A Taste for Tea
A stand filled with the most delicate finger sandwiches, fresh cream filled patisseries and the lightest of homemade scones takes centre stage. This is the quaint essential experience of afternoon tea at the Black Swan Tearoom & Patisserie.
The Black Swan Tea Room, Helmsley, North Yorkshire, has been buzzing since it opened nearly three years ago. During its short life, the tea room has been adopted into the prestigious Tea Guild, joining the likes of the Ritz and Tea at Liberty. It has also been awarded the highest accolade in the tea world – being named the UK Tea Council’s Top Tea Room – and has become known for it’s top quality teas from around the world.
Alison Souter, Tea Room Manager at the Black Swan, believes that the success of the tearoom goes much further than selecting some of the best teas – it’s in everything that they do.
She describes: “It’s a venue, an event and an occasion. I see the tearoom as a little stool with three legs: quality, service and food. Without any one of those it wouldn’t be as successful as it is.”
The Black Swan maintains a mix of quirkiness and an air of exclusivity which everyone can enjoy. “Every tea room has to have its own personality. I think ours is a bit rustic and quirky, which I think makes it that bit more accessible.”
“If you went to London you would go to the Ritz, and if you’re in Helmsley, you would come to the Black Swan.”
This simplicity and underlying quality that is reflected through out the tearoom, whether it be through the white Wedgewood tableware or the cosy cottage interior. It is the ultimate experience, which ought to be savoured.
Alison says: “I don’t want people to come here and feel rushed, as though they have to leave within half an hour of arriving. It’s about enjoying the experience.”
This is one of the reasons, Alison argues, why afternoon tea has seen a strong resurgence during more difficult economic times.
“I don’t know whether it is something more recessionary… as people become more reflective they realise that they want to enjoy and savour things more . So something like an afternoon tea, which is presented so daintily, is perfect.”
“But all together, it’s a British tradition to go home at the end of the day and put the kettle on. It just seems to make all the stresses of the day go away.”
The Black Swan Tea Room will keep building on its success until it “becomes known for its quality and service” and so successful that it becomes “synonymous” with what they do: “If you went to London you would go to the Ritz, and if you’re in Helmsley, you would come to the Black Swan.”