The best afternoon teas in Cornwall

The best afternoon teas in Cornwall

The best afternoon teas in Cornwall

Date Posted: 12 Aug 2021

What better excuse needed to celebrate, than being on holiday in wonderful Cornwall? While afternoon tea may be more associated with cosmopolitan city breaks, if there’s one thing the Cornish are passionate about, that’s making sure those bellies are full – even when finger sandwiches are on the menu.

So what can you expect from a Cornish afternoon tea? Well, expect to find the usual suspects; delicate sandwiches, homemade cakes, scones, and freshly brewed tea by the bucket full. But you’ll also find special extras here, whether that’s a stunning sea view or a mini Cornish pasty on the side.

Of course Cornwall has a head start in the afternoon tea department, as our cream teas are world famous. And with an abundance of local ingredients on our doorstep it’s safe to say you won’t be disappointed.

We’ve rounded up our five favourite afternoon teas.

Matilda afternoon tea, Fowey Hall
Fowey Hall afternoon Tea
Fowey Hall Hotel, Fowey

This year prestigious Fowey Hall Hotel has launched two new Matilda-inspired afternoon teas for guests to enjoy.

With all the usual suspects, tasters can expect three deliciously flavoursome finger sandwiches, alongside a break time banana bread with thyme butter icing and lavender macarons. Naturally there are freshly made scones, but make sure you save room for Bruce Bogtrotter’s chocolate cake. If you’ll be celebrating with little ones in tow, they also offer a fun-filled children’s version too.

Prices start from £15 per child and £35 per person. Click here to find out more.

The Headland Hotel, Newquay

You’d struggle to top this for your backdrop of choice; watch the waves crash on Fistral Bay as you enjoy the quintessential Headland afternoon tea, served in a truly iconic oceanfront setting. The hotel, of 1990’s The Witches film fame, serves up all the classics, think bite-sized finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with a great dollop of Rodda’s Cornish clotted cream, and some fabulous fancies thrown in for good measure. With a selection of speciality loose-leaf teas, or go all out and upgrade to a flute of the good stuff.

Afternoon tea is served daily, from 1-4:30pm, prices start from £25. Click here to find out more.

Rectory Tea Rooms, Morwenstow near Bude

The Rectory Tea Rooms in the small rural village of Morwenstow is a real Cornish gem. Built in the 13th century, expect character and charm in bucket loads; from the antique furnishings to the original oak beams, salvaged from the many ships wrecked locally. The charm doesn’t stop there, the delicious afternoon tea is one you won’t forget either. A bit of advice… make sure you arrive hungry. Taking their generous portions quite seriously, expect hearty sandwiches – we love their honey roasted ham- homemade sausage rolls, a selection of tasty sweet treats, and freshly baked plain and fruit scones, with lashings of Cornish clotted cream and local strawberry jam. Gulp it down with locally sourced tea.

The award-winning Tea Rooms is just a ten-minute flat walk to the South West Coast Path, so what better way to burn off the calories than a coastal stomp? Be sure to pop your head in the National Trust’s, famous Hawker’s Hut built into the side of the cliff.

Afternoon tea is £42.95 for two people, and served daily from September. Click here to find out more.

Duchy of Cornwall Nursery afternoon tea
Tregothnan tea
Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, Lostwithiel

The Duchy of Cornwall Nursery is a tranquil space near Lostwithiel. The Nursery is located at the heart of the Duchy estate and stunning Restormel Castle can be seen from across the valley., diners are in for a taste sensation with a thoughtfully curated afternoon tea menu. Beautifully presented on fitting hard-wood board slice, you’ll find grilled focaccia open sandwiches, a seasonal savoury quiche tart and a quail’s Scotch egg. For those with a sweet tooth, enjoy pistachio and lime meringue cake, a toasted hazelnut chocolate truffle bar, rose and raspberry macaron, and, of course, a classic Cornish cream tea.

Choose from a range of Tregothnan teas or Origin coffee to accompany your food.

Serving afternoon tea daily from 2:30pm, it costs £25 per person or £30 with a glass of bubbly. Click here to find out more.

Strawberry Fields, near Launceston

OK… we might be slightly cheating here, as while Launceston falls under Cornwall, Strawberry Fields is situated just the other side of the River Tamar so it’s classed as Devon. But it’s too good not to include. The afternoon picnic was launched earlier this year, and the theme changes throughout the year to celebrate different seasons and events. One thing they all have in common… is they’re incredibly tasty and always served on a real mini oak picnic bench – cue Instagram! All lovingly homemade, expect mini pasties and sausage rolls, delicious sandwiches and sweet treats galore.

Afternoon tea is served daily from 3pm (3:30pm on a Sunday). It costs £16.50 per person or £21.95 with a glass of prosecco. Click here to find out more.

Categories: Food & Drink

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