How to find an exceptional afternoon tea

While it can be very busy, a tea at Bettys Tea Room in York is hard to beat. I think it's possible to reserve a time for their more premium Lady Betty afternoon tea service. If you do choose to wait in line, try to see if you can get seated in the main area with windows, otherwise you might end up downstairs, which isn't quite as nice.

I don’t know what the tea is like but be sure to visit >http://www.abbeyhousegardens.co.uk in Malmesbury

Chester Cathedral for a great setting. Chester Grosvenor Hotel for the best hotel afternoon tea or Mad Hatters for a great cafe.

The National Trust tend to offer good tea and scones/cakes if you are near any of their properties.

Betty's in York. Not far away is Betty's in Harrogate.

We did not have the full afternoon tea at Betty's in York --just cream tea with dessert. The dessert was fabulous-butterscotch was involved. We were seated on the main floor and did not reserve ahead. Parking in York could be a challenge.

There are two Betty's in York. The one on the corner with the gold and white signage and large bright bakery section is the crowded and busy one. The other one, in an older creaky shop on one of the older narrow shopping streets is more interesting, with dining upstairs. That's the one we went to, and enjoyed very much. (edit) the one on the corner is the one that the tourist map, and locals you ask, will likely guide you to, so look hard for the other one.

Thank you Emma for the descriptions of the different teas, I did wonder, and to Jennifer about the National Trust properties. We are members and will likely be at a good many of their places.

Thanks Stan. That info is really helpful.

Re 'Little Betty's' on Stonegate in York, Stan is right on the money.

There are two Betty's in Harrogate, the main one on Parliament Street and another attached to the Harlow Carr Gardens on the outskirts of Harrogate (which is not that far). The gardens give you a chance to walk off the after effects of a 'Fat Rascal'. There are other branches of Betty's in Northallerton and also in Ilkley, this latter being nearest to me, is our usual 'go to' branch.

In Windermere, I would avoid the Main Street cafes and check out the hotels in Bowness on the lake shore. There are a couple of good places further up the lake in Ambleside if memory serves. But - be warned! Windermere, Bowness and Ambleside are for many folk, especially those on coach trips, THE Lake District and are always busy. If you have a car a little exploration further afield might pay dividends - an Internet search might be of use!

Llanberis is something of a walking and climbing centre so afternoon tea opportunities might be at a premium. Should be plenty of honest, if calorific, alternative stodge on offer in the walkers and climbers haunts though (it's been a while since I've been there!). Again the bigger hotels in the locale might be best option for a proper 'sit down' afternoon tea. The walkers cafes will probably allow you to drip on the floor if the weather is inclement though!

Hope you have a great trip!

Ian

Thanks Ian for your thoughts on both the Lake District and Wales. We will be doing a lot of walking everywhere and have had some suggestions for walkers pubs in both districts. We have been warned about the "touristy" areas of the Lake District (even by Rick!) but by then we had already booked our cottage. We do have a car though, so can do as you say and go farther afield for most things.

Actually I prefer the original Betty's in the centre of Harrogate. I think the atmosphere is special as is the history. Who would have thought that the best Tea around is served by Swiss ladies?

The Harlow Carr location is fab on a beautiful summer day when the wind is low and the rain clouds miles away. Yum. View. Yum. View. What's not to love?

Hi Gwen - if you've got a cottage in the Lakes, head for the hills to get away from the crowds if you plan to walk! Should be easy enough to find a path that you can access the fells from without using the car. Consult Alfred Wainwrights's 'Pictorial Guides to the Lake District'. Mini works of art, there are seven of them and one (Central Fells?) will be applicable to where you are staying. An eighth, 'Outlying Fells' covers smaller, less ferocious, climbs on the fringes of the larger fells.

Have great trip!

Ian

PS. And if you can map read, the Ordnance Survey maps of the area, (one of the UKs treasures in my humble opinion) are just about the first thing you should take with you.