We're very proud to say that our sister company Bettys received a prestigious award this week. Bettys in Northallerton (the furthest afield of their six cafe tea rooms) was awarded Top Tea Place by the Tea Guild - beating off competition from all around the country, including London's finest. So it's quite an achievement.

Branch manager Lindsay said: "We’re very proud to be members of the Tea Guild and to be given this Award is a huge honour. We aim to give our customers the very best afternoon tea experience possible and all our staff work tirelessly to make our tea rooms a great place to relax and enjoy the highest quality food and tea. We know just how important it is to get all aspects of afternoon tea exactly right.”

Achieving a virtually perfect score in all 16 different categories of criteria, Bettys Northallerton was judged by the Tea Guild’s expert incognito inspectors to be the best place in the UK to enjoy a proper afternoon of tea. It’s a popular choice too. Last year 165,000 people visited and had a good natter over 54,000 pots of tea.

Lindsay was quick to point out that it was a huge team effort, praising not only the 72 staff at Bettys Northallerton but also the team of bakers and confectioners who create the bread, cakes and specialities at Bettys Craft Bakery in Harrogate every day - and of course, our expert tea buyers here at Taylors of Harrogate who blend their teas.

The judges really were incredibly impressed by everything from the elegant surroundings and exceptionally efficient and knowledgeable staff to the array of deliciously tempting sandwiches, scones, cakes and teas.

It’s not the first time Bettys in Northallerton (which recently celebrated its 40^th anniversary) have won this award as they also received it in 1987. In fact three members of Lindsay’s present staff were working there back then. Bettys tea rooms in Harrogate and Ilkley are also previous winners.

Head of the Tea Guild, Irene Gorman, said: “Bettys Café Tea Rooms in Northallerton offers a truly special tea experience and this award is very well deserved. The very friendly welcome, relaxing and pleasant ambiance helps make afternoon tea at Bettys in Northallerton a real pleasure. It is no wonder that families and groups of friends of all ages truly enjoy the Bettys tea experience.”

Have you ever been to Bettys in Northallerton? Let us know in the comments below!