Rudi’s Tea Room
Rudi’s Tea Room has welcomed locals and visitors from all over the world to our historical Mews location for nearly 15 years. Visitors enjoy choosing from our delicious menu created each year by the talented Government House chefs. Salads include seasonal greens grown in summer on site. Sweet treats, or scones with a cup of tea or coffee are popular, as are the full lunches including gluten-free items such as smoked salmon quiche served with a delicious blended vegetable soup or salad. Our friendly volunteers are keen to make everyone feel at home in Rudi’s relaxed dining setting.
The Tea Room and Museum are now closed.
Located just past the lower parking lot, Cary Mews is home to Rudi’s Tea Room, the Costume Museum, and our friendly Greeters who are ready to answer all of your questions.
Government House chefs create a delicious new tea room menu every summer. Scones, a staple, have a savoury option this year. (Last year’s popular carrot cake is back for a return engagement!)
In summer, salads include seasonal greens grown on site. Full lunches are available and include gluten-free items such as smoked salmon quiche served with a delicious blended vegetable soup or salad. Our friendly volunteers are keen to make everyone feel at home in Rudi’s relaxed dining setting. Whether you come for a scone and a pot of tea or coffee, or lunch with friends, you will be greeted and served by our enthusiastic volunteers on our sunny patio.
The Costume Museum
The Costume Museum features a series of changing themes that showcase its more than 200 costumes from the 1860s to the 1970s, vintage accessories, period artifacts, Government House memorabilia, and generous donations of family heirlooms from the public.
Visitors will also see the historic landau carriage used by the Duke and Duchess of York and Cornwall (later King George V and Queen Mary) on their tour of Victoria in 1901.
There is no Costume Museum admission charge, but donations are welcome.
Preserving the Past
This summer’s Costume Museum display honours the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Airforce. The exhibition highlights its personnel and some of the iconic aircraft involved in WWI and WW2.
And this was a plain dress until the Friends used their flower creativity.
Costume Museum volunteers help bring Government House history to life. (cheknews.ca)
Got questions? Our Knowledgeable Greeters Have the Answers!
On the left is greeter Mary Lou, with Australian visitor Lucy, Gabriella from Sidney, B.C., and greeter Lee. The greeters at the Mews entrance provide information on the estate, the gardens, and the work of the volunteer gardeners.
Hello, We Can Hardly Wait to Greet You!
(From left): Jackie , Linda, Deana, and Patti are part of the Cary Mews Greeters group . They are ready to answer questions, give directions, or suggest finishing a tour of the gardens with well-deserved refreshments at Rudi’s Tea Room.
Artist Gifts Paintings to the Friends
Liz and her donated paintings of Government House Gardens roses. Cards from these paintings may be purchased from the greeters. The roses (from left): just joey hybrid tea; royal sunset climber; Jane Rogers (hybrid tea).
The most important of the roses is the Jane Rogers rose (hybrid tea). It is named for Elizabeth Jane Rogers, wife of B.C. Lieutenant Governor Robert Gordon Rogers (1983-1988). The floral designers group is a direct result of her request in 1984 for flowers to decorate Government House. The special rose grows in both the sunken rose, and the flower designers’ gardens. The cuttings were started by Carol Dancer.
From left: Liz (floral designers garden), Patti, and Sheila.