Afternoon Tea. Are we being ripped off?

Afternoon tea in establishments including The Ritz and London’s Lanesborough have been slated recently by Which?, who have declared they are among Britain’s most expensive for consumers. 

Even the famous Betty’s Tea Rooms in Yorkshire charge in excess of £30.00 which seems a lot to many of us. So, do these higher end establishments serve a better afternoon tea than the typical town or country tea room?

Joe Ellis, the somewhat controversial reviewer of the Joe Ellis Tea Room Guide website thinks not. His passion is not for the ‘cuppa’ tea itself, but for the tea room: the ambience, the staff friendliness, and the attention to detail of both what is served and the environment. He is also sceptical of the need for Tea Guild endorsement.

There is no doubt that the high end establishments pay attention to detail; but sadly this may well be what we pay the high price for.

Ellis advocates supporting the more traditional tea rooms; painted pretty colours, with lace tablecloths and pretty china; and staff who get to know their customers.

Ellis says ‘ a posh hotel does not automatically make for a better afternoon tea experience; in fact you will be more sure of a hearty welcome and value for money at some of the beautiful little tea rooms around England, that I have visited’

Ellis goes on ‘I realise that many of these high end places have the Tea Guild accreditation, but they have to pay for this so-called privilege each year and this surely bumps up their costs before they start. I have been to many tea rooms including Miss Mollett’s High Class Tea Room in Appledore, the Mad Hatter Tea Room in Margate and Harriet’s of Peterborough where the experience you will receive will allow you a delicious afternoon tea in a friendly and cosy atmosphere.’

Statistics show that 15 traditional English tea rooms are closing down every week, and really need our support to keep going.

An afternoon tea should not need to cost the earth and all the time we keep on paying these extortionate costs, establishments will continue to charge us.

Ellis continues, I have been to Tea Guild establishments and to non Tea Guild establishments, and I can honestly say in many cases, the latter have provided a better experience overall: they may not have the choice in teas, but as the Tea Guild pointed out recently, it is about the handmade pastries as much as the tea itself’.

‘I really don’t think the Tea Guild are living in the real world these days; financial struggles of late determine where we spend our money, and we should be encouraged to support local businesses and enjoy a cost effective and enjoyable experience’.

Joe Ellis’ website is very popular and he receives good feedback on the tea rooms he visits daily. He is also editor of the Time for Tea magazine which can be subscribed to via the site at www.tea-room-guide.org.uk

(EDITOR: My wife and I had afternoon tea at one one London's most exclusive hotel tearooms. My wife's job involves inspecting hygiene standards at a large hospital. Her verdict on the tearoom? "Filthy, dirty and a food safety disaster waiting to happen." Needless to say, we will not be taking tea there again, any time soon.