Art by Juliette — Local services in Staunton

After an hour drive to visit this tea room, we instantly regretted our decision to visit. From the second we walked into this establishment, they treated us as though we were beneath them. The hostess (and owner) handed us menus then proceeded to say "we don't have high chairs". That's fine, I replied, she can sit in a normal chair. Her next comment was about how they don't have food "for her", with a tone implying my daughter was not a person. Again, not an issue, since we had just eaten lunch else where. We were then confused by the menu, which stated one item was "$23.50 per person", but the other items did not state "per person". We mentioned that we were interested in tea and a single sweet for each, and asked whether we could share an entire menu item. The answer was no, the menu items were all "per person" and again, they appeared confused about how dining out with toddlers works because they re-emphasized how they don't have food for kids. This wasn't a party for our daughter, it was a drink and a snack for the adults. Had we been served and decided to share a bite of anything we ordered with our daughter, that is our prerogative.

Furthermore, when my wife posted a review, Barbara spouted blatant lies. She insinuated my wife did something to their bathroom when she went in there to change our daughter's diaper, again after an hour long ride in the car. The irony of this, is the diaper changing happened when we first arrived. My wife was completely clueless about any of the events I described above until after she came out of the restroom. We were raised with manners, morals, and respect for other people's property; which is clearly not how the proprietors were raised.

No doubt, as she did with my wife, Barbara will express brazen lies about what we did while we were there. This is all the affirmation you need that this establishment treats their customers with absolutely zero respect.

To the proprietors' of the Anne Hathaway Cottage Tea Room, if you do not want children in your establishment, make note of that on your website, or post a sign on your door. Better yet, politely inform parents that you don't allow children under a certain age immediately upon their arrival at your establishment. This is not unreasonable and had you simply stated this to begin with, we would have gladly left. But instead, you wasted nearly 20 minutes of our time, beating around the bush, refusing to be upfront about your hatred of children in your...

The women in my family, especially my sister, love having tea parties. We get all fancy with hats, gloves, dresses, and pull out the good china. When we heard about Ann Hathaway's Cottage being a tea room--oh my gosh were we excited for the experience.

I am an avid believer in supporting local businesses by leaving reviews, but also read them before going to a place. I read mostly great reviews and also one in particular not so good review. This is the only tea house for dare I say hundreds of miles, so no matter the reviews we were going to give them a shot either way. AND BOY AM I HAPPY WE DID!!!

The atmosphere from the decor to the people working was truly a great ambiance. The tea was probably the best I've ever had and perhaps that's the sugar cubes talking or the fancy tea cups influencing me, but the tea was delicious. I had the Lady Grey, my daughter and sister had Black Currant, and my mom had the chocolate tea. And the food, oh my was it delish! The presentation was just beautiful, full of color and different extures and flavors. We ordered two Ploughmans and two Winchesters(??) and basically the four of us shared all four plates (like a buffet) as we do with our home tea parties. The sandwiches were scrumptious. (I do hope that when we return that the chef makes the ham sandwich again as it was divine.)

Our family will most definitely be back. We thank them for encouraging our dressing up for tea and not teasing our white gloves, fans or hats. They even had spare hats for those that want to have tea a bit more fancy.

We loved it and will be back. Be sure to call ahead and reserve your table if dining on a Sat or Sunday as they are a local favorite and fill up fast. Read the menus ahead of time as they are on their website. I'd agree that this place isn't for small children and it clearly states that children under 10 really shouldn't dine in. I just don't think small children could appreciate the experience and could possibly hender it for other guests (and I love children). Older children, especially young ladies that like to dress up and have fancy tea parties should definitely go. And this place is for men and women. After coming home and telling my husband about our afternoon, he is excited to go himself next time. We would have taken him this time; however this was a special Birthday Celebration for my daughter's 15th birthday with just us girls this time. I hope you visit as I have a feeling you'd love every bit...

BOY - this place sure Hath A Way of making my belly full! The food is delicious and delightfully-presented, the tea itself is superb - and they were more than accommodating of a medium-sized group with some last minute changes/requests. I particularly appreciated the portraits of Richard III (who has been slandered by the history books - he wasn't as bad as all that) and Henry VIII + wives. (You know, there's no hard evidence that Richard III had the princes in the tower killed. It's just a vile rumor. I believe the evidence suggests that Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, was in fact the guilty party - and that his rebellion in 1483 was an attempt on his part to see himself crowned King of England over Richard. Richard III never would have publicly accused the Duke of Buckingham of the deed, for no contemporary of his would ever believe that Buckingham could act independently of the king's wishes in this matter.

However, I do believe that Buckingham was, in fact, acting under his own impetus. Buckingham's Rebellion in 1483 was the culmination of these efforts - an attempt to supplant his former benefactor, Richard III, and install Henry Tudor on the throne. While this may seem like one of the many simple attempts to crown Henry Tudor, I believe this was truly the beginning of a master plot by Buckingham to eliminate all other royal pretenders - Tudor included! - and see himself seated on the throne of England. That history recalls King Richard III as the villain is a tragic misunderstanding, and a case of history truly being written by the victors).

Anyway, 5 stars! I enjoyed my mango tea quite a lot, and the Ploughman's lunch...