Bettys York

Back in 1919, Frederick Belmont used the interior designers and craftsmen who worked on the ocean liner Queen Mary to create the original Harrogate branch of this most stylish of Yorkshire’s traditional tea rooms. These days, there are offshoots of Bettys across the county, although standards remain scrupulous and the original ethos still applies – whatever the location. The original idea was to sell only homemade produce, and the bakery now delivers countless different lines, including cakes, breads, scones and muffins. During the day speciality teas and coffees complement all-day fry-ups, Yorkshire rarebits, sausages with rösti, omelettes and salads – plus legendary afternoon teas loaded with sandwiches, Yorkshire fat rascals, fruit loaves and traditional patisserie. Queues are de rigueur, but persevere because Bettys is required visiting for anyone who wants to sample an English tradition that has all but vanished.