Rachel McNally is co-producer of Bristol Festival of Puppetry, which takes place at various venues throughout the  city from August 30 to September 8.

Rachel is also a tour booker and producer, working with companies and artists producing work for all ages; and is also the executive producer for Puppet Place based in Spike Island, a one-stop shop in the South West for all things puppet and animated on stage and film.

Here are Rachel’s top-five Bristol favourites:

My walk to work
“I go through Underfall Yard (below), see the Matthew and SS Great Britain and then watch the cormorants and swans fish for their breakfast. The history, the hustle and bustle of a working boat yard and the local wildlife all rubbing shoulders is always a great start to my day.”

Bristol’s character
“I grew up in London and one of the reasons I’ve stayed in Bristol is its character. I love the fact that I can walk around my home town but it has the attitude and buzz of an international city. There’s a real zest for life, for making amazing things happen and then relaxing and enjoying the last of the sun afterwards.”

Watershed
“They make a mean coffee, show great films and have a fab bar. Nuff said.”

Morph
“As a kid, watching Morph was always a real treat. It generally meant I had won the argument with my mother over when I had to do my homework. Basically, I wanted to be Morph. He always seems to be having so much fun. However, I do now get to see him at every Bristol Festival of Puppetry, in the plasticine flesh!”

My local
“There are many pubs and bars in Bristol where I’ve had many good nights, but I do love The Lion in Cliftonwood (below). It’s a real community pub. David, Fiona and everyone who runs it are super friendly and it seems that most of the neighbourhood piles in there of a Friday night for a pint and a catch-up.”