Bettys Tea Rooms in Northallerton serves best afternoon tea in UK

Bettys Café Tea Rooms in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, has been named as the best place in Britain to enjoy afternoon tea, according to the Tea Guild.

The 40-year-old tea rooms - the most northerly of the Yorkshire family firm's six premises - scooped the award for Top Tea Place 2012.

The award was one of three announced by the Tea Guild this week, with the Anthenaeum hotel being named winner of the Top London Afternoon Tea category and Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa in Surrey carrying off the Top City and Country Hotel Tea award.

Bettys was voted into the top spot after gaining a near perfect score from the Tea Guild's inspectors. It was praised for its delightful surroundings, affable and knowledgeable staff and impressive variety of sandwiches, scones and cakes.

Irene Gorman, head of the Tea Guild, said that Bettys offered a truly special tea. "The attention to detail and quality of food - lovingly prepared by their team who strive to ensure, where possible, that all food is sourced locally - is second to none.

Bettys manager Lindsay Judd said the tea rooms were delighted with the honour of winning the award. "We aim to give our customers the very best afternoon tea experience possible and all our staff work tirelessly to make Bettys Café Tea Rooms a great place to relax and enjoy the highest-quality food and tea."

The Athenaeum hotel wins top afternoon tea award for London >>

The Langham hotel wins the Top London Afternoon Tea Award 2010 >>

Tea for two at Cliveden - for £550 >>

By Janet Harmer