Ask anyone what Cornwall is best known for, and they’ll more than likely say Cornish cream teas.
But did you know that the Cornish cream tea is thought to have originated in Devon? And so began the friendly cream tea rivalry between the two neighbouring regions, which continues to this day…
The earliest recorded cream tea was thought to have been served at Tavistock Abbey in Devon in the eleventh century. It is believed that monks gave workers bread topped with clotted cream and strawberry jam. It proved so popular that they began serving it to travellers when they were passing through, and the concept soon spread into neighbouring Cornwall.
But the heyday of the Cornish cream tea didn’t come until much later, following the completion of the West Cornwall Railway in 1859. This meant travellers could get from London to Penzance for the first time, resulting in a massive tourist boom for the region.
To this day, Cornwall remains one of the most popular areas for tourists to visit, not just from the UK but worldwide. Indulging in a Cornish afternoon tea is undoubtedly one of the most popular activities on visitors’ bucket lists.
Just what is it about Cornish cream tea that is so appealing? It’s all about the quality of the ingredients, the way it is all put together, and the presentation. A traditional cream tea consists of home-baked scones, local clotted cream, local strawberry jam, and freshly brewed tea.
When it comes to serving, the Devon v Cornwall cream tea divide really heats up. In Devon, the cream is always put on the scone first with the jam on top, whereas in Cornwall, it is always jam first then cream. How do you prefer it? The debate has raged on for centuries, and it looks like the jury is going to be out on this one for a long time to come…
On a summer’s day, there is nothing more quintessentially English than sitting down for a Cornish cream tea. Imagine packing a picnic hamper and heading off to the beach for an alfresco afternoon tea in the sands, or you could put a flask and packed lunch box with your cream tea ingredients in a rucksack and take a hike along the picturesque South West Coast Path, before choosing the perfect spot to indulge in a traditional cream tea whilst soaking up the best views Cornwall has to offer.
Cornwall has so many venues offering award-winning Cornish cream teas, it can be hard to know where to begin. Take your pick from traditional tea rooms to high-end hotels on the waterfront.
The delightful Garden Café in Newquay has had its cream teas recognised nationally after it won a Blue Ribbon award at the National Good Food Awards in 2023. The Ugly Butterfly in captivating Carbis Bay won an excellence award at the prestigious Afternoon Tea Awards 2024, with many more tea rooms, cafes and restaurants locally all in the running for awards.
Where To Find The Best Tea In Cornwall?
Where to find the best Cornish cream teas is a topic that provokes passionate debate in the region, with everyone having their own favourites. Here are just a few popular choices:
Where is your favourite venue for Cornish cream teas? Do you like to keep it traditional or prefer something more adventurous, like a deconstructed Cornish cream tea?
With lots of dog-friendly accommodation across Cornwall, it’s also a great place to bring your furry friend. While the debate will no doubt continue, we all agree that Cornwall serves quite possibly the best cream tea you’ll find anywhere. Unless you live in Devon, of course…