Clipper’s search for Britain's best tea shop continues

Six tea shops have been chosen to compete for the nationwide Clipper Tea Shop Awards 2017

Clipper Teas, the Fairtrade and organic tea brand owned by Wessanen UK, has announced the six category winners in its search for Britain’s best tea shop.

Working in partnership with British TV icon, Kirstie Allsopp, Clipper has chosen a winner from one of six unique categories: Traditional Tea Shop, Quirkiest Tea Shop, Contemporary Tea Shop, Cosiest Tea Shop, Coastal Tea Shop and the Tea Shop that provides the Best Afternoon Tea, who will compete in the prestigious Clipper Tea Shop Awards.

Over the summer venue operators that serve Clipper teas were invited to nominate themselves in a relevant category via a dedicated area on the Clipper website.

Once the nominations were in, each tea shop was thoroughly assessed in terms of overall aesthetic appeal, menu offering and atmosphere.

Kirstie Allsopp explains why each finalist was chosen:

Traditional Tea Shop

Winner: Leadenham Teahouse, Lincolnshire

“This Lincolnshire teahouse captures so perfectly what I believe a quintessential tearoom should be. It is traditional in both its menu and pretty interior which of course is complete with floral bunting and tealights.”

Quirkiest Tea Shop

Winner: Quirky Tea’s, Plymouth

“Quirky Tea’s certainly lives up to its name with its window display of hanging saucers, and the Princess Tea parties on offer! They also sell a wide variety of scrumptious bakes from sponges to scones.”

Contemporary Tea Shop

Winner: Heaven Scent, Perthshire

“Heaven Scent leads the way in providing a unique tea experience. The café itself is a wonderful synthesis of urban and rural, with its modern décor set against the backdrop of a charming countryside village. It even boasts a Secret Garden and a surreptitious door disguised as a fridge!”

Cosiest Tea Shop

Winner: Woods Café, Cornwall

“For the Cosiest category, nestled in Cardinham Woods in Bodmin, Woods Café definitely has the cosiest and snuggest feel. I could just see myself settling down in front of the fire with a scone and a warming cup of Clipper tea on an Autumnal afternoon.”

Coastal Tea Shop

Winner: Rock Pool Café, Cornwall

“I love the Rock Pool Café for its distinctly Cornish feel. They really capture the beauty of the coast in both the décor and in their lovely menu – it’s a fabulous little place to seek refuge after a blustery walk along the coastline.”

The Tea Shop that provides the Best Afternoon Tea

Winner: Dorothy’s, Somerset

“One of my favourite treats is to have is a traditional afternoon cream tea and Dorothy’s was spot on. With quaint sandwiches and scones, served with homemade jam and lashings of clotted cream, it is both mine and Clipper’s chosen tea shop for the Best Afternoon Tea category.”

The category winners will now take part in a public vote to see which tea shop will be crowned the Clipper Best Tea Shop 2017. The winner will be awarded with the Clipper Cup and a cheque for £2000, which will be presented to them during an exclusive visit by Kirstie in October.

All the category winners will be included in the definitive Clipper Tea Guide which will celebrate the UK's best cups of Clipper. As an incentive to vote, consumers will have the chance to win afternoon tea at the winning tea shop with Kirstie Allsopp.

Celebrating the wide variety of tea shops across the nation, ethical tea brand, Clipper, launched the awards earlier this year to champion the great experiences that those in the out-of-home market deliver to customers.