Andover Catfe – Review
We always go and spend New Year down in Basingstoke and one of the things we did this year was visit a new Cat Cafe the Andover Catfe, which I did post about at the time on my Instagram. However, I thought it would be nice to write a post and tell you a little more about them.
Some of the cats may have changed since we were there, with some having been adopted and new ones taking their place, as with my health it has taken me a while to get around to writing this. However, the resident cats and the new additions are all ready and waiting for you to say hello!
Andover Catfe
Situated on Winchester Street, Andover, the Catfe opened up to the public in November 2023. Incredibly it was the brainchild of an entrepreneurial 14-year-old who won the Youth in Test Valley Awards which allowed them to receive a sponsorship grant and mentorship from New Street Dental Care in Andover to open his own Catfe.
With a cleverly built cafe area which allows the cats the ability to climb above patrons and watch them, or completely escape into an area away from people. They are always in charge of how much attention they want.
As well, as spending time with the cats, the cafe also offers a range of drinks, sandwiches and cakes for people to enjoy.
Cats in the Catfe
I have to admit I was sceptical about cat cafes, I don’t know exactly why but anything with animals always makes me want to know that the best is being done for them. And I have to say after speaking to the people at the Catfe, they are 100% doing everything with the best interest of the cats at heart.
The Catfe works with a local cat rescue and has a couple of cats they have adopted specifically for the cafe, while others are up for adoption.
The resident cats Harlow and Panther were adopted when it was seen how much they thrived and loved the cafe environment. Both of them are stunning cats and have such personalities, they love interacting and playing with customers. I believe from looking at the website the cats for adoption have all changed as they were all adopted in January.
But how does the cafe help cats be adopted?
Well, the one thing that stood out to me when speaking to the owners is the fact that being in the Catfe helps them come out of themselves. Cats that were weary of humans soon came to love them, since they were around them so often, but in a way that allowed them to interact and approach at their own pace.
Visiting The Andover Catfe
The Catfe runs on a booking schedule, as such you must pre-book to attend. Booking can be done via their website and costs £5 per participant. Each slot is for 1 hour and they have a huge basket of toys to help you play with the cats.
A list of rules applies while you are visiting to make sure the cats are kept happy and healthy, however, they are just common sense
We found a car park just around the corner which was around a 2-minute walk and around 160 yards away. The Catfe is all situated on ground level, with sloped access down to a decent-sized toilet area.
If you would like to book yourself a visit or find out more about the Andover Catfe then visit their website now, or keep up to date with all the cat comings and goings on their Facebook page.
Have you ever visited a cat cafe, does the Catfe sound like one you would like to go to?
Pin It!
We have a Cat Cafe in Canterbury, such a unique place but I love the idea of it.
This looks like my sort of place!
The perfect place to scope out and get to know a prospective new member of the family!
Spent a wonderful hour lovely atmosphere had a great time I wish I could adopt them all
That is so lovely to read – I know the people who adopt them in the end are very lucky I think.
Yes, lovely Cafe and a brilliant thing for Andover. I’m worried they don’t advertise it enough. The owners are really informative and chilled so will talk to you but also leave you to be. Very peaceful atmosphere. I took my 9 year old autistic adhd granddaughter there and she loved it as the stimulation was interesting but chilled so she coped fantastically with this place. Nice cakes, reasonably priced. We must support it!
Definitely – it’s such a shame, I wish I could come up with some ideas to help them with advertising to get it out there, but I live so far away I wouldn’t be much help, though I hoped this post might bring it to a few new people. It really is such a chilled place with a great atmosphere going on – it totally changed my thinking about cat cafes, and I really hope they thrive as it seems like they have definitely come up against some obstacles!
This sounds delightful, think I need to visit if we are ever in the Andover area
Definitely it is such a lovely little cafe and they care so much for the cats.
There is a new cat cafe opening up near us soon.. I will definitely have to make a visit.. Until Phoebe showed up, I was never a cat person.. oh that has changed now.. she is my princess..
It’s amazing how sometimes just one little animal can change how you feel about them, Sally was like that for me with dogs.
Adore cats and always encourage people to adopt the homeless. This is a terrific idea and can’t think of anything better than sharing a cafe treat with a cat!
I hope you get to go and try one out some time as it is such a lovely thing to do.
That’s a shame I really hope your Grandson likes the one you go to!
I have 5 cats so my house is like a catfe but I would love to visit this!
Aw I bet it is always full of fun with 5! Definitely still worth going, it is a lovely relaxing atmosphere.
Such a wonderful idea, unfortunately I don’t live close to it.
Worth looking around and seeing if there is one near you perhaps.
I love a visit to a cat cafe with my daughters, my husband is allergic to cats so we can’t have one ourselves so the cat cafe is lovely idea
Definitely a good place to go then, I found this one so relaxing as well as there aren’t too many people and its just so laid back.
This is so close to me so I’m going to visit, thanks for the fab review xx
Let me know what you think! It is such a relaxing cafe and the owners are lovely!
This reminds me that I have not visited our local cat cafe for a while. I also had misgivings about this kind of thing, but the cats always seem happy and well cared for.
It’s hard isn’t it unitl you go somewhere and learn more – this one is so obviously cats come first it was really heartwarming.
Cat cafe’s are amazing, not only do you get to spend time with the furry residence but also they work to rehome cats which is amazing
Most definitely – they do some amazing work at this one getting the cats homes as well. I think most seem to pick their human from the patreons.
I have yet to visit a cat cafe as I’m waiting for my kids to grow up a bit. Since my daughter has been scratched quite badly by one, both my kids are still a bit scared of them. We’re doing regular visits to my neighbours at the moment who has the most tamest cat.
But I am glad more cat cafes are popping up to adopt all these stray cats that would have been put down. It gives them a home and a place where we can relax and let their cuteness melt our hearts
Oh gosh poor thing, hopefully seeing your neighbours will help, if you do decide to go to a cat cafe at some point it might be worth talking to the owner and seeing if they cat talk to you about the calmer cats and point those out to you.
@Sarah-Louise Bailey, Great idea. I would have honestly never thought of doing that. Never been a very upfront person but I should be when it comes down to things like that. Thank you x
It can be hard but I think espechially somewhere like this they wwuld be more than happy to help out 🙂
It’s a no from me. Nothing against cats but a coffee time interaction does not float my boat
I am in Basingstoke!
Yay! We visit quite often as Ash is from Basingstoke.
Such a lovely idea, I hope this catches on in other places. Cats are clearly top priority which is as it should be
They are most definitely top priority – so much love for them from the owners, even if they are only there a short time.
Oh, bless their little souls. Such a lovely idea.
I may be visiting my friend in Andover very soon!
Ohh let me know if you do go and visit I would love to know how it goes!