Where to enjoy a cream tea in Devon

If you come to Devon and don’t partake in a traditional Devonshire cream tea, did you even have the real Devon experience? There are plenty of delightful things to see and do in Devon but one of the best loved has to be sitting down somewhere picturesque with a cream tea. If you’re in agreement, here are some of our favourite places to enjoy Devon’s greatest export.

One way to enjoy a cream tea is after a day out with the whole family and luckily, several of the region’s attractions offer a cream tea at their onsite cafés. Canonteign Falls which is on the outskirts of Exeter is one such place. Not only do you get the chance to experience some lovely walking trails, additional activities during the school holidays and of course, seeing the site’s famous waterfall. After you’re finished exploring, make sure to visit the Canonteign Kitchen where you can enjoy a cream tea in beautiful surroundings. You can even see the Lily and Swan Lakes from the seating area!

Image: Canonteign Falls

Another attraction offering a cream tea is Seaton Tramway. Located in Seaton in East Devon, this is one of the few places left where you can head back in time and ride a tram. The open top double decker trams offer panoramic views across Seaton Estuary, perfect for a sunny day out with the whole family – even your dogs can join you! The Tramstop Café at Colyton Station is where you can sample one of their famous cream teas.

In North Devon, Hartland Abbey is one of the most picturesque attractions you can visit. Full of dramatic views and the chance to explore the incredible 12th-century former monastery, Hartland Abbey is a beautiful location which has featured in an array of films and television shows. While there, stop off at the Old Kitchen Tea Rooms for a cream tea, or if you feel inspired by the surroundings, an afternoon tea.

Of course, you’ll find the Devonshire cream tea at hotels and restaurants around the county too. Barnstaple’s Park Hotel  is home to Seasons Brasserie, an AA Rosette winning 4 star dining restaurant opposite one of Barnstaple’s most beautiful park. It provides a lovely location to enjoy a cream tea. Or for those of you that prefer a sea view, Doyle’s Restaurant at the Woolacombe Bay Hotel in the popular resort of Woolacombe is where you need to be. Every day they host their Afternoon Tea by the Sea where you can enjoy a cream tea with all the trimmings all while watching the waves splash against the shore outside. The Victoria Hotel has an enviable position along Sidmouth’s seafront, for those of you south of the county. Whichever of their eateries you choose, you can enjoy locally sourced ingredients, all with a view of Sidmouth sea front. If you’re in South Devon, Dawlish’s Langstone Cliff Hotel is set within 19 acres of woodland overlooking the sea, so you have the best of both worlds.

Image: Doyle's Restaurant

A number of hotels and other properties also provide a complimentary cream tea as a welcome for guests, which is a great way to start your holiday. See a host of accommodation options here.

As a Devonshire Cream Tea is a staple when visiting the county, you might be wondering if there is anyway to have a more unique experience and the answer is, yes! In Tiverton you can find the county’s only floating cafè-bar – Ducks Ditty Bar where you can have a cream tea while overlooking the beautiful Grand Western Canal. That’s not all, the bar also serves locally made beers, ales and ciders, as well as soft drinks and a range of teas and coffees, so you can have a cream tea that really suits you. While here, you must explore the area, the canal is around 200 years old and aside from walks, there are horse drawn barge rides, kayaking and children’s play areas too!

Another unique way to enjoy a cream tea is onboard a cruise! Stuart Line Cruises offer a diverse range of cruises including river trips, themed voyages and day trips around the English Riviera and the Jurassic Coast. Every boat features a fully licenced bar with table service, so you can just sit back and enjoy a cream tea while taking in the sights.

Of course, this is just a small selection of places where you can enjoy a cream tea while in Devon. You can find more here.