The Places of Bristol: Cabot Tower

Possibly one of the most romantic spots in Bristol and only a 2 minute walk from Park Street, Cabot Tower is an isolated fairy tale just off the beaten track. The 32 metre high tower offers stunning views of the city and is situated in Brandon Park, allowing for a perfect lunch spot after the panoramic sights. 

Image: TripAdvisor

Although some may argue that Cabot Tower isn’t exactly a secretive landmark, it took two years until I discovered this beautiful place that steals you away from the hustle and bustle of the Clifton Triangle. It seems the perfect location to spend a much-needed lunch break away from the worries of the day or even a romantic walk in the evening with a view included. Although the actual tower closes at 3:45pm each day, the views are still fascinating from the base of the tower which sits at the perfect height to catch a glimpse of Bristol by moonlight. There really isn’t a more seductive spot. 

Where? Brandon Hill Park

How much? IT'S FREE.

How Facebook Has Ruined the House Party

When parents think of 'house party' and Facebook in the same sentence, they automatically picture this: 

Or this:

and they remember those Daily Mail articles where Timmy advertised his party on Facebook and the next thing they knew, they had £300,000 of damage and an arrested son. Well, I want to argue that although the Daily Mail may think Facebook gets a party started, perhaps it’s causing a whole new level of apathy as well. 

With the invention of Facebook Events, it seems that the necessity for a reliable RSVP has diminished. We no longer require a calendar or even a memory; we just pop onto Facebook and see if we fancy the event happening that evening, causing us to plan our social lives far more spontaneously. Clicking ‘yes’ on an event has become more a recognition of it happening rather than an affirmation of attendance. Gone are the personalised text messages or even the more civilised phone call, in fact gone is any direct communication at all. Create event, invite friends, enter.   

Now this is all fine and dandy if you’re relaxed about the outcome of your party, but it seems to me that you have to invite four times as many people as you actually want to turn up. Now that sounds rather different to Timmy and his cheese and crackers evening. Whereas in the past you would invite 10 on Facebook and 100 would show up, arguably now it needs to be the other way around. Although that may be comforting for parents, I would argue that Facebook is ruining the student necessity that is the 'house party'.  

The Places of Bristol: Watershed

The Watershed is a hot spot for the creative types in Bristol. Located in a beautiful Grade II listed building in Harbourside, this cinema is an endearing place to visit on a rainy Bristolian evening. “But you’re not the arty type!” I hear you scream, well the Watershed is also the perfect place for a languages student. I had my first introduction to this inspired place while on a Hispanic Society trip to see the Chilean masterpiece, ‘No’. Although I enjoyed the film, I walked away thinking about the venue. 

The atmosphere couldn’t be more different to Cabot’s Cinema De Luxe with their overpriced popcorn and teenagers on dates. The Watershed radiates intelligence and creative thought as you come out of your film to hear people discussing the artistic camera angles rather than the attractiveness of the male lead. With 3 cinemas showing those quirky films you promised yourself that you would try, a charming café that promotes locally sourced food and an online catalogue of short films on almost any media-related topic, there’s nothing not to love. 

Where? Watershed, 1 Canon’s Road, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5TX 
How much? £6.50 for students

The Places of Bristol

 I have recently taken over as Theatre Editor for Bristol’s online magazine, Inter:Mission and with my new role comes new experiences (and the odd free press ticket). I’ve only been in the position for two weeks, but I’ve already been to an array of new places across the city. There are so many little theatres, bars and quirky activities that students don’t seem to take advantage of. I have discovered that Bristol is so more than just Whiteladies Road and Lounge, and as embarrassed as I am that it took me almost two years to realise it, I hope to persuade you too.

In this new feature for my blog, I hope to point you in the direction of new and fun places to go outside of the student routine. If you feel like you seem to be visiting the same places over and over again and actually quite fancy a good cocktail bar rather than Bed @ Bunker or a quirky cinema rather than the Odeon, then you’ve come to the right place. 

oldukphotos

Why I Love the BBC

From a lonely drive made more interesting by the dulcet tones of Jeremy Vine to a desire to find out the headlines in English while abroad, the BBC seem to have all areas covered. After a recent conversation with a friend, I discovered that I am rather a fan of the BBC and the extent to which it surfaces in my daily life. Beyond praising (rather patriotically- there were mentions of how America just cannot do the same) this wonderful corporation, we managed to completely justify to ourselves the £145 annual TV licence. I thought I’d share a few of those reasons with you…

The Choice of Radio. They do it all. Want to hear some calm Sunday morning chit chat? Fancy a gentle introduction into the history of the blues? Read a bestseller book recently? Radio 2. Fancy putting on your pretentious hat and forming strong opinions on Cameron’s Europe speech? Want to hear what records Nick Clegg will take to his desert island with him? Need your Archers fix? Radio 4. Too young/cool for the above? Radio 1.

News. I don’t want anyone to burst my bubble. The BBC news website provides us with unbiased, up-to-date, well written journalism. Forget the typos of the Daily Mail Online and the ridiculous stories dug up by The Sun, the BBC gets to the point and you feel like an educated person wrote the words that you are reading. 

Sport? Not something, if I’m honest, that I pay attention to on a daily basis, but people tell me that they’re the website to seek. 

David Attenborough. Now this one is important. We came to the conclusion that without the BBC, there would be no David Attenborough. From Life on Earth in the 70s, the more recent Frozen Planet to the current Africa, many Britons would argue that the nature and wildlife genre on TV will cease to exist when Attenborough retires. Which, considering he is still going at 84, he never will.  

Remember this?!