My Bristol Favourites: HazardOne

Harriet Wood, aka HazardOne, has been recognised as one of the best female graffiti artists in the world.

Some of her most recent work in Bristol has included a seven-storey mural in the heart of St Paul’s and a striking piece on the soon to be demolished Norwich Union House in Castle Park.

Her mural for Upfest 2022 can be found on the side of the Old Bookshop on North Street.

These are Harriet’s top-five Bristol favourites:

Little Yellow Cafe

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdz8A4pMgPZ/

“Little Yellow Cafe next to Workout Ashton on North Street is my new favourite cafe! This little gem specialises in healthy but delicious food, smoothies and of course coffee. It’s quite rare to find somewhere where you can sit and do admin and design work on your laptop without feeling rushed out but the team here are genuinely so lovely and make you feel at home. There’s an outside space, totally dog friendly and you can see some of the latest Upfest murals from your chair! Yes, admittedly I have painted a mural inside this space but my main reason for choosing this cafe above all others in Bristol is the team (although swiftly followed by the ability to build your own breakfast – I usually go for smashed avocado, bacon, poached eggs and feta on a ginormous bagel). If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know I love me a weird breakfast concoction and the LYC allows me to create such things totally guilt free!”

Mayflower

Mayflower gets plenty of recommendations in Bristol24/7’s soon to be published food and drink guide, EatDrink24/7 – photo: Mayflower

“Having lived in Bristol for a total of ten years now I can confirm that Mayflower is undoubtedly the best Chinese I’ve ever eaten and will probably ever eat in the UK. Bold words I know, but this place has remained unrivalled. Tucked away near the bus station just off one of the alleys to the Bearpit, it’s not exactly somewhere you’d just stumble upon. I first found out about it through my days working at the art gallery and graffiti supplies store King of Paint where the team would spend our day hanging artwork and preparing for an opening exhibition evening, grab food from the Mayflower which was directly opposite and open the gallery. Both takeaway and sit-in options are absolutely mind-blowing and the veggie options do not disappoint!”

Purdown

Goats graze near the Purdown BT tower – photo: Martin Booth

“I genuinely didn’t know this space existed until we were thrown into lockdown in March 2020. Like most of us, I decided to take up some extreme hobby in the first few months of lockdown and as someone who had never really taken to exercise in any shape or form, was shocked to find myself attempting to go for runs early in the morning. As someone who isn’t exactly an experienced jogger I needed to find an open green space where I could be fairly sure no one I knew, or honestly anyone at all would see me! This beautiful space leads into Stoke Park (which I knew as the place with the Big Yellow House!) and is full of wildlife. There’s nothing I love more than a sunrise or sunset, so if you can summon the energy to wake up for it, there’s a bench at the top of the hill which is arguably the best place in Bristol to watch a spring-time sunrise!”

Underneath Brunel Way

“I know it sounds grim but this is currently my favourite place to see what the Bristol graffiti/street art scene is up to. This spot is just a short walk from the harbourside and Bedminster, and leads up to Ashton Court. I love people watching and there’s everything from people going for walks, people enjoying the DIY skate spot, there’s artwork everywhere, dogs everywhere – what more could you want? The artwork down here ranges from proper graffiti burners, to street art paintings on the pillars and even strange sculptures sticking out of things. The art in this space seems to be one of the most frequently changing in Bristol at the moment and I love to see it!”

Trinity

Trinity’s annual garden party – photo: Khali Ackford / KoLAB Studio

“Can’t do Bristol favourites without a night out! It was a hard call between Trinity and the Pipe & Slippers but I’ve gone with Trinity. Again, this venue has been consistent over the decade I’ve lived in the city. I’m a lover of bass music and having moved from Yorkshire to Bristol in 2009 I’d been spoiled by going to the West Indian Centre in Leeds every weekend. Trinity has not disappointed! One thing I love about this venue is its no-frills, sound-focussed space to enjoy all kinds of music. The space doubles as a community arts venue and runs youth projects as well as having hireable events spaces. It’s a good one!”

Main photo: DougJo Studio

Read more: Upfest returns for 2022

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