To Bristol Cathedral for a contemplative lunch

With my husband working in Bristol these days, I’m taking the opportunity to meet him for lunch and try out some interesting places to eat in the city centre. This is part of my new Two for a Tenner challenge. The rules are that two people can eat a hot, sit-down lunch for £10, or in the evening, one person can have two courses for £10.

On this quest we visited the refectory at Bristol Cathedral on College Green, close to many of the sightseeing and shopping areas in Bristol. We entered through the main door of the cathedral and were greeted by two gowned volunteers, only too happy to give us information about the Cathedral and its history. It’s a beautiful and peaceful place to linger and photograph, and we found some beautiful carved stonework…

Stained glass, both traditional and modern…

The marble flooring was too lovely to walk on..

Tread lightly lest you step on someone’s soul..

When you’ve wandered round long enough to work up an appetite, you can walk along the side aisle to the right of the nave, through an arched doorway and along a cloister to reach the refectory. As you walk down the cloister, don’t forget to look left at the beautiful vaulted stonework of the Chapter House.

The refectory’s a cheerful place with bright yellow walls and chequered tablecloths. At lunch there’s a hot dish of the day with either jacket potato or salads for £4.50. Today it was a cheese, bacon and broccoli bake and of course I had to try a little of every salad on offer with it. I was so stuffed by the end that I could only nibble at the home-made cherry shortbread that my husband enjoyed with his coffee. There was a steady stream of pupils from the adjoining Cathedral school, buying cakes and sweets, who use the place as their tuck shop.

In fine weather, you can enjoy your lunch outside in the garden among the gravestones and flowering shrubs, but as it was a little grey we stayed cosy inside.

It’s an ideal place to find a little calm and contemplation after a busy morning sightseeing or shopping (or even blogging).

Bristol Cathedral Refectory, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TJ
Opening Hours
Monday – Saturday 10.00am -3.00pm (May – October)
Monday – Friday 10.00am-3.00pm (November – April)
Typical dishes
Dish of the day with jacket potato or salad £4.50, Quiche and salad £4.50, Soup and granary bread £2.75, Coffee and cake £2.50

P.S. Thanks to Flyaway Cafe for featuring this post on the Carnival of Travellers.

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