A place setting at one of the lavish high teas offered at the Lakeport English Inn in Lakeport, Calif. Courtesy photo.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – English Victorian Tea, sights of Christmas, sounds of carolers, and the tastes and smells of edible creations will highlight this year’s Victorian Christmas Fair, which runs through Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Lakeport English Inn, 675 N. Main St., Lakeport.
Innkeeper Karan Mackey and her sisters Jill and Marlene present the annual event to the delight of Lake County residents and visitors alike.
English Victorian High Tea is served to the public every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday during the Christmas Fair. Seatings are at noon and 2:30 p.m. However, groups of more than 15 people may schedule tea on other days during the run of the holiday fair. For reservations, call the inn at 707-263-4317.
High tea guests and inn visitors will find common rooms and halls of the bed-and-breakfast inn filled with holiday ornaments and colorful decorations, garland, tinsel, lighted trees, wreaths, and varieties of gifts available for purchase.
They include handmade candy canes, soaps, candles, tea pots, saucers and cups, table decorations, wall hangings, yard enhancements, and holiday ornaments hanging on trees and displayed among many decorative settings.
During the Victorian Christmas Fair, the Lakeport English Inn is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, except Thanksgiving Day.
Innkeepers and tea servers help transport you to a different era as they appear in full Victorian costume. Carolers, too, dress in the theme of the day and stroll throughout the inn’s Christmas Fair and Tea Room to serenade visitors.
“The Victorian Christmas Fair is a celebration of Christmas traditions of long ago,” said Karan. “Many magical trees are full of ornaments, carolers are singing of joy, friends are visiting with friends, gifts are being selected, and High Tea is being served by ladies in Victorian dress.”
A world class, traditional English High Tea is presented by the three sisters and staff. Delicious scones, tarts, tiny sandwiches, Devonshire cream, desserts, shortbread cookies, all prepared with care and attention to detail, complement the tea.
“It is like having tea at the London Ritz,” said Marlene.
For a glimpse at the tea menu, visit http://lakeportenglishinn.com/high-teas/christmas-fair.asp on the Internet.
“Come enjoy a glimpse of England,” said Karan, who takes pride in presenting her English High Teas in traditional fashion. She has visited many tea rooms in England, and she is unrelenting in making her tea experiences as true to the English tea as possible. Only a few tea rooms exist in Northern California, and she visits those when she has the opportunity.
Karan and Hugh Mackey’s Lakeport English Inn is a bed-and-breakfast located in the downtown area along Main Street in Lakeport.
A special rate is offered this year for individuals who would like to stay at the inn and enjoy the Christmas Fair “without the crowd.” The room rate is $90 per person, double occupancy.
“We are also serving complimentary wine, appetizers, and a spectacular after-dinner dessert, in addition to our fantastic breakfasts,” said Karan. “It is magical being in the inn when the lights take over each room. Most folks decide to shop in their Lakeport English Inn robes!”
For details and reservations, call the inn at 707-263-4317.
