Which of these top 12 afternoon tea treats is best in Mid Cheshire?

How do you eat yours?

Salmon and cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off or coronation chicken on sweet brioche?

Miniature chocolate eclairs and chewy macarons or carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and light Victoria sponge cake?

When it comes to afternoon tea there’s so much choice.

Restaurants, coffee shops and garden centres have all got their own take on the British classic and as part of National Afternoon Tea week, which ran between August 7 and August 13, we wanted to know which venue serves the best in Mid Cheshire.

In our Best of 2023 campaign, we’ve given out 17 awards so far in Mid Cheshire for hair, nails and beauty as well as tattoos and independent shops and businesses and many more.

Next up we wanted to find Mid Cheshire’s tastiest afternoon tea treats.

After reading all your nominations, we’ve shortlisted the top 12, who will battle it out to be named Best for Afternoon Tea 2023.

Now we need your help to choose an overall winner from our shortlist.

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of this week’s Mid Cheshire Guardians as the coupons inside count for five votes!

There are three ways to vote:

1. Search for the Best for Afternoon Tea post on our Northwich & Winsford Guardian or Knutsford Guardian Facebook or Twitter pages and comment under the post with the name of your winner = 1 vote

2. Name your favourite in the comments section on this article via our website = 2 votes

3. Purchase a copy of this week’s Northwich & Winsford Guardian or Knutsford Guardian (August 17 edition) and fill in the entry form = 5 votes

(*NB For newspaper entries, email a screenshot of the completed entry form to heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk - please note that only original copies will be accepted. More than one entry can be submitted per person but you will be asked to provide your own unique reference code for each entry to avoid duplication eg if your name is Smith you may wish to write Smith123 or HS21! as your code. You will need to provide a different code for each different entry submitted. For full terms and conditions go to newsquest.co.uk/terms-conditions).

Voting officially opens today, Thursday, and closes at midnight on Monday, August 21.

We will be announcing the winner next week.

Keep an eye out for our next Best Of appeal on our social media pages on Friday.

OUR 12 BEST AFTERNOON TEA SHORTLIST:

Poppy Rose Vintage Tea Rooms, Northwich

A popular nomination with our reader's, this small, independently-run vintage tea room in Witton Street serves a variety of homemade lunches alongside specialty teas and coffees.

Afternoon tea at the Poppy Rose Vintage Tea Room (Image: Poppy Rose Vintage Tea Room)

As well as serving delicious afternoon teas, the tea room also sells a range of homemade scones and cakes.

And the shop upstairs selling clothes, gifts, jewellery, and vintage finds is the perfect place for a browse once you’ve enjoyed your afternoon tea.

For more details go to facebook.com/poppyrosetearoom/

KOI Fusion, Knutsford

Japanese afternoon tea (Image: KOI Fusion)

According to its website, this Japanese restaurant in Princess Street offers 'afternoon tea done differently'.

It adds: "Imagine yourself transported in Japan, sipping green tea seated on low tables as per tradition, with a sky of cherry blossoms above your head… 

"Tasting our sushi chef’s finest inventions through a tasting menu specially made for the occasion."

For more details go to koifusion.co.uk/afternoon-tea/

Vinnie's, Northwich

Afternoon tea at Vinnie's (Image: Vinnie's)

This Market Street café offers 'amazing afternoon teas' which are 'so filling' and are a real hit with hungry customers.

Each day, the café's sandwiches and cakes on the afternoon tea menu are made fresh for customers to enjoy.

For more details go to facebook.com/vinniesnorthwich/

The Tea Room, Knutsford

Famous for having one of the friendliest welcomes in town, The Tea Room in King Street has become a popular destination since it opened in 2018.

The Tea Room offers afternoon teas which customers can experience on the premises or the comfort of their own home with a takeaway option.

Manager of The Tea Room Harriet Henry (Image: The Tea Room)

Even our four-legged furry friends are welcome!

For more details go to facebook.com/knutsfordtearoom/

Davenports Tea Room, Northwich

This popular tea room, found off Warrington Road, in Bartington, has been praised for its 'scones, made from a closely guarded 1930s recipe, its décor, extensive range of loose leaf tea and welcoming staff'.

The traditional tea room takes on the theme of Alice in Wonderland as author Lewis Carroll was born less than three miles away. 

Afternoon tea at Davenports (Image: Davenports Tea Rooms)

It's website says: "Davenports ultimate quest for perfection and attention to detail has always been their aim to create the best afternoon tea."

For more details go to facebook.com/davenportstearoom/

Gardener's Cottage, Tatton Park

On its website, the tea room says: "The Gardener's Cottage is a delightful tea room, nestled between the historic Walled Kitchen Gardens and the Stableyard.

Afternoon tea at the Gardener's Cottage (Image: Tatton Park)

"We're open seasonally, for special events and afternoon teas with a fresh menu using local and estate produce wherever possible."

For more details go to tattonpark.org.uk/stableyard_shopping_and_dining/the-gardeners-cottage.aspx

Vale Royal Abbey, Whitegate

Vale Royal Abbey in Whitegate invites customers to visit for 'a traditional afternoon tea in the delightful setting of the abbey'.

Afternoon tea at Vale Royal Abbey (Image: Vale Royal Abbey)

According to its website, it says: "Our beautiful spacious rooms allow us to create a safe and pleasant environment for you to experience whilst adhering to the current social distancing guidelines."

For more details go to vra.co.uk/afternoon-tea-2/

Goostrey Home and Leisure

According to its website, the Tea Room at Goostrey Home and Leisure is open seven days a week and serves a lovely range of foods, freshly prepared on the premises.

Afternoon tea at in the Tea Room at Goostrey Home and Leisure (Image: Goostrey Home and Leisure)

It adds its 'renowned afternoon tea' is ideal for a celebration. The afternoon teas include 'delicate' sandwiches, warm savouries, individual cakes and scones with clotted cream, beautifully presented on tiered serving stands.

The afternoon tea experience can also be complimented with a bottle of bubbly!

For more details go to goostreyhomeandleisure.co.uk/tea-room

The Gardener's Kitchen Café​ at Arley Hall

A festive afternoon tea at Arley Hall (Image: Arley hall)

Afternoon tea is available in the Gardener's Kitchen Café at Arley Hall.

The café is open daily where its fresh produce, made daily on site, is available.

On offer are sandwiches, salads, hot meals and 'the most delicious' cakes and scones. 

For more details go to arleyhallandgardens.com/eat-shop/the-gardeners-kitchen-cafe-no-page/

Mere Golf Resort & Spa

Afternoon tea at the hotel is served in Browns Restaurant with fresh finger sandwiches, fluffy scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve and an assortment of cakes and pastries.

Afternoon tea at The Mere (Image: Mere Resort & Country Club)

You can add a little sparkle to your afternoon and enjoy a glass of champagne or prosecco and there are vegetarian and vegan options available for the afternoon tea.

For more details go to https://themereresort.co.uk/special-offers/browns-afternoon-tea/themereresort.co.uk/special-offers/browns-afternoon-tea/

The Garden Café and Restaurant​ at the Abbeywood Estate

Visitors to the Garden Café at Abbeywood can enjoy a relaxed dining experience with everything on offer from a a cup of tea with a slice of cake to a three-course meal.

The Garden Café afternoon tea (Image: Abbeywood Estate)

According to its website, it says: "Our ethos is to ensure that our customers can enjoy good quality food in a pleasant environment."

For more details go to https://abbeywoodestate.co.uk/cafe/abbeywoodestate.co.uk/cafe/

Latte' Da Tarporley

An afternoon tea for two can be enjoyed in the heart of Tarporley at Latte' Da, in High Street.

'Dainty' sandwiches are on offer, served on a traditional afternoon tea stand with a salad garnish, Kettle chips and coleslaw.

Latte' Da afternoon tea (Image: Latte' Da)

And for sweet treats, there a selection including scones with Cornish clotted cream and preserves.

For more details go to facebook.com/p/Latte-Da-Tarporley-100063638017055/