Historic Tea Room & Wine Bar

The Dunbar House

Sandwich, Cape Cod

Afternoon tea on blue willow china, lunch, Sunday brunch and wine — in a restored 1740’s Colonial house overlooking Shawme Pond.

One Water Street · (508) 833-2485 · Closed Tuesday & Wednesday

Reserve a TableBook on Resy Afternoon Tea MenuWindsor · Kensington · Buckingham Loose Tea Menu200+ teas & tisanes Book an EventPrivate events E-Gift CardsGive the gift of tea Wee TeaA tea party for kids

Celebrate in Historic Sandwich

Private Events at The Dunbar House & The Swan

Welcome to our charming event spaces nestled within a beautifully restored 1740’s New England Colonial House and 1920’s carriage house in historic Sandwich. Experience the perfect blend of warm wood-paneled rooms and bright garden-facing dining, ideal for any occasion. Enjoy our loose-leaf tea service, an exquisite selection of wine, and craft cocktails while taking in stunning views of Shawme Pond. Create unforgettable memories in a setting that exudes both elegance and comfort.

Best for

  • Bridal showers
  • Baby showers
  • Rehearsal dinner
  • Anniversary
  • Bachelorette
  • Micro weddings
  • Birthday celebrations
  • Cocktail

Menus

  • Afternoon tea
  • Plated lunch
  • Passed appetizers
  • Stations
  • Four-course chef’s dinner
  • Lobster boils
  • Clam bakes
A wood-paneled dining room with a table set in blue and white china

15 – 24 guests

The Hearth Room

Savor the charm of 1920s British wood paneling in a cozy space. A charming blue and white china wall sets the scene in the original billiards room that has been transformed into an intimate dining space.

Long tables with navy napkins in the bright Shawme Room with garden windows

Up to 45 guests

The Shawme Room

Bright and cheerful, showcasing a fantastic view of the garden! With natural light, plants, patio access, and views towards Shawme Pond, the Shawme Room is our larger private event space.

The brick patio with white chairs and a trellis of climbing roses

Up to 28 guests

The Patio

Elegant garden setting for events with blooms & bubbly! Celebrate beside Shawme Pond with intimate outdoor garden-inspired gatherings.

The Swan, a Colonial house set behind a bed of pink flowers

24 – 48 guests

The Swan

A storybook setting for intimate gatherings, located next door. Our beautifully restored 1740 Cape Cod Colonial house has historic rooms, romantic gardens, and views of Shawme Pond. Make a whole weekend of it — stay together and enjoy your celebration, overnight accommodations, and the charm of Sandwich Village.

Discover The Swan
Whole Dunbar — up to 99 guests
A grazing board of cheese, charcuterie and fruit beside a ‘Love is grazing’ sign and blue willow plates

Bridal Showers

Traditional afternoon tea, beautifully presented on a stunning three-tier stand, with tea sandwiches, scones, and petite sweets, paired with over 200 loose-leaf teas or non-alcoholic beverages. Add an interactive bubbly bar with prosecco, juices, and fresh fruit, or a full bar for cocktail orders.

A candlelit dinner party with guests around a table of flowers

Rehearsal Dinners

A beautiful evening thoughtfully hosted — historic charm, delicious food, craft cocktails and warm hospitality. Choose cocktail-style passed hors d’oeuvres, seated plated dinners, or hot and cold stations with seasonal options and dietary accommodations. Full bar with craft cocktails, wines and beers — all-night service, limited duration, or per-drink guest payment.

Rehearsal dinner menus (PDF)
A long table set with gold chargers, white florals and candles

Micro Weddings

Micro weddings are among the celebrations we host at The Dunbar House and next door at The Swan. Inquire to start planning yours.

Inquire now
Guests gathered at a long holiday table beside a Christmas tree

Holiday

Seasonal celebrations with “The Great British Roast” family-style for groups of 12 or more, an afternoon tea menu, or a three-course dinner. The Shawme Room seats up to 40, the Hearth Room 12–25, and combined rooms up to 65 seated after 5 pm; cocktail-style events welcome up to 99. Afternoon Tea To-Go with contactless local delivery is also available.

Holiday menus (PDF)

Plan Your Party

Private Event Menus

Sample menus with per-person pricing — all blue willow china, flatware, glassware & linen included.

Event policies & procedures
  • Food & beverage: all food and beverage consumed on property must be provided by The Dunbar House. If off-premise food is consumed a fee will be applied.
  • Decor: outside decorations that can be easily cleaned up and do not need to be attached to the walls are welcome. Glitter, confetti and open flames are not permitted. All blue willow china, flatware, glassware & linen included.
  • Entertainment: all entertainment must be approved.
  • Guarantee: final head count, including entrée selections if applicable, is required 7 days prior. Cancellations less than 7 days out are charged a 25% fee; same-day cancellations are charged full price.
  • Deposits: all deposits are non-refundable and applied toward the total cost of your event.
  • Timing & room setup: events must adhere to start/end times; additional fees apply per hour if the room is occupied longer. Room setup changes within 24 hours of the event are subject to a $400 labor charge.
  • Service charges & tax: food and beverage prices are subject to a 10% administration fee, local and state sales tax of 7%, and a 20% service charge for waitstaff.
  • Chef attendant & extra bartender: a chef attendant is required for any action station ($150 per chef). An extra bartender, if required, is $100 per bartender.
  • Smoking: The Dunbar House is a non-smoking facility.
  • Security: The Dunbar House is not responsible for damage or loss of guests’ items brought on property.
A storybook character in a yellow ball gown standing at the tea room door

Themed Teas & Chef’s Dinners

Events & Music

Upcoming 2026 events at The Dunbar House — character afternoon teas, wine dinners and holiday evenings. Once a month, Chef prepares a three to five course wine dinner that is not to be missed! Some dates are tentative — reserve on Resy or call to confirm.

  1. Sep18Chef's Dinner
  2. Sep25Argentina Wine Dinner
  3. Sep27Afternoon Tea with the Rainbow Fairy
  4. Oct15–16Forest Mushroom Dinner
  5. Oct18Afternoon Tea with Rapunzel
  6. Oct22Weinfest German Wine Dinner
  7. Oct25Hocus Pocus Afternoon Tea
  8. Oct29A Very Addams Afternoon Tea
  9. Oct30An Evening of Edgar Allan Poe
  10. Nov1Villains Afternoon Tea
  11. Dec4Christmas Chalet Night
  12. Dec5Grinch Afternoon Tea
  13. Dec6Afternoon Tea with the Sugar Plum Fairy
  14. Dec13Afternoon Tea with the Sugar Plum Fairy
  15. Dec19–20A Christmas Carol
  16. Dec21Grinch Afternoon Tea
Reserve an Event on Resy

Buy Dunbar Tea

The Loose Tea Shop

Take the tea room home. All loose teas come in 2 oz packages at 10 each (excluding sales tax), except the Courtship Tin (3 oz at 19). Our house blend, Dunbar Tea, is a delicious mix of black tea, cranberry & almond essence.

Questions or orders? Call (508) 833-2485 or email [email protected].

60 loose teas

  • A Raspberry in Paris Rooibos
  • Across A Crowded Room
  • Ayurvedic Total Body
  • Baked Apple Rooibos
  • Be Mine
  • Belly Be Calm
  • Blarney Blend
  • Blood Orange
  • Blue Eyes
  • Blue Mango
  • Blueberry Green
  • Bohemian Raspberry
  • Buckingham Palace Garden Party
  • Candy Cane Black Tea
  • China Jasmine
  • Chocolate
  • Christmas Black Tea
  • Courtship
  • Courtship Tin 3 oz tin · $19
  • Cream Earl Grey
  • CTC Assam
  • Darjeeling
  • Dunbar
  • English Breakfast
  • English Breakfast Decaffeinated
  • Eternally Nuts
  • Fast Asleep
  • Focus Pocus
  • Formosa Oolong
  • Genmaicha Chai
  • Golden Apple Spice
  • Golden Glow
  • Head Harmony
  • Holiday
  • Icewine
  • Irish Eyes Green
  • Keemun Panda #1
  • Kenya Zebra Sencha
  • Lapsong Souchong
  • Lovers Leap
  • Lucky Dragon
  • Maple
  • Monk's Blend
  • Mother's
  • Niagra Peach
  • Nutcracker Tisane
  • Peach Ice Cream
  • Provence Rooibos
  • Rooibos
  • Scottish Breakfast
  • SOHO
  • Stress Less
  • Super Detox
  • Sweet Dreams
  • Sweet Watermelon Oolong
  • Victorian London Fog
  • Vienna Eggnog Black Tea
  • White Christmas Tea
  • White Swiss Truffle
  • Young Pu-Erh

History & About Us

Over 250 Years, Only Six Families

The site now occupied by the Dunbar House, on a hill overlooking Shawme Pond, a fresh water spring and a grist mill, was a favored one from the time the first European settlers moved onto the Cape in the 1630s.

  1. 1650

    John Dillingham, one of the founding fathers of the town, builds the first house on the hill overlooking Shawme Pond.

  2. 1740

    His descendants move the whole house down the street (still standing at 71 Main Street) and build a much grander house in its place.

  3. 1860s

    The Dillinghams sell to the Chapouils. Anthony Chapouil was an accountant at the Boston & Sandwich Glass Works; his brother was grandfather to Sandwich’s famous children’s author, Thornton Burgess.

  4. 1898

    During the infamous Portland Nor’Easter, the house is evacuated because the steeple next door is leaning at precarious angles.

  5. 1920s

    Colonel Henry Dunbar buys the house to be close to his supervision of the widening of the Cape Cod Canal. The carriage house, billiard room, tennis court and landscaped rose gardens follow — and Mrs. Dunbar establishes the tradition of hosting teas in the rose gardens.

  6. 1974

    The town of Sandwich buys the property.

  7. 1990s

    The house returns to private ownership when it is bought by the Bells.

  8. 2000

    Jim and Paula Hegarty of Milton, Massachusetts, move in and begin restoring the home to its colonial grandeur.

  9. 2020

    Kathryn Wolstenholme takes over the renovated Dunbar Tea Room & Wine Bar, and Executive Chef Patrick Hurley joins the team in August.

The wood-paneled tea room parlor with a fireplace, red rug and set tables
Two members of the team standing at the front door beneath the green DUNBAR awning

Kathryn Wolstenholme

Tea Room & Wine Bar Manager, since 2020

With her many years of experience in the industry along with her love of Afternoon Tea, Kathryn works hard to maintain the traditions of Mrs. Dunbar by providing a comforting atmosphere in the Tea Room. Born and raised on Cape Cod, she graduated from Bourne High School in 2010 and began working in hospitality at 14 — spending summers at a 1929 historic inn on Shelter Island. After graduating from Adrian College she focused on event planning, working in restaurants, inns and golf courses in a variety of management positions. In 2018 she earned an MBA in hospitality from Johnson & Wales University, and continues her studies toward tea and wine sommelier certification.

Chef Patrick Hurley

Executive Chef, since August 2020

Also raised on Cape Cod, Chef spent his childhood summers immersed in the natural offerings and local seafood. After a few years in the industry he worked at the prestigious Ivy Hotel in San Diego, California, which set him on a path to fine dining. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America in New York, he took a farm-to-table position at Stoneacre Pantry that led to cooking at the famous James Beard House in New York City. Most recently he ran five restaurants for chef-owner Brian Houlihan — Bia Bistro in Cohasset, Tinker’s Son in Norwell, Trident Galley & Raw Bar and Galley Kitchen & Bar in Scituate, and The Parrot in Hull. On top of lunch service and weekly specials, once a month he prepares a three to five course wine dinner.

Blog

From the Journal

Notes on Sandwich, Cape Cod, and the cozy side of tea.

A pink and orange sunset over the Sandwich boardwalk and marsh

Sandwich MA: A Day of Adventure and Discovery Awaits!

Nestled along Cape Cod’s enchanting coastline, Sandwich, Massachusetts, is a treasure trove of history, culture, and stunning scenery…

The Dunbar Tea Room entrance with its arched doorways and cupola

Uncovering Hidden Gems: A Thrilling Walking Tour of Historic Sandwich MA!

When it comes to exploring the rich history of Cape Cod, few places can compete with the charm and allure of Sandwich, Massachusetts. As…

Shelves of glass jars filled with loose leaf tea

Uncover the Secret to Winter Wellness with These Cozy and Exciting Beverages!

As winter’s chill blankets the world outside, there is nothing more comforting than curling up with a warm drink. Cozy beverages can lift…

Location & Contact

Come Visit Us

Hours

MondaySeating 11 am – 4 pm
TuesdayClosed
WednesdayClosed
ThursdaySeating 11 am – 4 pm
FridaySeating 11 am – 4 pm
SaturdaySeating 11 am – 4 pm
SundaySeating 10 am – 2 pmBrunch specials on Sunday in addition to full menu

Join the Team

If you’re passionate about providing great service and creating a caring environment for guests, we encourage you to join us!

Email us to apply

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