Miss Spenser's Special-Teas & Bed & Breakfast

This tea room is truly a unique and wonderful experience. The food, the atmosphere, everything is fabulous! Take a few hours for yourself to relax and enjoy this wonderful experience. You WILL keep going back again and again. I look forward to every visit. Thank you so much to the Hardin family for making me and mine feel like family when we come to Miss Spenser's.

This is an extraordinary tea room and experiencing a tea event here is indeed a treat. The decor is eye candy and the food is expertly prepared and presented. I attended the Empress Eugenie Tea, and the dramatic representation of the Empress by Miss Spenser was superb. I highly recommend visiting this tea room

I had a fantastic day at Miss Spenser's Special-Teas! There was a delicious new tea, French Plum, and oh the food! Yummy! Miss Spenser gave a fun history lesson on Empress Eugenie, so I feel like I'm an honor student. Thanks for a great day in a beautiful establishment

A fabulous experience! Delicious food, wonderful service, great environment. We have already made our next reservation. Highly recommended!

What a lovely way to spend the day. An absolute dream, so relaxing, tasty treats just a truly wonderful time. I'm already looking forward to my next visit to Miss Spencer's.

First time my husband joined me and he honestly is looking forward to going again!
Everyone is always so inviting and everything is always wonderful!
So easy to relax and enjoy- Thank You!

Miss Spenser's is on my list of Favorite places for a Wonderful time. The whole family is involved in making both the tearoom and Bed & Breakfast the success that they are. There is a genuine warmth that pours out from each of the Hardins as they fulfill their duties to make you feel right at home. I am a Downton Abby fan and was thrilled when Miss Spenser's announced their tea with Spenser portraying a maid telling of her life and her duties. As always, her acting was 'spot on' and of course Miss Donna's food was 'very tasty' as they say in England. Can't wait for the upcoming Edwardian Fashion Show. I know it will be FABULOUS!!!

My Friends an I attend almost every month. We love the food and enjoy the entertainment. Love the speciality tea's. Can't wait for the next cookbook. (I also need book #1)

Had a wonderful time here last week! Food was excellent and the service was heartwarming. I will definitely come back and bring my friends. Thank you so much ladies!
Leona Swope 3/19/13

What a fun place to be for St Paddy's Day! If my friends and family are busy, I attend tea by myself, but I am never alone, because Donna and Miss Spenser pair me up with the best tea friends! I had such an enjoyable day with my new tea friends. The table was beautiful and the food and tea superb! I can't say enough good things about Miss Spenser's Special-Teas. I loved the Irish folk lore which Miss Spenser shared in her lovely costume.

My husband attended your Irish Farmhouse Tea this afternoon, and what a wonderful time we had. Donna, you and Spenser were so warm and welcoming. We enjoyed the tea, the food, and the program so much! Thank you for everything you did to make this such a memorable visit!

What a wonderful time we had celebrating St.Patty's Day. Donna, you and Spenser never let us down. The food was wonderful, and the tea delicious. Spenser's performance was, once again, the greatest!! We always enjoy coming to visit with you! God Bless,

Absolutely loved our visit. The food was yummy, tea plentiful and the historical presentation memorable. Thank You, Spenser and Donna. Can't wait to join you again.

This was a birthday present for my daughter who turned 7 from her grandmother. We had such a lovely day. The owners (Donna, Spenser, Donna's sons) are the best part! Spenser played the harp which was beautiful--and a nice twist with more modern songs. There was such cheer in the tea room. You have to go just to meet such a neat family! My favorite food served was the scones with homemade whipped cream. I have made them since at home and all enjoyed them. This experience kept us smiling all day. God Bless good people!

My friends and I visited Miss Spensers for the first time this last weekend for the Downton Abbey tea party. We had such a wonderful time! The atmosphere was so relaxing and inviting. The food was incredibly good. We weren't expecting to have such a variety of foods to try and had been planning on stopping for lunch after the party. We were stuffed by the end! The family was so sweet and welcoming. I can not wait for our next visit and we will be bringing more friends next time!

Incredible: look it up in the dictionary, and I'm certain it will say 'see Miss Spenser's Special Teas'. Each table is set impeccably; every morsel of food is delectable; and the bottomless tea is both heart- and soul-warming. Thank you Hardin family for your exceptional offerings of hospitality seasoned with beauty, comfort and artistry. Does it sound yet like we've had a good time? Downton Abbey was our third tea, and we can never wait to see what is next. And don't miss the shopping! Relax and be pampered - enjoy Miss Spenser's!

My friend and I went to the Downton Abbey tea and it was very well done. The tea is leaf tea and is served so often that you never drink a drop of tea that isn't the perfect temperture. The food is a joy to eat and always so fresh. The tea and tea trays made you believe you where at Downton Abby having tea with the family. When the house maid came in and shared her duties I was convienced that she rally did work as a upstairs maid. I am always so refreshed and relaxed after tea at Miss Spensers how lucky we are to live so close to a place where we are always treated like we are Ladies of royal blood. One never wants for any thing and always recieves such wamth and kind hospitality. Well done. I thank all of them for a lovely experience.

Very good Downton Abbey tea on 2/17/13. We really enjoyed it. Leaf tea (of course) was done quite well. Very friendly and loved the family participation.

I am so thankful that I was able to attend Ms Spencer's Tea room with my friends on Jan. 25th. It was just 'awesome'. My friends and I drove 3 hours to get there and then stepped into a whole different world. It seemed like we were in England at the Downtown Abbey. We were greated with warm friendly smiles and the atmosphere was so relaxing.I have attened the March Irish Tea, Titanic and now the Downtown Abbey. Everyone should go there just once and you will be hooked.

My Daughter and Granddaughter have the Ms Spenser's Tea room and I had an opportunity to bring my neighbors and daughter to the Downton Abbey Tea. We had a wonderful time. We live 3 hours away and not always able to come to the Teas. The Tea Room is decorated so beautifully and a very relaxing atmospher.I have attended the March Irish Tea, Titanic Tea and the Out of Africa Tea.You need to put it on your to do list for 2013 you will not be disappointed.

There just are not enough, or deserving words to fully describe Miss Spenser's. If you have not had the opportunity to go to Miss Spenser's, you do not know what you are missing. From the moment you pull into the driveway, you will be relaxed and greeted by warm, and smiling faces. The tea room is wonderfully decorated, the tea is wonderful, the food is very thoughtfully planned out, and delicious, the programs are always wonderful, thoughtfully planned out, and awesome.
If you have not been to Miss Spenser's yet, make it part of your New Years resolution to go, you won't be dissapointed.

A great high tea with excellent service and entertainment.

My husband and I stayed in the B&B in the Spring of 2012. It was just wonderful to be greeted with a friendly smile, lovely accommodations, and tea! The breakfast was just delicious! My mouth is watering just remembering.
Marilyn Miller

I have been here several times this year, and each time it's such a great experience. The food is always wonderful and the dramas put on by the children have been so special. Thank you Miss Spencer's for having a great place for my friends and I to 'hang out'!!! See you all next year!!

My most recent visit to Miss Spenser's was a gift from a friend. We treat each other for special occasions and try to attend as often as possible. It's a perfect way to spend the time with a loved one!! The Hardin's are a VERY talented, gifted, and heart-warming family and I feel so blessed to call them friends. This particular tea was about childhood memories from Wales and featured the acting debut of Grayson (the youngest Hardin). He did a splendid job and I thoroughly enjoyed his Welsh accent and humorous story-telling. GREAT JOB!!!! I loved the food and samplings of Welsh candies. Donna and Spenser always incorporate special touches to tie the food and decorations to the theme of the tea. After tea, I was able to do some of my Christmas shopping. The teas, scone mixes, cookbooks,... (more) tea cozys, lemon curd, and teacups make wonderful gifts. You will NOT find another tearoom like Miss Spenser's. It is UNIQUE and gets rave reviews from all their customers, although you are treated more like a long lost friend even if it is your first visit there.

Donna & Spenser, it is always a pleasure to visit your very special tearoom where the food is delicious, the setting lovely and the hostesses the best. Look forward to future experiences with you.

This tea room is Fabulous!! My first visit was just this last weekend and was truly enjoyable. I will be coming back a lot in the future. The lemon curd I purchased is to die for. The cookbooks are just full of great recipes.
I felt very welcomed and the tea was so nice to drink.

Everything was so sophisticated and elegant!It was so much fun, we went to Miss Spenser's tea party for our lady's retreat/Christmas party/mother-daughter time and all the ladies and their daughters had so much fun!

I took 4 friends with me who had never been to Miss Spenser's and they were so impressed. They just kept commenting on what a lovely place and what a good time they had. It was so cozy and decorated nicely. This tearoom is a class act!!! Looking at the surroundings outdoors, it could be a setting in the English countryside. What a great view they have.

We decided that we must make this a yearly tradition with my daughter and her mother-in-law to attend a Christmas tea. Wonderful food as always and great program this visit featuring young Grayson! The entire famiy works together to provide a nice experience for the holidays.

Each time I go to Miss Spenser's, I feel like a long lost relative returning home. Miss Spenser, Donna and the rest of the Hardin family make me feel so welcome. My last visit was for the Christmas Carol Special Tea. The food - including squash pear soup, cucumber sandwiches, scones with whipped cream and lemon curd - I could go on and on - was amazing. Miss Spenser's portrayal of Mrs. Cratchitt in Dicken's Christmas Carol brought tears to my eyes. I brought five friends with me and we will make this a Christmas tradition. If you ever get the chance, be sure to visit Miss Spenser's. You won't be disappointed.

Oh my word, I love this place. MOST amazing family ever. Such polite workers. The drama was so amazing(thought I was in the 1800)And such a beautiful tea room!

If you have not been to Miss Spenser's English Tearoom you should put it to the top of your list of tearooms to visit in Iowa. The Hardin family truly welcomes you into their home. The decor of the tearoom is lovely. It reminds me of elegant parlors of the past. The Dicken's sweet potato pear bisque was absolutely delicious. Other foods were served on three tiered trays. The festive mint brownie bites melted in my mouth. There was not a morsel left on our trays. Our teacups were always filled with fragrant tea. Miss Spenser helped serve, but then transformed herself into Mrs. Cratchit. Miss Spenser, speaking with her English accent, was a very convincing Mrs. Cratchit. I have been to other tearooms, but Miss Spenser's English Tearoom remains my favorite one!!

As always, my expereince at Miss Spenser's was beyond amazing. From the moment you walk in the door, you are greeted by friendly and warm greetings, wonderful decorations, and delightful smells.
Today, I was able to go to the Christmas Tea- I have seen this program, I think every year since coming to the tea house- I think it gets bettter every year (if that is at all possible!!)- every detail was carefully well planned down to the last detail. If you have not yet been able to get to come to Miss Spenser's, you need to put it on your bucket list, and go visit as soon as you can, I promise you won't be dissapointed.

What a perfect way to begin the Christmas season! The tearoom decor really put us in the holiday mood. The food had clever names such as Dickens Sweet Potato Pear Bisque, Tiny Tim's Mini Quiche and Fezziwig Fruit Cake Scones and tasted as good as it looked. Mrs. Cratchit reminded us of the lovely redemption story from A Christmas Carol in a clever and upbeat way. It was fun to share the experience that is Miss Spenser's with new friends.

I love going to tea at Miss Spencer's! I went to the pirate tea with my mom and it was fun to see everyone dressed up like pirates. The entertainment was exciting and informative and as always the food was delicious. I can't wait to go again.

My Husband & I took our 12yr. old Daughter & 7 of her closest friends to Miss Spenser's Special Teas for a 'Mad Hatter' themed tea. Donna got it just right! The girls were thrilled by the Mad Hatter's magic tricks (her handsome son Zach)& found the etiquette lesson not only fun but they learned something too. Spencer, dressed as 'Alice' did a wonderful job w/the girls. By the time we left the girls were already making plans to come back! I would without a doubt say this is the BEST tea room in Iowa!!

What a wonderful tea last Friday night: High Tea on the High Seas! Pirates, ghosts, scarily delicious tea and out-of-this-world food, what more could I ask at Halloween? Miss Spenser gave a fantastic tale about ghost ship, Mary Celeste, and the atmosphere was eerily creepy. I absolutely loved the mango green tea, and the pistachio scones and pineapple jam were just unreal in taste and texture. Thanks again for a fun time! Sally

I had such a good time dressing up like a pirate and coming to Miss Spenser's for tea. Such a wonderful place to visit.

Miss Spenser's is a favorite of our group! We just made our 4th visit by charter bus and can't wait to get another scheduled. The food is always wonderfully creative (as well as delicious)and Miss Spenser's performances are delightful! I encourage other groups to consider this experience as a 'must do'.

The BEST Tearoom, bar none!!! From the time you walk in to the time you leave, is such an enjoyable experience! You will most definitely want to come back. And bring friends!

I had a wonderful recent trip to Miss Spenser's Tea Room for the Pirate Candlelight Tea- it was so much fun! They perfected each detail such as antique pirate decor at each table with spooky pirate music and a fantasic story delivered beautifully by Miss Spenser. We started with a delightful Mango Green Tea and then moved to a delicious Black Tea. The thinly sliced pork and apple sandwhich was so yummy along with tiny tea bites so amazing that I'm still thinking about them. The scones with clotted cream and jam are so good, you will return again and again just to savor them. My mom and I have been coming to this Tea Room for years and feel so lucky to have this perfect little escape just a few miles out of town!! Can't wait for the Christmas Tea!

Where do I even begin to describe the delicious and delightful time we spent at the Pirates of the Caribbean tea? The tea was flowing, the food tasted as good as it looked, and the program was lively! And to top it all off, we stayed in the extraordinarily beautiful Bed & Breakfast. It was our first trip, but definitely not our last!

What a delightful afternoon. Our hosts, Miss Spenser and Miss Donna were awesome. They opened their tea room and their hearts to us. They gave exceptional service and made us feel like queens for the day. I have been to a few other teas prior to our visit with Miss Spenser and this far exceeding the others! The tea was excellent and the educational lesson superior. Thank you for a wonderful and delicious tea.

My friend and I have have travelled the state of Iowa visiting tea rooms over the years and have just had a most memorable visit here! We loved the english tea room setting, the rural setting and the kindness of the owners. We enjoyed 2 flavorful teas, fresh tea sandwiches, scones and desserts; and were then given a tour of the bed and breakfast rooms. I am planning another gathering for my birthday group there very soon and the owners have gone out of their way to accommodate us!

Having tea at Miss Spenser's was wonderful. Enjoyed tasting all the different teas and the food was great. Was nice to learn about the history of tea and how to make the tea I bought at home. The tea room is beautiful and Donna and Spenser were so welcoming. Thank you.

How wondeful the Downtown Abbey tea was as always you transported us back in time. Our tea time was as always very delicious and relaxing. The time we spend with our friends Donna and Spenser is always the best of the best. I is the same when it comes to the food and entertainment. We have enjoyed every tea time we have spent with Miss Spensers tea room what a remarkable family and tea house!

Downtown Abbey tea was so much fun! A parlor maid spoke to us about the life in the main house and what a good impersonation Miss Spenser does of all the characters at tea. The food was fabulous as always and the tea is so graciously served that I never want to leave.

Recently I attended the Downton Abbey themed tea at Miss Spenser's and loved every thing about it. From the delicious food, tasty tea, friendly and welcoming hosts to the reenactment of a maid's day at the Abbey, by Miss Spenser. I've been to several teas and am never disappointed. I would highly recommend to anyone who wants a unique tearoom experience.

What a great trip to Miss Spenser's and the food the program and of course the Hardin's are exceptional........a must for everyone to try......we enjoy going so much we're headed back this fall.

My two cousins and I spend a very relaxing weekend at Miss Spenser's of Longview Farms B&B the last weekend in July 2012. It was a beautiful place for the Three Muskateers to reconnect. It was such a magical place and watching Lady Diana and Miss Spenser work together was beautiful. They are an amazing mother-daughter duo. The food, hospitality, and teas were out of this world!

My only regret is that I never had the opportunity to share the experience with my own Mother. This is defiantly an experience she would have loved!!!

This is the most awesome,comfortable & relaxing place ever!!! The food is wonderful & the tea, marvelous!! I was apprehensive about the cucumber sandwhich---but now it's one of my favorites!!! My friends & I have had such nice times@ Miss Spenser's Tea Room that we would be hardpressed to have to pick a 'favorite'!!! We love them all & can't wait for the next one!!! The Hardin family are very gracious hosts & it is an extreme pleasure to spend time with them. It is something you'll talk about for a very long time, so if you're thinking about going---do so as you will enjoy your time & maybe even make some new friends!!! Thank You Hardin family for enjoying what you do so that the rest of us can enjoy too!!!

Great people and breakfast....quiet and so peaceful. We stayed in the Garden Room, decor was beautiful and comfy king size bed!

I visited Miss Spenser's for the first time August 2nd. There were eight in our party, and everything was delightful. English tea traditions were explained, the food was all home made from scratch, and we were even instructed on how to best prepare tea at home. I will be visiting again.

This was my first experience at a b&b and I would have to say it was amazing!!!! My two cousins and I (the 3 Muskateers ) got together to reconnect and we were able to share memories , laughter , and tears along with great food and delicious tea!! Miss Spenser and Lady Donna welcomed us into their home and make us feel like their family!! It was perfect! The Room with a View is breath taking!! We will be back again and again!!!
Jill F

This was my first experience at a b&b and I would have to say it was amazing!!!! My two cousins and I (the 3 Muskateers ) got together to reconnect and we were able to share memories , laughter , and tears along with great food and delicious tea!! Miss Spenser and Lady Donna welcomed us into their home and make us feel like their family!! It was perfect! The Room with a View is breath taking!! We will be back again and again!!!
Jill F

This was my first visit to a Bed and Breakfast or even a Tea Room. Me and two of my cousins better known as 'The 3 Muskateers' used this as a get away and time to reconnect. I was in such aww of everything there. My Grandmother is from England so this is as close as I could get to her day to day life as she grew up. The atmosphere was very inviting and relaxing along with the perfect music in the background and beautiful decor. Lady Donna and Miss Spenser are wonderful hosts. I will be back very soon. I enjoyed myself very much.

For my first visit, I joined a friend for the Rose Tea. The food (cucumber sandwich, scones, truffles), tea (leaf) and program by Miss Spenser were all infused with the most delightful, light essence of roses. Miss Spenser's entire family is involved in making these Special-Teas welcoming and pleasant. I'll be going back soon for another taste of England. The Downton Abbey Tea is coming!

My mom took me to the tearoom for my birthday. As usual the atmosphere was perfectly welcoming and relaxing with soft music in the background and beautiful decor. The food was wonderful as usual with my favorite cucumber sandwich. A new soup for me, zucchini bisque was absolutely fabulous as well as the rest of the food offered. A perfect mixture of savories and sweets. We were served a wonderful Rose tea and also a black tea. Both were delicious and served with smiles and pleasant conversation.

A beautiful tearoom with warm and personal service. The bottomless teapot was a really nice. We were able to drink as much and as many different kinds of whole leaf tea as we wanted. The food was also delicious and a nice variety. The whole experience was very lovely and relaxing.

The Queen's Jubilee Celebration at Miss Spenser's was so much fun! The food was fantastic, love those scones, and the portrayal of the Duchess of Windsor was exciting, almost like she was there, just not as tall : )
The tea was delicious and the tea room is decorated in exquisite style. Thanks for a great tea day!

What a fun place to visit. Today was the American Girl doll tea and the menu was delightfully childish! Everything was beautiful and delicious. Even though I am an antique girl,aka a grandma, I loved every minute of the tea including Miss Spenser's portrayal of Samantha's Aunt Cornelia. Thanks for making my day, Sally

What a delightful and informative time my friends and I shared at the Rose Tea Party. As usual the menu was excellent - very tasty. Miss Spenser's love for roses was evident in her presentation. Enjoyed the outing -- quiet, peaceful setting.

Our group had a lovely visit in beautiful English tearoom surroundings. The food was delightfully & deliciously unique. The tea was very tasty (even a seemingly odd combination was exquisite). The owners were charming. Well worth a visit!!!

It was a special treat to be able to partake of your tea room with book club friends. Thanks for sharing your tea secrets with us!

Thoroughly enjoyable: soothing teas, delicious food, lovely decor. After a tour of the bed and breakfast rooms associated with the tearoom, I would have stayed for a week!

After I had spent a week attending a houseful of company...it was an absolute treat to be pampered to the max at Miss Spenser's Special-Teas! The drive was beautiful, the delectibles were scrumptious, the ambiance of the gorgeous tea room completely transformed my Book Club group and myself into thinking we were British Royalty! Thank you so much for spoiling me! I loved every minute of it!

Great hospitality, lovely,delicious, delicate,filling food with refreshing tea all in a peaceful, pleasant atmosphere.....all worth the drive in the rolling, country hills to chat with my lady friends. Wonderful experience. I will go again!

Our book club enjoyed our 'mini-vacation' at your lovely tea room! All of the decor was like stepping back in time. The quiche, scones with lemon curd, and mint brownies were outstanding! We were served delicious, delightful food and tea, and still able to carry on wonderful conversaitons! Thank you so much!

I was pleasantly surprised by just how lovely Miss Spenser's is. The farm itself looks very nice and tidy, but I was amazed when I entered the tea room and was dazzled by the gorgeous decor! The tea was wonderful (Squirrel Nut and Miss Spenser's special black tea) and the food was simply wonderful ~ zucchini bisque, crustless cheese quiche, delectable finger sandwiches, and perfect cakes! I couldn't help but feel like a British lady at Miss Spenser's!! :)

Donna, Spenser and Zach:
Thank-you for the wonderful experience at your tea room! I have been to the Ritz tea room in London and your food, tea, atmosphere and service can compete with them! Thanks for making my birthday special!

We enjoyed the warmth, hospitality and Victorian decorations. The food was creatively prepared and delicious. It was a fun and memorable experience! Yvonne

I would highly recommend this tea room - we had a wonderful luncheon celebrating my sister's birthday - everything very delicious in our 4-course meal. My sister had a special happy birthday tea cup, along with her name engraved on the menu and a yummy cake. Thank you Donna, Spencer and Zach for making us feel at home! We had a wonderful dining experience - worth our 1-1/2 hour drive!

I had a wonderful time as usual at Miss Spenser's! From the moment you pull into the driveway, you are greeted with a wonderful calming sense. The moment you walk into the tearoom, you are greeted with a sense of welcoming and calm, the tea house has wonderful decor and is always full of smiling and welcoming faces.
If you have not had the chance to come to tea here, you must put it on your bucket list, you will not regret it!!
I am already looking forward to the next time I get to come to tea.

I had a great opportunity to visit Miss Spenser's tea room in Mid-May. When we walked in I instantly felt like I was in an English parlor room :) The tea was delicious and the food was perfect in taste and size! (so cute!) Miss. Spenser and her entire family were welcoming and kind and made you feel right at home!