The best Cornish cream tea

Available throughout the county, a Cornish cream tea is loved by many. The heavenly combination of a scone with jam and clotted cream, in that exact order of course, is a sweet treat to be enjoyed after a walk, or simply as a day out on its own.

With so many cafés and restaurants to choose from in Cornwall, it can be a hard choice to decide where’s best to try a cream tea. We’ve picked some of our favourite Cornish cafés below, where we can assure that you won’t be disappointed.

Fern Pit Café, Newquay

Located on the Pentire headland, overlooking the River Gannel towards Crantock Beach, Fern Pit is one of Newquay’s best places to enjoy a cream tea with a view. Built in the late 19th Century, the tea garden has served for more than 90 years, and is open from 9am until 4pm daily.

Polurrian Bay Hotel, Mullion

Set on the Lizard Peninsula, the hotel is open to non-residents and boasts super views from its terrace. Both the sweet and savoury cream teas are divine, with two scones to enjoy with either traditional jam and cream for the sweet, or Cornish cheese and chutney for the savoury. Served throughout the afternoon, sit back, relax, and take in the wonderful sites of the Lizard.

Dolly’s Tea Room, Falmouth

This vintage tea room can be found in the centre of Falmouth high street, above Falmouth Bookseller. Its unique decor and elevated position above the town provides a peaceful and relaxing place to enjoy a cream tea. Tea is served in ornate bone china teacups, creating a classic vintage experience that isn’t found in many other places in Cornwall.

Woods Café, Cardinham Woods

This is a must-visit Cornish café, loved by the whole team here at Cornish Traditional Cottages. Its cream teas are best enjoyed after a nice walk or bike ride through the woods, providing well-earned refreshments from all the exercise. For anyone who doesn’t have a sweet tooth, the savoury cream tea is also amazing, complete with cream cheese, chutney and Cornish cheddar cheese on the side.

Carnewas Tea Rooms, Bedruthan Steps

Enjoy panoramic sea views across the Atlantic at this tea room perched right on top of the cliffs at Bedruthan Steps, a National Trust destination in north Cornwall. On wet and windy days you can sit inside the building which was once an old mining stable, whilst sunny days can be enjoyed in the tea garden which used to be a horse’s paddock. Their scones are handmade fresh throughout the day, with up to 300 being made each day in high season.

Miss V’s, St Just in Roseland

Once described by a member of the team as a ‘posh shed’, this tea room isn’t your standard café, but it does serve the most delicious homemade scones in a very tranquil setting. Located next to the church car park, you can’t miss it on a visit to the area which is just a few miles from the popular harbour town of St Mawes.

For something a little more extravagant, treat yourself to a full afternoon tea complete with a selection of sandwiches and homemade cakes, and often even a glass of bubbly. In our opinion, the best afternoon teas can be found at Fowey Hall, located in the harbour town of Fowey, or Pentillie Castle, perched on the banks of the River Tamar.