A holiday in Cornwall wouldn’t be complete without a cream tea, so here are (in our opinion) the best six places to get yourself this most decadent treat. Remember, Cornwall does things a little differently from the rest of the UK. Jam always goes on first, then cream! If caught doing otherwise, you will be summarily escorted across the Tamar River to Devon (joking of course).
Miss V’s Cornish Cream Tea, St Just (Roseland)
View this post on Instagram
This is a bit of a mission to get to, but well worth the trip. Hidden away in a sleepy village on the River Fal, is this hut selling the biggest scones you’ll ever eat. It’s right next to the gorgeous St Just church, which overlooks the River Fal and is surrounded by palm trees — giving it an almost tropical feel.
How to get here: we recommend getting a ferry to St Mawes from Falmouth, then doing a gorgeous walk along the River Fal to St Just. Or you can drive here taking the car friendly King Harry Ferry at Trelissick. You can stay nearby in Falmouth.
Polpeor Café, Lizard Point
Right on mainland Britain’s most southerly point, sits Polpeor Café. The views are outstanding, looking right over the Lizard Point and the old lifeboat station. The cream tea is delicious of course, and you might spot yourself a seal, dolphin or even a basking shark in the summer!
How to get here: Drive to the Lizard village and carry on! We recommend parking in the National Trust car park and then walking down. You can stay nearby in the Lizard.
Headland Hotel, Newquay
You will have recognised the Headland Hotel, being the most visible and iconic building in Newquay. It sits on the headland overlooking Fistral and the rest of the town beaches. This is just a few minutes from the beach, so once your done with a surf or swim, rinse off and walk over to the hotel for a well-deserved tea break with a host of scones and a selection of cakes!
How to get here: You can park at hotel, and there are other car parks in the town. You can also stay in a house, apartment or cabin in our Newquay collection.
Chapel Café & Port Isaac Pottery, Port Isaac
Right in the historic centre of the famous Port Isaac, sits this little gem. They serve cream teas all day, so whether you’re just pottering about Port Isaac’s small side streets, walking the coast path or returning from the beach, this is the ideal pit stop. They also make their own pottery and offer a range of gifts
How to get here: make your way down the windy country roads to Port Isaac, there are a couple of car parks you can leave the car. Then it’s a short walk to the harbour. You can also stay in the nearby Port Gaverne, a short walk away.
Olive’s Cafe, St Ives
If you’re planning on wondering the cobbled streets and alleyways of St Ives, you’re going to need a place to unwind and recharge. Olive’s Café is situated on the Island, moments away from the harbour and Porthmeor beach. Expect cakes, light meals, drinks, and best of all, a quality cream tea — this should set you up for exploring the rest of the town.
How to get here: The closest car park is the council one on the island, but this can fill up on busy days, so you might have to settle on parking in the bigger car parks further out of town. You can also stay in one place in our St Ives collection.
Godrevy Café, Godrevy
Could there be anything more Cornish than a post-surf cream tea? Godrevy is one end of three miles of gorgeous beach in St Ives Bay. The café is a short walk from the sea and has a much very relaxed beachy vibe. The also sell a range of delicious cakes…
How to get here: drive to the National Trust car park at Godrevy, which is right next to the café. We recommend staying in a nearby beach chalet, then it’s just a walk away!
