Friends asked if I could recommend some afternoon tea in Colorado Springs. For formality, there's…read moreToodles Tearoom and The British Pantry and Tea Room, but when it comes to atmosphere, Glen Eyrie Castle is definitely the best.
For a long time, this castle served as the residence of General William Palmer, a hero of the American Civil War. He lived here when he founded Colorado Springs in 1871, making it Colorado Springs very first grand estate. Perhaps because the surroundings were so pleasant, his family ended up staying there for several decades. This 750-acre estate wasn't always as grand as it is today; it originally had only 22 rooms. It wasn't until 1904, after the death of the general's rather unassuming wife, that it was rebuilt in the Tudor style, 33,000-square-foot castle with 65 rooms. The family owned the castle until the 1930s, when the descendants went their separate ways and sold it to others. The castle is named Glen Eyrie, not in memory of anyone, but because it means "Eagle's Nest Valley" in Scottish Gaelic. In fact, the general wasn't of Scottish descent; it was simply that the architect, upon seeing an eagle's nest in the nearby valley, considered it a good omen and suggested the general name the estate with this more refined-sounding name. This is why there's a sculpture of an eagle placed next to the castle's main gate.
Unlike most English afternoon teas, which consist only of sandwiches, scones, and desserts, this one also includes soup, salad, and small bites, making it quite a substantial spread.
The menu changes with the seasons; aside from the tea, the other items are set and do not require selection. Here is what the fall afternoon tea includes:
The tableware adds a sense of ceremony, gold-rimmed placemats and plates, paired with matching gold-rimmed teacups and saucers, creating a very elegant atmosphere. The service here is excellent. As soon as you're seated, the server explains the menu; when serving the tea and pastries, they provide a detailed description of each item, and they check in frequently to ask if you're satisfied and if you'd like a refill of water. The $40 price is much more affordable than the afternoon tea in many other places and you can also tour the castle and enjoy the surrounding scenery (a castle tour alone typically costs $14), making it a great value.
Glen Eyrie Castle is right next to The Garden of the Gods, less than a 5-minute drive away.