Helmsley (From York Press)

Helmsley

9:03am Saturday 24th April 2010 in

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MIKE LAYCOCK enjoys the best afternoon tea in Britain on a day out in Helmsley.

What and where? Afternoon tea at the Black Swan in Helmsley.

Why? The tearoom at the Black Swan has just beaten off stiff competition to win official recognition by the Tea Guild as the best place in the UK to enjoy afternoon tea. I decided to put it to the taste test during a visit to the Ryedale market town in some glorious spring sunshine last weekend.

Helmsley’s a lovely place, nestling below the North York Moors. We parked easily on a street and had a wander round the craft shops and through the huge market square, where bikers were gathered, as usual, around their gleaming machines. Just minutes from the square lie the ruins of an old castle dating back to 1200 and on the outskirts of town there’s Duncombe Park, a baroque mansion in hundreds of acres of parkland.

The Black Swan is one of several former coaching inns in the town, situated overlooking the square and with bags of atmosphere. The tearoom is in an annexe to the main hotel.

We were ushered to seats near a window looking out on the square and perused the menu. The full afternoon tea served quite adequately as my lunch, involving finger sandwiches of York ham, smoked salmon and cucumber, miniature cakes and patisseries, and some delicious home-made scones with strawberry conserve and clotted cream, and of course a pot of tea. I opted for something unusual from the huge range of teas, lemon verbena, served in a transparent glass teapot and tasting very pleasant. The service was great, of course, and the award seemed well deserved.

How much? Not cheap: full afternoon tea: £14.95.

Contact: Phone 01439 770 466 or go to blackswan-helmsley.co.uk