Talk about hidden gems… among the myriad coffee shops in Bristol, The Vaulted Chambers at Castle Park is a real find, particularly for families enjoying a day out. Located on the far edge of the park, just off Castle Street, and set in one of the few remaining sections of Bristol’s medieval castle, it offers a great place for lunch with the children, meeting up with friends or stopping off to catch up on emails and grab a very decent coffee.
The vaulted Chambers is one of a group of Bristol Parks Cafés located across the city (you can find the full list below) that offer a wide range of meals and snacks, with all profits going towards maintaining and improving Bristol’s green spaces – so you’re not only enjoying a meal, you’re looking after the city’s parks too.
While the sun was shining on the afternoon of my visit, the chilly winter wind meant the indoor seating made a welcoming alternative to the tables outdoors. Mind you, once the warmer weather arrives, this will make a perfect venue for an alfresco lunch.
The interior of the Chambers is immediately inviting and quirky, helped no end by the very welcoming team, led during my visit by Ben the waiter. The menu offers a few popular meals options, including toasted sandwiches, avocado smash and my choice for the day, mushrooms on toast, all at very reasonable prices around £6-£8 each. For dessert, there’s a choice of cakes and – I’m glad to say – Marshfield Ice Creams! Excellent, the children will be happy.
While I sat down and caught up on emails, a mum read a story to four children on the next table while a hardier couple sat in the sun. The wifi is free to use and up to dealing with my work demands, while even the background music – a collection of Motown – was very much to my liking.
As for the mushrooms on toast, they were superb, perfectly booked, gorgeous sourdough toast and just the right amount. Yes, it’s a simple enough dish but done just right it can be a real treat and the team at the Vaulted Chambers Café clearly know how to get it right.
Meanwhile the mum and her children had moved on to be replaced by a lady taking her time over tea and cake, and checking out the paper. But then, this cafe is that sort of place – very relaxed and just perfect for taking your time, enjoying the ancient building and the view out on to the park, and looking forward to the summer. I’m looking forward to bringing my children in for lunch next time we’re in town – after all, those Marshfield ice creams aren’t going to eat themselves…
Find out more about the Vaulted Chamber Cafe here
Bristol Park Cafés
Ashton Court Estate Courtyard Café
Housed within the stables of historic Ashton Court Mansion, the Courtyard Café is the perfect start or end to your adventure through the 850 acres of woods and grasslands on the estate. The café prides itself on holding a Bristol Eating Better gold award, which means you’ll never be short of locally sourced, healthy and sustainable options for lunch. The menu is refreshed throughout the year to reflect the seasons, offering warming soups, gourmet venison burgers, fresh quinoa salads and hearty chilli bowls just when the time is right. Plus, our signature Hobbs House sourdough toasties are available all year round, as well as a great selection of freshly prepared barista drinks and Cakesmiths cakes.
Opening times: Monday to Sunday, 9.30am to 4pm
Ashton Court Estate, Bristol, BS41 9JN
Ashton Court Estate Activity Hub Café
Situated within Ashton Court Estate Activity Hub, the café is the perfect place to refuel if you’ve just come off the mountain bike track, FootGolf course or running trail. Grab barista coffees and refreshing cold drinks, healthy snacks or hot-off-the-grill lunches.
Opening times: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 3.30pm
Ashton Court Estate, Bristol, BS41 9JN
Blaise Castle Estate Café
Blaise Castle Estate’s grab and go café has a fresh deli-style menu, offering wraps, sandwiches and barista coffees. There is lots to see and do on the estate including woodland and rivers, children’s adventure playground, Blaise Museum and Blaise Plant Nursery.
Opening times: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 3pm
27A Kings Weston Road, Henbury, Bristol, BS10 7QT
Hengrove Play Park Beach Hut Café
The Beach Hut Café sits within a family-friendly neighbourhood park, with a children’s adventure playground and large sand pit. It’s the perfect place to let the kids loose while you enjoy a Brian Wogan barista coffee. You can also treat the kids to a whippy ice cream like a real day at the seaside! The café proudly boasts a gold standard Bristol Eating Better award, which means you’ll never be short of locally sourced, healthy and sustainable options for lunch.
Opening times: Monday to Sunday, 10.30am to 5pm
Hengrove Park, Hengrove Way, Bristol, BS14 0HR
St George Park Bake Box Kiosk
The Bake Box is a well-loved community cafe, serving straight-from-the-oven baked goods, as well as tasty ice creams and barista coffees. The menu is full of locally sourced, healthy and sustainable produce which has earned The Bake Box a gold standard Bristol Eating Better award. St George Park itself is a beautiful example of Victorian landscape planning which includes a lake, tennis courts, children’s play park and skate park.
Opening times: Monday to Sunday, 10am to 3.30pm
St George Park, Church Road, Bristol, BS5 7AA
Oldbury Court Kiosk
Sat right within the nature-rich Oldbury Court Estate, and located close to Fishponds High Street, the kiosk is the perfect stop off for a moment of mindfulness. Our kiosk always provides friendly service along with a menu of takeaway treats to enjoy in the neighbouring children’s play park or alongside the River Frome. Whether you fancy a Marshfield Farm ice cream or a barista coffee, it will always be served with a smile.
Opening times: Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 3.30pm
Oldbury Court Estate, Oldbury Court Road, Bristol, BS16 2JH
Canford Kiosk
Close to both the High Street and Canford Cemetery, Canford Park Kiosk is an ideal place to pick up a barista coffee and cake. Situated within a Victorian park with children’s play park, tennis courts and football pitches, take a moment to indulge yourself in a treat from the kiosk and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Opening times: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4.30pm
Canford Park, 67 Canford Lane, Bristol, BS9 3NX
Vaulted Chambers Café
A fabulous little café right in the heart of the city, housed within the last overground remains of medieval Bristol Castle. The Vaulted Chambers offers great barista drinks, a fresh deli menu and indulgent cakes. Boasting a large sun-trap patio in popular Castle Park, this is the best place to sit back and take in the diverse sights of the city.
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday, 9:30am to 4:30pm
Vaulted Chambers Cafe, 87 Castle Street, Bristol, BS2 0HQ
For more information on Bristol Park Cafés, click here