Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms - St Helen's Square, York

Yorkshire is a beautiful place to visit, but no trip is complete without popping into Bettys for a gourmet coffee over brunch, a hearty lunch, or, even better, a thoroughly traditional afternoon tea with all the trimmings.

Since this family business was founded in 1919, the six café tearooms have become known for their intimate atmosphere, excellent hospitality, charming decor and wonderful food. More than 90 years later, there's still a continued committal to doing things beautifully. The Craft Bakery in Harrogate supplies fresh bread, cakes, pastries and other treats every day - a testament to Bettys' devotion to the preservation of craftsmanship. And, because of the Bettys belief that service is a craft too, no matter which venue you visit, you're guaranteed to be impressed. Bettys is still a family business, and all staff members continue to stay true to the ideologies around which the business is built: that everything should be 'fresh and dainty', and that 'if we want things just right, we have to do them ourselves'. And they are certainly getting things right.

Bettys' commitment to staying small means that lucky Yorkshire locals and visitors can enjoy a very special experience. Bettys even has its own cookery school - perfect for budding bakers. For the latest course calendar, telephone 01423 814016 or visit www.bettyscookeryschool.co.uk. And, wherever you are in the world, you can treat yourself or a loved one to a slice of the magic; Bettys by Post is at your service at www.bettys.co.uk or on 0800 456 1919