Tea Time at Your Local Bed and Breakfast

Imagine six little girls in party dresses sitting around a table set with decorative cups and saucers–they’re having a real tea party at the bed and breakfast to celebrate a friend’s birthday! Or picture a formal high tea complete with crisp linen tablecloths, a silver tea service and delicate sandwiches and sweets served on fancy china. These are only two of the many types of afternoon teas innkeepers are now offering guests at their bed & breakfast. And many extend these offerings to outside groups such as bridal showers, bridge parties, book clubs and more.

Hillbrook Inn in Charles Town, West Virginia exquisite afternoon teas feature the traditional cucumber sandwiches as well as cheddar paisleys and freshly baked cookies by Executive Chef Christine (definitely plan to enjoy one of her seven-course dinners when you visit). Innkeeper Carissa writes that for her daughter’s third birthday party the afternoon tea was like a fairy tale, complete with savories and sweets down to teapots filled with fresh flowers as centerpieces. In the summertime, you can enjoy tea outside in the gardens, part of 17 acres, which surround the inn.

Cliffside Inn

Cliffside Inn in Newport, Rhode Island was named by tea authority Bruce Richardson as one of the 20 best tea rooms in America in his book "The Great Tea Rooms of America." Unlike many hotels famous for their afternoon teas, the Cliffside changes the menu daily. Tea sandwiches might include salmon and capers, egg and caviar, pesto with tomato and mozzarella, cucumber and radish, cranberry and pear chutney, or crab with lemon zest. Sweets include artisan chocolates, cookies, brownies, pies, fruit tarts and cakes and there are always fresh scones with Devonshire Cream, handmade English marmalades and fruit butter curds. The tea is hand blended exclusively for the inn. Tea is served in the parlor in winter under the enchanting glow from the Victorian lighting and dancing fireside flames or in summer on the veranda and outdoor garden tables.

At a nearby bed and breakfast in Rhode Island, two modern day sea captains offer High Tea on the Sea. Linda and Paul Manning, who operate the Kitt Shepley House B&B in Newport, Rhode Island provide guests and the general public the option of touring historic Newport Harbor while enjoying tea served from silver pots and decorative cups and saucers aboard their boat.

Captain's House Inn

In Chatham on Cape Cod the Captain’s House Inn serves a complimentary Cream Tea for their guests featuring scones, cookies and cakes. For a small charge both guests at this bed and breakfast as well as outside guests, can enjoy a formal English Afternoon Tea served by British interns. Traditional finger sandwiches, savory pastries and sweet treats are served. As a new twist, you may also do a “Tea Flight” – sampling six different teas, which the chef has paired with appropriate delicacies. This Massachusetts bed and breakfast was a sea captain’s home dating back to 1839 with each of the 16 rooms featuring a fireplace as well as most modern amenities.

Lavish afternoon teas follow a tour of the extensive herb gardens at Halcyon Place B&B in Campbell, New York. Guests at this B&B, once the home of the founders of Corning Glass, as well as visitors enjoy the teas and assorted savory and sweet foods all made with fresh herbs! Owner Yvonne Sloan begins these summer afternoon teas with a short presentation, such as growing your own herbs or making herbal jellies.

Traveler's Rest B&B

Traveler’s Rest B&B in Georgia, two hours from Atlanta near the Jimmy Carter Historic Site, is a lovingly restored Victorian home in Montezuma. Innkeeper Adele Goodman pampers guests of the B&B with afternoon tea. Mothers and daughters of local Girl Scout troops as well as “Red Hat Ladies” also enjoy the teas served in the inn’s gracious dining room or on the wrap-around porch. In addition to the usual fare, she adds a Southern slant to her teas by serving a zesty Pimento Cheese sandwich. High tea may be requested.

Innkeepers Joyce and Frank at The Richmond Victorian Inn located in Richmond, Vermont host a variety of Afternoon Teas, from Princess Tea Parties for little girls to British-style teas on Sunday afternoon, popular for wedding showers and book club meetings. Scones are made from scratch and the loose teas are from the nearby Vermont Liberty Tea Company. Located in the foothills of the Green Mountains in Vermont, this Victorian bed and breakfast offers a relaxing interlude from all the area’s numerous activities.

During the holiday season you will find many Bed and Breakfasts across the USA and Canada splendidly decorated. At The Rosewood Country Inn in Bradford N.H., there’s also an annual Holiday Tea and Tour held throughout the month of December. After a tour of this historic New Hampshire bed and breakfast, white chocolate and raspberry scones are served with Devonshire Cream and Jam as well as Lemon Snowflake Cake and more. Stay a night or two and enjoy the luxuriously appointed suites, complete with antique beds and warm fireplaces.

Still undecided? Browse through the 19,000 B&Bs and country inns that specialize in many other events of interest. Many of the properties listed above are also in the best-selling bed and breakfast guidebook Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns with a Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free Certificate.

Tea Time at Your Local Bed and Breakfast

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