A real Cornish cream tea is made by placing the jam on the scone before the clotted cream. The reason? The cream melted on scones that came hot from the oven. A scone is something that should be freshly baked, preferably in a farmhouse Aga, and with a light hand on the baking powder. Unfortunately, there are many cream tea shops cutting corners, especially in holiday resorts.
Here are the best places for a traditional Cornish cream tea, chosen for the freshness of their scones, the quality of the jams and the beauty of their location. For more Cornwall inspiration, check out our guides to the best hotels, restaurants, beaches, nightlife, things to do in the region and how to plan the perfect holiday.
West Cornwall
Rosemergy farm, Morva
Jane Holmes bakes delicious scones on demand in her Aga. Two crispy scones, a generous dose of cream and jam are served with tea or – if necessary – coffee, hot chocolate and juice. There are tables in the pretty walled garden overlooking the sea and in the farmhouse kitchen on wet days. Burn off the calories by taking an easy walk through the fields to the coastal path, where you can watch novice climbers attempt to scale the smooth, pale granite of the Bosigran sea cliff, one of Britain’s most popular climbs.
Top Treat: The rich and moist carrot cake.
Contact: rosemergy.com
Prices: £
Trengwainton Tearooms, Penzance
This tearoom is set in a sunny walled garden next to the National Trust’s beautiful subtropical garden at Trengwainton and there is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Scones are made on site and are available in plain, fruit, cheese or gluten-free varieties and there is a choice of three types of jam. The bright chalet-style café also serves light lunches, a wide choice of cakes and a picnic box for children. The tearoom is accessible without entrance to the garden.
Top Treat: A bone-shaped chicken and cheese scone for dogs.
Contact: nationaltrust.org.uk
Prices: ££
Lamorna pottery, Lamorna
Located in a leafy dell, this centuries-old pottery factory has a good reputation for its traditional cream tea. Scones are light with a hint of salty and sweet and served with local clotted cream and award-winning cherry tree preserves in the bright conservatory or outside on the lawn. Light lunches, homemade soups and delicious cakes are also available. In addition to the pottery’s own pottery, the house also features a fine selection of handicrafts from local makers.
Top Treat: A slice of cardamom-almond cake.
Contact: lamornapottery.nl
Prices: £
Wavecrest, the lizard
This beautiful wooden chalet with all-round sea views on Lizard Point has been serving afternoon tea since the 1930s. Scones are baked on site: a perfect combination of crispy top and light center. You can eat indoors or outdoors at tables just yards from the cliffs where rare Cornish jackdaws swirl in the thermals. Homemade cakes, sundaes and good lunches are also served and the café has a full liquor licence.
Top Treat: A glass of Prosecco with high tea.
Contact: wavecrestcornwall.co.uk
Prices: £
North Cornwall
Rectory Farm, Morwenstow
It’s worth making a special trip to this medieval farmhouse in the far north of Cornwall, which has been serving Cornish cream tea for 70 years. Baking takes place in the original farmhouse kitchen and is served on vintage china in the reception rooms or outside on the lawn. As befits a perfectly baked scone, there is a choice of homemade jams and specially blended loose teas, including lapsang souchong, Earl Grey, oolong and white peony. Take a look at the neighboring Norman Church of St John the Baptist and walk to the cliffs from where you can see Lundy Island on a nice day.
Top Treat: A full afternoon tea with quiche, sandwiches, homemade cookies, scones and meringues.
Contact: parsonage-tearooms.co.uk
Prices: £-£££
Trevathan, St Endellion
This strawberry farm near Port Isaac is a firm favorite with families as there is plenty of lawn outside for children to enjoy, including a play area with swings and climbing frames. The large, purpose-built farm shop and café sells all the ingredients for a delicious cream tea to eat indoors or outdoors. The strawberry jam is homemade with the farm’s own fruit. There is also a good choice of gluten-free scones and cakes, as well as a full lunch menu.
Top Treat: The fruit scones may not be real, but they are delicious.
Contact: trevathanfarm.com
Prices: £
St Mawgan Shops, St Mawgan-in-Pydar
Tucked away in the pretty village of St Mawgan, in the cottage garden of the village shop, this cozy tea room is just a five-minute drive from Newquay Airport. All cakes and scones, including gluten-free options, are as popular with locals as they are with visitors and are home-made, as are the preserves and chutneys. Sandwiches, salads and pies are also on the menu and a mug of chocolate comes with cream and marshmallows. The shop next door sells locally prepared meals for self-catering.
Top Treat: A savory cream tea consisting of cheese scone, cream cheese and homemade chutney.
Contact: 01637 860303
Opening: April to October
Prices: £
South Cornwall
Fowey Hall, Fowey
Drinking tea on the sun-drenched terrace of this grand Victorian mansion with grandstand views over the Fowey Estuary is pure pleasure. On cool days it is served in the elegant salon. The tea consists of loose leaves and the scones are freshly baked every day in the restaurant kitchen. The jam comes from Boddington’s strawberry farm near Mevagissey. There is a choice of two scones or a single scone and a piece of cake of the day. Children are welcome and can play safely in the fenced playground under the terrace.
Top Treat: A Matilda Afternoon Tea for children with the chef’s interpretation of Bruce Bogtrotter’s chocolate cake and salamander juice.
Contact: foweyhallhotel.co.uk
Prices: £-£££
Miss V’s Tea Room, St Just-in-Roseland
This newly built bakery and tea room stands next to Britain’s most beautiful cemetery, a lush subtropical garden that slopes down to the River Fal. The space is beautifully designed to complement Amy’s top-notch baking. Scones are prepared fresh in batches throughout the day and served with local clotted cream, Boddington’s jam and a range of specialty teas. The layer cakes offer even more temptation, especially the moist traditional Victoria sponge and the brownies made with gluten-free flour.
Top Treat: A piece of frangipane cake.
Contact: missvs.co.uk
Prices: £
How we choose
Every restaurant on this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who’s dropped by to give you his insider’s perspective. We cover a range of budgets, from neighborhood favorites to Michelin-starred restaurants – to suit the tastes of every type of traveler – and our recommendations take the food, service, best tables, atmosphere and price into account. We update this list regularly to stay informed of the latest openings and to provide current recommendations.