Supporting British Industry & Craftsmanship
Bristol Blue Glass is a distinctive type of decorative glassware, characterised by its deep, vivid cobalt blue colour. It has been produced in the Bristol area since at least the 18th century, when the city was a significant centre of glassmaking in Britain. The shop and factory, based in east Bristol produced handmade glass using age old techniques. It closed its doors in Summer 2026.
The Original Bristol Blue Glass was founded in 1988 by James Adlington, with the help of glassmaker Peter St Clair, with the aim of re-establishing a glassmaking tradition in Bristol that had been lost for over 60 years. The company produced the majority of Bristol Blue glass in the marketplace — a range that spans everything from awards and bowls to decanters, vases, paperweights and perfume bottles. The studio welcomed group visits, giving the public the chance to watch master glassmakers at work and hear about the origins of glass production in Bristol, while the adjoining shop sold a wide range of handmade pieces.
Update: In May 2026 the company ceased trading, announcing that increasing rental costs, rises in National Insurance and fuel prices had created an overwhelming financial strain, forcing the company to close.
"I was very sad to hear of the closure of Bristol Blue Glass - an institution and fixture of the city for as long as I can remember. There are so many businesses closing due to the rising fuel and National Insurance costs. I really hope the government listens to those battling this situation and does more to support small businesses or we will lose so many more." Carmel King photographed Bristol Blue Glass in June 2025 for The Archive.
