Dearest gentle reader, this author finds herself compelled to impart the following news: if one wishes to have a glorious day about the ‘ton from the other side of the pond, one need only look to Columbus for the most dashing itinerary. With no shortage of garden promenades and homes of high tea, this location is sure to astound! Now, I shall bequeath my pen to our American counterpart.
You don’t have to take my word for it, but Columbus can feel quite like Regency-era London, if only one knows where to look. Continue reading to plan yourself a glorious day of high tea, museums, and strolls through the gardens.
Cambridge Tea House | Photo by Wendy Pramik
A good day always starts with tea and you can find the cutest traditional English tea services at Cambridge Tea House in Grandview. Their afternoon tea service is priced per person and includes one pot of loose leaf tea of your choice, traditional scones, butter, jam and a 3-tier tray of delicious tea sandwiches and miniature desserts. They also offer a menu of seasonal libations should you choose to partake. Online reservations are recommended for the best possible tea service, and guests should request menu choices in advance.
Asterisk Supper Club in Westerville also offers a traditional afternoon tea menu that includes beautifully creative scones, jam, tea sandwiches, in addition to soup or salad to accompany your choice of tea and dessert. Tea is priced per person and reservations can be made via phone.
If you want to channel your inner bookworm like Eloise Bridgerton, visit the historic Columbus Main Library to browse the thousands of titles, sit in a cozy reading chair, and even enjoy a cup of tea! Don’t forget to take a look at the Carnegie gallery that features works from local Ohio artists. Once you’ve gotten your fill of literature, may we suggest a promenade in the Topiary Garden right outside the library? This unique garden features a living sculpture garden rendition of Georges Seurat’s famous painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” This art is best seen during the spring, but is visible year-round!
Artemisia Gentileschi, Hercules and Omphale, about 1635–37. Oil on canvas, 78 3/4 × 98 7/16 inches (200 × 250 cm). Sursock Palace Collections, Beirut, Lebanon © 2025 J. Paul Getty Trust.
To see more unique art around Columbus, check out the Columbus Museum of Art downtown! The museum is dedicated to making art accessible for everyone and curating selections that support artists from all walks of life and history. CMA’s newest exhibition, “Artemisia Gentileschi: Naples to Beirut” is the feature element for one of Columbus’ favorite events, Wonderball on January 31. Attendees are encouraged to embrace the Baroque theme and indulge in an exploration of opulence, drama, and daring to be different. It’s sure to be the premier event of the season!
The diamond of the season is sure to appreciate the opulence of the Jeffrey Mansion in Bexley, which features 34 acres of nature alongside Alum Creek. Built in 1903 to emulate British country homes in the Jacobean Rival style, you’re sure to note the similarities to the English countryside. Today, it is home to the Bexley Recreation & Parks Department where you can enjoy the grounds’ walking trails as well as recreational facilities from pickleball courts to a swimming pool.
Bexley Recreation & Parks Department | Photo via @bexleyrec
The Columbus Park of Roses is another space to explore for daily strolls (chaperoned of course) in Clintonville. This is one of the largest public rose gardens in the US boasting over 7,500 rose specimens! With over 13 acres to explore, the Park of Roses is also accredited as an arboretum and you’re sure to find various blooms there year-round! Visit their website for self-guided seasonal tours with reference photos of each variety you’re seeing.
As you can see, Columbus could be considered London’s long-lost cousin with all that there is to do from afternoon tea to art museums and strolls through English mansion gardens. Follow us on social media to gather more ideas of all there is to do, and tag us in your photos with #yesColumbus.
