Click each image to make it larger! (Photos by Johan Persson)

'The Little Mermaid' at Bristol Old Vic

The Little Mermaid loves swimming, dancing and spending time with her friends. She might be the last mermaid in the Southern Waters, but it's still her home and the other sea creatures are family.

So when the sea starts to get warmer – the kelp wilting, the coral fading – she realises she has to act. The mermaid vows to protect their home and it seems a caring young man trying to restore the reef is just the person to help. But how much is she willing to sacrifice to find answers on land? Can her new friend really be trusted to help? And what oily monsters lurk in the shadows?

Dive into a magical underwater kingdom this Christmas with Bristol Old Vic’s bold and breathtaking re-imagining of the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale about love, hope, and how no one is too small to change the world.

For performance times and tickets, click here.

Have you read December's issue?

Your next edition of The Bristol Magazine has some familiar faces on the cover...

Well, it's official. The city's elves have worked their magic and Christmas festivities are upon us. Our December issue is positively bursting with things to do, see and taste for the final few weeks of 2024, whether you're venturing out alone or are spending time with others. We've got a cracking interview with Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park and new film Vengeance Most Fowl's director Merlin Crossingham. The significance of the franchise's first feature-length film in 16 years being made here in Bristol cannot be overstated. Fans around the world are rejoicing, and so are we. 

We've also got some glamorous looks to see you through the party season, decoration inspiration, festive film recommendation, a local gift guide, a special focus on Clifton Arcade, and SO much more...

15,000 copies are delivered door to door, and you can pick up a copy at many places around town – including our stands at Waitrose, John Lewis and Harvey Nichols.

Read the digital version of our current issue here!

And if you would like to have a copy sent in the post every month, then we offer a postal subscription for just £33 for 12 issues, £18 for six issues or buy a copy for just £4.95. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – click here to subscribe on our website. 

Crab Macaroni Cheese

Recipe by Melissa Blease

A little pot of fresh crab meat (readily available in big supermarkets) added to an erstwhile humdrum macaroni cheese brings a touch of time-of-the-year luxury to a classic dish without breaking the bank.

Ingredients (serves 4)
200g macaroni
20g unsalted butter
2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped
50g fennel, finely sliced
A handful of parsley, leaves and stalks, separated and finely chopped
½ tsp red chilli flakes
The juice and zest of half a lemon
1 tbsp flour
2 tbsp brandy
300ml full fat milk
50g Cheddar cheese, grated
50g Gruyere cheese, grated, plus extra for the topping
250g mixed brown and white crab meat
Fresh nutmeg
A handful of fresh dill, finely chopped
A handful of white breadcrumbs

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180c/gas mark 4 and cook the macaroni according to the instructions on the packet minus 2 minutes of the recommended cooking time. Drain, rinse under very cold water and set to one side.

2. In a large saucepan over a medium heat, melt the butter with around ½ tbsp olive oil. Add the shallots, fennel, parsley stalks, red chilli flakes, lemon zest and a pinch of salt and sauté gently for around 5 minutes or until soft and fragrant but not brown.

3. Add the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously, then add the brandy and continue stirring to create a thickish, paste-like roux. Add the milk and cook for another 10 minutes, stirring with a whisk until the sauce is thick and lump-free.

4. Take the pan off the heat, add the cheeses and a good grating of fresh nutmeg and keep stirring until the cheese has melted. Transfer the sauce to a large bowl and add the crab meat, lemon juice, chopped dill, parsley leaves and macaroni. Stir gently to combine, season to taste and plop the mixture into a lightly greased, oven-proof dish. Mix a handful of grated Gruyere with the breadcrumbs, sprinkle over the top and bake for 30 minutes or until golden and bubbling on top.

5. Remove from the oven and allow to settle down for 10 minutes before serving accompanied by a well-dressed green salad.

Party Season Mixed Case at The Great Wine Co.

A six bottle mixed case featuring wines designed for a party. Friends come around unannounced, family descend, no problem with these festive wines. 

• Les Mougeottes White Blend
  IGP Pays d'Oc 2023
• Free-Run Steen Chenin Blanc
  MAN Family Wines 2024
• Era Organic Grillo
  Cantine Volpi 2023
• Nerello Mascalese IGT Terre Siciliane
  Molino a Vento 2023
• Cuma Organic Winemakers Malbec
  El Esteco 2023
• Les Mougeottes Pinot Noir, IGP Pays d'Oc
  IGP Pays d'Oc 2023

Great Wine Co | £60

Click here to buy now at The Great Wine Co.

Lasso the Moon with Patek Philippe: A Closer Look at the Annual Calendar Ref. 5396G-017

For centuries, the phases of the moon have influenced human activity, from agriculture to timekeeping. The lunar cycle — lasting approximately 29.5 days — has been tracked through instruments ranging from sundials to modern wristwatches. In horology, the moon phase complication remains one of the most visually captivating and technically challenging features. Patek Philippe, a pioneer in fine watchmaking, continues to honour this tradition with the release of the Annual Calendar Ref. 5396G-017.

A Legacy of Lunar Complications
Timekeeping has always been linked to celestial movements, from the tracking of the sun with sundials to the development of mechanical clocks. As horology evolved, watchmakers sought to bring astronomical indicators, such as the lunar cycle, into pocket watches and, eventually, wristwatches. One of the most renowned names in watchmaking, Patek Philippe, has been at the forefront of this tradition.

In 1925, Patek Philippe introduced the world’s first perpetual calendar wristwatch, Reference 97975, which featured a moon phase display. This complication, which tracks the moon’s 29.5-day cycle, continues to be a hallmark of Patek Philippe’s most sought-after timepieces. This year’s release of the reinterpreted Annual Calendar 5396G is a prime example of this enduring fascination.

Design & Features
The new 5396G-017 features a 38.5mm 18 carat white gold case, paired with a sunburst blue dial framed by a black-gradient rim. Baguette-cut diamond hour markers offer subtle luxury, while a navy-blue alligator leather strap with a white gold fold-over clasp completes the refined aesthetic. A sapphire crystal case back reveals the watch’s finely finished movement.

Horological Excellence
Powered by the self-winding calibre 26‑330 S QA LU 24H/441, this watch incorporates an annual calendar that automatically adjusts for months with 30 or 31 days, requiring manual correction only in February. The day, month, and date are displayed clearly alongside a 24-hour subdial and an elegant moon phase indicator.

A Modern Classic
The 5396G-017 exemplifies Patek Philippe’s commitment to craftsmanship and timeless design. With its elegant aesthetics and advanced complications, it remains a coveted choice.

For more details, visit Mallory Jewellers.

Sol de Janeiro Delicia Drench Jet Set exclusive to Space NK

Moisturise, nourish and scent skin with the Sol de Janeiro Delicia Drench Jet Set, a bath and body set that includes body butter, shower oil and a perfume spray in travel-friendly sizes. This set includes Delicia Drench Body Butter, Delicia Drench Shower Oil and Cheirosa ’59.

Delicia Drench Body Butter and Shower Oil both work to revive the skin barrier and support the microbiome, while providing skin with hydration and nourishment. Scented with the Cheirosa ’59 fragrance, this entire set has notes of velvet plum, sugared violet, vanilla orchid and sheer sandalwood.

Space NK | £30

Click here to buy now or visit 81 Queens Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1QP

The Ski Goggles 02 by Jimmy Fairly

Ski goggles supplied with 2 interchangeable polarized lenses. One suitable for sunny or partly cloudy days, the other suitable for low light conditions. Equipped with magnetic fastening for easy swapping of lenses. Pouch bag and hard case are included.

Jimmy Fairly | £135
Click here to buy now or visit 90 Park St, Bristol BS1 5LA 

New Grace & Mabel location now open in Clifton!

Sisters Shelley, Daniela and Kirstie established Grace and Mabel in Bristol in 2007. Once a single small boutique in Clifton Village, Grace and Mabel grew quickly, opening a second shop in Bath in 2010.

Now they are pleased to announce the opening of a new location in Clifton! 

graceandmabel.co.uk
Grace & Mabel, 18 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4DR

Curated by Daniel McCabe

The latest issue of The Raw Society Magazine is the most impressive outing yet for this non-profit and now awarding-winning project showcasing work from its members and the wider storytelling community. It explores social issues, politics, culture, travel and history, with the value of photographic medium in all of these things at the very forefront and shot throughout with a sense of personal or social investment. We’re bombarded daily with images from advertising and social media that have become for the most part meaningless, so the work of connecting, or reconnecting the story to the image is to be praised. So hail to this outstanding documentary photography magazine, published in Spain and thoughtfully designed here in Bath by Robert Shaw Design. | £29.99

magalleria.co.uk

The Spiegeltent Christmas Ball- Burlesque, Circus & Drag
Wednesday 18 December, 8pm

Click here to buy your tickets!

Bristol Spiegeltent, Waterfront Square, Off Canons Way, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5LL

Dance with Doris at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Various dates between 14-22 December

An extra special silent disco for all the family with Doris, Bristol's very own pliosaur who swims above the museum café. Don’t forget to add on your very own cuddly Doris and story book to your tickets at a discounted pre-booked price! £5 per headset.

Click here for times and tickets.
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queens Rd, Bristol, BS8 1RL

Abbots Leigh, Bristol, BS8

Offered for sale by Knight Frank estate agents.

This substantial Grade II listed home (6,333 sq ft) has undergone a complete renovation in 2019 by the current owners, who have created a gorgeous family residence. The interior design has been sympathetically considered throughout and is of extremely high standard, with bold designs complimenting the original features. The house dates to the early 1800s and benefits from well-proportioned rooms and original features throughout, with a large garden of about 1.18 acres, swimming pool, outbuildings, garage and views of the Welsh hills.

On the ground floor is the entrance hall, which gives access to various reception rooms and has period, flagstone flooring and a central staircase. The formal lounge is bay fronted, with large sash windows and is beautifully decorated with accent wallpaper, original marble fireplace, stripped wood flooring and intricate ceiling light. Adjacent is a family room with a period fireplace and ornate shelving framing the rear door. The dining room features original archways, stripped wooden flooring and an ornate period fireplace opens through to the open plan kitchen/diner. The kitchen is bespoke designed, with an electric powered AGA, an island with a breakfast bar, underfloor heating and a utility to the side, with pantry, two washing machines and a dryer. 

The landing on the first floor has been converted into a home office space, with the large sash windows allowing lots of natural light. On this floor is: a guest suite with ensuite shower and bathroom; the bay fronted Principle Suite with walk in dressing room, ensuite bath and shower room and benefitting from the far reaching views to Avonmouth; a further guest bedroom, serviced by a separate shower room; two storage / linen rooms with extensive further built in storage.

The second floor has 3 further double bedrooms all of which are serviced by a family bath and shower room. There is an additional reception room on this floor, currently used as a playroom. Outside, the house is approached via electric gates through to the driveway, with access to two single garages and parking to the side of the house for multiple cars, there is side access to property from here. The front of the house has been gorgeously landscaped with a water feature amongst flower beds which welcomes guests to the front door.

Offers in excess of £3,500,000

To see more images and review the details click here to visit the property on the Knight Frank website