Shoppin’ Tea at the Old Warwick Hospital. What?
29 Jun
Have you ever experienced something so awesome that when you got back to your regular life, everything else just sort of fell off the wagon for you? Well, that’s where I’ve been the past couple of weeks.
I had such a wonderful time exploring the UK, meeting people, and visiting old friends that when I got back to the US and my job, I became consumed with doing my job and nothing else. But now it’s back to business and being awesome!
Today I’ll tell you about a fun tea shop I discovered in Warwick (a small town relatively near Birmingham to give you a vague geographic location). Attached to the Lord Leycester Hospital, a now-museum historic building in Warwick, I walked into the tea room about 5 minutes before they were scheduled to close. I felt bad and asked if it would be possible to get a cuppa despite the time and they were extremely gracious to allow me to take my time. Still feeling bad, I decided to just order a simple English Breakfast so I wouldn’t have to inconvenience them further.
As I enjoyed my standard, black tea fare, I mostly enjoyed looking around the room. Each table had a cute lacy tablecloth and cups and saucers ready and waiting along with a menu (for breakfast and lunch) if you were to arrive before the shop was closing. My favorite section of the room was the old stove embedded in what appeared to be a former giant fireplace.
While the tea I had was nothing special, I have a feeling that if I had taken more time to select a different tea, I would have been pleased. I had a bit of conversation with the manager, and she clearly knew what she was talking about regarding tea and was a generally pleasant and fun person!
So I absolutely recommend popping in at the tea room in the Lord Leycester Hospital if you ever spend the day in Warwick (they’ve got a castle!). It’s a pleasant environment with nice, knowledgeable staff, and the food menu looked pretty bomb, too!
Slap on the wrist for me – I grew up near Warwick and I must admit I didn’t know this place. Will make a big effort to get over there when I’m next in the area. It’s a sad thing that it takes a visitor to spot something that’s right under our noses, but thanks so very much for bringing it to my attention!
You’ll have to let me know how the food is and the rest of the tea menu, as well. I definitely plan to get back sometime, but don’t know when that’ll happen.
Great article! I would love to travel to the UK or to Europe in general really and visit tea houses. It must be such a powerful learning experience to be taken in by the tea culture across the ocean blue.
It looks really nice.
Do they have a website?
Do you know what kind of teas they have?
I didn’t have the card I picked up there when I wrote this, but just checked on it. It’s called The Brethren’s Kitchen and they advertise “cream teas and Great British meals and snacks”. Looks like the website is: http://www.brethrenskitchen.co.uk
Looks good to me! I’ll definitely be heading back next chance I’ve got.
Hey Dina! Glad your back, and I figured you were decompressing for a while. Great post. Good pictures, and it sounds like a great place. Was it late when you went in for tea or do they close early-say after lunch??
I was wondering if they used English made teaware there? I know many companies making English teaware have closed shop, or moved production East. I also know there are still quite a few companies who produce genuine English teaware, so I was curious about that.
My guess is the teaware was not made in England, because it is common to stamp that on the bottom. If you look at the picture where the cup is upside down, I can’t see a mark, which quite possibly means the teaware in the picture was made in China [or not in England].
It’s still nice though. If you know differently, please let me know!
Anyway, so glad you had a good time and safe travels.
Thanks, Scott! I did show up late in the day. They close at 5 (or 5:30, I can’t remember!). I unfortunately did not check on where the teaware was made. Now I’m super curious about it, so I’ll probably check next time I’m over there!