Top Teas
Teatime
The gentle clink of bone china and happy conversation - what could be better? Here are some of the best places around the UK to enjoy a great afternoon tea.
The Wolseley - London
Built in 1921, this stately Grade II listed building was commissioned by Wolseley Cars as their London showroom - hence the name. Tea is served in a variety of elegant rooms: the main dining room, the salon, reception or the bar. Admire the striking decor while you indulge in a cream tea with fruit scones and a choice of teas, or a full afternoon tea with assorted finger sandwiches and a selection of pastries. Don't forget to glance through the dessert and patisserie menus too - there are inviting delights on offer. A refreshing alternative to champagne is fresh lemonade, available by the glass or pitcher.
160 Piccadilly,
St James's,
London.
W1J 9EB
www.thewolseley.com
Hazelmere Café and Bakery - Cumbria
Expect at least 28 different types of tea from all around the world at this award-winning tea shop. Praise has been heaped on it for the variety and quality of its 'cuppas', as well as the range of freshly-made and locally-sourced meals and snacks that are served here. Bread, cakes, chutneys, patés and preserves are all baked on the premises, and offered alongside local pheasant burger, Cumbria lamb tattie pot and Stalker's casserole. Tea time specialities include Cumberland Rum Nicky, vanilla slices, and scones made with apricot and yoghurt, and the large gracious tea room with its open fire or summer verandah can be found in a handsome Victorian arcade.
1 Yewbarrow Terrace, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria. LA11 ED
The Bridge Tea Rooms - Bradford-on-Avon
Put aside any notions of dangling a tea bag in a mug, and think instead of delicate
Royal Doulton china, finest leaf teas, and friendly staff in Victorian costumes serving
home-made cakes, pastries and sandwiches. Housed in a former blacksmith's cottage dating
from 1675, the Bridge Tea Rooms positively oozes atmosphere, and the classical music playing
gently in the background sets a tranquil tone. Interesting light meals are also served
throughout the day, but the famous Bridge Cream Tea is the main attraction here: expect
large scones topped with Devonshire clotted cream and strawberry preserve, and a pot of one
of twenty-six fine loose leaf teas presented to perfection in a beautiful teapot. Souvenir
books and postcards are on sale.
24a Bridge Street, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire. BA15 1BY
Elizabeth Botham and Sons
The invitation to take tea at Botham's is an irresistible one involving wonderful cakes and pastries made from Victorian recipes, and a huge range of rare and fine teas. Botham's was established in 1865 by Elizabeth Botham and is still run by her great-grandchildren. The first-floor tea rooms offer scones and teabreads, cream teas and toasts, special lunch of the day, jacket potatoes, salads and sandwiches. Afternoon tea comes with the house Resolution Tea, or you can find China Yunnan, Java Gunpowder and Darjeeling First Flush Bannockburn and many others on the menu, or if your taste is coffee, a variety of classic blends.
35/39 Skinner Street,
Whitby,
North Yorkshire.
YO21 3AH
Web: www.botham.co.uk
Bird on the Rock Tearoom
Some very rare teas from small selected estates are among the connoisseur's choice offered at this popular tea shop. Russian Caravan, Yunnan, several Oolongs, Lady Grey, Nilgiri and Keemun expand the usual specialist choice, along with the house Shropshire Blend (strong old-fashioned) and Bertie's Brew (a little fruity), and visitors are encouraged to sample some unfamiliar flavours which they might otherwise never try. On the food front, one of the set afternoon teas includes a themed selection with 'something savoury followed by something sweet', and a choice of tea or other drink. The 'Complete Jeeves', on the other hand, is just as grand as it sounds: don't be surprised to see a tiered cake stand presented at your table, piled high with sandwiches, scones and cakes (booking in advance is recommended for this choice). Seasonal tea-tasting events are a regular feature here, and home-made jams and chutneys, specially packed teas and gifts and books are all on sale. Winner of Top Tea Place 2004. Booking is strongly recommended.
Abcott, Clungunford, Shropshire. SY7 0PX
For more great places to take tea around the country, visit the Tea Council website at www.tea.co.uk
