Mummy, me and tea

16th March 2009

While she won't say no to flowers and chocolates, taking your Mum for afternoon tea is a treat she'll really look forward to. Alexandra Fullerton finds the best tea rooms around the country where you can both enjoy the ultimate cup of tea on Mothering Sunday. But if you want to discover more perfect places to take tea click here for the Tea Guild's nationwide directory.

Orange Pekoe

Described as a "riverside gem" Orange Pekoe (which was awarded Best Tea Room 2008 by Time Out and an Award of Excellence from the Tea Guild) is a gorgeous tea room set on the River Thames. Surrounded by quirky boutiques, it's the perfect venue for a chic yet chilled out afternoon. Wish for a warm, sunny day then pull up a seat outside before ordering Mother's Day tea (sandwiches, scones, cakes and your choice of tea from over a hundred blends). If you're feeling particularly decadent Orange Pekoe are launching Champagne afternoon tea on Sunday too. Fancy taking the tea-party home? Pick up a packet of the tea room's Mother's Day tea - blended with fresh scented Earl Grey and floral Rose Pouchong - so you can treat your Mum at home too.
Orange Pekoe, 3 White Hart Lane, Barnes, London SW13 0PX. 020 8876 6070.
www.orangepekoeteas.com
 

Peacocks

A previous winner of the Tea Guild's Top Tea award afternoon, taking tea at Peacocks elevates drinking a cuppa to something sublime. If the weather is fine guests can sit outside, surrounded by Spring bulbs. Mums with a craving for chocolate will adore the Chocolate Dream Cream tea (including a chocolate scone, chocolate fudge brownie and Chocolate Imperial tea) but if you fancy something else there are 66 blends of tea to choose from. The tearoom has also caught onto the the trend for tea cocktails with their Peacocktail - mixed from peach schnapps and iced tea. With a huge kitchen newly installed (where owner Rachel Lemkov bakes everything from scratch) along with a freshly 'spruced up' interior, Peacocks is an excellent choice for tea come Mothering Sunday.
Peacocks, 65 Waterside, Ely Cambridgeshire, CB7 4AU. 01353 661 100.
www.peacockstearoom.co.uk
 

Northern Tea Merchants

If your Mum is a tea-a-holic, nothing could be better than a visit to the Northern Tea Merchants - a well established family firm of blenders, tea bag manufacturers and suppliers. For afternoon tea, you can choose from a huge range of excellently-sourced teas, tempting sandwiches and cakes. You can also arrange a behind-the-scenes tour or a tea-tasting session for extra brownie points! Shopping opportunities abound at Northern Tea too: For Mothering Sunday tea baskets containing loose tea or bags alongside beautiful china featuring designs from the Victoria & Albert museum, tea infusers, tea pots or measures are available.
Northern Tea Merchants, Crown House, 193 Chatsworth Road, Brampton, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 2BA. 01246 232 600.
www.northern-tea.com
 

Lock House Tea Rooms

Set in an historic lock keepers' cottage, Lock House Tea Rooms is a great place to take your Mum if she craves traditional home-cooking - with a dose of history on the side. Dating from the 1700s the tearoom has a wealth of period features and a lovely river-side location. The friendly welcome you'll receive at this family-run venue makes afternoon tea a totally relaxing affair and they've been awarded the Tea Guild's Award of Excellence for the past three years running. If you take tea at Lock House on Mothering Sunday, Mums will be offered a special tea, alongside a small present. The tea room doesn't take bookings so do call them before visiting.
Lock House Tea Rooms, Trent Lock, Lock Lane, Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire, NG10 2FY. 0115 972 2288.
 

Bingham

Taking afternoon tea at Bingham is an incredibly elegant experience. A chic hotel, tea is served in the Georgian building's lounge or restaurant - where you can gaze out over perfectly manicured gardens. Teas include Special Earl Gray, Jasmine Gold and Jangpana Darjeeling and a choice of champagne and cocktails. Mothering Sunday tea comprises of a selection of finger sandwiches (honey roast ham and Pommery mustard caught our eye), scones (with Devon clotted cream and handmade preserves), cakes (take your pick from cherry clafoutis, lemon tart, chocolate mousse or Simnel cake) and your choice of tea. If you're in the mood for spoiling her, treat your Mum to an overnight stay and in-room spa treatment for the ultimate indulgence.
61 - 63 Petersham Road, Richmond Upon Thames, Surrey, TW10 6UT. 020 8940 0902.
www.thebingham.co.uk
 

Black Swan Hotel

This landmark hotel dominates Helmsley's bustling market square and, although it's been a coaching inn since the 1750s (the building itself dates back to 1456) the tea room and patisserie only opened in 2007. Restauranteur Marco Pierre White described it as "the jewel in the Yorkshire crown" and "something special". High praise indeed and the selection of 25 teas and delicious cakes definitely live up to the hype. Book classic cream tea on Mothering Sunday with tea, naturally, rose champagne, scones, sandwiches and homemade patisseries or buy the special Mother's Day goodie bag (which includes handmade chocolates, homemade biscuits and the Black Swan's very own blend of loose tea.) 
Black Swan Hotel, Market Place, Helmsley, Yorkshire, YO62 5BJ. 01439 770 466.
www.blackswan-helmsley.co.uk