Would only recommend if you have the spare money and want to try something more classic and atmospheric.

For £45pp you each get; a sausage roll and a scone? (I can't remember what it was exactly), 3 sandwiches, 2 tiny scones with jam and clotted cream, 3 mini cakes. You choose tea from a fairly extensive menu which is refillable, the sandwiches are also refillable. You can box up any leftovers.

The value for money just in terms of food was not worth it. The starter was served cold which was...a choice, was a bog standard sausage roll with the most interesting part being the sauce on top. The sandwiches were fine, nothing to write home about - chicken, egg, and salmon with little embellishments. We were able to choose exactly what sandwiches we wanted more of. The scones were small enough to be eaten in one bite, they were lovely and light - the jam and cream did steal the show with how fresh and noticeably high quality they were. The deserts at the top were not to my tastes so I can't be unbiased, too much on the sweet end then too much on the sour. The tea was served with an extra pot of hot water to allow it to be watered down when it got too bitter and concentrated at the end. The herbal teas were served with lemon on the side.

I believe the atmosphere and illusion of exclusivity is where the price comes from. I had not heard of Betty's before this, but apparently it is a popular location that people will queue a considerable amount of time to eat at. We had the bookable Afternoon Tea which has a separate entrance that is not signposted- we had to ask a member in the store as to where to go. They told us to follow the building round, which we did where there was a doorway leading directly to a staircase that bent round - it did not look like an entrance but we wandered in anyway to find thankfully it was. There is a recieving room where you wait before being taken into the main room which is very posh. There was live piano being played.

Staff service was incredibly friendly and welcoming, they make pleasant conversation and actively try to make your experience as smooth and pleasant as possible. Despite all this our service was quite slow having to wait a while and ask twice for things.

Overall it was a great experience for my limited Afternoon Tea goings, but I would not recommend as it simply wasn't worth the price - seems more of a fad. 

Betty's Tearoom- York, England