Afternoon tea in Bristol runs from around £21.50 a head at Boston Tea Party up to £37 or more for a champagne version at somewhere like Berwick Lodge. For a harbourside setting, The Bristol hotel does a classic tea from £27.95, and for a fully vegetarian, from-scratch version, Ashwell & Co in Clifton is the well-reviewed pick. Book ahead everywhere, most places want a couple of days' notice at minimum.
The Bristol hotel: harbourside classic
The Bristol, part of the Doyle Collection, serves its Afternoon Tea in the River Grille restaurant overlooking the Harbourside, with traditional scones, Cornish clotted cream and jam, finger sandwiches and miniature cakes. It runs Thursday to Saturday, 12:30pm to 4:30pm, and the Classic Afternoon Tea costs £27.95 per person, with the option to add a glass of Champagne or a house cocktail for £12. There's a vegan and gluten-free menu available too. It's a good pick if you want a central, sit-down setting with a view over the water, and it's an easy pairing with a wander around the harbourside and Old City afterwards.
Boston Tea Party: the budget-friendly option
Boston Tea Party, with a Bristol branch on Park Street, keeps things more relaxed with prices starting at £21.50 per person for a spread of homemade finger sandwiches on Hobbs House Bakery bread, mini scones and cakes, with tea, coffee or prosecco included. There's a dedicated children's afternoon tea for ages 10 and under at £12.50 per person, and you can add a glass of prosecco for £5 or a bottle for £25. Bookings for two or more need 48 hours' notice. It's the least formal of the options here and the easiest one to bring kids to.
Ashwell & Co: fully vegetarian, Clifton
Ashwell & Co, based in a vintage boutique in Clifton, has been serving homemade afternoon tea since 2014 and was named Best Place for Afternoon Tea in Bristol by Prima Magazine in 2024. The whole menu is vegetarian, made from scratch on site, including the scones and clotted cream, and it changes seasonally. It's served from 12:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays only, starting from £32 per person, and booking is essential. If you're already exploring Clifton or the shops around Clifton Village, this is the easiest one to combine with a day there.
Berwick Lodge: the special-occasion option
Berwick Lodge, a country house hotel on the edge of Bristol, serves afternoon tea in a wood-panelled lounge or a restaurant with views over its grounds. There are several versions to choose from: a Traditional tea at £36.95 per person, a Champagne version at £48.95, a Bridgerton-inspired tea with extra savoury courses at £43.95, and a Children's tea at £15.95. It's further out than the other options here and better suited to a specific celebration than a casual visit, but the setting is the most country-house of the group.
Clifton Observatory: for the view
Clifton Observatory, right by the Suspension Bridge, runs occasional afternoon tea events in its William West Room, with access out to the rooftop terrace for views across the Avon Gorge. It's not a permanent daily offering like the other venues here, it runs as scheduled events through the year, so check the Observatory's own events page for current dates and prices before you plan around it. If the timing doesn't line up, it's still worth combining a trip to Clifton with one of the other venues on this list instead.
Comparing the options
| Venue | Area | Price from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bristol hotel | Harbourside | £27.95pp | Harbourside views, central location |
| Boston Tea Party | Park Street | £21.50pp | Budget, kids welcome |
| Ashwell & Co | Clifton | £32pp | Vegetarian, award-winning |
| Berwick Lodge | Edge of Bristol | £36.95pp | Special occasions, country house setting |
Booking tips
Every venue on this list asks for advance booking, and most want at least 48 hours' notice, longer around weekends and the run-up to Christmas or Mother's Day when slots fill fast. If you've got dietary requirements, mention them when you book rather than on the day. Several venues here, including The Bristol hotel and Ashwell & Co, cater for vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free diets as standard, but it's still worth confirming what's included for your specific booking. For other ways to spend an afternoon out, see our guides to Bristol's best cafes and best brunch spots.