Hort’s Townhouse is on Broad Street a cobbled road in the very centre of Bristol’s old town. It is one of the four original streets dating back to Saxon times that were to become the nucleus of the city of Bristol.
This throbbing heart of the city surrounds the famous floating harbour, now converted to a fabulous tourist attraction. The hotel is close to St Nicholas Market inside and around The Exchange and featuring a large range of independent retailers and The Glass Arcade, where food outlets abound.
The 18th-century Grade II listed building that houses Hort’s Townhouse has seen many changes. Originally built as a house, it also served as an auctioneer’s office and warehouse. It is named after Sir Arthur Fenton Hort, author, schoolmaster and gardener who once owned this property. In 1922, it became home to the Exchange Dining Rooms, established on Wine Street by the caterers in the Hort family and later relocated to their premises on Broad Street. In those days, it was the most fashionable restaurant in Bristol. It is said to have been the first place in the city to mix cocktails.
Inside Hort’s Townhouse in Bristol
Berni Inn (the steakhouse chain that originated in Bristol) bought the building in 1943. Since the Berni Inn was sold, Hort’s Townhouse has had a variety of owners and been used as a pub with a cinema and a popular sports bar. It was acquired by Young & Co in 2022, who decided to honour its history with a total refurbishment in the style of the Roaring Twenties. This has proved to be a great success.
Decor at Hort’s Townhouse in Bristol
Who for
Comfortable and convenient for couples and solo travellers. Visitors for leisure or business enjoy the good location and the cosy spaces to relax over a drink. The addition of a lift to this old building makes it accessible for all. The hotel is also dog-friendly, with rooms suitable for pets as well.
Accommodation
Nineteen boutique bedrooms occupy two floors above the pub and dining area. There is a lift to the first floor so these rooms are accessible to everyone. Some of the rooms are designated pet-friendly (additional charge). All the rooms have been individually designed and include little luxuries that make a stay at Hort’s Townhouse special.
These include a sweet treat and a miniature bottle of port on arrival and a generous basket of snacks, and a well-stocked honesty mini-bar. There are toiletries by Bramley. Each room is unique and makes the best of the irregular shapes and sizes of this historic old building. Every room features a Nespresso coffee machine and a dedicated working space.
Cosy Rooms are the smallest rooms but still large enough for a comfortable stay for solo travellers or a couple. Next in size are the Boutique rooms. Some of these can be booked together for families or small groups. The Boutique Twin and Bigger Boutique offer more space, room for cots and sofa beds so ideal for small families. For those who like something different there is The Loft, accessed by its own stairway and the Feature Boutique. This is a one-of-a-kind room with large windows, high ceilings and views of Bristol Guildhall across the road. It can accommodate pets and children.
Boutique Twin at Hort’s Townhouse in Bristol
Food & Drink
Although the bar and dining area are open plan, there are secluded areas and quiet corners all delightfully furnished in the Art Deco style with a sprinkling of Asian artefacts. Paintings on every wall reflect the mood of the period. Patrons will be delighted by the well-stocked bar which is open all day.
Breakfast at Hort’s Townhouse in Bristol
Diners have the choice of a good range of delicious dishes on the a la carte menu, and special seasonal offers are also available sometimes. Their signature dish, The Showstopper (slow-cooked feather blade, red wine, rosemary, bone marrow) is a gorgeous mix of luscious meat, short-crust pastry, fluffy mash and fresh greens and will satisfy the hearty appetite but is sufficient for two with smaller appetites. Breakfast is a combination of a cold buffet and a choice of cooked meals, including poached eggs on avocado toast and a full English.
Signature Beef Pie at Hort’s Townhouse in Bristol
Facilities
There is free WiFi throughout the hotel. This hotel does not have any parking but there are car parks nearby. However, the excellent location, good public transport with stops close to the hotel and the proximity of Temple Meads Railway Station and Bristol Airport means a car could be more of a hindrance than a benefit here
How much
Early bird cosy room for 2 adults (no meals included) start at £106.20
What’s nearby
It is a short walk from the hotel to the Harbourside of Bristol’s floating harbour, which offers a full day’s worth of interesting attractions. Beautifully laid out, the Aquarium features tropical plants, huge tanks and several pools. Feeding time here is a chance to learn more about the fish, especially the various species of sharks.
We The Curious is good for some fun, and adults will find this just as absorbing as children do, with puzzles to solve and cartoon characters to create. Boat trips are available through the various canals linked to the floating harbour,and the SS Great Britain is a major attraction here. However, to learn more about the history of Bristol and its people, head to M Shed. Entrance is free, and the linked galleries and heavy (still operational) machinery outside explore various aspects of this fascinating city.
M Shed on the Harbourside in Bristol
Bristol famous for its events, including the annual Balloon Festival. This year saw the addition of a new event, Cider Week where Participating pubs offered a variety of ciders and offered tastings before investing in a pint of one’s favourite.
To find out more about Bristol’s festivals, check Visit Bristol.
VERDICT: Stunning rooms and cosy restaurant and bar. Ideal location for exploring the old town and the Harbourside of Bristol on foot. Close to good public transport links, including a regular bus service to Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station and Bristol Airport.