Afternoon Tea in Bristol

Which comes first, jam or cream? That’s always a big debate when it comes to traditional cream tea. And who can ever remember which one is the Devonshire way and which the Cornish? 

Good thing that when indulging in an afternoon tea in Bristol you can always be sure of beautifully baked scones, a good dollop of jam and fresh clotted cream, neatly cut sandwiches and a selection of (almost) too-beautiful-to-eat cakes. Each hotel and café has its own twist on the afternoon tea, from the perfectly conventional to the wonderfully quirky.

There are all sorts of places to choose from, whether you fancy a modern city centre setting, such as The Bristol on the harbourside, the romance of a place like Hotel du Vin or a slice of history in the countryside at somewhere as magnificent as Thornbury Castle. 

There’s nothing nicer than celebrating an occasion with an afternoon tea in Bristol, whether it’s for two people or 22. A surprise treat for Mother’s Day or a secret baby shower for your best friend. Luckily many venues here offer that extra something special to make sure whoever you’re splashing out on has the best time ever. 

So all you need to do now is decide which teatime experience is for you… 

Perhaps you’d like to try a vintage-style tea with a sprinkle of va va voom at Heartfelt Vintage. Or try something a bit different with a Japanese-inspired afternoon tea at Kibou.

Be sure to check out the special offers for the dates that you’re staying as you may be able to grab yourself a great deal on your afternoon tea in Bristol too!

Here are a few other ways you can explore Bristol's brilliant food and drink scene:

• Where to find traditional British food in Bristol
• Bristol's best cocktail bars
• Food and drink experiences