Moments & Memories Tea Rooms took out one of only three prizes and the only one outside Britain for This England’s Finest Tea Rooms Award.

Owner Lyn Oswald and her partner Ian Griffiths were chuffed to learn of the accolades through the post.

Ms Oswald said they got acknowledgement in the quarterly magazine This England and a Finest Tea Rooms Award certificate recently.

“I thought it was advertising and I was overjoyed really when I found out what it was,” she said.

“We thought it was extra special to end up in an English magazine.”

English couple, Harvey and Thia Wonson, nominated the tea rooms for the quarterly awards after visiting earlier in the year.

“Taking its inspiration from an English cottage tea room this really sounds a thoroughly delicious slice of Englishness down in south-east Australia, and one of our awards is on its way,” This England wrote.

Hailing from Queensland, Ms Oswald opened Moments & Memories Tea Rooms almost six years ago after dining at Beechworth with Mr Griffiths.

She bought the tea rooms in Camp Street within a week of that visit.

“My parents had always encouraged me to open tea rooms but I’d lost them both by that time,” she said.

A wall lined with Agricultural Show Society ribbons for baking and preserves are testament to Ms Oswald’s long-held passion.

With a background in hospitality, Ms Oswald said the secret to a quality high tea was freshly-made sweet and savoury bites.

“We only use home-cooked products; we don’t buy anything in,” she said.

“We’re different to the Hilton and Windsor high teas because we don’t use French pastries, which after two or three sweet pieces you can’t eat anymore.”

Ms Oswald said their speciality high teas must be booked in advance to maintain quality and freshness.

She said high teas comprised sweet and savoury items as well as finger sandwiches.

“We offer iced tea on arrival with dips and crackers for people to enjoy while we plate the high tea fresh,” she said.

“We have more than 60 different varieties of tea, coffee and cold drinks.”

Aside from high tea, Moments & Memories offers Devonshire tea with homemade scones and jam or a pikelet version.

Mr Griffiths said the best feedback was always from their loyal customers from near and far.

“The English tourists say: ‘Oh my God, I’m home!’” he said.