Pennyhill Park top spot for Afternoon Tea

Taking afternoon tea is a cherished and quintessentially English tradition, which is likely to see even more of a boost this year as the British public celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee .

It might then be worth checking out the Ascot Bar at Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa, in Bagshot, which has just scooped The Tea Guild’s Top City and Country Hotel Tea Award 2012.

Now in their 27th year, The Tea Guild Awards are considered the higest acolades of the afternoon tea industry, with the best tea rooms in Britain competing for the hugely coveted honours.

The Tea Guild’s judges take tea in hotels and tea rooms in London and across Britain to find the finest tea experiences and all visits are anonymous to ensure the results are completely fair and accurate.

Points are awarded for the variety, flavour and knowledge of the teas offered, together with the quality of food, service, décor, ambience, and presentation.

Pennyhill Park was voted into the top spot after it gained a near perfect score from inspectors, who praised it for its smart and elegant surroundings, attentive and efficient service and tasty sandwiches, cakes and scones.

The judges were also very impressed by the choice of teas on offer and the quality of tea served. The judges concluded that: "It was a smooth operation from start to finish. Everyone was made to feel special."

Prices for afternoon tea at Pennyhill Park start at £28. For more information, visit www.www.pennyhillpark.co.uk

Boux Avenue birthday

The lingerie brand belonging to Surrey resident and Dragon's Den star, Theo Paphitis, celebrates it first anniversary this week.

Boux Avenue launched in March 2011 and now has nine stores across the country, including one in The Friary Shopping Centre in Guildford, which opened its doors last November.

The new Spring/Summer collection, modelled by Strictly Come Dancing star Ola Jordan (pictured), features stunning lingerie in soft pastels and candy shades.

To celebrate the birthday, the Guildford store will be offering customers bubbly and sweets, as well as special in-store anniversary offers on Thursday, March 29.

To find out more visit www.bouxavenue.com.

Beauty buy of the week

BB or Blemish Balm creams are one of the hottest skincare trends that we’ve seen for years but they are not the cheapest product around.

Until now, only designer make up brands have offered versions of the BB cream but this spring Superdrug has launched its own product at a fraction of the price of designer versions.

Superdrug’s BB offers SPF15, UVA and UVB filters, 24-hour hydration, antioxidant protection and will also conceal imperfections and enhance skin tone.

With that list of properties it is no wonder that it’s tipped to be one of Superdrug’s biggest launches this year.

Available in two shades, light and medium, the BB cream usually costs £8.99 but will be offered at special introductory price of £6.99 when it launches at Superdrug in Guildford High Street in May.

Matalan lands in Camberley

Fashion and homeware retailer, Matalan, is opening a new branch in Camberley at 8am tomorrow.

The brand new 24,316 sqft plot, at the Park Farm Industrial Estate in Frimley Road, will showcase the company's range of men, women and children's clothing, as well as its vast collection of interior products.

Area manager, Sian Jackson said: "We are delighted to be opening our new store in Camberley and look forward to welcoming our customers to this innovative and surprising new space."

Among the variety of offerings, Matalan’s menswear collections consist of key looks for summer including block colours for high summer, suiting for occasion-wear and relaxed tees and shorts for the festival season, all at affordable prices.

Women can choose from an array of fantastic catwalk trends for spring/summer with a nod to French Riviera style, pastel colours and festival looks.

Shoppers can also treat their home to a style makeover with a variety of collections including nautical style, British heritage and colour pop, while kids can also be treated to a selection of fashionable outfits.

Two new fashion additions for Surrey

THIS Wednesday (March 15) will see two new fashion brands arrive in Surrey.

Since the hugely successful launch of her first collection in London and online, Mary Portas has inundated with requests for the full Pret-A-Portas experience across the country.

Guildford House of Fraser will be one of just four locations to house the new Mary shop and will have its own unique personality and hand-picked team of stylists personally trained by Mary.

(pictured: orange abstract print top £89, metallic leather skirt £199, both Mary Portas at House of Fraser)

The second Mary Portas collection for SS12 is filled with on-trend fashion staples delivering wardrobe solutions that conform to the innovative Mary fashion cocktail.

Jewellery by London duo Tatty Devine and natural beauty products by Cowshed – spa brand of the restigious Soho House Group – join the mix, alongside ongoing collaborations with British brands Clarks and Charnos proving Mary’s commitment to Made in Britain is stronger than ever.

"To all those women who have travelled the length and breadth of the country to come and experience my store in London I wanted to say thank you. From Spring this year, its my turn to come to you, with a new ashion collection for spring and summer that I’m proud of, and you will love," Mary said of the new project.

Secondly Topman has finally made its way to the Belfry Shopping Centre in Redhill.

The 1,900sqft-store will house all the top trends and the store will include an extensive range of shoes, suiting, and accessories for men.

The brand new Topman Grooming range, which includes two Eau de Parfum fragrances and an essential core hair and body range, will also be available at the store.

Denbies produces first English wine for Sainsbury’s

England’s largest vineyard , Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, has landed a deal with Sainsbury's to produce its first English wine for its Taste the Difference range.

To coincide with the iconic events taking place throughout 2012, including the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Denbies' Chief Winemaker John Worontschak has created the English Sparkling Brut 2007.

The 2007 English Sparkling Brut has been produced from the finest grape varieties grown on the estate, the classic ‘champagne’ blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. Made in the traditional method, this sophisticated wine is fresh, elegant and rich with buttery, biscuity notes.

Sainsbury’s resident winemaker, Lucy Clements, who oversaw the production said: "We are delighted to be working with Denbies Wine Estate. They are technically advanced, experienced winemakers who really "get" what we look to offer our customers. We’ve worked together to create a wine that we think our customers will love."

The wine is available from Sainsbury's now, priced £19.99.

Caracoli voted Britain's Best Small Food Shop

Congratulations to Caracoli on Guildford High Street, which has just won the food category in the Telegraph magazine’s Best Small Shops in Britain awards.

Beating off hundreds of other national contenders, the family run business, which is now in its sixth year, was given the accolade for its diverse range of deli offerings.

Rose Prince, Telegraph Magazine food columnist and judge said of Caracoli: "All the strengths of a great deli lie in this year’s winner; there are artisan breads, charcuterie and a range of antipasti that changes constantly with the seasons.

"Wines, well-made coffee, fabulous T2 teas from Australia, pasta and rice plus honey and the shop’s own-made muesli and granola… it sounds like a lot but this is actually a carefully edited shop that truly respects their customers’ right to have the best."

Supported by Mary Portas, Shop! columnist for the magazine, the awards focused on small, independent retailers on Britain’s high streets, voted for by their loyal customers.

Caracoli managing director and co-owner James Nichols said: "Being nominated for the Best Small Shop Awards by our customers was a huge compliment and we waited with bated breath to hear the judge’s final decision.

"To win is a real high point for us and a fantastic accolade to everyone who works hard to make Caracoli what it is. It is confirmation that striving for high quality, delicious food and drink is worth while."

Beauty buy of the week

Bright candy colours dominated the spring/summer 2012 catwalks with pink featuring heavily in designer's collections.

With this in mind hot pink lipstick is back, with celebrities such as Blake Lively and Katy Perry donning the shade recently.

Today MAC has launched a new lipstick in this trendy colour - in conjunction with Ricky Martin and Nicki Minaj, who have teamed up to raise HIV/AIDS awareness among young people around the globe.

The Full RRP (less VAT) of every lipstick sold will go towards helping men, women and kids affected by HIV/AIDS.

VIVA GLAM Nicki Bright yellow pink lipstick: £13.50, available at MAC counters nationwide, including House of Fraser in Guildford High Street.