When you’re asked what the most iconic cuisine of Cornwall is you’ll usually say pasties, seafood and Cream Tea’s! A proper Cornish Cream Tea is absolutely delicious, homemade scones, locally sourced jam and of course Rodda’s clotted cream. Or perhaps you rather a savoury option with strong cheese and chutney? We asked our loyal social media following for suggestions of the best places to get one, and they did not disappoint. Keep reading to find out…and don’t forget…JAM FIRST!
*Photo courtesy of The Woods Cafe website
Trelissick, Hayle
Trelissick is a welcoming country house and garden set in an estate with stunning maritime views and lovely woodland walks. Crofters café on the estate offers the perfect location for refreshment or a well-earned bite to eat. They open for you to enjoy their expertly made coffee, or choose from the wide selection of teas and other refreshments. Their cream teas with proper Cornish clotted cream and a dollop of jam will satisfy any sweet tooth!
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trelissick/features/eating-at-trelissick
The Waymarker, Falmouth
No visit to Cornwall is complete without a traditional Cornish Cream Tea and The Waymarker’s is one of the best. They were crowned champion of “Truly Cornish Clotted Cream Tea” category at the CHOOSE CORNISH food and drink awards of 2014. All their scones are homemade on their premises and uniquely shaped in a square. Their cream tea is issued with two scones per person, a ramekin serving of Rodda’s clotted cream and ramekin portion of Boddington’s Strawberry Jam of Mevagissey!
https://thewaymarker.co.uk/
Lower Barns, St Austell
Why not go one further and have a Cream Tea Wedding! It’s no stress or fuss, just rock up for your two day party. The wedding days start with a hearty breakfast served in the dining room, before getting ready for your wedding ceremony. Afterwards there will be plenty of time to capture your day with the camera, before your Cream Tea Party in the Garden Suite, the garden or The Shack!
https://lowerbarnswedding.co.uk/cream-tea-weddings
Mevagissey Bay Hotel, Mevagissey
Mevagissey Bay Hotel believe they have probably the best hotel location in the Mevagissey Bay area; the views are second to none and they are perfectly placed to take advantage of the amazing South West Coastal Footpath. The perfect combination! What’s even better is on sunny days you can head to the outside deck for a drink or cream tea, no matter what the time.
https://www.mevagisseybayhotel.co.uk/
Fowey Hotel, Fowey
Fowey Hotel is a coastal manor, perched just above the estuary with everything you could need for a family holiday on-site – welcome to family holiday heaven. On warmer days dining tables spill out onto the terrace for alfresco meals and afternoon cream teas that we’re told are really delicious! You can even opt for a sparkling version, accompanied by Camel Valley Brut.
https://www.foweyhallhotel.co.uk/
Pentillie Castle, St Mellion
Afternoon teas are offered every Sunday, Monday or Thursday subject to availability in the castle at Pentillie. It includes a selection of homemade sandwiches, savoury treats (e.g salmon rillettes on wholemeal toasts) cakes and scones, not to mention the chef’s specials (currently orange and dark chocolate eclairs) served with freshly made tea or coffee. It is £19.50 per person (min. 2 people) or £26 per person to include a glass of Prosecco!
https://www.pentillie.co.uk/
Rectory Tearooms, Bude
The Rectory is located in the small rural parish of Morwenstow, overlooking the rugged coastline of North Cornwall. This Award Winning Tea Room provides not only cream teas, but a varied menu using locally sourced produce where possible, with nearly all food homemade on premises, specializing in; homemade scones, cakes, Cornish clotted cream, chutneys and jams!
https://www.rectory-tearooms.co.uk/
The Woods Café, Cardinham
The Woods Café serves hearty homemade food championing Cornwall’s amazing produce. Their cream teas are one of the best in Cornwall, freshly baked scones served warm from the oven with Boddingtons strawberry jam and plenty of thick Clotted cream, served with a pot of Cornish grown Tregothnan tea. There is no better way to spend an afternoon, especially after a long walk through the woods on a sunny day.
https://www.woodscafe.co.uk/
Dolly’s Team Room and Wine Bar
Dolly’s is tea room, wine house and gin palace in the centre of Falmouth. Opened in 2011, it occupies perhaps the most beautiful Georgian room in town. During the day, Dolly’s is a traditional tea room serving illy coffee, teapigs, flowering exotic teas, cream teas and homemade cakes. By evening, Dolly’s transforms into a candlelit bar serving delicious tapas, and wines by the glass, jug and bottle and a huge collection of gins. Cocktails are served in teapots and poured into vintage cups, with ice cubes in sugar bowls.
https://www.dollysbar.co.uk/
Rosemergy Barn, West Penwith
Should you find yourself on the beautiful North Cornish coast midway between St. Ives and St. Just, anytime between lunch and dinner, what could be more appealing than a traditional farmhouse Cornish Cream Tea? With stunning sea views onto the Atlantic Ocean and the North Cornish moors, the tea garden at Rosemergy is a secluded welcoming oasis. This family-run tea room offers entirely homemade aga-baked cakes and scones, baked throughout the day, and served from lunchtime until 5:30 in the comfort of their spacious dining room or in their lovely garden.
https://www.rosemergy.com/creamteas.php
