Tea for two and tour for tea!

By Sean Davies

Willowbrook Manor is like the setting of a romantic novel. Just outside of the city of Bellingham, Washington, nestled in the Skagit Valley, lies a beautiful estate, with winding trails, fields of flowers and remote encampments perfect for starlit rendezvous. On this estate, there’s a picturesque manor, where every room has its own essence, and every morning, hot tea and scones await those who slumbered within its walls.

Each room inside the Willowbrook Manor is named for a fragrant herb, and each comes with its own style of old school panache to match. The Anise Room is styled with touches of burnt red and the Rosemary Room features pops of bright green. The English Thyme Room, which is situated at the top of the manor, offers a gorgeous view from every window out to the manicured estate grounds below.

The Willowbrook is also host to two glamping grounds available June through September. Tucked away beneath the trees and overlooking a meadow, both are equipped with regal furnishings, a gas fireplace, hot and cold running water, fresh linens and towels and a private patio with gas fire pit.

While aimlessly wandering the grounds may suit the needs of some, there are more structured ways to traverse the estate and its surrounding environs. The manor rents out bikes and e-bikes for self-guided tours of the area with their Tea & Tour program. Visitors need not stay at the manor to reserve a spot at the Tea & Tour, which always includes the signature Willowbrook scones and tea.

When April rolls around, Willowbrook Manor hosts an exclusive spring event, Tea & Tulips, a tranquil experience where guests can wander through tulip gardens, taking in the splendor of the spring season. Tea sandwiches, salad, sweet cream scones and home-baked sweets are included in the package, and of course, it’s all accompanied by a delicious pot of hot tea. Reservations are available now. teaandtour.com