A proper Cornish cream tea is made by putting the jam on the scone before the clotted cream. The reason? The cream would melt on scones hot from the oven. A scone is something that must be freshly baked, preferably in a farmhouse Aga, and with a light hand on the baking powder. Sadly, there are lots of cream tea shops that cut 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 jam and the beauty of their location.
Find a cream tea by area:
West Cornwall
Trengwainton Tearooms, Penzance
Set in a sunny walled garden alongside the National Trust’s glorious subtropical garden at Trengwainton, there’s plenty of seating both inside and out at this tearoom. Scones are made on the premises and come in plain, fruit, cheese or gluten-free varieties and there’s a choice of three jams. The bright chalet-style café also serves up light lunches, a big choice of cakes and a children’s picnic box.
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk
Prices: ££
Rosemergy Farmhouse, Morvah
Jane Holmes bakes delicious scones on demand in her Aga. Two crusty scones, lashings of cream and jam are served with tea or – if you must – coffee, hot chocolate and juice. A slice of the rich and moist carrot cake is non-negotiable. There are tables in the pretty walled garden overlooking the sea and in the farmhouse kitchen on wet days. Walk off the calories by taking an easy stroll across fields to the coastal path where you can watch novice climbers attempt to scale the smooth pale granite of Bosigran sea cliff, one of Britain’s most popular climbs.
Website: rosemergy.com/creamteas
Price: £
Wavecrest, The Lizard
This pretty wooden chalet with wraparound sea views at Lizard Point has been serving afternoon tea since the 1930s. Scones are baked on the premises: a perfect combination of crusty top and light middle. You can eat in or out at tables just yards from the cliffs where rare choughs whirl in the thermals. Homemade cakes, ice-cream sundaes and proper lunches are also served and the café has a full drinks licence – so make sure to order a glass of prosecco with high tea.
Website: wavecrestcornwall.co.uk
Price: £
Lamorna Pottery, Lamorna
This long-established pottery, set in a leafy dell, has a fine reputation for its traditional cream teas. Scones are light with a hint of both salt and sweet and served with local clotted cream and award-winning Cherry Tree preserves in the bright conservatory or out on the lawn. Light lunches, homemade soups and delicious cakes (try the cardamom and almond) are also available. As well as the pottery’s own stoneware, there’s a fine selection of crafts by local makers on display in the house.
Website: lamornapottery.co.uk
Price: £
North Cornwall
Rectory Farm, Morwenstow
It’s worth making a special journey to this medieval farmhouse in the far north of Cornwall which has been serving Cornish cream teas for 70 years. Or go all in with a full afternoon tea of quiche, sandwiches, homemade biscuits, scones and meringues. Baking is done in the original farmhouse kitchen and served on vintage china in the reception rooms or out on the lawn. As befits a perfectly baked scone, there’s a choice of homemade jams and specially blended loose leaf teas include lapsang souchong, Earl Grey, oolong and white peony. Do peek into the Norman church of St John the Baptist next door and stroll out to the cliffs from where you can see Lundy Island on
Website: rectory-tearooms.co.uk
Price: £
Trevathan, St Endellion
This strawberry farm near Port Isaac is a great favourite with families as there’s plenty of lawn for children to let off steam outside including a play area with swings and climbing frames. The large purpose-built farm shop and café sell all the ingredients for a delicious cream tea to eat in or out. The strawberry jam is homemade using the farm’s own fruit. And although the fruit scones are not proper, they are delicious. There’s also a good choice of gluten-free scones and cakes as well as a full lunch menu.
Website: trevathanfarm.com
Prices: £
St Mawgan Tea Room, St Mawgan-in-Pydar
Tucked away in the pretty village of St Mawgan, this cosy tea room set in the cottage garden of the village store is only a five-minute drive from Newquay airport. As popular with locals as it is visitors, all the cakes and scones – including gluten-free options – are homemade as are the preserves and chutneys. For something different, try the savoury cream tea comprising cheese scone, cream cheese and homemade chutney. Sandwiches, salads and pasties also feature on the menu and a mug of chocolate comes with cream and marshmallows. The shop next door sells locally made ready meals for self-caterers.
Contact: 01637 860303
Prices: £
South Cornwall
Fowey Hall, Fowey
To take tea on the sun-baked terrace of this grand Victorian mansion hotel with its grandstand view over the Fowey estuary is pure delight. On cool days it’s served in the elegant drawing room. Teas are loose leaf and scones are baked fresh every day in the restaurant’s kitchen. The jam is from Boddington’s strawberry farm near Mevagissey. There’s the choice of two scones or a single scone and a slice of the cake of the day. English Knightor sparking wine is available too. Children are welcome and can play safely in the fenced play garden beneath the terrace.
Website: foweyhallhotel.co.uk
Prices: £-£££
Woods Café, Bodmin
Set in a lovely old stone house on a popular waymarked woodland trail, this family-run café is open every day (last orders 3.30pm). The scones are freshly baked by owner Lara and served with Halzephron Farm jam and Clipper teas or locally roasted Yallah coffee. The savoury option of a cheese scone served with cream cheese and chutney is very popular. In summer there’s lots of outdoor seating and, in winter, a roaring fire inside.
Website: woodscafe.co.uk
Prices: £
How we choose
Every restaurant in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets, from neighbourhood favourites to Michelin-starred restaurants – to best suit every type of traveller’s taste – and consider the food, service, best tables, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest opening and provide up to date recommendations.