People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol favourites: James Coomber
James Coomber is founder and owner of Cycle the City and director of The Harbourside Market. He is currently working on building Bristol’s biggest independent Christmas market, opening on November 28. The Harbourside Christmas Market will run along the waterfront, through Anchor Square and around At-Bristol’s ice rink in Millennium Square.
Here are James’s top-five Bristol favourites:
Cycling in Bristol
is needed now More than ever
“There’s a lot to love about cycling in Bristol; whether it’s being able to get pretty much anywhere in 20 minutes, nonsensical cycle lanes, the chap who rides around belting out Dire Straits from his Brompton, passing cars stuck in Bristol’s rush hour traffic, or getting out under the Suspension Bridge and heading towards the coast. It’s got it all.”
The Floating Harbour
“The harbour for me is Bristol summed up: beautiful, creative, historic and always loads going on. If I had to choose a favourite, it’d be a tight call between an after work beer outside the Arnolfini or taking a stroll through Underfall Yard.“
Bagel Boy
“I’m a big fan of a bagel. Since Bagel Boy opened up shop in 2012 it’s been a part of my weekly (at times daily) routine to head to St Nicholas Street to polish off a bagel, Shazam the playlist and enjoy the positive vibes.”
North Street
“I recently moved across to the river to the south side and it’s hard to look past North Street as a new-found favourite area of Bristol. It’s bustling with independent shops, there’s an excellent butchers, nearby parks, incredible street art and one of Bristol’s many brilliant markets. With a spare half an hour, I’d head to Zazu’s Kitchen, grab a coffee, sit outside and do some people watching.”
The Ethicurean
“The Ethicurean is great. I’ve only been a handful of times over the last few years, but it’s my go place to get out of the city, feel as though you’re in middle of nowhere and get some headspace. The food’s delicious too and its walled gardens are stunning.”
Read more: Find out more Bristol Favourites here
Photos by Emma Woodward