Your Gloucester Road hit list for the Cricket World Cup in Bristol 2019

2019 brings one of the biggest summers of cricket that Bristol has ever seen. With three Cricket World Cup games, three warm up matches, a pre-tournament England v Pakistan fixture (14 May) and a potential Women’s Ashes decider taking place at the Gloucestershire Cricket County Ground in Bristol, cricket fever is certainly hotting up in the city. Bristol’s Independent District Manager Anne-Louise Perez shares her local knowledge on things to see and do, plus places to eat and drink on Gloucester Road (a short walk from the host cricket ground) during the Cricket World Cup.

The location of The County Ground in BS7 gives a chance for supporters to see some of cricket’s big-hitting stars - Joe Root, Rashid Khan, Heather Knight, and Steve Smith are all likely to make appearances this summer -  and experience the vibrant Bristol Independent District, just a minute’s walk away from the cricket ground. The area, which includes Gloucester Road (finalist in The Great British High Street 2018) is famous for being the longest independent high street in Europe.

Image - The County Ground, Gloucester Road, Bristol

Eating out on Gloucester Road

Gloucester Road is packed full of independent, award-winning restaurants, buzzing cafés, greengrocers and traditional pubs.

Locals love:

World Foods – The Coconut Tree Glos Road (Sri Lankan street food), El Colmado Deli (authentic Spanish deli), Casa Mexicana (family-run, authentic Mexican food).

Italian - Bomboloni (simple Italian food with a serious signature doughnut) and Flour & Ash (pizza and ice cream).

Classic British – Pigsty (a family-run business in pursuit of creating the perfect range of porky treats).

Fish & Chips - Reel Soul 

Bakery - Joes Bakery (craft bakery), Bakers & Co. (a cafe come restaurant serving brunch and seasonal lunches).

Tearooms and cafés – Spicer + Cole (speciality coffee and good simple food), Cox & Baloney (afternoon tea and teapot cocktails), Tincan Coffee Co. (specialist coffee house making fresh and healthy salads, savouries, sandwiches, filled croissants and breakfast pots).

Burgers – Burger Bear (thick juicy patties, eccentric toppings, towering burgers and disco beats), Hob Goblin (a friendly pub)

Vegan – Koochamezzebar (cosy escape that brings a taste of Persia to Bristol) and Suncraft (health conscious plant-based restaurant and takeaway).

Take-away – Eat a Pitta (handmade falafel, hummus and pitta breads)

Image - The Coconut Tree

Gloucester Road pubs

Celebrate (or commiserate!) after the match at one of the well-loved Gloucester Road pubs. Many have sunny beer gardens or a terrace to make the most of the summer weather.

Locals love:

The Gallimaufry - a restaurant, bar, live music venue and arts space.

The Grace - Pub, bar, dining rooms, and outdoor hidden oasis, a friendly neighbourhood boozer.

The Flyer - laid-back pub with a delightful courtyard beer garden and boho vibes.

The Cider Press - Lively pub with menu of modern comfort food such,  32 draught ciders and TV sports.

Hob Goblin -  A friendly pub serving burgers and sandwiches.

Gloucester Road Ale House - an ale and craft beer pub, serving local seasonal food against a backdrop of vintage silent films by day and candlelit tables by night.

Alchemy 198 -  a bar and gallery serving funky cocktails, local gins and craft beers, freshly-ground coffee and a range of teas and coffee.

The Drapers Arms - Bristol's first independent micropub.

Image - Gloucester Road, credit Paul Box

Gloucester Road Shopping

From a shoppers’ point of view, Gloucester Road is a treasure trove of quality charity and vintage shops. Factor in some time before the game starts to  browse independent arty shops brimming with quirky local Bristol souvenirs or get help with seeking out the best bargains by joining Becky Barnes’ Personal Stylist Charity Shop Tours (running until 22 June).

Locals love:

Indie Fashion: IDA, Make, Fox & Feather.

Vintage and retro: Repyscho, Fabulous Vintage

Independent gift shops: 7th Sea, Iota, Co Lab, Reason Interiors

• Shop ethically and sustainably in Bristol with this handy guide.

Image - 7th Sea, Gloucester Road, credit Colin Moody

Drinks on the go

Discover delicious tipples brewed and distilled in Bristol...

Locals love:

Grape & Grind - these guys on Gloucester Road know a thing or two about grapes and, it turns out gin! Purveyors of Gloucester Road Gin produced at local gin distillery Psychopomp Micro-Distillery.

Brewers Droop is home to a massive choice of craft beers – some, including Wiper & True and Fierce & Noble, are even brewed in a neighbouring district (St Werburghs)!

Cox & Baloney - this vintage-style tea room has got tea parties down to a (G and)Tea. Their gin and cheese evenings include three flavours of their own homemade tea-infused gin (TeaGin) - lavender flower, forest berry and orange blossom.

Image - Cox and Baloney

Live Music

Bristol has oodles of gigs going on at any given time, from big name touring acts to hot new bands, Gloucester Road is no exception.

Locals love:

The Gallimaufry: Large, quirky wine bar with lived-in furniture and outdoor terrace, plus Modern European restaurant. George Ezra used to play here on Friday nights before he became famous.

The Blue Lagoon - vibrant live music bar with big-screen sports, open mic nights and local bands.

• Check out the hottest tickets for live music in Bristol in 2019

Image - Neon and the Deons, The Gallimaufry, credit The Gallimaufry

Local Street Art

The birthplace of Banksy, Bristol’s constantly-evolving graffiti culture has made street art one of its most famous attractions and you’ll find lots around Gloucester Road thanks to its proximity to Stokes Croft – the ‘graffiti capital’ of Bristol. The area is bustling with artists and creative-minded people – you’ve only to look up and take stock of the 64 pieces of art on the banners that flank Gloucester Road.

Locals love:

The selfie spot on the Hob Goblin pub, created by Bex Glover, a regular contributor to the world-famous street art and graffiti Bristol festival, Upfest. #selfiespot #brizindieselfiewall

Street art by the Paintsmiths next to Dave Giles Butchers, Bishop Road

A stencil of Cary Grant (who was born in the area) above Room 212

Image - Room 212

Bristol Summer Festivals during the Cricket World Cup

Bristol Food Connections (12-23 June) is a citywide celebration of all that is great about food in Bristol. As well as plant-based feasts, family events, informative sessions and tipple tasting, the festival will be issuing ‘World Food Passports’, which takes you on a tasting trail of 15 local independent food venues.

Image - Bristol Food Connections

Getting to Gloucester Road

Pick up a free area map from The Country Ground, Bishopston Library Gloucester Road or from Bristol Tourist Information Centre on the Harbourside.

For More Local Events and Things to Do in the District visit Facebook @BristolsIndieDistrict

You might also like:

• Plan your stay in Bristol with our city-wide guide to Things to do in Bristol during the Cricket World Cup
• GCCC players Ian Cockbain and Chris Liddle talk to us about what they like to get up to in Bristol when they’re not playing cricket.

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