I’m a York girl through & through. Growing up in such a beautiful city, with so much culture, history and landscape is something I am forever grateful for. Ask me where I spent my summers as a teenager, the answer would be York Museum Gardens, that would be anyone’s answer. Where were you guaranteed that everyone would meet before they went for a trawl around town and the resounding answer would be York fountain (I can’t believe that they are demolishing it soon?) and hey, where did I get my first pair of baggy, pink cords. Hello, Forever Changes, DUH. The little emo/punk rock kid in me is squealing inside remembering all those great memories. But the one thing that is synonymous with York, both for those young & old is the iconic Betty’s Tearoom. Every weekend we would see streams of tourists snaking round the building on St.Helen’s Square & it was no different on this foggy Saturday morning. I was asked to come along and sample the Lady Betty’s Afternoon Tea in the Belmont Room & give my verdict on this famous York delicacy.
It’s well & truly Autumn. The nights are drawing in a lot earlier, the leaves are starting to turn and there is a certain chill in the morning air. I’m one of those people that has a love/hate relationship with Autumn. It’s my birthday soon & I love all the celebrations that come in the latter part of the year but the lack of sunshine and daylight is not something that appeases me. There is something good that comes from the cooler months though and it’s the start of a winter wardrobe. It’s kind of like a full refresh of my closet because the big jumpers come out and layers start appearing, there’s things I uncover that I forgot I had.
This was going to be the year my sister & I spoilt our Mum spoilt rotten for her birthday. It passed with the blink of any eye last year with my granddad being in hospital so it was time to celebrate, albeit a year late (& another year older!) So off we pottered in to York on a brisk, January day. We laughed and giggled and pondered wondering how long it would take for us to get in to Betty’s. For those who don’t know this delicate, Yorkshire privilege is that there is normally a trail of winding around the tall, grand windows of Betty’s as far as the eye can see to eat a Fat Rascal or macaroon. But boy, is it worth it! We only queued for 15 minutes or so & once we got inside we were met with warmth and the decadent smell of coffee beans and all things sweet.
We were taken downstairs to another room & immediately my sister & I piped ”I feel like I’m on the Titanic” & it really did feel like we had time travelled back to 1912. The wood panelling and the boozy, dim lights made it feel more intimate than the large room upstairs with tourists staring at you. Of course, upon handed the menu’s we all opted for the afternoon tea. I, of course, went for a glass of champagne (as one does!) And what a feat we had. The delicate little sandwiches were just divine, I could have eaten a mountain of the smoked salmon sandwiches & I think my sister would have joined me in that too. A scone with jam & clotted cream was next on the agenda. By this time I was nearly bursting at the seams but it was my mission to tackle the ”third course” of a selection from the patisserie stand. A fruit tart, a decadent chocolate cake & an almond macaroon, all of which were yummy in their own special way. We sipped team laughed & giggled some more. I felt so happy in that moment spending time with the dearest woman in my life, Mum, Nana & Jessica. We vowed we needed to do this more often!
No visit to Betty’s is complete without having a little wander round the shop upstairs. I was desperate for some chocolate macaroons which were so amazing, they just melt in your mouth. I also, picked up a cute little chocolate heart to take back for Mr C, yes, it may sound cute but of course I made him share it.
Did you have a lovely weekend too? Have you been to Bettys, if so what was your favourite sweet treat?
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