People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Mike Manson
Mike Manson is the author of Manson’s Bristol Miscellany, the first volume of which is published on March 24.
Published by Bristol Books, Mike’s book began as simply a compilation of things that piqued his own curiosity as he explored the streets of the place he has called home for 45 years in a quest to find “the soul of the city”.
Mike, who describes himself as a psychogeographer, has also written a number of both non-fiction and fiction books, many from his shed at his home in St Andrew’s.
is needed now More than ever
Manson’s Bristol Miscellany promises to be “a literary curiosity shop of bitesize pieces of interest from Bristol’s past” – photo: Bristol Books
These are Mike’s top-five Bristol favourites:
St Andrew’s Park
St Andrew’s Park remains remarkably similar today as to when it opened in 1895 – photo: Martin Booth
“I live in St Andrew’s, so I’m lucky to have this small, but perfectly formed, Victorian park nearby. The sloping grass catches the afternoon sun and Fay’s Café offers coffee and home-made cake. I’m fascinated by the memorial to the World War Two Wellington bomber that crashed into what is now the children’s play area. Three of the crew died, three survived. What amazing skill to navigate the crippled aircraft away from the surrounding houses! There could have been many more casualties.”
Walcombe Slade Gulley
The magical view from Walcombe Slade Gulley, also know as Goat Gulley – photo: Mike Manson
“Over the last year of lockdown I’ve been exploring Bristol on my walks. I love the view of the Avon Gorge from Sea Walls but, if you stroll a hundred yards north, there is a gateway that leads to the wooded Walcombe Slade Gulley. The outlook from his hidden corner towards the Suspension Bridge is magical, especially on a misty morning. Look out for the grazing goats.”
St Mark’s Road
St Mark’s Road was voted as the best street in the UK and Ireland at the 2020 Urbanism Awards – photo: Martin Booth
“St Mark’s Road in Easton has got to be one of my favourite streets. Sweet Mart and East Bristol Bakery are always a draw and I like the look of the newly-opened Public Market in Mivart Street. Best bread in Bristol – and that’s saying something!”
Easton Jamia Mosque
Established in 1983, Easton Jamia Masjid on St Mark’s Road is one of the largest mosques in the South West – photo: Martin Booth
“Easton Jamia Mosque‘s Iftar meal, where they provide free food for thousands, is an amazing achievement. I worked with the mosque during the Bristol Festival of Literature. We offered sessions on Sufi poetry. I felt quite emotional about this cross-cultural event.”
Redcliffe Parade
Redcliffe Parade is of Bristol’s most recognisable roads – photo: Martin Booth
“When I first came to Bristol in the 1970s I lived in a house in Redcliffe Parade. I still love to take in the panorama of Bristol from here. On a calm summer’s evening, as the sun is setting behind Cabot Tower, it offers an especially evocative vision of the city. For me, this view sums up what’s so special about Bristol.”
Main photo: Bristol Books
Read more: New books reveals 111 places not to be missed in Bristol
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