The 200-year-old house in Mill Lane, off High Street, was converted by owner Lara Layton in 2003 and was at first an addition to Mill Farm Nursery – a small hobby nursery renowned for selling perennials and shrubs in bulk.

The popularity of Mill Farm Tea Gardens, as it was named, grew quickly, and now its latest accolade sees it rated alongside other UK Tea Council Tea Guild members, including Betty's of Harrogate and The Ritz and The Dorchester in London.

Lara said: "Mill Farm joined the Tea Guild in order to take advantage of the support available and advertising of guild offers, but as such a small enterprise, I never expected it to be acknowledged so highly in such prestigious company. I'm definitely overwhelmed by this award."

The website describes the premises as offering a "tranquil setting for traditional afternoon teas", and that "customers love the garden and come back to enjoy excellent service, generous proportions and very good tea".

Personal touches are also evident with fresh flowers on each table, ribbon-tied cotton napkins, personalised name cards on reserved tables and even bowls of water for canine companions.