10 best Cornish cream teas
Jam first or cream?! Who cares, when the Cornish cream teas we’ve rounded up are so delicious. From traditional cream teas served with views of the ocean to scones accompanied by glamorous tiers of sweet treats, you don’t have to go far in Cornwall to find a Cornish cream tea to suit you. Here are a few of our favourites.
Champagne cream tea at The Scarlet, Mawgan Porth
Eco-chic hotel the Scarlet offers a traditional cream tea with a playful twist in gorgeous surroundings. Bag an ocean-view table or sit out on the terrace if the weather allows. Take your time over rhubarb-and-custard macarons and lemon posset with plum, elderflower and hazelnut, as well as delicately prepared finger sandwiches, scones served with rich jam and lashings of Cornish clotted cream. Wash it all down with a glass of fizz, and lots of tea, of course. Available to book from 1 November.
Surfer’s cream tea at Godrevy Beach Cafe, Hayle
A stone’s throw from Gwithian, one of the most beautiful and best surfing beaches in Cornwall, is Godrevy Beach Cafe. Hunker down here after riding the epic Atlantic breakers, visiting Godrevy lighthouse (of Virginia Woolf fame) or discovering the seal colony nestled in the secluded nearby cove. Run by the National Trust, the cafe prides itself on fresh, wholesome and hearty contemporary food, including cream teas with homemade scones.
Cream tea in a castle at Pentillie, St Mellion
Wander Pentillie’s historic woodland gardens before giving yourself a delicious winter treat in the grand castle dining room overlooking the River Tamar. Enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches, savoury and sweet treats, cake and warm scones with lashings of Cornish clotted cream and strawberry jam, and plenty of tea and coffee. Add a celebratory glass of prosecco or a large Trevethan gin and tonic. Available to book from 1 November.
Cyclist’s cream tea at The Camel Trail Tea Garden, near Bodmin
Get on your bike and pedal away to the Camel Trail Tea Garden. Situated halfway between Wadebridge and Bodmin on Cornwall’s most popular cycle route, the Camel Trail, it’s set in a beautiful apple orchard with terraced areas. Homemade, oven-fresh scones come with lashings of locally sourced clotted cream and strawberry jam – the perfect pitstop for families, cyclists and walkers.
Festive cream tea at the Royal Duchy, Falmouth
After browsing Falmouth’s independent shops and galleries, head to one of the harbour town’s first hotels for a traditional cream tea with a festive twist. Established in 1893, the Royal Duchy offers a place to escape Falmouth’s hustle and bustle. Relax in the luxurious lounge with a selection of Christmas-themed finger sandwiches, homemade scones, mince pies and cakes, all served up with stunning sea views. Available daily from 1 December.
Gardener’s cream tea at Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, Lostwithiel
A haven for gardeners and those in search of a tranquil place to relax, the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery at Lostwithiel serves up a splendid cream tea for when you’ve finished browsing its selection of familiar and unusual varieties of garden and indoor plants. Located on the Duchy estate and looking out on to Restormel Castle, sample a wealth of homemade local delights, from Boddington’s Berries jam and clotted cream from the neighbouring Trewithen Dairy.
Contemporary cream tea at the Twisted Currant, Porthleven
If you prefer your cream tea served in contemporary, doily-free surroundings, head to the Twisted Currant. Bright, modern and cosy, this dog-friendly tea room offers a variety of very reasonably priced cream teas made with locally sourced ingredients, such as Rodda’s clotted cream and Boddington’s strawberry jam, all washed down with one of Tregothnan’s delicious teas grown in Cornwall. Chocoholics will love the Chocolate Cream Tea with chocolate chip scones, Cadbury’s chocolate spread and clotted cream. Those who prefer their savouries should try the Gentlemen’s Cream Tea (cheese scones, Philadelphia cream cheese and red onion relish). Book a table or take away your cream tea to enjoy on the harbour or back in your Cornish holiday cottage.
Cream tea in Cardinham woods, Woods Cafe, Bodmin
Dog friendly, with roaring log fires inside and lots of seating outside if you’re with children, Woods Café is smack bang in the middle of the beautiful Cardinham Woods near Bodmin. This cute cottage is straight out of a fairytale – you half expect the Three Bears to pop in. Cream teas come with freshly baked scones served with a pot of Cornish Tregothnan tea.
Romantic cream tea, Mullion Cove Hotel, the Lizard
Share a luxurious cream tea with your beloved at the romantic Mullion Cove hotel, while gazing out over the dramatic sea view. Enjoy crashing waves, soaring seabirds and an ever-changing sky over plain and fruit scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam.
Cream ‘G and tea’ at Trevallick’s, Pensilva
Tea is the traditional accompaniment to scones, clotted cream and jam, but since you’re on holiday, why not try it with a gin? Trevallick’s gin taster afternoon tea includes a gorgeous stack of sarnies, scones and cakes as well as four Cornish gins to sample. You can also purchase your favourite gin with a 10% discount on the day.