I had never had a taste of the fabulous Devonshire cream, even after a few trips to London, but this was about to change! Scones however, hot, moist, and delicious scones, I have had tons of and simply can’t get enough of. That’s why I booked in a heartbeat when I found out during my trip to Sherbrooke that I could have traditional English afternoon tea in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. I regularly drink tea and my taste buds never shy away when tradition and modernity offer them an original experience!
English Afternoon Tea Experience at Uplands
On the English Tea Route (what we call in French the route des thés à l’anglaise – I know, there’s actually an official itinerary of places to enjoy high tea! Wooot! Woot!) in the Eastern Townships, you can enjoy a year-round activity at the Uplands Cultural and Heritage Centre located in Lennoxville, near the centre of Sherbrooke, an unmissable city of the region. I’ve been all around the region when I wrote for the Chemin des Cantons blog, and trust me, there’s nothing like adding some British charm to the already culturally-charged places to see around there! Let me tell you a little bit more about my afternoon tea in the Eastern Townships experience at Uplands!
In the gardens, on the veranda or inside (in case of bad weather), employees in traditional historic attire welcome you for an initiation to different experiences, all as hipstery and Instagrammable as the next: a small tea experience accompanied with scones, Devonshire cream and pastries ($15) or the big old high tea with cute sandwich bites on top of all the rest for $30 per person. This is available from mid-June to mid-August at 11 am and 2 pm upon reservation.
When booking your try at this fun family-, couples- or girls getaway in the quaint region of the Eastern Townships, go all in and opt for the full-on high tea (confirm dates and times, as they may change – a reservation is required).
An Original and Gourmet Experience To Do in the Eastern Townships
I’m sure you’ve thought for a second that his could be a kitschy experience, think again! At the Uplands Centre, and in the other three stops as well, the atmosphere is charming, with antique dishes and a charming no-fuss tea protocol. You can even choose your own cup and your favourite spot on site to devour your feast. As for me, the green terrace protected by colourful umbrellas was just calling my name on this sunny Sherbrooke day.
Oh, and back to the Devonshire cream… My god, it’s so good and rich! I walked out of the Uplands House with a full belly and plenty of knowledge about the local heritage and tradition the attraction offers! Inside the building, the Lenonxville-Ascot Historical Society preserves the English heritage of the Eastern Townships, once influenced by the English society (if you were wondering, that’s the source for the “cantons”/“townships” in Cantons-de-L’Est or Eastern Townships!
Click here to discover what else to do and see in Sherbrooke or in the Eastern Townships.
Psst! If you are looking for a nice hotel in Sherbrooke during your stay, I tried the Grand Times Hotel, a good value for your money situated on the downtown lakeside.
Have a nice trip to Sherbrooke and have fun trying the English Tea Route experience!
What to Do in the Eastern Townships and How to Organize Your Trip
Curious about how to spend your day in the Eastern Townships? Here’s a list of the top activities to consider adding to your plans:
- Immerse yourself in a full-day tour to experience the incomparable beauty of the Eastern Townships.
- Take a hike and escape in the beautiful Mont-Orford National Park
- Stay a night and relax in the spa at Estrimont Suites & Spa or save while enjoying great lodging at Auberge Magog-Orford or even check out our camping recommendations!
- Dip into hot water and relax on a vacation to the Sherbrooke Nordic spa!
Preparing For Your Trip
When I look for things to do in my destination, I always have a look at Viator, GetYourGuide, Manawa, Civitatis and sometimes even Expedia.
It’s first off a great way to find out what there is to do, but always a quick and easy method to book cheaply and efficiently with these renowned platforms.
Need a place to sleep? I find most of my accommodations on Booking.com but I also use Hotels.com for their rewards program (11th free night) as well as Expedia. When booking smaller places in Quebec, you might not find them here and need to contact them directly.
Looking for a cheap flight to the Eastern Townships through Montreal? Have a look on Cheapoair or Skyscanner I use regularly.
Once you’re there, rent a car to roam free with DiscoverCars, AutoEurope or RentalCars or hop on a bus around Gatineau, Montreal, Quebec, and surrounding cities with Busbud.
Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images to bookmark this article and include this must-try activity in your Quebec trip!
Although I have been invited by the tourist office, opinions remain my own and have not been influenced in any way. Learn more about it by reading my editorial policy and legal notices.
2 Comments
Christine Oneson
November 16, 2023 at 2:31 PMDo you welcome groups?
Jennifer
November 26, 2023 at 2:43 PMHi Christine,
I’m not the organization, I’m the blog writing about my experience. You should contact them directly for this info!