Tea Room and Giftshop

You can find our Tea Room and Giftshop in our basement, in what used to be Elizabeth Gaskell’s kitchen. Open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, 11am – 4pm, accepting both card and cash payments.

Tearoom

Our Tea Room is volunteer-run, and sells a range of hot and cold drinks and sweet and savoury snacks. Treat yourself to a nice hot cup of tea or coffee and a delicious slice of cake. Or maybe you’d prefer a tasty bowl of soup. Whatever you fancy, our Tea Room is the perfect way to finish your visit.

Tea Room Price List

Drinks

Selection of Worker Bee teas – £2.20
Coffee – £2.60
Decaffeinated coffee – £2.60
Fentimans soft drinks – £2.90
Cordial – 80p
Glass of milk – 80p
Glass of wine – £4
Beer/Cider/Ale – £5

Food

Cakes and Tarts – £3 – £3.50
Wrapped biscuits – £1.20
Gluten-free biscuits – £1.80
Gingerbread biscuits – £1.90
Chocolate animals – £1.80
Lancashire Crisps – £1.30
Soup and a Roll – £6

Please note, soup and a roll subject to availability of volunteers and is available Wednesdays & Thursdays only, 12pm – 2pm.

Gluten-free and vegan options of cakes, tarts, soups, and rolls are available. If you or any of your party have any dietary requirements or allergies, please let a volunteer or member of staff know. We have full ingredient information available if you need to double check anything before you buy.

Giftshop and Books

You can also find our Giftshop in the Tea Room.

If you’re feeling inspired by your visit, we sell the majority of books and short stories by Elizabeth Gaskell, as well as non-fiction about her life and writing. We also have a wonderful selection of second-hand books available to browse.

You can also treat yourself to a souvenir from our range of Elizabeth Gaskell-related items, including tote bags, tea towels, mugs, and magnets, as well as postcards, jigsaws and prints.

You can buy our items in-person during your visit, or you can get them by visiting our online shop on MuseumShop.

Second-hand book sale

We also run a second-hand book sale on the second Sunday of every month.

During the sale we bring out additional stocks of second-hand books that covers two rooms in our basement.

We have a varied and eclectic selection of books available, enough to satisfy any enthusiastic bookworm!

Entry to the second-hand book sale is included in the entrance fee. To find out more about our entrance fees, please check our Visit page.

All proceeds raised in the sale of second-hand books goes towards the running of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House. Donations of good-quality books are welcome, but please be aware we currently only accept donations of fiction. Please call in advance to let us know you’ll be bringing some books in to donate.

A Large Cheerful, airy house, quite out of Manchester smoke.

Charlotte Brontë on visiting the House, 1851