People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Andrea Pilgrim
Andrea Pilgrim is sales director for Barratt Homes‘ Bristol division.
She was born in Nigeria but grew up in and around Bristol, Long Ashton, Pill and Nailsea, and before joining Barratt used to own and manage a pet shop on Gloucester Road.
These are Andrea’s top five Bristol favourites:
is needed now More than ever
Abbotts Pool
North Somerset Council owns the majority of the woodland surrounding Abbots Pool with the rest leased to the Forestry Commission – photo: Abbots Leigh Parish Council
“I just adore walking up and around there. Abbots Pool in Abbots Leigh is a beautiful woodland and lake that’s stunning this time of year. It’s on Bristol’s doorstep but you wouldn’t know you were on the edge of a city. And it’s really magical, like a fairy world and so tranquil and calming.”
Casa Mexicana
Opened in 1986, Casa Mexicana is one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in the UK – photo: Casa Mexicana
“I’ve been going to Casa Mexicana on Zetland Road in Redland for about 30 years. It’s independent, family-run and does fantastic, traditional, authentic Mexican food. But what I love as much as the food is the atmosphere. It’s got great character and the service is excellent. I feel special when I go there.”
Lockside
Lockside occupies a former transport cafe that featured in Only Fools and Horses – photo: Martin Booth
“When I was growing up, this was the cafe all the transport workers and builders went to and it was known and loved for its brilliant big truckers breakfasts. Lockside somehow held a bit of that character and is great for Sunday brunch – which takes me back to my roots. I love the location at Cumberland Basin too – on the waterside, overlooking the harbour to one side, and the Avon Gorge and Suspension Bridge to the other, but tucked away under a flyover, which adds to its ‘you have to know it’s there’ appeal.”
Roxfords
Originally trading as Oxfords, the shop now known as Roxfords has been providing pet foods on Gloucester Road for more than 60 years – photo: Martin Booth
“Years ago I owned and ran Roxfords pet shop, managing and serving in the shop and dashing all over town doing deliveries – and I loved it. It’s still a pet shop now after more than 50 years, and it’s just typical really of Bristol’s brilliant Gloucester Road – independent, eclectic, friendly and with everything you need. There’s such a lovely community atmosphere to the shops there, like the fantastic butchers right next door. I used to love seeing and chatting to the same customers each week.”
Noah’s Ark Zoom Farm
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm rhinos Rumball and Rumba – photo: Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
“Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall is a favourite spot to take my grandchildren and it feels really personal because it’s not too big. It’s totally family-orientated and almost feels like the animals are family pets, and incredibly well loved and cared for. I’ve seen it grow organically from a farm with a handful of animals to a major attraction that is hugely educational for our children. They’re doing a great job of diversifying too. Still closed to visitors in the main zoo farm due to the Covid restrictions, they’ve just opened a farm shop. Last weekend I bought some piri piri sauce, three potatoes and some olives!”
Main photo: Barratt Bristol
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