Bristol is my home town and a uniquely inspiring place for artists. From wide open vistas enjoyed from many city viewpoints such as the iconic Suspension Bridge to dockland walks and city cafés there’s plenty here to get those creative juices flowing.

It’s the go to city for arty people with a plethora of festivals, art trails, world famous street art, galleries, eclectic museums, great local pubs and unspoiled parks. You can find out more about what Bristol has to offer visitors here

Walking up and down Bristol’s hilly terrain you will inevitably work up an appetite so what could possibly be nicer than a special treat of Afternoon Tea at the conveniently located Bristol Hotel du Vin. I went along with a group of Bristol bloggers to savour, review and more unusually amongst our group, to paint the afternoon tea – painting food is a new but thoroughly enjoyable departure.

Afternoon tea – the savoury treats

Like all good things its the little details that count and this afternoon tea has been designed to impress. It’s a delicious treat served with style and panache and it delivers on flavour. There is the perfect balance of savoury and sweet choices complemented by specially blended Twinings tea or coffee.

If you want to push the boat out you can go to town with champagne or a wonderful choice of in house gin cocktails.

You can opt for a cream tea priced at £8.50 or go for the big treat afternoon tea at £20. Take your time. You don’t get rushed here. Soak up the ambiance, the candle light and admire the comfortable surroundings and friendly unobtrusive staff who are happy to answer your questions or leave you to enjoy your tea as you wish.

The afternoon tea includes five savoury and five sweet treats presented on a beautiful silver tiered platter finished off with sticks of pale pink candy floss adding a fun flourish to an already mouth watering assortment.

Candles create that special ambiance

It was fun drawing the candy floss, not what you automatically expect for afternoon tea but a brilliant finishing touch adding colour and a party feel to the occasion. We were served in a long board room with curved windows, exposed brickwork echoing the building’s past, and furnished in highly polished dark wood and sparkling Venetian mirrors that twinkled in the candlelight creating a relaxed and cosy ambiance.

Arched windows and sparkling mirrors provide a historic setting

The savoury offerings include Severn and Wye smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel, egg and cress mayonnaise brioche sub, ham with Gruyere cheese croissant, heritage tomato and tapenade galette and  a goats cheese and spinach quiche.

This was followed with warm scones with a mixture of Bonne Maman jams, clotted cream and Lescure butter

The sweet course was a delectable assortment featuring lemon meringue pie, a knickerbocker glory, raspberry and dark chocolate tea cakes and custard donuts. All this finished with home made apple candy floss and a choice of teas.

I visited Hotel du Vin along with 25 Bristol based travel, lifestyle and food bloggers. The hotel hosted the occasion and we were treated to talks from the general manager and hotel tea sommelier who described to us some of the finer points of Twinings tea blends.

Blogger enjoying the champagne bubbles with Hotel du Vin Afternoon Tea

Nick, COO at Hotel du Vin, “Everyone loves the traditional Afternoon Tea, we believe it is one of the finest meals, a perfect combination of sweet and savoury. We wanted to update this favourite to reflect the increasingly adventurous nature of British consumers that are seeking more unique food pairing experiences. We’re really excited about this offer, bringing together two of 2016s biggest trends, with the quality that Hotel du Vin is known for.”

Hotel du Vin, Bristol, is right in the centre of the city but tucked away into a quiet courtyard setting near the historic and quirky Christmas Steps that leads to Park Row, an interesting street with several contemporary art galleries. The hotel is also within an easy 10 minute walk of the City Museum and Art Gallery, the Royal West of England Academy and the Arnolfini.

The Bristol Hotel du Vin is a peaceful oasis high end in comfort and design, yet an affordable hotel to choose if you are celebrating a special occasion or simply want to treat yourself to some well deserved luxury.

Based in an old sugar refinery the hotel designers have been meticulous in ensuring that some of the unique features of the original building have been retained.

Standard rooms sell anywhere from £115 on a room only basis or £140 inclusive of breakfast for two people and for a special treat the highest standard of suite (such as Veuve Clicquot) sells from £229 on a room only basis or £255 inclusive of breakfast for two people.

Book your stay at Hotel du Vin Bristol

Hotel du Vin Afternoon tea
Photo courtesy of Hotel du Vin