Rhode Island is fortunate to have many seaside mansions to explore. Bristol’s mansion is not the largest or the grandest, but the most charming. Blithewold means “happy woodland”. It is a gorgeous 45-room mansion set on 33 acres of gardens and woodlands right on the shores of Narragansett Bay in Bristol, Rhode Island. The Arts and Crafts house built in the early 1900s as a vacation estate is one of the most intact examples of a Country Place Era home. It is also one of the best places in Rhode Island to get in the mood for Christmas and explore gardens in spring.

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Christmastime at Blithewold Mansion in Bristol, Rhode Island

One of the things I love about Rhode Island is how its cute, colonial towns decorate to the extreme. Every room of this lavishly decorated mansion is decorated to a theme with a tree of its own. Even the bathrooms. After being transported back in time with a high tea in the dark wood-paneled, dining room, be sure to explore every corner of this house. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, enjoy my take on Blithewold Mansion during the holidays.

The impressive tree in Blithewold Mansion’s foyer.

welcoming in the seasons at Blithewold Mansion in Bristol, Connecticut. thedailyadventuresofme.com — A view of the bay beyond a lavishly decorated tree.

Imagine sleeping in a bedroom with a tree and roaring fire on Christmas Eve.

This nook on the stairwell has always been one of my favorite spots in the mansion. I can imagine curling up with a book here.

Blithewold Mansion through the stone walkway.

Teatime at Blithewold

The mansion hosts seasonal afternoon teas, which also include time to tour the mansion or grounds. The teas are run by volunteers and are the perfect way to get into a seasonal mood.

Christmas tea at Blithewold. — A perfect girls’ day out.

Holiday tea at Blithewold Mansion, Bristol, Rhode Island. — The holiday tea menu at Blithewold.

The Gardens at Blithewold Mansion!

The gardens at Blithewold are among my favorite in New England and are definitely worth a visit. They also hold a Daffodil Days during the spring which I still need to attend myself. These photos are from Blithewold Mansion in the summer.

Master Bedroom at Blithewold Mansion, Bristol, Rhode Island.

Master bedroom at Blithewold Mansion in Bristol, Rhode Island. — The master bedroom is my favorite room at Blithewold Mansion because of this fabulous hand-painted nautical wallpaper.

A giant sequoia tree one of the exotic species brought into the gardens by Bessie Van Wickle.

To find out more about this mansion or buy tickets visit their website. To explore more of Rhode Island with The Daily Adventures of Me check out my Rhode Island category or read A Local’s Guide to Rhode Island. If you loved this post, I know you’ll also love my Guide to Newport’s Cliff Walk.

See Blithewold Mansion in Bristol, Rhode Island all decorated for the holidays or take in a Christmas tea.

Blithewold Mansion in Bristol, Rhode Island is a perfect place to get in mood for the holidays or spring. Read on for photos to inspire you.

1 thought on “Celebrate the Seasons with High Tea in a Rhode Island Mansion”

I’m always up for a wonderful high tea. The one at the Blithewold Mansion looks marvelous. I love the fine china and beautiful setting. I’ll have to check it out when I’m in the vicinity.