David Sproxton is the co-founder and executive chairman of Aardman, building a two-man partnership with Peter Lord into one of the world’s leading animation houses right here in Bristol.

His numerous roles away from Aardman include being chairman of the Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival, which takes place next week from September 17 to 22 at the Watershed and Arnolfini.

Here are David’s top-five Bristol favourites:

The Bristol and Bath Railway Path
“Being an enthusiastic urban and recreational cyclist I love rolling down the ever popular cycle path of a summer’s evening and of course in the autumn when the trees are turning and you cycle through golden arches of beech.”

My cycle ride to work
“My ride to work includes a stretch along the Cumberland Road, past ‘God’s Garden’ (below), which allows me to see the state of tide, brim-full or revealing all manner of objects stuck in the mud. Always a salutary reminder that time and tide wait for no man!”

The Clifton Suspension Bridge
“From the loo of our building in Gas Ferry Road (below) we can just see Brunel’s magnificent bridge and I love cycling across that. It feels like you are flying across the gorge.”

Bristol Old Vic
“Having been attached to Bristol Old Vic for many years in the past (ed: David spent nine years on the board of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre Trust), I have deep fondness for the theatre, especially in its new reincarnation. It’s a place to tell stories that move people and the current team are doing a great job in that regard.”

Watershed
“There are so many other places and events in Bristol that have their pull on me, but I can’t finish without mentioning Watershed and all that it does to drive Bristol’s creative culture, including being a key venue for the Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival, an event not to be missed.”