ANYONE who has spent a night out in Mathew Street in Liverpool centre will know how far removed from 1920s splendour it is.

But take the steps up beyond the red door to the first floor of number 23 and you will feel as though you have not only gone up in the world, but travelled back in time.

The Tea Parlour has been open for 18 months in arguably the city’s most famous street.

Serving up classic afternoon tea, it is a charming setting for a couple of hours away from the hustle and bustle of city life below.

The parlour is open Thursday to Sunday by appointment only and everything is baked on the premises.

But this is no ordinary tea.

To start with, the dining area looks like you have stepped into a National Trust property.

Antique mirrors and ornaments abound and each of the tables comes with candles and crisp tablecloths. This is dining with a quirky style.

Tea itself feels like the main event.

Each diner gets a book containing information on the variety of tea, including where the leaves come from and what to expect when you taste it.

When you have chosen your tea, you then get to pick milk or lemon, and each person gets their own glass teapots to serve from. Indeed, an egg timer is handily placed so you brew to the specifications recommended by the helpful and friendly waitresses.

The food then comes in two courses – the savoury sandwiches followed by the sweet treats.

Flavours are classic. Cream cheese and cucumber, roast beef and horseradish, ham and chutney and egg and cress.

Plenty of filling and enough to put you on before the main event, which is a cake stand full of sweet treats that only the brave could get through them all.

The offerings change regularly but we enjoyed two hot scones each followed by a mix of cakes that included carrot cake, lemon drizzle, chocolate and a lemon tart.

We made a brave attempt to get through them but fear not, a doggy bag of leftovers were provided so we had some for the next day too.

This is a special afternoon out that feels like you are going somewhere important, but with none of the formality that can be suffocating.

And with a new Christmas menu set to be revealed next month, and more opening times during the week, this is a perfect place to escape the hectic pace of 21st century life.