People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Jonny Keeling
Jonny Keeling is the executive producer of new CBeebies series Andy’s Prehistoric Adventures, made at the Bottle Yard Studios in Hengrove. Having completed a zoology degree at Cambridge University and PhD at Bristol, Jonny went on to pursue a career with the BBC’s Natural History Unit on Whiteladies Road. He has produced and directed a variety of documentaries for BBC One and BBC Two, and in 2012 took on the role as executive producer of Children’s Natural History. He is currently executive producer on two BBC One landmark series, One Planet for 2016 and Seven Worlds for 2019.
Here are Jonny’s top-five Bristol favourites:
North Street
is needed now More than ever
“This is my local street. It makes Saturday morning shopping a pleasure. I love the smell of Mark’s Bread. I love the colours at Ashton Fruit Shop. And the Tobacco Factory Theatre has enriched and brought so much pleasure to my life.”
Ashton Court and Leigh Woods
“We’re so lucky in Bristol to have these gorgeous, expansive green spaces right on our doorstep. I take my children here biking, walking and for picnics. We’ve celebrated most of our kid’s birthdays under one magnificent old tree – I love imagining all that this tree has observed over hundreds of years; all the human and animal life, all the comings and goings beneath its branches.”
The Lido
“I love swimming outdoors at the Lido. And I love having time to sit quietly looking out of the sauna window without anything filling my head. Time to think. Time to relax. And afterwards, time to eat fine food too.”
Bristol Zoo
“There’s always something new here; new animals to see, new things to do. Add children to the mix and it’s a day full of surprises.”
Bristol docks
“A boat trip around the harbours is a total pleasure at any time of year and in any weather. It’s a genuine treat to be able to see the sky, hear the water and feel the wind on your face.”
Read more: 10 Questions: Andy Day