People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol favourites: Chrissie Wellington
Four-time Ironman world champion Chrissie Wellington, the most successful woman long-distance triathlete of all time, now calls Bristol her home.
Chrissie is official race ambassador of the inaugural Bristol + Bath Marathon on October 25, entries for which close in the first week of September.
Here are Chrissie’s top-five Bristol favourites:
is needed now More than ever
Clifton Suspension Bridge
“I still find the Clifton Suspension Bridge awe inspiring, even though I run or cycle over it most days. We love to picnic on the slopes by the Clifton Observatory looking over the bridge to the Mendips beyond, with the sun setting and a glass of wine in our hands. It’s a wonderful, iconic sight that, to me, best symbolises Bristol and its innovation, creativity and progressiveness. It’s wonderful that so many cycle, triathlon and running events (including the forthcoming Bristol + Bath Marathon) use the Portway beneath the bridge – being underneath it enables you to appreciate this historic structure from a whole new perspective.”
Primrose Cafe
“I am a regular at this local, cosy Clifton café and bistro and have more fully stamped loyalty cards then I know what to do with! The Primrose Cafe makes almost everything on the premises and take the trouble to source locally, sustainably and ethically. There is no better place to eat brunch on a sunny day, watching the Clifton world go by, chewing the fat (the chunky sweet potato fries are heavenly!) and finishing it off with the best cake in Bristol.”
Make Sundays Special
“I applaud the mayor for making Sundays special again – setting Bristol apart from every other city in the UK by closing the roads and giving them over to street performers, music, craft and other entertainment. It’s such a unique and wonderful way to celebrate the environmental, sporting and cultural heart that beats so loudly in this amazing city. Long may the Make Sunday Special initiative continue, and I hope other cities and towns follow suit!”
The Mendips
The mendips in spring 🙂 pic.twitter.com/jXH3w38xZB
— Chrissie Wellington (@chrissiesmiles) May 15, 2014
“I love living so close to the hills, with amazing views back to Bristol, across to Wales and south to Glastonbury and beyond. It’s fantastic to be out on the quiet country lanes on two wheels, with a few winds and the sun on our backs (a tail wind makes it even more pleasurable!). A ride in the Mendips wouldn’t be the same without a quick cake and coffee stop at The Ethicurean near Wrington or Bread and Beyond in Chewton Mendip.”
Tobacco Factory Theatres
“The Tobacco Factory Theatres is an awesome establishment that never fails to entertain with its superb range of productions. It’s a girly night out when we go – we always eat at the phenomenal Thali Cafe before topping this off with an amazing play. We’ve seen Romeo and Juliet, Madame Butterfly, Blue Stockings and Hopelessly Devoted to name but a few. As designated social organiser for our group of girls I am always the one with an eye on the listings for what’s going on.”