Last year the British drank an average of 3 cups of tea a day, a total of 60 billion cups a year. It's a national obsession, says the AA, who see weekend weather bringing out people in droves looking for a pleasant drive out - and a nice cup of tea.

"The British have been supping tea for the last 400 years, and whatever the occasion, wedding, wake or just a gossip with a friend, a cuppa is still Britain's first choice of refreshment," says Jackie Bates, editor of a new tea guide.

The guide, 'Britain's Best Afternoon Tea' is published this week by the AA and coincides with the announcement of The Tea Council's Tea Guild's awards for the best places for afternoon tea.

The new guide features over 200 places, ranging from country hotels, famous city venues, cosy tea rooms and tea shops, throughout England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Channel Islands.

This year's awards were won by The Ritz (Top London Afternoon Tea Award), Cliveden in Taplow, Buckinghamshire (Top Country House Tea Award) and Bird on the Rock in Ludlow, Shropshire (Top Tea Place of the Year).

"More and more establishments - from the grand hotels to the local tea shop are recognising the potential in afternoon tea and are serving up excellent fare," says Jackie Bates. "Afternoon tea is perfect for business meetings, an unusual and sophisticated hen party, treating your mum or granny or just a break from shopping. You can indulge yourself with delicate sandwiches and beautiful pastries at a top London hotel or country house, and experience stylish exclusive surroundings for a fraction of what an overnight stay would cost."

Each establishment's entry features a description and information about facilities, such as if there is outside eating, whether there is a pianist, if dogs and children are welcome. There are details of available teas, set teas and other food, whether own brand jam is sold and if the establishment has a recipe book. Each county section opens with information about 'local specialities', and some walks are included.

Most of the shops featured are members of The Tea Guild, part of The Tea Council, who inspects its members and has annual awards for 'Top Tea Places'. The hotels featured all belong to the AA Hotel Scheme.

As well as the history of tea and its traditions, the guide gives advice on what to use in order to get the best cup of tea:

• Use a porcelain, bone china, glazed stoneware, unglazed Chinese red earthenware, silver or glass pot. All other materials may taint the tea or emit undesirable substances into the infusion.
• Use a bone china or porcelain cup, both will keep the tea hot longest.
• Take care in choosing the shape of the cup: a wide top allows the tea to cool faster while taller, narrower shapes are excellent to pipe the aroma of the tea.

Other interesting s(n)ippets

Of the 60 billion cups of tea drank a year, 95% were made with tea bags and 5% with loose tea, out of a possible 1500 varieties. 98% of the population drink their tea with milk, which means that 25% of milk consumed in the UK is taken with tea.