The Best Afternoon Tea In Bristol - Ashwell & Co (Formerly Heartfelt Vintage)
It’s my first summer in Bristol, and I am still finding my bearings and learning so much about the new place that I call home.
I have kindly been invited to Ashwell & Co ( formerly Heartfelt Vintage ) for an afternoon tea. And I thought it would be so lovely to bring my partner’s mother & aunt along with me.
Often described as one of the quirkiest places you can have afternoon tea in Bristol, at Ashwell & Co they pride themselves not only on their unique setting within a vintage boutique, but they also rate as one of the best afternoon teas in Bristol. There’s definitely no style over substance here!
Everything is handmade or locally made with love to create a proper, traditional afternoon tea experience. From the bread to the cakes, the scones, and even our signature homemade clotted cream, everything is made with care and attention to give their lovely customers an experience to remember.
After devouring our delicious afternoon tea, filled with all the finger sandwiches, scones & Victoria sponges one could hope for… We then headed into to shop to explore the boutique.
It was such a fun experience to watch the ladies pick and spot items and brands they remembered from their youth.
Ashwell & Co. has such a unique concept, you can visit them for an afternoon tea, vintage shopping, you can book them to cater your events, you can also go wedding dress shopping there… you can host your Hen do there.
… I honestly feel like I could go on and on!
After being unable to find what she was looking for when planning her own wedding, Kate realised she couldn’t be the only one, and the gears started turning…
Kate and Will founded Ashwell & Co in July 2014. After years of working in festival production, drama, education and the arts, they felt that their family of three would benefit from a change of pace, so started hunting for a career that continued their love of creativity and working with people.
Kate has had a keen interest in the alternative and fashion since she was a teenager but her true love of vintage was born when she moved to Camden as a student. She really valued the ability of vintage to allow her to have something that no one else did.
Having grown up in a hotel it was perhaps inevitable that Will would find his calling in hospitality. He has discovered a flair for baking, taking on all aspects of the Ashwell & Co afternoon tea offering. Every component that can be is handmade on site by his own hands, including the bread and clotted cream.
When it comes to wedding gowns and clothing, Kate thinks back to her own experience and wishes somewhere like Ashwell & Co had existed when she was looking for her own wedding dress.
With one of the largest collections of vintage wedding dresses in the South West, an on-site seamstress and passion for creating a relaxed atmosphere for anyone dress shopping, Ashwell & Co refuses to add to the stress of planning a wedding.
Kate is an expert on shapes, styles and the history of each dress that comes to her, ensuring you go away with a dress you love and a little piece of history too.
Kate and Will believe that it’s a fundamental part of life for people to come together and share food, and so have created an open, comfortable space for people to do just that.
Whether you are popping in with friends, have rented the tearoom for a party, or are browsing their collection of vintage clothes and accessories, they want everyone to enjoy the ritual of sharing experiences with other people.
If you find yourself in the Bristol or Newport area, you will definitely have to pop into Ashwell & Co, especially if you want to have the best afternoon tea, ever!
