Turbo Island

Turbo Island has turned into a bit of a landmark in Stocks Croft. It’s pretty much a communal patch of grass where the unemployed and homeless gather to drink Ye Olde Scrumpy Jacks and HUGE plastic bottles of cider.
Having said that, I like the graffiti and the Easter Island figurines. Although I can’t help but be a little intimidated by the hoards of people hanging out here, they are actually pretty cheerful and friendly. Sometimes I do wonder if they are on day release from the nearby mental hospital, but a little crazy didn’t hurt anyone!

You’ve got to come to places like this to see all the sides of the city. The reputation may be bad but you will see more of the real Bristol than you would at the fake fronts that places more towards the centre seem to offer.
Get to your local baragin booze, grab a bottle of white lighting (or other such horribly strong but horribly tasting ciders! — heck, get yourself what you need to make a turbo shandy and you’ll feel like it was invented for this particular spot) wack on a hoody and head to Turbo island…
or dont…

I live right next to this local landmark and despite its bad rep, I have a bit of a soft spot for it. Turbo Island is basically home to all of the vagrants in the area and on any given day you’ll find it littered with bottles of White Ace and Special Brew. Okay, I admit, it doesn’t sound so great, but these people rarely bother passers by and in-​fact can be fairly hilarious on occasion. Sometimes the police will move them from this sacred spot to right outside my front door, at which times I’m treated to a sort of real-​life version of Bristolian Eastenders. The Island itself is decorated with trademark Stokes Croft graffiti and over recent months there has been the introduction of some mini Easter Island-​style heads, placed by the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft. I grant you, it’s not the most family friendly of places in the city, but it’s part of Bristol’s culture and I believe it should be celebrated as such.