National Cream Tea Day is an annual event that falls on the last Friday in June every year. As the cream tea is a Devon delicacy, we thought we’d tell you some of our favourite spots to enjoy this tasty treat – just make sure it’s cream first!
Of course, being a Devon delicacy, you can pick up a traditional (or not so traditional if that’s what you’re into!) cream tea all over the county. Want one with a sea view? How about one on the wilds of Dartmoor? There are locations across Devon where you can enjoy freshly baked scones, home made jam, local cream and a good cup of tea all with a stunning view.
Many of the region’s restaurants also offer cream tea. In Dawlish, where you can easily access the popular English Riviera, the Langstone Cliff Hotel is a lovely spot to enjoy a cream tea. The hotel overlooks the Exe Estuary and in good weather, there is nothing better than sitting out on the veranda with some refreshments, enjoying the gardens and the sea view.
Bovey Castle can be found within a 275 acre estate on the Dartmoor National Park making it a great location for anyone who wants a rural cream tea! The hotel uses local producers, so you can be sure of a true taste of Devon! The hotel’s restaurant is recognised for its culinary excellence, so why not stay and sample the rest of the menus while you’re here?
Another Dartmoor location is the Two Bridges Hotel in Princetown. The hotel is surrounded by beautiful grounds and the West Dart River and is ideally placed for anyone looking for some refreshments after a romp around the countryside.
If you like the sound of enjoying a Devon tradition while surrounded by history, Boringdon Hall near Plymouth is the place for you. Their cream teas are famous and their impressive Elizabethan architecture is a sight to behold. Not only do they offer a truly incredible cream tea experience, but once a month there is also a special edition Afternoon Tea – don’t forget to book ready for the next one.
It isn’t just hotels and restaurants offering delicious cream teas, you can also pick them up from the region’s top attractions. The café at RHS Rosemoor is a great example of where you can have a restorative cream tea after exploring the beautiful gardens. Elsewhere in the county, Canonteign Falls has a splendid kitchen offering incredible Devon cream teas made using locally sourced ingredients. Canonteign Falls is stunning natural attraction in the heart of Devon and during school holidays, there are always extra things going on. Check out what they have on offer for the upcoming holidays.
For a cream tea with a difference, head to Strawberry Fields Farm Shop. They offer a cream tea picnic and an afternoon tea picnic. Your tea is served on a miniature oak picnic bench and reflect the season with your sweet treats. These little picnic cream teas also go very well with a glass of fizz rather than your usual tea. Or how about a cream tea while sailing around the glorious Jurassic Coast? Stuart Line Cruises offer several food and drink cruises, including a cream tea one! There truly is no better way to enjoy a traditional cream tea than while sailing past a UNESCO World Heritage site!
Where will you be enjoying a cream tea this Cream Tea Day? Wherever you choose, just remember to always go cream first!
