Dorothy Clive Garden gets top marks for tearooms

The historical Dorothy Clive Garden, near Market Drayton, opened in 1940 and staff said they are very pleased to be handed the top mark of five.

It means it meets legal hygiene law requirements to a very good standard.

Tearoom manager Annie Hall said: "We are proud to maintain the high levels of hygiene and cleanliness in the tearoom at the Dorothy Clive Garden.

"I have level three food safety for catering and our team are also trained to a high standard. We keep on track of everything.

"The whole team is excellent. A mark of five is an extremely good mark. It should definitely bring more customers to the gardens and tearooms."

The gardens were opened by Colonel Henry Clive for his wife Dorothy who was ill at the time. Ever since her death in 1942 the gardens have continued to grow and develop.

Up to 30,000 people visit each year and Pat Bunn, another staff member, said hopefully the latest praise for the standard of food served will attract more people.

He said: "All the staff are very pleased as they have worked very hard to achieve the mark. Hopefully this will boost the ratings and business will continue to be a success."

The tearoom serves light lunches including seasonal homemade soup, fresh sandwiches made with local artisan bread, quiche, jacket potatoes and traditional ploughman's.

There is also a selection of three counties cheese, homemade scones with clotted cream and jam as well as cakes such as carrot, chocolate fudge and ginger.

The Dorothy Clive Garden is open every day until September 30 from 10am to 5.30pm.

The garden tearoom is open daily from 11am to 5pm.