Put the kettle on.

This week is Afternoon Tea week.

Now we're not even going to enter into the jam or cream first debate or even milk before or after the tea* but we do heartily recommend a slice of Wensleydale cheese to go with your slab of fruitcake and a lovely pot of Yorkshire tea to help you recover from a long walk.  Amy and family are leaders of the coffee and cake brigade and are well versed in finding hidden gems and know just which puds and fancies are best to choose.

A café or tea room is a vital part of most sites and the pot of tea can make or break a visit, indeed last year there was an almighty row when the National Trust began giving their menus a healthy make over by reducing sugar content, starting with the flapjack!   

In our corner of the world I don't think we're so bothered by the sugar content but names - well there's a can of worms you don't want to be opening, last year a café in Whitby hit the headlines when they were threatened with legal action over the name of their scones, now called Whitby Fatties!

The North York Moors National Park are using our love of cake and are asking visitors to vote for their favourites, they even have a helpful map of where to go and what delights you'll find, along with a few helpful suggestions of activities to help use up all those additional calories! They say:

There are plenty of ways to eat cake...

...but only one place to do it – the North York Moors! (No arguments there - Ed!)

With baking traditions, tight-lipped generational secrets and skilled bakers, we have some of the best baked produce in the country.

Britain’s ‘Capital of Cake’ has an incredible number of unique and beautiful places where you can enjoy a slice or two of the nation’s favourite tasty treat. Whether you’re a walker, cyclist, holidaymaker or foodie, you’re invited to tuck in to delicious confections, local bakes, classic cakes and regional specialties.

Teashops in tranquil villages, working farms and walled gardens, afternoon tea overlooking the coast or at historic abbeys, not to mention hotels, delis, cafés and bakeries – all put cake centre stage in the North York Moors.

And The National Trust has a range of walks all with cafes at some point on the route: National Trust Coastal walks with cafés

What could be better than combining a refreshing walk by the sea with a tasty tea-room treat? We’ve chosen some inspiring coastal walks featuring cafés where you can fuel up before you hit the trail, make a pit stop along the way or rest your tired legs.  Enjoy a freshly baked scone or a reviving cuppa, warm your cockles with a hot soup or taste locally sourced and seasonal produce. Our seaside cafés are also great place to take in inspiring sea views and discover more about our coastal heritage.

 

*This one has actually been settled and of course it's milk after tea, a YouGov poll has shown that only 20% pour the milk first; they've also asked about the preferred colour of your tea and favoured brands, Yorkshire tea coming out on top of that one - as is only right! Even Gladiator himself(Russel Crowe) is a fan and takes his personalised Yorkshire Tea with him read more.