News
We have many of you asking questions of the Tea Rooms, and we appreciate that for first timers it may be confusing or intimidating so we have put together a few of the most common questions with answers to help.
Are you reservation only?
No, however to avoid disappointment, it is wise to make a reservation, particularly at weekends and holidays, however same day bookings are available on a first come first served bases and you can always call us to enquire.
Children?
We welcome children of all ages including babies, we have nappy changing facilities and even spare free nappies if you are caught short.
How do I make a reservation?
The best way is to call us on 508-927-4402, as we do get busy we cannot always get to the phone in time however at the end of the day we will always call you back to answer your query, after a particularly busy day this may be quite late however we will always call.
What are your hours?
We open 11am-5pm 7 days a week.
Do you open public holidays?
Yes all apart from Christmas day.
When are your sittings?
Our diary is set up to take reservations every 10 minutes so will endeavor to get as to close to your desired time as is possible.
How far in advance do I need to reserve?
For a weekend booking we would recommend two weeks, however we often get cancellations due to illness etc so always worth checking, during the week availability is much better and usually only a few days notice or same day.
What is Afternoon Tea & do I have to have this?
So the experience of taking Afternoon Tea is a truly decadent and wonderful experience, you will begin with a glass of warm mulled wine tea in the colder months and chilled hibiscus tea in the warmer months, whilst enjoying this you will peruse the 103 strong selection of teas to choose the one you would like, each member of the party can choose their own tea, then a tray containing a selection of delicate crustless finger sandwiches will be brought out and each member of your party will be given the option of what they would like from the seasonal selection, normally people have one of each however you are welcome to have more of one than another, this will be repeated again.
Then your plates will be renewed and your stand containing the seasonal cakes, so as of right now this is, Battenburg Cake, English Syrup Pudding with fresh cream and a Petticoat Tail, along with two Scones baked fresh that day served with Strawberry preserve and real Clotted Cream, you will then be asked if you would like a fresh pot of Tea. However you do not have to have the full experience you can simply choose from the menu what you would like.
What is Clotted Cream?
The abbreviated description is that it is the fullest fat milk baked in a shallow tray on a very low temperature for 12-15 hours, this allows the rich cream to rise to the top that is then scooped off for you to enjoy, it is not butter, and no other cream matches it for taste, pure decadence.
How long do we have?
Each sitting is for 1 hour and forty five minutes.
I do not know the correct etiquette for Afternoon Tea?
This is a common one, firstly we want you to enjoy your experience so you can enjoy it whatever way you wish, we are more than happy to show you the correct or normal way however you should never feel uncomfortable, the most common queries are, how do I prepare my scone, well you would cut this in half as you would a dinner roll, then with the knife (not spoon or fork) thinly spread the butter across one half, then apply the preserve to your tasting then again using the knife liberally apply the clotted cream, this would be a minimum of ¼ to ½ an inch, then contrary to what you would think you would not use a fork, or knife and fork you would pick this up with your hands and eat and savour the deliciousness, again the finger sandwiches are picked up by hand and enjoyed not with a knife and fork.
Dress code?
Again this is your Tea and you should feel comfortable, we have women in beautiful full dresses and fascinators and regular casual clothing and both are fine and you all look lovely, no one is judging, be comfortable, just ensure your clothing has enough give around the waist for you to fully indulge.
Do real men drink Tea?
Of course, it is only here in the US that Tea is viewed by some as an effeminate affair, however we are getting more and more men in which is great so bring your husbands/boyfriends along as everyone should experience an Afternoon Tea and reassure them they will still be men when they leave.
The most important takeaway from this is that this is your Tea time and you should enjoy it anyway you wish, yes there are ways things are done in England so perhaps the correct way to do things however no one is judging so relax and enjoy, if you want advise on how to do anything please just ask as it is our passion to not only bring a new experience to you but one that you fully enjoy and get the most out of.
Sean & Michelle
New Nightlights Have Arrived!
Perfect for any home and only $19.95, available in store or visit www.shellystearooms.com/store/ to buy yours today!
Do You Know?
1. What is the most consumed drink in the word, excluding water?
Tea, about 3.7 billion cups of tea are consumed on a daily basis.
2. What country consumes the most amount of tea in the world?
Turkey, yes really their consumption equates to over 6.8lbs of tea a year per person, which equates to approx 1300 cups vs the UK who consumes 4.3lb and the US at 0.5lb, don't worry we will change this.
3. It takes around 2,000 tiny leaves to make just one pound of finished tea
This equate to approx 160 cups of tea.
4. Tea grows on trees.
Tea bushes are actually trees and If left to grow and not trimmed, they can grow as tall as nearly 100 feet and live 50 years or more.
How many different Teas are there?
As many as 3000 different teas so if you tried a new Tea every day it would take more than eight years to go through the whole 3000.
UPDATE!
Mother`s Day! Sunday May 14th
So Mother’s Day at Shelly`s is selling very fast, 11am & 1:15 has sold out, we do have some availability left for our 3:15 sitting.
If you are thinking of coming do not delay and book today call 508-927-4402
We are delighted to be able to bring you, direct from England, actual English Crumpets, whilst our previous Crumpets were excellent, these are the authentic real deal Crumpets and a marked improvement and most importantly authentically English.
You really must make the time to pop in for Crumpets & Tea
508-927-4402
Mother`s Day Sunday May 14th
We know it is early to be talking about Mother’s Day however we have had high demand for bookings already and as we promised you the first opportunity to our events we are inviting you to make your reservation today prior to it be released generally tomorrow.
This Mothers Day will once again be an absolutely amazing event here at Shelly`s, your Windsor Afternoon Tea will be accompanied by our resident harpist, the perfect accompaniment to an Afternoon Tea experience, we also have a special gift for every Mum that comes.
Your Windsor Afternoon Tea will begin with a glass of iced hibiscus tea followed by a selection of crustless finger sandwiches with a variety of seasonal fillings, next the three-tier cake stand resplendent with petite cakes and of course our amazing Scones baked fresh that morning served with clotted cream and strawberry preserve along with a pot of tea of your choosing.
Vegan, Gluten/Dairy free? do not worry we have you covered we can make all of the above to suit your specific dietary requirement.
Despite the rising cost of, well just about everything, we have taken the decision to maintain last years price, so for an adult $60-00 under 10`s $35-00 & gluten-Dairy free/Vegan $65-00
We have limited availability and will allocate reservations on a first come first served basis,so do not miss out on spoiling Mum this Mothers Day call today to reserve your table 508-927-4402.
The small print
So we are doing things a little different for mothers day, we are having three sittings, 11.00-13.15 & 15.30, each sitting is for 1 hour and forty five minutes, we are also asking for a deposit upon booking of $10.00 per person.
So exactly 12 months ago today our USA adventure began with us crossing into the US at Niagara, wow what a 12 months this has been
SeePlymouth
Say it with Scones!
Show them you really care this Valentines Day and treat your Valentine to Afternoon Tea at Shelly`s
What more indulgent way could there be to demonstrate your feelings.
Call 508-927-4402 today to reserve your love spot!
We launch our new Winter Afternoon Tea Menu this weekend, you really are in for a true taste of England!
You will begin with a glass of hot Mulled Wine Tea (sorry not acholic) followed by crustless finger sandwiches filled with Cucumber & Fresh Mint, Ham and English Colman’s Mustard, Mature Cheddar & Branston pickle finally Truffled Egg Mayonnaise.
Next to arrive will be your three-tier cake stand resplendent with warm Syrup Sponge Pudding, Battenburg Cake and a Petticoat Tail and of course with Scones baked fresh that morning accompanied by Clotted Cream & Strawberry Preserve!
We know you are going to love this taste of Britain so call today to reserve your space, 508-927-4402.
SeePlymouth Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce
It`s That Time of year once more when we pay attention to our Health and well being (at least for a while)
Let us help you make it easier to Detox this January with our selection of "Teas with Benefits"
Did you know, in England it is considered bad luck to leave your Christmas decorations up after the “twelfth night” of Christmas, generally accepted as the 5th January however some argue it is the 6th, it all depends whether you count Christmas night as night 1 or not.
Twelfth night is a festival in some branches of Christianity marking the beginning of Epiphany. The day of Epiphany, when the three wise men came – is on January 6.
England is not alone in this, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic follow this tradition
We will continue to observe the twelfth night “rule” and will be taking our Christmas decorations down on the 5th January (only feels like yesterday that we put them up) so if you want a last chance to indulge with our festive decorations call today to make your reservation 508-927-4402
SeePlymouth Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce
A reminder that we will be open on New Years Day and still have a few openings available.
So call 508-927-4402 and start 2023 in style.
Happy Christmas!
We would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year and to thank everyone who has supported us this year, our first year in Plymouth, not only for being customers and supporting our business but also for supporting us personally and helping us with the significant changes moving country’s entails, please believe us when we say it made all the difference and helped make Plymouth our home..
Love
Sean, Michelle, Charlotte, Thomas & Buddy
Do you know what “Boxing Day” is?
Many of you would have heard of the term Boxing Day, but do you know its origins?
Boxing Day in the UK is on 26th December and is a national holiday along with Christmas day, however boxing day has nothing to do with fighting, Boxing Day originates back when Queen Victoria reigned on the throne in the 1800s, the name in fact comes from a time when the rich would box up gifts to give to the poor.
Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants - a day when they received a special Christmas box from their masters.
The servants would also get to go home on Boxing Day to give Christmas boxes to their families.
Churches also played a part in the creation of Boxing Day, throughout the year they would collect money from churchgoers in the form of weekly collections and then hand this out at Christmas.
Many of them stored the collection money in a box, which they opened on Christmas Day. The money was then handed out to the poor the next day - on Boxing Day.
Today, those boxes aren't as popular. However some people leave out extra money for people like paper boys and girls, bin men and such in the weeks before Christmas, and call it a Christmas box.
The main traditions of boxing day are Football (soccer) and turkey sandwiches, interestingly football matches would always be played on Christmas Day up until the 1950`s when it became frowned upon and moved to the 26th, Boxing Day, there is always a full schedule on this day and as most people are off work it is highly viewed, the second tradition is turkey sandwiches made from the leftover turkey that is traditional at English dinner tables on Christmas Day!
We are open everyday over the Christmas period apart from Christmas day and the 31st December!
SeePlymouth Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce
There is still time!
You can still receive a Shelly`s Gift certificate before Christmas, last guaranteed post is this Saturday so don't delay call instore, phone 508-927-4402 or visit www.shellystearooms.com to order yours today.
Looking for that special Christmas gift for your child’s teacher?
a Shelly`s Tea Rooms Gift Certificate is perfect!
and shows them you really care.
from only $10.00
Available instore or via the phone on 508-927-4402 or visit www.shellystearooms.com to order yours.
These amazing Teacup baskets make for the perfect Gift, you can fill with delightful gifts or simply place your poinsettia in it!
Only $9.95 call 508-927-4402 today to reserve yours!
Have you ordered your scones for Christmas day yet?
We are open on Christmas Eve from 11-3.30 for you to collect your scones (not forgetting the clotted cream), now these can be either freshly baked or our Take & Bake! Freshly baked $4.00 each or 6 for $20.00 and Take & Bake pack of 6 $16.95.
vegan & gluten free available
For Christmas Eve collection they are pre order only so call 508-927-4402 today to place your order!
These super cute Christmas Tea Cup Night Lights have just arrived!
They make for the perfect gift at only $19.95
With HRH William & Catherine visiting Massachusetts this week......
You may not be able to dine with royalty this week however you can dine LIKE royalty at Shelly`s Tea Rooms and indulge in our Windsor Afternoon Tea, call 508-927-4402 to reserve your space today.
SeePlymouth Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce 7News - WHDH Boston