Cornwall Asked to Help Smash a Guinness World Record With a Scone in Hand

A Chinese car dealership has held the record for the world’s largest cream tea party since 2019. Cornwall Hospice reckons it’s time that title came home.

The charity has announced plans for The Great Cornish Cream Tea, a mass cream tea gathering at the Royal Cornwall Showground in Wadebridge on Saturday 19th September 2026. The aim is simple, gather thousands of people in one place, hand them a scone, and beat the current GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the largest cream tea party.

The Record to Beat

The number standing in Cornwall’s way is 1,088. That’s how many people sat down together at an event held by Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service in Xiamen, China on 29th November 2019. Cornwall Hospice is hoping to fill the showground with enough scone-eaters to push that figure into the history books.

The event marks 45 years of Cornwall Hospice, and the charity wants to celebrate the milestone in a way that brings people together rather than with anything quiet or formal.

What’s on the Day

Tickets are £10 per person and include the cream tea itself. To count towards the official tally, every participant has to finish their entire portion of scone, jam and cream, and drink all the tea in their cup. So booking a ticket is signing up to clear the plate.

Alongside the record attempt there will be a pop-up Cornwall Hospice shop, exclusive event merchandise, an on-the-day raffle, and instant cash-win scratch cards. Dietary adjustments can be requested at the point of booking.

Rodda’s has signed on as a Cream of the Crop sponsor and will be supplying the clotted cream. Comedian Josh Widdicombe has donated his time to launch the event.

Why It Matters

Cornwall Hospice supports thousands of patients and families every year through its Mount Edgcumbe and St Julia’s Hospices, providing specialist care at some of the hardest moments people face. Money raised on the day goes back into those services.

Frazer Hopkins, Director of Income Generation at Cornwall Hospice, said: “As Cornwall Hospice celebrates 45 years of providing exceptional care in Cornwall, we wanted to mark this milestone with something that truly brings people together. The Great Cornish Cream Tea is about celebrating community. Cream teas are such a cherished part of our culture, and we wanted to create something that honours that tradition while making a real difference for our Mount Edgcumbe and St Julia’s Hospices.”

Frazer added: “Attempting a Guinness World Records title gives us the chance to do something truly special. It is something fun, ambitious and memorable that the whole community can be part of. And remember… jam first, always!”

Ellie Smith, Cornwall Hospice’s Events and Challenges Partner, said: “Whether you’re bringing your family for a memorable day out, gathering friends to celebrate something truly Cornish, or hosting your team for a meaningful corporate experience, this is your chance to be part of something big. Let’s fill the hall, raise our scones, and show the world what Cornwall can do.”

Event Details

The Great Cornish Cream Tea runs from 12pm to 4.30pm on Saturday 19th September 2026 at the Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge. Tickets are available now at cornwallhospice.org/jamfirst.

Jam first, of course.