****EMBARGOED UNTIL NOON WEDNESDAY 19 APRIL 2006****

CLARIDGE’S NAMED AS LONDON’S TOP TEA PLACE

Today, The UK Tea Council announces that Claridge’s has scooped the Tea Guild’s coveted Top London Afternoon Tea 2006 award.

The Dorchester, The Four Seasons and The Wolseley were all amongst those eagerly competing for the Top London Afternoon Tea award in these Oscars of the tea world. In fact as the overall standard in this year’s London competition was so high, and for the first time ever, The UK Tea Council has awarded special Awards of Excellence to The Four Seasons, The Lanesborough, The Savoy and The Milestone in recognition of their achievements.

The awards come at a time when the popularity of afternoon tea is growing rapidly, with a recent survey of London Tea Guild members showing how 80% had noticed a significant increase in demand for afternoon tea.

The Top Tea awards, run by The UK Tea Council’s Tea Guild, are in their 21st anniversary year. A team of dedicated mystery tea inspectors from The Tea Guild secretly visited tea venues and hotels across the UK to find the best afternoon tea experience, testing them on 17 criteria ranging from décor and crockery to the variety of teas available. Claridge’s will be joined by Hazelmere Café & Bakery in Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria who will be crowned Top Afternoon Tea 2006 in the national award on 21 April 2006.

The staff at Claridge’s impressed the judges with their excellent tea knowledge and attentive manner. The quality of the tea and the “deliciously delicate” selection of accompanying cakes, pastries and sandwiches were key to their success.

Irene Gorman of The Tea Guild comments: “Afternoon tea amid the elegant and stylish surroundings of Claridge’s is a glorious treat. Nothing was too much trouble for the attentive staff. The tea was bright and golden, and a comprehensive selection ensured there was something to suit everyone’s tastes. The pianist and violinist helped to create a relaxing mood, and the grand setting ensured a truly memorable experience.”

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Notes to editors

  • The Tea Guild is part of The UK Tea Council which is a non-profit making, independent organisation dedicated to raising the profile of tea in the UK.
  • 38 establishments around the UK will also receive Awards of Excellence – for a full list of for details of winners please contact us.
  • Previous winners of the Top London Afternoon Tea award include The Lanesborough (2005) & The Ritz (2004).
  • Previous winners of the Top Afternoon Tea award include Ollerton Watermill Tea Shop in Nottinghamshire (2005) & Bird on the Rock Tea Room in Shropshire (2004).
  • The AA & Tea Council’s 'Britain's Best Afternoon Tea' guide is available from all good bookshops or online at and and costs £9.99.

For more information or to request images please contact: Lucy Egerton on 020 7808 9737 or Lucy Lott on 020 7808 9743