Readers' tips ... cream teas
Each week we run a section in the Guardian newspaper's travel section, asking for readers to send in tips on a particular subject. The best tip wins a digital camera courtesy of Jessops. Find out more here.
Winning tip
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Falling Foss Tea Garden, Whitby
Posted by CarolFerguson
For cream teas, forget Devon and head for Falling Foss Tea Gardens, five miles south of Whitby. Located in an idyllic woodland setting beside the waterfall of the same name, the tea garden has been lovingly restored to its early 20th century appearance by owners Jack and Steph, who unfailingly offer a warm welcome whatever the weather. Reopened in 2008, the tea garden has established a reputation for its home baking, not least the freshly baked scones, accompanied by generous portions of home made raspberry jam and lashings of cream, all for £1.50! Young and old are catered for, with play equipment in the garden and children of all ages are invited to participate in pooh sticks from the nearby footbridge. The tea garden is popular with walkers and ramblers, with the Coast to Coast path passing nearby, but most customers are there for just one thing – the cream teas.
Midge Hall, Sneaton Forest, Whitby, YO22 5JD.
07723 477929
www.fallingfossteagarden.co.uk
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Juliet's Garden, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall
Posted by CornishJay
Not that I’m biased; but there is only one possible way to enjoy a cream tea. It has to be a Cornish cream tea, in Cornwall, and within sight and sound of the sea. Walk the circular coastal path of St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, take all day, and it’s possible to fit in at least three. With the ambience right, attention can then be turned to the secondary requirements: yes, you will be sat outside in tranquil gardens where “peace comes dropping slow,” yes there is enough thick yellow Cornish clotted to make you feel nauseous (after your third loaded scone), real jam, pretty crockery, and unlimited refills of tea with no stinting on the milk. I first did this cream tea crawl on my honeymoon in 1983 and I’ve been taking my husbands along ever since. Juliet’s Garden and Carn Vean Tea Gardens are highly recommended; but once back in Hugh Town, the crème of cream teas can be enjoyed on the ramparts of Star Castle Hotel, an Elizabethan castle in the shape of an eight pointed star, overlooking the harbour. (When the nausea passes off, you might feel like going down when the sun does, to the Dungeon bar below and ordering the best five course dinner on the island).
Cream teas are £5.00 per person and include 2 home-made
fruit scones, clotted cream, strawberry jam and a pot of tea.
www.star-castle.co.uk/
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Polpeor Cafe, The Lizard, Cornwall
Posted by auntybud
Situated on the most southerly point of England with uninterrupted sea views and under the flash of the Lizard Lighthouse above. Take an exhilarating coastal walk before calling in to the Polpeor Café and feast your eyes on some extreme homemade delights. You may be forgiven for being tempted to try a variation of the traditional cream tea on offer and opt for a Jubilee Meringue instead: a moutainous meringue topped with clotted cream served with a delicious apple and blackberry compot and icecream for £4.50
Polpeor Cafe, The Lizard, Helston, Cornwall, TR12 7NU
01326 290939
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Northern Tea Merchants, Chesterfield
Posted by Mussi
It's a lovely quaint little tea shop that sells teas and coffees from around the world and does a wicked cream tea.
They claim their business dates back to 1926 and say over 50 million cups of their own tea and coffee are drunk every year. Quite an experience.
Northern Tea Merchants
Crown House
193 Chatsworth Road
Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S402BA
Tel: 01246 232600
www.northern-tea.com
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The Victoria and Albert Museum cafe, London
Posted by fordinian
For the decor and the weight of history!
The cafe is located in the museum's original refreshment rooms, the Morris, Gamble and Poynter Rooms. They are high ceilinged, with the original tile decorations depicting such themes as the Seasons and the months of the year.
We sat close to a large black range which I wanted to imagine lit, serving tea to ladies in long skirts and gents in top hats. The tea which was served from china tea pots was made with real tea leaves in large bags. There were large, adequate scones, lucious clotted cream and lovely jam - all in proper china dishes. We also had decent Victoria Sponge and fruit cake.
Tea, scones, cream and jam for about £6
V&A South Kensington
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL
Tel. +44 (0)20 7942 2000
www.vam.ac.uk
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Lillie Bakery and Tea Room, Stockbridge
Posted by tooeyotoole
I stopped in Stockbridge for a walk over the picturesque water meadows in the heart of the Hampshire countryside and came across a most quintessentially English scene. After following the stream towards the centre of the village I reached a terrace perched on the riverbank nestled amongst the water lilies.
The friendly staff served me a pot of fine tea and a plate of delicious scones oozing with homemade jam and cream. Before I left I fed the crumbs to some passing ducks- feeling I should share such an experience with at least something.
High Sreet, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 6HF
01264 810754
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The Original Maids of Honour tearoom, London
Posted by LorraineG
You don’t have to go all the way to the West Country for an excellent cream tea.
If you plan a visit to Kew Gardens, London then resist the temptations of the refreshment pavilions inside the gardens and save yourself for a special treat just outside.
Exit the Gardens by the Victoria Gate and cross Kew Road to find a quaint half timbered building with a large sign showing ‘Newens - The Original Maids of Honour’ on the front of a tearoom and bakery.
The excellent cream teas here come with all the usual components but with an option of the ‘Maids of Honour’ cakes, usually served warm. Tradition has it that these cakes were enjoyed by Ann Boleyn and her maids when she was being wooed by Henry VIII. They are accompanied by your choice of tea served in delicate blue and white, willow pattern china and if you can’t manage it all then you can always buy some from the bakery to take home for later.
288 Kew Road, Kew Gardens,Surrey TW9 3DU
Tel 020 8940 2752
Nearest tube: Kew Gardens
Nearest rail: Richmond
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Yew Tree Farm, Coniston
Posted by madeleinewhite
The best cream teas we've ever had - huge scones, sometimes still warm from the oven, with hefty dollops of local damson jam and cream on the side. Yum Yum. (They also do a good lunch).
Yew Tree Farm is a working farm, built in 1693 and was once owned by Beatrix Potter. Beatrix herself started the Tea Rooms and it's still got her original furniture. There's a fireplace for when it's cold, and also outside seating for when the weather allows. The house was used in the film 'Miss Potter'.
They do B&B too, and sell their home reared beef and lamb. When we were there - on an Open Day, when we were allowed to look around the fabulous bedrooms with their wonky floors, oak four posters and panelled walls, they had a pig race too - great fun!
Set in a stunning location 2 miles outside Coniston on the A593, but there is no car park (except for disability vehicals) so it's best to walk there and build up an appetite! There is a small, NT paying car park 100 metres away, which often gets full.
Tel: 01539 441433
www.yewtree-farm.com
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Cream tea at the Knoll House, Studland
Posted by PamelaMary
A cream tea at the Knoll House, at Studland in Dorset, is not for people nervous about their cholesterol levels. Large light scones, freshly made in the kitchen, are accompanied by lashings of thick strawberry jam and cream so stiff it can be cut with a knife. A traditional loaded tea tray is brought out clinking to you on the terrace, so as you eat you can gaze out across manicured lawns through the pillars of mature pine trees to the sea. The view sweeps from Old Harry Rocks to the right, past the Isle of Wight to the townscape of Bournemouth. There is always plenty to see, with sailing boats as well as ferries plying in and out of Poole Harbour.
But visitors must plan their cream tea with military precision. Teas are advertised only on a small board in reception, directing visitors to order tea in the dining room. It is served only from 3.45 to 5.15 pm – five minutes late and you’ve missed one of the best cream teas in England. Cream tea for one is currently £5.
www.knollhouse.co.uk/
Winning tip
________________________________________________________________
Falling Foss Tea Garden, Whitby
Posted by CarolFerguson
For cream teas, forget Devon and head for Falling Foss Tea Gardens, five miles south of Whitby. Located in an idyllic woodland setting beside the waterfall of the same name, the tea garden has been lovingly restored to its early 20th century appearance by owners Jack and Steph, who unfailingly offer a warm welcome whatever the weather. Reopened in 2008, the tea garden has established a reputation for its home baking, not least the freshly baked scones, accompanied by generous portions of home made raspberry jam and lashings of cream, all for £1.50! Young and old are catered for, with play equipment in the garden and children of all ages are invited to participate in pooh sticks from the nearby footbridge. The tea garden is popular with walkers and ramblers, with the Coast to Coast path passing nearby, but most customers are there for just one thing – the cream teas.
Midge Hall, Sneaton Forest, Whitby, YO22 5JD.
07723 477929
www.fallingfossteagarden.co.uk
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Juliet's Garden, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall
Posted by CornishJay
Not that I’m biased; but there is only one possible way to enjoy a cream tea. It has to be a Cornish cream tea, in Cornwall, and within sight and sound of the sea. Walk the circular coastal path of St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, take all day, and it’s possible to fit in at least three. With the ambience right, attention can then be turned to the secondary requirements: yes, you will be sat outside in tranquil gardens where “peace comes dropping slow,” yes there is enough thick yellow Cornish clotted to make you feel nauseous (after your third loaded scone), real jam, pretty crockery, and unlimited refills of tea with no stinting on the milk. I first did this cream tea crawl on my honeymoon in 1983 and I’ve been taking my husbands along ever since. Juliet’s Garden and Carn Vean Tea Gardens are highly recommended; but once back in Hugh Town, the crème of cream teas can be enjoyed on the ramparts of Star Castle Hotel, an Elizabethan castle in the shape of an eight pointed star, overlooking the harbour. (When the nausea passes off, you might feel like going down when the sun does, to the Dungeon bar below and ordering the best five course dinner on the island).
Cream teas are £5.00 per person and include 2 home-made
fruit scones, clotted cream, strawberry jam and a pot of tea.
www.star-castle.co.uk/
________________________________________________________________
Polpeor Cafe, The Lizard, Cornwall
Posted by auntybud
Situated on the most southerly point of England with uninterrupted sea views and under the flash of the Lizard Lighthouse above. Take an exhilarating coastal walk before calling in to the Polpeor Café and feast your eyes on some extreme homemade delights. You may be forgiven for being tempted to try a variation of the traditional cream tea on offer and opt for a Jubilee Meringue instead: a moutainous meringue topped with clotted cream served with a delicious apple and blackberry compot and icecream for £4.50
Polpeor Cafe, The Lizard, Helston, Cornwall, TR12 7NU
01326 290939
________________________________________________________________
Northern Tea Merchants, Chesterfield
Posted by Mussi
It's a lovely quaint little tea shop that sells teas and coffees from around the world and does a wicked cream tea.
They claim their business dates back to 1926 and say over 50 million cups of their own tea and coffee are drunk every year. Quite an experience.
Northern Tea Merchants
Crown House
193 Chatsworth Road
Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S402BA
Tel: 01246 232600
www.northern-tea.com
________________________________________________________________
The Victoria and Albert Museum cafe, London
Posted by fordinian
For the decor and the weight of history!
The cafe is located in the museum's original refreshment rooms, the Morris, Gamble and Poynter Rooms. They are high ceilinged, with the original tile decorations depicting such themes as the Seasons and the months of the year.
We sat close to a large black range which I wanted to imagine lit, serving tea to ladies in long skirts and gents in top hats. The tea which was served from china tea pots was made with real tea leaves in large bags. There were large, adequate scones, lucious clotted cream and lovely jam - all in proper china dishes. We also had decent Victoria Sponge and fruit cake.
Tea, scones, cream and jam for about £6
V&A South Kensington
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL
Tel. +44 (0)20 7942 2000
www.vam.ac.uk
________________________________________________________________
Lillie Bakery and Tea Room, Stockbridge
Posted by tooeyotoole
I stopped in Stockbridge for a walk over the picturesque water meadows in the heart of the Hampshire countryside and came across a most quintessentially English scene. After following the stream towards the centre of the village I reached a terrace perched on the riverbank nestled amongst the water lilies.
The friendly staff served me a pot of fine tea and a plate of delicious scones oozing with homemade jam and cream. Before I left I fed the crumbs to some passing ducks- feeling I should share such an experience with at least something.
High Sreet, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 6HF
01264 810754
________________________________________________________________
The Original Maids of Honour tearoom, London
Posted by LorraineG
You don’t have to go all the way to the West Country for an excellent cream tea.
If you plan a visit to Kew Gardens, London then resist the temptations of the refreshment pavilions inside the gardens and save yourself for a special treat just outside.
Exit the Gardens by the Victoria Gate and cross Kew Road to find a quaint half timbered building with a large sign showing ‘Newens - The Original Maids of Honour’ on the front of a tearoom and bakery.
The excellent cream teas here come with all the usual components but with an option of the ‘Maids of Honour’ cakes, usually served warm. Tradition has it that these cakes were enjoyed by Ann Boleyn and her maids when she was being wooed by Henry VIII. They are accompanied by your choice of tea served in delicate blue and white, willow pattern china and if you can’t manage it all then you can always buy some from the bakery to take home for later.
288 Kew Road, Kew Gardens,Surrey TW9 3DU
Tel 020 8940 2752
Nearest tube: Kew Gardens
Nearest rail: Richmond
________________________________________________________________
Yew Tree Farm, Coniston
Posted by madeleinewhite
The best cream teas we've ever had - huge scones, sometimes still warm from the oven, with hefty dollops of local damson jam and cream on the side. Yum Yum. (They also do a good lunch).
Yew Tree Farm is a working farm, built in 1693 and was once owned by Beatrix Potter. Beatrix herself started the Tea Rooms and it's still got her original furniture. There's a fireplace for when it's cold, and also outside seating for when the weather allows. The house was used in the film 'Miss Potter'.
They do B&B too, and sell their home reared beef and lamb. When we were there - on an Open Day, when we were allowed to look around the fabulous bedrooms with their wonky floors, oak four posters and panelled walls, they had a pig race too - great fun!
Set in a stunning location 2 miles outside Coniston on the A593, but there is no car park (except for disability vehicals) so it's best to walk there and build up an appetite! There is a small, NT paying car park 100 metres away, which often gets full.
Tel: 01539 441433
www.yewtree-farm.com
________________________________________________________________
Cream tea at the Knoll House, Studland
Posted by PamelaMary
A cream tea at the Knoll House, at Studland in Dorset, is not for people nervous about their cholesterol levels. Large light scones, freshly made in the kitchen, are accompanied by lashings of thick strawberry jam and cream so stiff it can be cut with a knife. A traditional loaded tea tray is brought out clinking to you on the terrace, so as you eat you can gaze out across manicured lawns through the pillars of mature pine trees to the sea. The view sweeps from Old Harry Rocks to the right, past the Isle of Wight to the townscape of Bournemouth. There is always plenty to see, with sailing boats as well as ferries plying in and out of Poole Harbour.
But visitors must plan their cream tea with military precision. Teas are advertised only on a small board in reception, directing visitors to order tea in the dining room. It is served only from 3.45 to 5.15 pm – five minutes late and you’ve missed one of the best cream teas in England. Cream tea for one is currently £5.
www.knollhouse.co.uk/