And it won't be just an ordinary cuppa you'll be enjoying – but an afternoon tradition that elevates you into a world apart from the everyday and hum-drum.

Members of the UK Tea Council's Tea Guild have all been independently and anonymously vetted.

Treat yourself !

Surrey, Kent and Sussex

Haskett's Tea & Coffee Shop

86B South Street

Dorking

Surrey

RH4 2EW

01306 885833

This is a traditional English tearoom with an open kitchen so you can see your food being prepared.

The basement of the Grade II listed building is linked to the old caves underneath Dorking. A 20-foot well was also discovered but this has now been carefully sealed.

You can eat at Haskett's from breakfast to diner, choosing from the likes of a sandwich or warming comfort food such as sausages and mash.

But afternoon tea here is a high spot – order the Cream Tea for £6.85, which comes with two fruit scones, clotted cream, jam and a pot of tea. If you want a bit more then go for The Hasketts Tea – it offers a choice of dainty sandwiches from ham, cheese, tuna and egg and cress, one scone with clotted cream and jam and a pot of tea, for £8.25.

But for those on a new year diet then a simple pot of tea and one of the large tea cakes is very popular for £3.90.

And with 20 different teas to choose from there's an excuse to keep coming back again and again.

Awarded The Tea Guild's Award of Excellence in 2009.

Open Monday to Friday 9.30am – 5pm, Saturday 9am – 5pm and Sunday 10am – 4pm (closed bank holidays).

Food for Thought

19 - 20 The Green

Westerham

TN16 1AX

Phone: 01959 569888

Food for Thought is located on picturesque Westerham Green in the country village of Westerham, Kent, just a few yards from the statue of Sir Winston Churchill and surrounded by historically significant attractions such as Chartwell and Hever Castle.

Combining the qualities of a traditional quaint English village tearoom and brasserie restaurant, all food is freshly made to order, including cakes, scones and pastries using locally sourced products where possible.

Cream Tea is a pot of loose leaf tea served with two home baked scones served with clotted cream and jam. £5.95.

For High Tea a pot of loose leaf tea is served with a deliciously filled sandwich followed by two home baked scones served with clotted cream and jam. £8.95.

Email markandsamwork@yahoo.com.

Ashdown Park Hotel

Wych Cross

Nr Forest Row

East Sussex

RH18 5JR

01342 824988

Ashdown Park has had a colourful past. The house has served as a hospital, a convalescent home for soldiers returning from the First World War, a training house for nuns and an international university. Today it is a luxury hotel surrounded by immaculate lawns, woodland trails, lakes and gardens.

Three drawing rooms provide the setting for afternoon tea and in winter roaring log fires keeps visitors cosy while in summer, a sunny terrace is a perfect setting for an al fresco tea.

Ingredients used here are locally sourced as far as possible and the afternoon tea menu offers five different sandwiches followed by delicious scones and a selection of cakes all artistically presented on a three-tier china cake stand. Luxurious indulgence at £20.50 per person or £37 for two.

Awarded The Tea Guild's Award of Excellence 2008 and in 2009.

Booking recommended, email sales@ashdownpark.com

Buxted Park Hotel

Buxted Park Hotel

Buxted

Uckfield

TN22 4AY

Set in the heart of Sussex and yet only one hour from London and 30 minutes from Gatwick Airport, Buxted Park Hotel is surrounded by more than 300 acres of beautiful parkland where fallow deer roam and the River Uck flows.

This magnificent Georgian Palladian mansion, which dates back to 1722, has played host to the rich and famous for centuries. After entering the eagle topped pillars of Buxted Park you will pass the historic 13th century church before arriving at the handsome and elegant Buxted Park Hotel.

Enjoy afternoon tea in the lounge where fires are lit in winter months or, in the summer, on the terrace which overlooks the grounds and lake.

The Buxted Afternoon Tea is an elegant and traditional affair served with gleaming silverware and fine china and includes deliciously delicate and freshly made finger sandwiches, warm homemade scones with clotted cream and homemade preserves followed by a choice of fruit cakes, ginger cake, pastries and tarts. £14.50.

The Buxted Champagne Afternoon Tea is as above but with a glass of champagne and strawberries. £25.

Phone 0845 072 7412 for further information, to make reservations and to check times.

London

The Park Lane Hotel

The Palm Court Lounge

The Park Lane Hotel

Piccadilly

W1J 7BX

020 7290 7328

The Park Lane Hotel is handily located, within walking distance of many of London's major attractions such as the theatre district and Knightsbridge and Bond Street for shopping.

The Palm Court Lounge is one of the most wonderful settings in London for afternoon tea, with a stunning ceiling and an atmosphere of timeless elegance. The polished service and resident harpist just add to the ambience.

Five set teas are currently offered, The Park Lane Afternoon Tea, £27, The Art Deco Afternoon Tea which includes a glass of champagne, £34, The Chocolate Afternoon Tea, which is an absolute must for all chocolate lovers and includes chocolate champagne, £36, and the wonderfully luxurious Krug Afternoon Tea £130 for two including a bottle of Champagne, smoked salmon and caviar.

The hotel was awarded The Tea Guild's Award of Excellence in 2007 and 2009.

Tea served every day, 3pm – 6pm. Booking strongly recommended especially at weekends. Email palmcourt.parklane@sheraton.com.

The Lanesborough

Hyde Park Corner

Knightsbridge

London

SW1X 7TA

020 7259 5599

This famous interior with its glass conservatory roof and new, strikingly bold, contemporary design offers one of London's most atmospheric, stylish yet comfortable and famously welcoming venues for classic English afternoon tea.

While a pianist plays in the background, guests can enjoy The Lanesborough Afternoon Tea which includes a generous selection of delicate sandwiches, followed by home-made pastries and cakes, and freshly baked scones with clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam. Don't forget to sample The Lanesborough's "signature teatime treat" of homemade lemon curd!

The Lanesborough Tea is £35.

Their Belgravia Afternoon Tea offers a full afternoon tea selection as above but includes a glass of champagne or Kir Royale and fresh strawberries and cream priced at £45 or £50 for Rose champagne.

Guests may also partake of a Gluten and Dairy Free Afternoon Tea Menu at £35 (£45 with strawberries and champagne).

Pushing the boat out? Then go for the Prestige Grand tea with Krug Grand Cuvee at £80.

The Lanesborough is the winner of The Tea Guild's Top London Afternoon Tea 2005 Award and 2008 Award.

It was also awarded The Tea Guild's Award of Excellence 2006, 2007 and 2009.

Booking is essential. Email info@lanesborough.co.uk

The Dorchester

Park Lane

London W1K 1QA

020 7639 8888

Taking Afternoon Tea in The Promenade at The Dorchester has been a tradition for 75 years and the phrase still conjures up sumptuous images of well-mannered staff, delightfully luxurious surroundings, beautifully-prepared delicacies and superb teas served in fragile bone china.

In The Promenade, recently refurbished by the renowned Thierry Despont, you can savour finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and fresh pastries made by the restaurant's patissier, all served with a speciality tea such as China Oolong, Russian Country or the Dorchester's own house blend.

The Dorchester Afternoon Tea comprises of delicious finger sandwiches, freshly baked raisin and plain scones served with homemade seasonal jam and clotted cream and a selection of French pastries all accompanied by tea from The Promenade's tea menu. £34.50.

The Dorchester Champagne Afternoon Tea has the added attraction of a glass of Dorchester Rose champagne or a Rossini cocktail. £44.

Email thepromenade@dorchesterhotel.com

The Goring

Beeston Place

Grosvenor Gardens

SW1W 0JW

020 7396 9000

Opened in 1910 in a quiet street just around the corner from bustling Victoria Station, is the legendary Goring.

The lounge is reminiscent of a private drawing room with its soft, inviting leather armchairs and plush carpets and beyond, a light, airy terrace provides more seating. In warm weather, the terrace has a view of the private garden – the largest of its kind in London.

Awarded The Tea Guild's Award of Excellence 2008 and again last year The Goring's Afternoon tea is served everyday from 3.00pm to 5pm.

The Traditional Goring Tea includes The Goring trifle and is priced at £25.00.

The Bollinger Tea includes strawberries and cream and a glass of Bollinger and is priced at £34.00

Pre-booking is highly recommended, email: reception@goringhotel.co.uk.

THERE are plenty more wonderful hotels which offer afternoon tea in beautiful and grand surroundings, right here on our doorstep.

Although the below suggestions not members of the UK Tea Guild, they nonetheless offer traditional delicious teas.

TEA ON YOUR DOORSTEP

There are plenty more wonderful hotels which offer afternoon tea in beautiful and grand surroundings, right here on our doorstep.

Although the below suggestions not members of the UK Tea Guild, they nonetheless offer traditional delicious teas.

Nutfield Priory Hotel & Spa

Nutfield

RH1 4EL

01737 824400

This country house hotel is set in 12 acres high on Nutfield ridge, allowing breathtaking views of the Surrey and Sussex countryside. Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea, with scones, jam, sandwiches, cakes and a selection of teas on offer, for £16.50 or celebrate with a Champagne tea for £22.95. If you're not quite so hungry then cream teas include fruit scones, clotted cream, preserve, homemade cakes and tea or coffee for £10.50.

Burford Bridge Hotel

A24, Box Hill

Dorking

01306 884561

On a warm day sit on the garden terrace at this hotel at the foot of Box Hill or if it's cold outside stay cosy by the log fire in the lounge.

Afternoon tea includes, sandwiches, scones, cakes and a choice of teas for £15.95 or treat yourself to Champagne tea with all of the above and a glass of bubbly for £21.95.

Woodlands Park Hotel

Woodlands Lane

Stoke D'Abernon

KT11 3QB

0845 072 7581

In these winter months enjoy a mulled wine sorbet as part of the traditional afternoon tea. Start with sandwiches before spreading homemade lemon curd or jam onto your scones and enjoy the varying range of cakes and pastries such as chocolate eclairs or lemon drizzle cake. Choose from regular and fruit teas. £18. Upgrade to a Champagne tea for £26.

Langshott Manor

Ladbroke Road

Horley

RH6 8PB

01293 786680

Langshott Manor served more than 2,000 teas last year as people escaped to the 16th century secluded manor house with its exposed beams, polished oak panelling and three acres of gardens and moat. Take cream tea for £9.50, a full afternoon tea including sandwiches and cakes for £17.50 or Champagne full afternoon tea for £25, with everything homemade on the premises.

Copthorne Hotel London Gatwick

Copthorne Way

Copthorne

West Sussex

RH10 3PG

01342 348800

Take afternoon tea in the library for £11.50, with sandwiches, cakes and scones served on a three-tier cake stand and accompanied by tea or coffee.

Two for tea

Handpicked Hotels is offering afternoon tea for two for £25 at all their hotels, including Nutfield Priory, Woodlands Park and Buxted Park. Available Monday to Thursday until March 31. Add champagne for £8.75 per person. Subject to pre-booking and availability.

Call or email the hotel to book and check the website for more details – www.handpickedhotels.co.uk.

Log on onto www.tea.co.uk for more UK Tea Guild recommended tea venues.

Assume prices are per person unless otherwise stated.