Which of these top 10 afternoon tea treats is the best in St Helens?

How do you eat yours?

Salmon and cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off or coronation chicken on sweet brioche?

Miniature chocolate eclairs and chewy macaroons or carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and light Victoria sponge cake?

When it comes to afternoon tea there’s so much choice.

Restaurants, coffee shops and garden centres have all got their own take on the British classic and as part of National Afternoon Tea week, which runs between August 12 and August 18, we wanted to know which venue serves the best in St Helens.

In our Best of 2024 campaign, we’ve given out 16 awards so far in St Helens for hair, nails and beauty as well as tattoos and independent shops and businesses and many more.

Next up we wanted to find St Helens’ tastiest afternoon tea treats.

After reading all your nominations, we’ve shortlisted the top 10, who will battle it out to be named Best for Afternoon Tea 2024.

Now we need your help to choose an overall winner from our shortlist.

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of this week’s St Helens Star as the coupons inside count for five votes!

There are three ways to vote:

1. Search for the Best for Afternoon Tea post on our St Helens Star Facebook or X (Twitter) pages and comment under the post with the name of your winner = 1 vote

2. Name your favourite in the comments section on this article via our website = 2 votes

3. Purchase a copy of this week’s St Helens Star (August 15 edition) and fill in the entry form = 5 votes

(*NB For newspaper entries, email a screenshot of the completed entry form to heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk - please note that only original copies will be accepted. More than one entry can be submitted per person but you will be asked to provide your own unique reference code for each entry to avoid duplication eg if your name is Smith you may wish to write Smith123 or HS21! as your code. You will need to provide a different code for each different entry submitted. For full terms and conditions go to newsquest.co.uk/terms-conditions).

Voting officially opens today, Thursday, and closes at midnight on Sunday, August 18.

We will be announcing the winner next week.

Keep an eye out for our next Best of appeal on our social media pages on Friday.

OUR 10 BEST AFTERNOON TEA SHORTLIST:

Lily's Victoria Tearooms

Lily’s Victorian Tea Room, Hall Street, St Helens

One nomination said: “It’s absolutely delicious and 100 per cent the best in St Helens.”

Another said: “Lily’s all the way – the best by far.”

For more details go to facebook.com/LilysVictorianTeaRooms

Park Road Café

Park Road Café, Park Road, St Helens

This is a popular place for anyone who’s hungry and looking for sweet and savoury afternoon treats.

The venue has made several shortlists for this year’s Best of 2024 awards – can they secure the Best for Afternoon Tea honour?

For more details go to facebook.com/PRCSTHELENS

The Cherry Orchard Tearoom

The Cherry Orchard Tearoom, Inglenook Farm, Rainford

One nomination said: “Freshly baked scones and a wonderful place to visit.”

Another said: “Hands down the best by far!”

For more details go to facebook.com/thecherryorchardtearoom

The Courtyard Coffee Shop

The Courtyard Coffee Shop, City Road, St Helens

This coffee shop serves a selection of finger sandwiches, soup, cakes, scone with clotted cream and jam and a choice of either tea, regular coffee or can of soft drink.

A small bottle of prosecco can be added to the afternoon tea to make it sparkling.

For more details go to facebook.com/thecourtyardsthelens

Toast Coffee House

Toast Coffee House, Dentons Green Lane, St Helens

The Dentons Green Lane eatery has people regularly flocking to the quaint site, including Thatto Heath’s own Johnny Vegas who often visits when he’s back in town.

It got several nominations for the Best for Afternoon Tea call out.

For more details, go to facebook.com/yummytoast

Nirvana Coffee Shop

Nirvana Coffee Shop, Lowfield Lane, St Helens

The popular Waterside Village estate is home to Nirvana Coffee Shop, famed for its gigantic milkshakes and delicious food.

It’s made the shortlist and with one view of the profile page, it’s easy to see why.

For more details go to facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057071785463

Mercure Haydock Hotel

Mercure Haydock Hotel, Penny Lane, Haydock

One nomination said: “The Mercure Haydock Hotel does an amazing afternoon tea.”

Another happy customer loved the sparkling prosecco with a cup of tea.

For more details go to facebook.com/mercurehaydockhotel

Alpine Kitchen

Alpine Kitchen, Church Road, Rainford

A regular visitor said: “Alpine Kitchen always uses top quality ingredients – no cheap stuff to fill out the afternoon tea.

“Always delicious.”

Another said: “A lovely place with equally lovely staff.”

For more details go to facebook.com/alpinekitchenrainford

Ceci's Bakery

Ceci’s Bakery, Newton-le-Willows

One nomination said: “If you are looking for afternoon tea delivered to your home then the best I've ever had is Ceci's Newton-le-Willows.”

For more details go to facebook.com/cecissbakery

Eccleston Arms Bar & Grill

Eccleston Arms Bar and Grill, Prescot Road, Eccleston

An afternoon tea at The Eccleston Arms is the perfect way to treat yourself.

With friendly staff and excellent service, you can relax and enjoy freshly prepared sandwiches and cakes each afternoon.

For more details go to facebook.com/EcclestonArmsBarandGrill