Afternoon Tea at The Grand, York

The Grand is York's only five-star hotel, and its afternoon tea is served at The Rise, its restaurant overlooking the city walls. The Grand Afternoon Tea starts at an indicative £39.50 per person, with sparkling (around £47.50) and Champagne (around £52.50) upgrades, and its five-star setting gives it a sense of occasion that a café can't. It edges ahead of Middlethorpe below on service polish and central location, and undercuts Bettys on entry price, but you give up Bettys' singular heritage and Middlethorpe's gardens for a hotel-restaurant setting. Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and children's teas are available to pre-order at the time of booking, and its position by the station makes it the most convenient landmark tea for anyone arriving by train.