Ten of the best places to go for a cream tea in Cornwall

Cornwall, the land known for its love of pasties and stunning coastlines, is also renowned for its delicious cream teas.

Today (Friday) officially marks National Cream Tea Day and what better way to share the top ten places in the Duchy for a delicious cream tea?

Whether you prefer your cream first or jam first (the great Cornish debate!), there's no denying the joy of a perfectly crafted cream tea.

To celebrate this special day, we've compiled a list of the top ten places to indulge in this Cornish tradition:

Linden Hey Garden Tea Room | Truro

Linden Hey Garden Tea Room in Truro boasts a five-star review on Trip Advisor. One enthusiastic diner said: “This was our first visit since the COVID lockdown, before that, we had visited before and thought that it was just the best Cornish Cream Tea ever.

“We introduce our cousins to Linden Hey, the four of us including one Coeliac ordered traditional cream teas, they arrived with scrummy scones, lashings of strawberry jam and Cornish clotted cream.

“We will be back to enjoy more Cornish Cream Teas.”

Rosemergy Cream Teas | Penzance

With a five-star review on Trip Advisor, Rosemergy is one of the best places to go for cream teas in Cornwall. A TripAdvisor comment from one happy diner said: “Rosemergy was recommended to us for a good cream tea, and it didn’t disappoint.

“Generous portions, delicious fresh scones! A must when visiting Cornwall.”

Teacup Tearooms | St Austell | Mevagissy

This multi-award-winning vintage tearoom serves a selection of tea, coffee and other beverages accompanied by a choice of locally made cakes and desserts. A range of traditional Cornish Cream Teas along with locally made preserves are on offer.

Gwenna House Tearoom | Newquay

One diner who has recently visited for a second time claimed that Gwenna serves the ‘best’ cream tea in Newquay, while another praised the establishment for offering diabetic jam with their scones and cream.

Twisted Currant | Porthleven

Porthleven’s Twisted Currant is mixing traditional cream teas with something a bit more current. Of course, diners can choose regular and cheese scones, but this little tea room also offers chocolate-flavoured scones! One diner who tried the chocolate scone, and cheese scone commented: “The chocolate scones were the best I have ever had and came with chocolate spread and clotted cream.

“Both served warm – delicious!”

Miss Molly Tea Room | Camborne

Another firm favourite as a place to go for a Cornish Cream Tea is Miss Molly’s Tearoom set in the Old Dolcoath Mine Counting House in Camborne. Diners have raved about Miss Molly’s cream teas with one diner saying that her fruit scone was the ‘best’ she had ever had.

Mad Hatter Tea Room | Hayle

Located on the Hayle high street, Madhatter is not only a tearoom but also a bed and breakfast. The menu consists of homemade food, cakes and cream teas. A visitor complimented Mad Hatter for its ‘melt in the mouth warm scones’.

Charlotte’s Tea House | Truro

The old-fashioned styled tearoom in the centre of Truro not only offers great views over the city but the cathedral offers freshly cooked cream tea, along with a pot of tea. However, if you’re a vivid tea drinker, it’s been said that Charlotte’s Tea House doesn’t offer unlimited tea.

Greenbank Hotel | Falmouth

With views over Falmouth Harbour, the Greenbank Hotel’s restaurant is known for its incredible afternoon tea and high tea. A classic cream tea is £11 per person, and vegan and gluten-free cream tea is available on request with 24 hours' notice. Scones are homemade, and diners can choose either coffee or tea.

Housel Bay Hotel | The Lizard

Described as ‘Cream tea heaven’ by one diner, Housel Bay offers ‘delightful’ cream teas, along with service with a smile and views across the Lizard Peninsula.