People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Charlotte Philby
Charlotte Philby is an author whose latest novel, A Double Life, is published by Borough Press.
Now a full-time novelist who lives in north Bristol, Charlotte has also written for publications including the New Statesman, the Guardian and the Telegraph, has appeared on The One Show and Woman’s Hour, and founded the online magazine Motherland.
Her debut novel Part of the Family was Waterstones’ Thriller of the Month in May 2020 and an editor’s pick on Radio 4’s Open Book.
is needed now More than ever
These are Charlotte’s top-five Bristol favourites:
Brandon Hill
Brandon Hill and Cabot Tower – photo: Martin Booth
“My mum and her brothers grew up in Bristol. When my family and I first arrived seven months ago, my uncle told me about Brandon Hill, which was his favourite spot when he was a child. He instructed me to take our children and look out for certain wildlife and pondlife that resides there, and it was really reassuring for a newbie in a new city to have this little sense of connection. It also has fabulous views across the city, and – importantly – a great slope for rolling down.”
Cotham Gardens
Lovers Walk and Cotham Gardens – photo: Martin Booth
“The city was in lockdown when we first moved to Bristol, and we rented a little flat in Cotham next to the park. The first morning I stepped out to take my children to school, a string quartet was practising on the benches, and the road sign read Lovers Walk, and I felt I’d been immersed into a film set.
Everyman Cinema
The Everyman opened within the former Whiteladies Picture House in 2016 – photo: Martin Booth
“One of my favourite Bristol memories so far is taking the children to the Everyman to watch Home Alone on Christmas Eve. An old woman in the front row laughed so hard I worried she would keel over. It’s so comfy and beautifully done, with excellent snacks and a lovely space for pizza and wine afterwards.”
Arnos Vale Cemetery
Arnos Vale in the summer looking from the East Lodge – photo: Buffy Jones
“Arnos Vale is a sprawling cemetery replete with ancient trees and all manner of graves telling stories of the lives of Bristolians through the centuries, this is a remarkably peaceful spot for quiet contemplation and a stimulating walk.”
University of Bristol Botanic Garden
The Botanic Garden is based at The Holmes in Stoke Bishop, which was used as a base for top US Army generals during the planning of the Normandy landings – photo: University of Bristol
“The Botanic Garden is such a gorgeous and unexpected spot, situated at the edge of the Downs. The range of ornamental and medicinal plants is stunning, and the sense of peace is just what the doctor ordered.”
Main photo: Charlotte Philby
Read more: 15 things you probably didn’t know about Brandon Hill
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