Victoria Park in south Bristol has the best park bench in Bristol. If you follow the hill up towards the school in the middle, you’ll find a couple of very secluded benches hidden in the greenery beside the football pitch where it looks like the bushes have decided to reclaim the land. If you like your benches less consumed by foliage, the benches at the back of the park at its highest point have smashing views of Bristol. From here you’re treated to a skyscape of the whole city – you can see the Avon Gorge as well as Brandon Hill and Cabot tower.

In the summer months, hot air balloons drift across from Ashton Court and hang in the sky above the suspension bridge. And if you walk down the bottom path, parallel to the railway line at the back, you’ll find elderflower trees. Come autumn there are also pear trees and plenty of blackberries to be had – perfect for foragers and scrumpers.

The park is always buzzing with people, whether it’s mums doing workouts with their prams, retirees and their dogs or capoeira teachers and their families. I love the way the place brings people together. Last September there was an open-air cinema event showing short films and even though it rained, we all sat through it and enjoyed every minute. We’ve had children’s fairs and all manner of parties. A strange avant-garde structure called the Black Cloud has been used as an impromptu bandstand, and I’m already planning an annual birthday picnic for my daughter’s birthday in June.

Photo courtesy of jakub_hla on Flickr