Ploughcroft Tea Room

Did you know that Lynchburg, Virginia has it’s own, authentic British Tea Room?  Serving a unique British menu the Ploughcroft Tea Room serves lunch and afternoon tea Monday through Saturday.  Located at 1215 Commerce Street, in downtown Lynchburg, the tea room is open between 11:00 until 5:00.  Lunch is served between 11:00 until 2:00, with afternoon tea served from 2:15 until 5:00.

What is Afternoon Tea?  You are probably picturing an English tea ceremony.  In the mid-1800’s the Duchess of Bedford started having a tray of tea with bread and butter served to her in the mid-afternoon.  Lunch was served at noon and dinner not until 8:00 or 9:00 so she found herself hungry in the afternoon.  She began to invite other high society ladies to join her, thus having Afternoon Tea became the “in thing” for upper-class women.  The tea was served with small pastries, dainty sandwiches, clotted cream, preserves and scones.

High Tea is different from Afternoon Tea.  It is served about 6:00 and consists of a full meal, usually for the common people.  Tea is served along with meats, fish, eggs, cheese, bread and butter plus cake.

The Ploughcroft Tea Room has a selection of appetizers, soups and entrees, including fresh seasonal dishes.  A variety of delicious desserts are also available each day.  Lunch selections include:  chicken salads, scotch eggs, fisherman’s pie, cottage pie and Cornish pastry.  Desserts may include: gingerbread, fruit crumble and sticky toffee pudding.

Afternoon Tea, served between 2:15 until 5:00, can be served a la carte or as an individual tea service for one.  Selections start with the Ploughcroft’s Afternoon Cream Tea- -2 warm scones with Devon cream, preserves and fruit garnish, plus an endless pot of tea.  The Windsor Tea includes a scone with Devon cream, preserves and fruit garnish plus a sampling of English Sweet Treats, a selection of open face sandwiches and an endless pot of tea.  Prices start at $8.50 per guest.

The Ploughcroft Tea Room has hosted private events and parties, such as engagement parties, baby showers, birthday parties, retirement parties and many others.  Private events usually are held on Sundays or after hours.  The can accommodate approximately 30 guests.

Visit their web site www.ploughcrofttearoom.com or call 434.832.7467.  A good pot of tea is welcome at any time, especially during our cold winters in Lynchburg!