What could be better than enjoying a delicious Cream Tea or Afternoon Tea on a sunny afternoon in Thornbury, Bristol? 

A Cream Tea is the quintessential English passtime and with a range of options from Tea and Cake, to Full Afternoon Tea you are spoilt for choice at Alveston House Hotel.  Whether you live in Thornbury or are maybe visiting the historic city of Bristol, Alveston House Hotel is the place to stop and unwind.

Delicious Homemade Scones

We offer a delicious range of Cream Teas’ to Full Afternoon Tea which can be enjoyed on the lawn in our peaceful walled Gardens.  If the great outdoors is a bit too chilly our conservatory provides a quiet haven to sit and watch the world go by!

Telephone us now to make your reservation – 01454 415050.

National Vegetarian Week is a week long celebration of good, honest vegetarian food – 24th-30th May 2010.

Did you know that around 11% of the UK population are now vegetarians? 

Why is it then that it is so hard to find delicious, exciting vegetarian food in restaurants accross the length and breadth of Great Britain including Bristol?

We are incredibly fortunate to have a chef who respects and appreciates our vegetarian diners.  Ben Halliday creates mouthwatering dishes that  even the most carnivorous of guests will find hard to resist.

To celebrate National Vegetarian Week we are offering special vegetarian dishes each night in addition to our existing A La Carte menu.

We would love to welcome you to Alveston House Hotel during the week so that you too can enjoy delicious home cooked food in the relaxing atmosphere of Carriages Restaurant.

The Bristol Food and Wine Fair 2010 is this year being held 2nd – 4th July and promises to be bigger and better than ever.

We are extremely excited to be involved with this years fair.  Tickets are available from the hotel and are priced from £8.00 per person.   Bed and breakfast accommodation may be booked on-line or by telephoning the hotel on 01454 415050.

During the event you will have the opportunity to sample wines from all over the world – wine will be available to buy by the glass, bottle or case.

As well as delicious foods from a variety of producers being available to taste and purchase there will also be cookery demonstrations and lectures to inform and entertain.

With the centre of Bristol being only a 20 minute drive away you can enjoy a relaxing weekend at Alveston House Hotel whilst also visiting this incredibly popular event.

For full timetable and further information visit the Bristol Food and Wine website.

A fabulous cheese and wine evening was held at Alveston House Hotel on Wednesday 14th April 2010.

Members of the Bristol and South Gloucestershire Branches of the Federation of Small Businesses were treated to a fine selection of wines accompanied by a delicious array of local cheeses.

Our guest speakers, Kellie Davidson from Matthew Clarke and Kevin Groves from Longman Cheeses, did a fantastic job enlightening guests on the subtle differences in wines and the delicate flavours of some of the regions finest cheeses.

The evening was a great success and our thanks go to Kelly and Kevin for their presentations.

If you would like to speak to us about organising an event such as this please do not hesitate to contact Sue or Carole on 01454 415050.

It’s that time of year again – the shops are full of them and kitchens all over the world are filled with the aroma of spices and fruit baking in the oven.

Tradition has it that Hot Cross Buns were only served during Lent – especially on Good Friday.  As with many traditions however, their origins are mixed with paganism.  The buns were considered a sacred food of the gods by the ancient Incas and Aztecs, whereas the Saxons and Egyptians used them as sacrifices to their goddesses.

The cross was believed by the Romans to represent the horns of a sacred ox.  In fact the word ‘bun’ is from the ancient word ‘boun’ which is used to describe this honored animal.

The humble Hot Cross Bun was adopted by the Christian church back in the 12^th century.   A monk named Father Thomas Rocliffe was recorded to have made a small spiced cake with the sign of the cross to signify the sacrifice of Jesus.  The cakes were distributed to the poor on Good Friday and the idea proved so popular that the buns were made every year.

There are also many superstitions surrounding the Hot Cross Bun.  Did you know that by hanging a Hot Cross Bun in your kitchen on Good Friday you will gain protection from fire and all bread made in your kitchen will turn out perfectly every time. (must try that one!)

Also the Hot Cross Bun is supposed to be shared with another to ensure friendship throughout the coming year.  The traditions don’t just stop on dry land – take a Hot Cross Bun on a sea voyage to prevent against shipwreck!

However you use your Hot Cross Bun this Easter we hope you have a wonderful time.

We were thrilled to be able to host the Diamond Wedding Celebration recently of David and Noreen Regan.

The Happy Couple

The party, organised by daughter Julie and sisters, Helen and Lindsey, was attended by family and friends from around the UK.  All of the guests stayed over at the hotel which made for a wonderful homely atmosphere. 

During the afternoon the party were able to catch up over coffee and biscuits in the lounge.  After meeting for pre-dinner drinks in the conservatory they moved through to Carriages restaurant where they enjoyed a 3 course dinner specifically designed for the special couple.

Cutting the Cake

After dinner David and Noreen were delighted with a ‘this is your life’ style presentation.  A digital slide show was projected onto a screen at one end of the restaurant showing the many wonderful memories shared by the family.

We were so pleased that the event was enjoyed by the whole family – the following thank you was received from Julie and with her permission we are pleased to share her comments with you.

“What a wonderful time our party of 26 had at Alveston House Hotel on 11th February 2010.  We wanted it to be as perfect as it could be for our parents’ Diamond Wedding Anniversary and it was. Read more…

Alveston House offers you the perfect surroundings for a wonderful, traditional Sunday lunch on Mother’s Day.  This is a great opportunity to make mum feel special in a warm, friendly atmosphere.

Following a number of requests we are delighted to also offer our delicious Mother’s Day menu during the evening of Sunday 14^th March from 6.00pm-8.00pm!

Let us know you are a newsletter reader when booking your table for Mother’s Day and we will give mum – or mums - a glass of bubbly on arrival, with our compliments.

Don’t forget your pancakes today, Tuesday 16th February.

The tradition of making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday dates back to ancient times when people would get ready for Lent by using up food items such as butter, milk, eggs and sugar.  These ingredients provided much needed nutrients leading up to the 40 days of fasting.

Pancake races take place all over the country today.  This tradition is understood to have originated because of the women who would rush to church to confess their sins before fasting began at 12 noon on Shrove Tuesday.  Many would still be clutching their half finished pancakes!

Our favourite way of eating pancakes at Alveston House Hotel is simple – lots of lemon juice and sugar with a little maple syrup.  Perfect!!

Happy pancake day…

Valentine’s day is the perfect time to indulge your loved one with a bit of TLC.  Show them how much you care by organising a special night out at one of north Bristols top venues.

This year we are giving you the opportunity to celebrate with your Valentine on Friday, Saturday and Sunday by holding a Dinner Dance on Friday and Candlelit dinners on both Saturday and Sunday.

No problem if you don’t want to drive home – you can enjoy a superb evening and stay over with one of our romantic Valentine’s Packages.

If you are unable to join us in the evening why not come and enjoy a delicious traditional Valentine’s Day Sunday lunch with succulent sirloin of beef and mouth-watering leg of lamb followed by scrumptious desserts.

Spoil your loved one with a Valentine’s treat they will remember – make your reservation today by calling Carole or Sue on 01454 415050.

Do you know the history of St Valentine’s Day?

It is thought that it dates back to the third Century when Emperor Claudius of Rome decided to end all marriages. He was of the opinion that young men were not joining his army because they did not want to leave their wives and families.  The new law banning all marriages was very unpopular and one priest named ‘Valentine’ decided to defy the Emperor and continued to hold marriage ceremonies in secret.

Unfortunately during one of these secret candlelit ceremonies the Emperor’s soldiers arrived and arrested Valentine.  He was thrown into jail and was given the death sentence.  During his time in prison he was supported by many couples who threw notes up to his jail window telling him of their belief in love and how much they agreed with his stand against the Emperor.

One of the young people who supported him was also the daughter of the prison guard.  He would allow his daughter to visit the priest and they became good friends.

On the day of his execution – 14th February – the priest left a note to the girl telling her of his love and gratitude for her support – he signed it – ‘Love from your Valentine!’

So there you have it – send your loved one a note this Valentine’s Day and remember good old St Valentine!