10 questions with John from Bristol Walking Tours
Why do people choose the profession that they do? For some, ambition. For others, money. Some, convenience. And for the rare lucky ones - passion.
Nothing could be clearer to me, as I talked to John ahead of this piece, that his business, Bristol Walking Tours, is the result of the latter.
After taking his Mum to America to see her pen pal, and being inspired by a tour that they themselves took, he got home, wrote down the haunted places he knew of, did hours of research that led him to acquaintances, libraries and archives… and voila, the first tour was born. Fast forward and John has now been running walking tours around Bristol for twenty-three years.
As time has gone on, his tours have diversified. Now he does not only the Haunted Tour Guide, but also a Bristol Rock’n’ Roll Walking Tour, as well as a TV and Film tour - and one in London too.
John is someone whose life has given him many stories; from working as a music manager promoting a charity gig at the Fleece back in 1992 with Les McKeown's legendary Bay City Rollers, to getting sun-stroke on a LA beach in order to get an autograph (and a script) from a few of the ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ cast, to becoming friendly with Grant from Massive Attack and being handed a signed demo from him on Park Street… I have no number of interesting facts I could tell you from meeting him for just over a few hours.
I asked John: why walking tours? This is a man who clearly has a million interests - from a love and knowledge of film, to being a member of a rock band, what is it about tours that keeps him coming back? It’s not always easy work, and in twenty three years the landscape of the industry has changed, so why? “The people” he tells me - plain and simple, with no hesitation. “I love meeting people, of all different ages, and hearing their stories too.”
The next star of our 10 Questions With is John from Bristol Walking Tours - and, as you may have already gathered, he is a joy to introduce. This magazine was created as a home for community, curiosity and passion, and John embodies all three. His story is one of the people he’s met, the places he’s discovered, and the experiences he’s collected along the way.
But enough from me. Here’s John, in his own words.
1. What’s Bristol Walking Tours’ origin story?
I did a Night Tour with my Mum in New York with an amazing guide called King Michael. He showed guests the quirky spots of the city plus many celeb stories! I came back home and knew about four haunted places so researched nearly every building on a route between those, and set up the Haunted and Hidden Bristol Tour in 2003.
2. One of your walks is Haunted and Hidden Bristol… Have you ever seen a ghost on a tour?
One tour finished at the Rummer in the Market, and as one of the group went to take a photo the upper body of a person appeared behind the group next to the fireplace! (The manager later advised me that this was once the old doorway into the former stables that faced Castle Park!)
3. If you could bring one legendary Bristol music venue back for one night only, which would it be - and who would you want headlining? (Considering your career as a Music Manager, and the fact you run a Bristol rock ’n’ roll walking tour, we trust your judgement!)
We have lost way too many famous venues over the years… I think the legendary Granary would be the one. It’s an iconic building and venue! And, “Sparks” headlining would be good as they played the venue back in 1974!
4. What’s the one Bristol location you think deserves to be much more famous than it is?
Royal York Crescent, great views, and lots of TV and films made there too!
5. You’ve been showing people the hidden side of Bristol since 2003 - what’s one fact or story you never get bored of telling people?
I think the old Odeon Manager murder from 1946 as the assailants were never caught and Screen 3 has had many weird sightings since then.
6. You know Bristol better than most. How would you sum up Bristol’s identity? Historic, quirky, underrated.
7. If you could spend one day on the set of any TV show filmed in Bristol, which would it be - and what role would you play?
Showing how old I am! Eddie Shoestring, the iconic BBC Radio Detective show last made in Bristol in 1980, starring Trevor Eve.
8. What’s the process behind creating your walks? How do you research the stories and plan the route?
I put all the locations for each tour that I already know about on the map of the area, and then do test walks with a pad and pen myself walking between each location and researching any other buildings that would be interesting for guests.
9. How has Bristol changed since you first started guiding tours, and how has that changed your walks?
I pick up lots of new anecdotes and stories that I will often add or use to freshen up any of the tours. I can also do longer or shorter tours depending on the requirements of each group!
10. You’ve now got music, haunted Bristol and TV/film locations covered - what’s the next walking tour you’d love to create?
Gosh, I am also running a London TV Locations Tour monthly and it’s tough to remember everything from those, but I am writing a London ‘70s Rock tour as we speak!
To book a Bristol Walking Tour, go here.
Questions by Mag founder, Jess Blackwell
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