It's not every day that you feel like a member of the royal family. For most, it requires years of work and perfect hair! But, lucky for us, we've got a special little tea room in Maine that let's us feel like royalty even if we're not quite living in a palace yet. If you've had dreams of finally being recognized for what you are: fancy, important and queen-like, go straight to this place in Bridgton.
Ready to feel like a member of the royal family?
For the chance to test your royal abilities, head to Clipper Merchant Tea House in Bridgton for one of their three tea times.
The Clipper Merchant is a traditional British-style tea house and retail store that specializes in serving more than 100 teas from around the world, along with scones, breads, salads and soups.
Everything is made using authentic recipes and ingredients straight from the United Kingdom. You'll even find dishes from Scotland!
While you can eat a regular meal here, a tea in the Castle Tea Room is something you must experience.
Fancy an Irish soda bread with orange marmalade?
There are three British tea times observed here.
"Elevenses" is a very traditional tea time that includes tea includes tea and usually a scone, biscuit or a muffin.
Because dinner in the UK isn't typically served before 7:30 p.m., "Afternoon Tea" takes place around 4 or 5 p.m.
Afternoon Tea is spent at a leisurely pace. Usually folks will sit and chat a while to catch up on the day's gossip. Includes are finger sandwiches, scones, marmalade, macarons and other delectable sugary treats.
"High Tea," sounds fancy but it actually originated with the working class who often missed lunch and therefore preferred a snack when they arrived home.
This includes soup, plus sweets and fruit.
tower of london
Of course, if you prefer to skip tea you can order from their menu including things like this Scottish lamb pie with cheese.
Tea is a wonderful way to take an hour or two to slow down during the day. And at the Clipper Merchant, the views are beautiful and the inside is enchanting.
Of course, the most important part of a tea tradition is the tea!
Clipper Merchant has a variety of teas, from the traditional breakfast tea to things like matcha, rooibos, chai. They have over 100 different varieties!
On your way out, don't forget to take a bit of Britain home with you from the retail shop that's stocked with all things UK.
The Clipper Merchant is located at 2 Main St. in the William Perry House in Bridgton. If you'd like to enjoy tea, you're asked to call a day ahead to make sure they have a table and that they know to reserve it for you. They return calls before 11 a.m. and after 4 p.m., so if you're calling about a reservation for the same day, have a back-up plan just in case they can't return your call and you find that they don't have a table when you arrive. For more information check them out on Facebook or visit their website. You can call them on 207-803-8111.
If the idea of being royalty for an afternoon is more appealing that you expected, check out these other 6 tea rooms in Maine that will give you the same, special feeling!
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