A Local’s Guide to Cornwall’s Best Cream Teas: Where to Find the Perfect Scone

A proper Cornish cream tea is a simple pleasure: warm, freshly baked scones, fruity strawberry jam, and thick clotted cream—all served with a good cup of tea. But where can you find the very best cream teas in Cornwall?

From coastal cafés with breathtaking views to hidden gems tucked away in the countryside, this is the ultimate guide to enjoying a true Cornish cream tea.

What Makes a Cream Tea ‘Proper’ in Cornwall?

Before we dive into the best places to get a cream tea, let’s clear up the most important rule:

Jam First, Then Clotted Cream

In Cornwall, the jam goes on first, followed by a thick layer of clotted cream. This isn’t just tradition—it makes perfect sense. The jam acts as a base, allowing the smooth, rich clotted cream to sit proudly on top. Plus, it means you actually taste the cream, rather than squishing it into the scone.

What to Look for in a Great Cream Tea

To be considered a top-tier cream tea in Cornwall, it must have:

✅ Homemade scones – Freshly baked, slightly crisp on the outside, and fluffy inside.
✅ Real Cornish clotted cream – Thick, golden-crusted, and made in Cornwall (think Rodda’s or Trewithen Dairy).
✅ High-quality jam – Traditional strawberry (but raspberry or local fruit variations are welcome).
✅ Proper tea – Loose-leaf tea served in a pot with china cups is the gold standard.

Now that we know what to look for, let’s explore the best places to get a cream tea in Cornwall.

1. The Cabin Beach Café, Perranuthnoe

📍 Location: Perranuthnoe Beach, near Penzance
☕ Why it’s special: Laid-back beach café with spectacular coastal views

For a relaxed cream tea with a seaside backdrop, The Cabin Beach Café is a must-visit. The homemade scones are generously sized, and the Rodda’s clotted cream is served in hefty portions.

📝 Tip: Grab a takeaway cream tea and enjoy it on the beach!

2. Rest A While Tea Garden, Padstow

📍 Location: Trevone, near Padstow
☕ Why it’s special: A charming, family-run tearoom with a peaceful garden setting

This hidden gem just outside Padstow serves homemade cream teas in a beautiful garden setting. The warm, crumbly scones, local jam, and Trewithen Dairy clotted cream make this a top spot for a proper Cornish cream tea.

📝 Tip: Cash only—so come prepared!

3. The Rectory Farm Tea Rooms, Morwenstow

📍 Location: Morwenstow, near Bude
☕ Why it’s special: Traditional farmhouse setting with huge scones

If you’re in North Cornwall, The Rectory Farm Tea Rooms is the place to get a cream tea. Located in a 13th-century farmhouse, they serve massive homemade scones with Rodda’s clotted cream and homemade jam.

📝 Tip: Their cakes and homemade pies are just as good—so go hungry!

4. Trelissick Garden Tea Room, Near Truro

📍 Location: Trelissick Garden, Feock, near Truro
☕ Why it’s special: A National Trust tea room with beautiful garden views

The Trelissick Garden Tea Room is perfect for those who want a cream tea in a tranquil setting. Their scones are baked fresh daily and served with Rodda’s clotted cream and local jam.

📝 Tip: The tearoom is free to enter, but if you want to explore the gardens, you’ll need to buy a ticket.

5. Charlotte’s Tea House, Truro

📍 Location: Coinage Hall, Truro
☕ Why it’s special: A traditional Victorian-style tearoom in Cornwall’s capital

If you’re looking for a classic, no-fuss cream tea, Charlotte’s Tea House is the place to go. Set in a historic building, it offers a relaxed atmosphere and top-quality cream teas served in vintage china.

📝 Tip: Their afternoon tea is one of the best in Cornwall—perfect if you want to go all out.

6. The Headland Hotel, Newquay

📍 Location: Fistral Beach, Newquay
☕ Why it’s special: Luxurious setting with stunning ocean views

If you want a five-star cream tea experience, look no further than The Headland Hotel in Newquay. Overlooking Fistral Beach, this historic hotel offers an elegant, high-end take on the Cornish classic.

Their afternoon tea includes light, freshly baked scones, Rodda’s clotted cream, and homemade strawberry jam, served in the stylish Samphire Restaurant or in the terrace lounge with sweeping sea views.

📝 Tip: Upgrade to a full afternoon tea with finger sandwiches and pastries for an extra indulgent treat.

7. Fern Pit Café, Newquay

📍 Location: Riverside Crescent, Newquay
☕ Why it’s special: Breathtaking views over the Gannel Estuary and Crantock Beach

For a cream tea with a view, Fern Pit Café is hard to beat. This family-run café has been serving visitors since 1910, and their homemade cream teas are among the best in Cornwall.

The scones are baked fresh daily, and they come with plenty of Rodda’s clotted cream and jam. Sit outside and enjoy panoramic views over the estuary and out to Crantock Beach—it’s one of Cornwall’s most picturesque tearoom settings.

📝 Tip: Pair your cream tea with a walk down to the footbridge at low tide or take the historic Fern Pit ferry across to Crantock Beach.

8. Cherry Trees Coffee House, Padstow

📍 Location: North Quay, Padstow
☕ Why it’s special: Famous for its giant homemade scones and unbeatable harbour views

If you’re in Padstow and looking for a seriously good cream tea, Cherry Trees Coffee House is an absolute must-visit. This charming café, right on the harbourfront, serves some of the biggest, fluffiest scones in Cornwall—freshly baked and served warm, with huge portions of Rodda’s clotted cream and homemade jam.

The setting is just as good as the food—whether you sit inside their cosy, welcoming café or outside watching the boats bob in the harbour, you’ll be in for a true Cornish treat.

📝 Tip: Their cakes and pastries are also legendary, so bring an appetite!

9. The Tea Room at Lanhydrock, Bodmin

📍 Location: Lanhydrock House, near Bodmin
☕ Why it’s special: Traditional National Trust tearoom set in a historic country estate

Lanhydrock’s tearoom offers a proper, old-school cream tea experience in the heart of one of Cornwall’s most stunning National Trust properties. Enjoy your scones freshly baked with Trewithen Dairy clotted cream and a pot of classic Cornish tea, then take a stroll through the magnificent gardens and parkland.

📝 Tip: Entry to the tea room is free, but visiting Lanhydrock House requires an admission ticket.

10. The Weir Restaurant & Café, Bude

📍 Location: Whalesborough, Bude
☕ Why it’s special: A modern lakeside café with homemade cream teas and a peaceful setting

If you’re looking for a tranquil spot to enjoy a proper Cornish cream tea, The Weir is a fantastic choice. Located just outside Bude, this eco-friendly café sits beside a picturesque lake, offering a relaxed atmosphere and stunning countryside views.

Their homemade scones are baked fresh daily and served with Trewithen Dairy clotted cream and locally made jam. Pair it with a pot of Cornish tea and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

📝 Tip: After your cream tea, take a scenic walk along the Bude Canal—it’s a beautiful way to round off your visit!

The Ultimate Cornish Treat: A Cream Tea to Remember

Whether you’re sipping tea in a cozy countryside tearoom, indulging in five-star luxury, or enjoying a beachside scone with a sea breeze, Cornwall offers some of the finest cream teas in the world.

Every spot on this list brings something unique—whether it’s historic charm, breathtaking views, or freshly baked perfection. But what unites them all is the simple pleasure of a proper Cornish cream tea: warm homemade scones, rich Rodda’s clotted cream, and sweet strawberry jam—always spread first, of course!

Your Next Cream Tea Adventure Awaits!

From Newquay to Penzance, Falmouth to Padstow, these ten incredible places are just the start of your cream tea journey. Whether you’re a local or visiting for the first time, there’s always a new hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

So grab a pot of tea, spread that jam first, and indulge in Cornwall’s most iconic foodie tradition.

☕ Have a favourite cream tea spot we missed? Let us know in the comments! 🍰