Monday, July 20, 2015

Tea on the Lawn of the Billings Estate

During our stay in Ottawa, we visited the Billings Estate Natural Historic Site, the historic home of one of the first settlers in Ottawa--Braddish and Lamira Billings.

After the last generation of the Billings left the 200-year-old house, the estate was converted into a museum where visitors can view the local artefacts and learn how the Billings helped shaped our capital's early history.

Lamira Billings was a well-respected healer who was highly sought for her effective herbal remedies. Naturally, she enjoyed a cup of tea while working at her desk!

The back entrance of the Billings Estate and its beautiful flower gardens.

True confession time: The real reason that we visited the Billings Estate was to partake in the "Tea at the Lawn" service offered during the summer months.

The tea tent was located behind the house and overlooked the beautiful gardens.
Visitors were also welcome to bring their own food and enjoy a picnic on the emerald green lawn.

The mismatched cups and saucers.

Of course, I had to try the Billings Blend: "a blend of black tea and rose petals inspired by Lamira's gardens" (from the menu description).

The afternoon service for two. 
The delicious finger sandwiches and scones were so filling that we had no room left for dessert and brought the leftovers home with us.

Enjoying tea on the tranquil grounds of the Billings Estate was definitely the highlight of my Ottawa trip!


I'm joining the following parties this week:

24 comments:

  1. Ooh Margie, thank you for taking me along to the Billngs Estate. I'm like you and would've been there for the tea on the lawn, also. Did you enjoy the Billings blend of tea? I love the mismatched teacups and saucers...makes it fun!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Margie, what a beautiful place to enjoy a Tea! The house and gardens are simply splendid. I noticed the daffodil teacup is in the same shape as my Friendship cup I shared this week. No doubt it is from the same series. The black tea with rose petals sounds lovely.
    The lady of the house must have been a fascinating woman. Thanks for taking us along on this tour. I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  3. A lovely estate to enjoy a tea! The house and garden are beautiful. Thanks for sharing, enjoy your week!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for taking us along on the tour to the " Billings Estate" ...I'd be stopping over for the teatime too... Black tea with rose petals sounds divine... and the mismatched tea set a frugal gesture from by gone days, when every piece of china counted... I like mismatched pieces... Don't you ?ENJOY your day...Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  5. How wonderful to visit the estate and have tea with you. That must have been such a special time. I just love visiting historic places...and even more so when they have tea! Thanks for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh, I'd like to visit there too and partake of tea on the lawn. Did you like the Billings blend Marige?
    Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday.

    ReplyDelete
  7. just perfect every bit of it. If and when we get to Ottawa next this will be a must do. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Margie,
    The Billings Estate Tea in the garden sounds lovely. I do like mismatched teacups and saucers too! I have never been to Ottawa but it does sound like a wonderful place to visit. Happy Tea Day Dear Friend! Karen

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Margie,
    The Billings Estate Tea in the garden sounds lovely. I do like mismatched teacups and saucers too! I have never been to Ottawa but it does sound like a wonderful place to visit. Happy Tea Day Dear Friend! Karen

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Margie,
    Thank you for the tour of the Billings Estate. What fun it must have been to partake of their tea on the lawn. Very clever! Love mismatched pieces. Happy Tea Day!

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a beautiful post!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
    Thanks for visiting!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh sounds wonderful. I will keep this Billings Estate in my list for when we are able to visit Ottawa. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Margie,
    Wow, what a beautiful old home! I can never get enough of those! Thanks so much for visiting my blog winner post about the teacup. Glad you enjoyed the post and I must say, the chocolate frosting I make for my cakes is a really yummy recipe. :)
    Take care,
    Gina

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Margie,
    Wow, what a beautiful old home! I can never get enough of those! Thanks so much for visiting my blog winner post about the teacup. Glad you enjoyed the post and I must say, the chocolate frosting I make for my cakes is a really yummy recipe. :)
    Take care,
    Gina

    ReplyDelete
  15. It was a delight to "join" you for tea, sweet Margaret :) And my, what a lovely old house!

    Enjoy your Wednesday. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  16. The Billings estate reminds me very much of the National Trust properties that we have visited in England, we always stay for tea after touring the house, too. Lovely post.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What fun to have tea at such a pretty historic site. Ottawa is still on my list of places to visit. Love the mismatched teacups and saucers.

    ReplyDelete
  18. just popped by to say thank you for the info on the tea shop in Lancaster.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Margie! Oh, the tea on the lawn looks like so much fun! I love having tea at/in historic buildings :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Margie: I want to thank you for your prayers regarding my back. I am slowing getting better. I love how your post looks today. It is just amazing. Thank you for your kindness. Hugs, Martha

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh Margie...so delightful visiting with you today...it has been awhile since I've done some blog visiting and how I've missed it!
    What a wonderful outing to this beautiful estate! Looks like you had good fun! :)
    The tea table looks especially lovely and I can imagine you enjoyed having tea on the lawn...so peaceful and beautiful...
    Happy weekend to you!
    Kelly-Anne

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a nice treat to have tea in such a beautiful estate. It looks gorgeous. I am sure it you all had a wonderful time and the tea tables look especially delightful.

    Happy Saturday,

    Janet

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a beautiful place to enjoy your Tea. I just love to spend time with nature and I have a big lawn at backside of my home. I know a lawn need proper care and maintenance. I have also installed landscape lighting in my garden it looks great.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to visit and leave a comment!