Bettys tea rooms and others what is the attraction.

[justasking111]

Just reading on another thread the queues for Bettys are long. What is the attraction that sets Bettys apart from the rest, or are there other hidden gems in the UK which attract a multitude of customers?

I personally think afternoon tea is pretty boring now and overrated .
I live in London but I am from up North and have been to Betty’s in York and Harrogate and I’ve also been lucky enough to of been taken to the Ritz and the Dorchester in London and to be honest it’s not about the tea or sandwiches it’s all about the surroundings .
Let’s be honest the Ritz is always going to be Number One just for the surroundings alone never mind the price and waiting list but Betty’s is also fabulous so it is individual preference.

I agree about the Ritz, that's something else altogether. However I've also had some lovely afternoon teas in much more understated surroundings and I couldn't ever call them boring (unless I had happened to go with someone really boring I guess, and so far I've avoided that ).

Although I have been to Betty's several times and think it's okay (we never plan it, just drop in so not going for an event) I would still rather go there than the Ritz. The Ritz is totally overrated. They fit in so many "shifts" of afternoon tea that you feel you are on a conveyor belt. And the decor is overblown.

The Langham was supposed to have started the concept of afternoon tea, and I believe it is considered one of the best. If you want that quintessential English afternoon tea in a grand hotel thing, perhaps try there.

These days I am happier with a scone and jam at a small tearoom than the palaver of the cake stand and silver tongs.