People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Zoe Hewett
Zoe Hewett is the founder of award-winning studio Stylemongers Of Bristol and the interior designer on rural retreat makeover show My Unique B&B on BBC Two.
Stylemongers has recently opened a new studio, shop and workshop space all under one roof on Gloucester Road.
These are Zoe’s top-five Bristol favourites:
is needed now More than ever
Bristol Beacon
Bristol Beacon’s purpose “is to share the unity and joy of live music” – photo: Bristol Beacon
“This place is basically the reason I moved to Bristol. I came over from Cardiff to see Seu Jorge and Gilles Peterson play there about 17 years ago and decided it was the city for me. I love Bristol Beacon: the building, the art commissions like the new seating upholstery, drapes and the tiles in the Lantern area. And of course the programming, like Hiatus Kaiyote last week, was just fantastic.
Malcolm X Centre
A ballroom event at the Malcolm X Centre – photo: Andy Leake
“Malcolm X Centre in St Paul’s is my favourite of all the venues we use for capoeira with our teacher, Mestre Claudio. Capoeira, for anyone who doesn’t know is the Afro-Brazilian martial art developed by enslaved people. The wooden floor is great for us and the staff are always warm and endlessly patient with our inability to leave on time after training because we’re all too over excited after surviving kicking each other about the head and messing about.”
The Cider Box
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“Under an arch is the ideal spot for a tiny dark nightclub where you can listen to exceedingly loud music, uninterrupted. I’ve only been to the Cider Box in St Phillip’s Marsh a few of times for the broken beat night Turned Out Nice and was in actual heaven. It’s basically impossible to have a conversation in there which is perfect as we can get on with the serious business of dancing until we hurt.”
Spike Island
A display of work by Spike Island Workspace tenants – photo: Dan Weill
“For the best part of a year I had a co-working desk at Spike Island Workspace and it was such an incredible creative community to be a part of which I really miss. People really do make a place. The gallery exhibitions, Emmeline cafe the and annual open studios are all well worth a visit.”
Ashton Court
Dozens of deer live in Ashton Court – photo: James Ward
“As much as I love interiors, I need to be outside a lot. Ashton Court is an easy place I can take my little girl, who loves meeting all the dogs. We don’t get much walking done as a result but at least its open and green with fresh air, wildflowers and a bit of a view across the city. It’s always a bonus if we get to spot the deer too!”
Main photo: Kirsty Northover
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