hour, the ticket gates are staffed (with a couple of exceptions) by people who clearly couldn't care less and would rather be somewhere else, and the underpass connecting the platforms is littered with retail outlets, advertising boards, merchandising displays and other obstructions.

Major improvements to the way this old station works are well over due. Worst Great Western keep saying they have 'plans' but these are obviously being upstaged by the incessant 'failure of lineside equipment', late or missing drivers, train staff who act more like nightclub bouncers and by the wrong type of weather, regardless of the season.

FGW pays lip service to its fare paying 'customers' and indulges in using euphemisms instead of thinking through the problems it purports to 'tackle'.

If this review was a school report, "Could do better" just wouldn't do - FGW and Temple Meads are heading for exclusion. If we can nationalise the banks, why not the railways?

• Added: 16th of October 2008
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Education

Bristol BS1 5JG
0117 926 2987

Yabe said
nice garden
This place really IS hidden, unless you've been before.
The main access is from Park Street, but there is only a narrow alleyway visible, next door to the Spar shop.

Once through the alleyway, things begin to fall into place. A very nice, enclosed, little garden with picnic benches looms and gives way to the main entrance. The Folk House caters for a wide range of different people and different interests. Whether you've come for one of the many classes, information sessions, public meetings, private events, or just for a bit to eat, the Folk House is both welcoming and inspiring.

Located directly off the busy retail and entertainment area of Park Street, this is a quiet, laid-back little oasis in the heart of busy Bristol. It is a favourite lunch time destination for the many shoppers, office workers and visitors alike. The restaurant has a great range of hot and cold dishes, breads, snacks and refreshments. One of my favourites here is the spinach soup with crusty rolls (as well as the (gentle) curries and nice cakes and lots of other items).

When visiting the Folk House on a warm, sunny day, the garden is a lovely place to enjoy the great food. The rumble of the hustle-bustle can be heard in the background but you could be in a completely different world. Once you know your way around the place, there is also a handy back door into Culver/Trenchard Street.

• Added: 16th of October 2008
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Food and Drink

Bristol BS3 4JY
0117 923 1563

Yabe said
convenient
This Asda store is very conveniently located, close to the centre of Bristol. It is very well served by bus routes and there is a huge car park at the rear.
Although the store itself is not huge, it is big enough to make it a destination food store where you can either stock up on some essentials when you think of them, or where you can do your weekly shop.
This store has a good size clothing section with some true bargains. Other non-food items vary a bit but often include useful and household items, instead of some of the useless rubbish that some food stores now clutter themselves up with.
You will find the usual range of food, a decent size fresh counter and a reasonable fruit & veg selection (but be very careful here, especially if you enjoy apples or would prefer to have your fruit not too badly bruised....)
Outside the main supermarket section is a row of smaller 'service' units for dry-cleaning, photo printing, music and dvds.
The entrance from East Street is marred by an ugly, smelly MuckDonalds. It's not exactly out of place, as so many Asda customers seem to be stopping off here for a 'meal' or snack, but it's not exactly pretty.

• Added: 16th of October 2008
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Food and Drink

Bristol BS1 3DW
0117 948 7400

Yabe said
surprisingly well-stocked
Very busy Tesco in the 'Metro' format. It is located on the edge of Broadmead, near the Mall and the old city. This is a surprisingly well-stocked store, even if it's not all that large.
Its location means that it is often extremely busy at lunchtime (12-2) so it's worth trying to shop before the rush or in the evening.
This store offers a good selection of fresh produce and (being Tesco) you can rely on the quality of the fruit and veg, unlike some of its competitors. There is also an excellent organic section and a decent range of 'free from' items for those with special dietary needs.
Most impressive is the wine section - it puts many an off-licence to shame and with regular offers and case discounts, there are some bargains to be had.
Once you've struggled with your basket(s) and reach the tills, you can either queue for a regular till, use a self-service checkout or prenetnd you only have 5 items in your basket and use one of the 'express' aisles.
As there is usually a negative side to anything that appears really good, this store has the audacity to stock silly, useless or bulky items. They impede circulation and are just not the items anyone in their right mind would come to an inner-city Metro store for. Who doesn't Tesco think of its customers, instead of forcing us to look at high-margin items that sit in the way?

• Added: 16th of October 2008
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Sightseeing and Attractions

Bristol BS8 3NW
0117 973 8951

Yabe said
hunt for vouchers!
Fantastic blend of Victorian zoological gardens and modern eco destination.

Bristol Zoo is proud of its heritage. It boasts some very pretty, utilitarian, brick built buildings, set in a small 'park' in the heart of leafy Clifton. This zoo has been in this location for a long time and has built up a fab collection of rare species. This, together with its lovely setting and the fact that it is so well maintained, make this a very pleasant destination.

Obviously, children are keen to visit, although their interest sometimes doesn't extend much beyond the gift shop and the ice cream stall. In recent years, just like so many other zoos around the country, Bristol Zoo has added more interactive and imaginative displays that appeal to young naturalists.

One of the star outdoor attractions is the (old) penguin pool. It has some excellent vantage points and opportunities for close-up contact. Another intriguing item is the see-through bee hive, where you can watch bees coming and going through the glass.

Bristol Zoo is not a cheap destination and if you are visiting with a family of four or more, you are looking at a hefty admission price. The good news is that there are always plenty of discount vouchers available, either in magazines, local brochures or from the internet. These will often provide free entry for a child if you buy a full-price adult ticket, making your day out quite a bit more affordable.

• Added: 15th of October 2008
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Sightseeing and Attractions

Bristol BS1 3JE
0117 926 4740

Yabe said
not easy to spot, but worth searching for
Situated in the heart of Broadmead, Bristol's shopping precinct, yet not very visible.

This large chapel was the base of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism and brother of Charles Wesley, the well-known hymn writer.

It has been restored to (what we are told) its original condition, with authentic colour schemes and furniture.
The ground floor worship hall has many wooden pews and gives a good impression of what it must have felt like to sit in Wesley's congregation.

On the first floor are the former offices, ancillary rooms and living accommodation of the chapel. There is also a gift shop here which stocks a range of worship-related items and church music.

One side of the building faces onto Broadmead, whilst the other side faces the Horsefair. When the chapel is open you can actually walk through it from one street to the other. The Horsefair end is a bit neglected and although there is a little garden area here, it is shady, dark, dismal and in need of improvement. The owners (trustees) of the chapel now have plans to revitalise this area and make it more attractive.

If you are a Methodist are are interested in Wesley or the architecture of a plain, simple place of worship, this is one destination that is worth seeing.

• Added: 15th of October 2008
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Sightseeing and Attractions

Bristol BS1 6TY
0117 929 1843

Yabe said
Bristol's TOP attraction
This is my favourite attraction in the whole of Bristol!
Having put off visiting for a long time, the SSGB is one destination nobody should miss. The restored ship itself is beautiful and full access now exists onto all parts of the interior and exterior.

The steel hull is partially covered by a glass platform that completely surrounds the boat. Below the glass ceiling special fans and dehumidifiers attempt to control the atmosphere to such an extent that the life of the iron parts of the old ship are extended. The huge rudder and screws are are must-see.

The approach to the ship is through the restored dock yard, where lots of hands-on items bring to life the navigating and steering a boat of this size. Children from 8-80 will love the steering mechanism!
Once inside the boat, the small cabins and the lavish dining areas, complete with old props and artefacts, transport you back in time to the 1840s. The living conditions on board were quite different from today's QEII.

On a sunny day, the deck is a lovely place to rest a while. You get some nice views of Cliftonwood and the floating harbour. There is also a very nice cafe, adjacent to the gift shop, after you have left the SSGB. A nice water side setting and right next to the Matthew (when it is at home).

Here comes the best bit: your admission ticket is valid for as many return visits as you like during the next year!