People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Nell Bailey
Theatre maker Nell Bailey is the artistic director of November Theatre and an associate artist of the National Youth Theatre.
She makes theatre across the UK and is bringing her new show, Pitch, to the Wardrobe Theatre from May 30 to June 1.
Pitch is described as “a bold, joyful exploration of the relationship between football and the queer community”, which featured in the Guardian’s top-50 shows at the Edinburgh Fringe 2023.
is needed now More than ever
View this post on Instagram
These are Nell’s top-five Bristol favourites:
Renato’s
Renato’s has long been a favourite watering hole on King Street – photo: Sam Beasor
“The best pub, hands down. Renato’s was the first pub I ever drank in, and I’m SO happy it reopened after closing during Covid. This pub is the best on King Street, serving pizza, with mad decor and walls that are covered in signed photos from years of actors and companies coming through the Bristol Old Vic. Plus, it’s pink.”
Arnos Vale Cemetery
Arnos Vale Cemetery was developed by Victorian businessmen after graveyards in the city got too crowded – photo: Bronwen Summerwill
“Arnos Vale Cemetery is a huge rambling Victorian cemetery that happens to be just down the road from where I grew up. We had a dog when I was a kid and I’d often meet my dad after school to walk her in the cemetery. Back then, the place was a beast. Everything was overgrown and you had to hack your way through brambles to find the old paths. During the autumn there always seemed to be a bonfire somewhere in the cemetery. Now it’s had a glow-up and the walks are accessible to everyone, along with explanations of the history and an ability to actually see the graves. It’s so peaceful in the heart of the city. I love it.”
Watershed
Cinema 3 at the Watershed – photo: Watershed
“Big up independent cinema! I love the Watershed and it’s a place I associate with my mum. She’d drag me to all sorts of films, some of the best I’ve ever seen. They also do really great chips, and I’m guilty of stowing away there for hours when Bristol was too wet to do anything else.”
Perrett’s Park
Perrett’s Park in Knowle, was purchased by the council from Lady Smyth of Ashton Court for £1,000 in 1923. £500 of this was provided by councillor CR Perrett, hence the park’s name – photo: Martin Booth
“There’s a specific bench in Perett’s Park that I love. It’s on the side by Sylvia Avenue, just down from the main path. You can see the whole of Bristol from there, all the way out to Ashton Court. I’ve been sitting on that bench since I was a teenager, looking out over Bristol. This park in Knowle is pure hill, so it’s the perfect spot to sit and watch without having to put the effort in of mountaineering. It’s where I go when I need a bit of space when I’m home, or with mates who haven’t been to Bristol before.”
Underfall Yard
The walkway through Underfall Yard recently reopened – photo: Martin Booth
“Underfall Yard is one of my favourite parts of the harbour, where I like to daydream that I live another life as some kind of carpenter (I’ve always been so clumsy that this is likely out of the equation). It feels peaceful at Underfall, and I love peering in at the work that’s ever changing in the dockyard. There is a Just Giving page to raise money to repair the damage that the yard suffered in the 2023 fire – which you can support here.
Main photo: November Theatre
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
