After strolling the gardens, why not enjoy a little civilized refreshment in our tea room?
The Tea Room is Closed for the season, and will reopen in 2026, from June 4 to September 20, Thurs-Sun, 11-3:30.
Special Mother’s Day Tea, May 10, 2026 – by reservation.
The Tea Garden is open on summer afternoons, roughly from Memorial Day to Labor Day, from 11:00 to 3:30, Thursday through Sunday. Teas are served in the flower garden, under a covered porch or in a little plant-filled conservatory. Tea reservations are strongly recommended, please reserve online or call us by 24 hours ahead. If the online calendar appears fully booked, feel free to call us, we’ll always try to fit you in! In lieu of a full service tea, or if you cannot reserve a table, we now have some takeout options for drinks and baked goods, which you are welcome to take into the back garden.
Afternoon Tea is a delightful and memorable way to entertain friends, and to celebrate events and gentle occasions such as engagement and graduation parties, bridal and baby showers, and retirement parties. Combined with the beautiful and educational display gardens, it makes a fine outing for any garden club, and is a perfect venue for Red Hat Society ladies to strut their stuff! We can accommodate small groups, but have limited inside or protected seating. For groups of 6 or larger, please contact us directly.
Serving Cream Teas since 1985
Sometime in the mid-80s, Rachel and Judith were returning from a long summer drive and combined their voices in the usual plaint, about their desperate need for tea. Couldn’t we have just “murdered a cup!” said Judith, a born Londoner. “If only there was a good tea room – frankly any tea room at all, that could provide us with the precious liquid refreshment that allows life to persevere and flourish?” (Jude was operatic by nature) It was clear, she’d have to do it herself, and so she did, whipping the old summer kitchen and side garden into shape, and began serving tea and scones out in the flower garden. Some customers recalled that she used to bring the trays out bare-footed! Since then, we have served many a pot, and baked many a scone, and aimed to provide a welcome and relaxing experience to thousands of people. (Judith Kane herself oversaw her tea room through 2016, and was a popular ((and not infrequently cheeky)) figure to her fans, but sadly passed away on May 22, 2017.)
The Tea Room Menu
Our Full English Cream Tea is a set menu, consisting of unlimited scones served with fresh cream and homemade strawberry jam, cucumber-herb sandwiches and a sweet dessert. For drinks, endless pots of tea or coffee, or iced drinks of your choice.
Tea comes first, and the old English adage “take the pot to the kettle, not the kettle to the pot” is our motto. Here you will find tea made with boiling water, steeped and served in a china pot.
The tea list includes choices of black, green and herbal teas, including classics such as English Breakfast, Earl Grey and Lapsang Souchong as well as more unusual types, such as Rooibos (Red Bush), Vanilla Honeybush and Shou Mei White Tea. Naturally, we also make coffee for those desiring a stronger brew, served in a press pot. For cold drinks, you can try iced tea, coffee or lemonade. Feel free to order different teas, or fresh refills, all of our drinks are unlimited!
The British-style scones are made fresh here at the brick house, following Judith’s tried and true recipe. The scones are served with freshly whipped cream, and our homemade strawberry jam. Cucumber-herb sandwiches are made to order, and sprinkled with freshly cut apple mint. A rotating selection of sweet treats are on offer, such as Lemon Bars, Raspberry Bakewell Tart or Chocolate Date Bars. For parties and events, we can prepare special menus and cakes. For those with special diets or gluten intolerance, we usually have options, but please give us advance notice.
The price is $22.00 per adult plus tax and tip, or $28.50 if you’d like to include 9% tax and 20% tip. (Child rates are $13 for age 12 and under, $9.00 for aged 6 and under. No charge for toddlers, aged 3 and under) Gluten-free and Vegan options are available, and have an additional charge of $2.50. Prices are per person, and unfortunately, guests may not ‘share’ teas this year.
What actually is a Cream Tea?
Cream Tea is simply an afternoon repast, which always includes scones and cream, and little sweet or savory nibbles. Afternoon Tea is the same thing. For those of you who wonder, a High Tea is something quite different, more on the lines of a simple working-class supper than a raised pinkie affair with cakes and dainties.
Reservations for Tea are Recommended
You may now make a reservation online through this website. Otherwise, please call 802-472-5104, or to get on a waiting list. Even if our online booking calendar looks full, we can often fit you in, so do feel free to call. Thank you for your patience!
PS Our booking system may indicate that you only have 30 minutes for your table, but no fear, you will have as much time at your table as you wish.
We look forward to seeing you here this summer!
