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Not so much a tea room as a tea garden. Tucked away like a magical grotto past a trickling fountain and through vast trees and hedges, you arrive to a garden where you are served by staff in Victorian aprons, who bring the most delicious homemade scones (if you choose the cream tea - and really you should, you won't regret it). Also accompanying it is a nice big pot of cream and the same of jam, none of that tiddly little amount you get in the chain cafes. Quite right too! All you can hear is the birds and the wind rustling through the trees. It really is the most delightful, thoroughly English experience tucked away in the South Downs near Eastbourne. It's dog friendly too so your pooch can settle under the table for a rest after a lovely walk and refresh him/herself with a bowl of water while you enjoy the quintessential cream tea at this delightful spot.
A large car park accommodates plenty and there's a little gift shop and also a fabulous little plant nursery at the same spot to tempt you.
Find Litlington Tea Room near Cuckmere Haven, East Sussex taking the turning off the A259 signposted to Litlington and follow along. It's narrow so be careful.
Only open in summer.
+44 (0)1323 870222
Google map: bit.ly/qvfkqD
As an unpaid and broke intern forlornly lurking around Edinburgh, every day for weeks I would pass Clarinda’s Tea Room. No flashy sign or outside seating, just a sitting-room sized window with lace curtains which I longed to look behind.
Visiting friends from London gave me the much-needed excuse to finally venture inside. Clarinda’s turned out to be a doilied heaven; cakes on display and a scent of baking in the air which reminded me of my native Norway’s old-time cafés and visiting my Grandmother’s house. The best Cream Tea north of the border made our experience complete.
Clarinda's Tea Room, 69 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BS
Google map: tinyurl.com/3588kqc
Returning to North Devon after three years, there was one thing on our holiday plans that we all agreed on unanimously: cream tea at Tordown Farm.
Sheila and her granddaughter welcomed us into the farmhouse, where little has changed for the last century, and proceeded to bring mountains of freshly baked fluffy warm scones, clotted cream and jam. This was followed shortly by home made cakes and pots of tea and coffee, till the table was groaning with all manner of home baked loveliness.
Take the country walk round the beautiful farmland and local countryside if you feel you need to justify the calories or want to tire the kids out, but being northerners we are well versed in the merits of comfort food.
For all you world weary city dwellers, be warned, Tordown Farm will fuel the desire to opt out and live that idyllic simple life we all wish for.
Off the A361, near Swimbridge, North Devon. Follow the brown tea cup signs.
www.cvcaravans.co.uk/tordownfarmhome.htm
Tel: 01271 830265
Heavenly delights await the visitor at Hell's Mouth cafe on the road between Portreath and Godrevy. Freshly baked, deliciously delectable, plain or fruit homemade scones are accompanied by more local clotted cream and fruity jam than you can manage, all washed down by thirst quenching hot tea You need to work up a healthy appetite to do justice to this feast. Walk the glorious stretch of coast path between Godrevy lighthouse and Hell's Mouth Bay, seal spotting and taking in stunning views of St. Ives Bay,the north Cornish coast and the wide blue atlantic, then cross over the road to the cafe and indulge.
Godrevy, Gwithian, Cornwall
Selworthy village climbs up a steep, narrow hill with truly breathtaking views from the church at the top - historically known as "Heaven's Gate". The views are of Exmoor are simply stunning and indeed a funeral was just about to take place when we returned to the car and we were quite jealous, thinking "what a place to go!" Tucked away in a tranquil garden just to the side of the church is the perfect thatched cottage, owned by the National Trust. Discreet as can be, indicated only by a small sign by the gate, a tea shop is housed. Inside the perfect thatched cottage is the perfect selection of cakes displayed on the perfect antique cabinet. You will feel like a kid in a sweet shop, the cat who got the cream or Hansel or Gretel. However difficult it may be to deny yourself the cakes which make your eyes nearly pop out your head, you will not be disappointed if you opt instead for the cream tea. Choose from the two-scone or the one- scone (all I had room for) and choose from raspberry (my personal favourite), strawberry or apricot jam and your scone will be fresh and warm with ample cream. The perfect well-used but loved floral china tea service will add to the decadence of it all. The setting is just unbeatable. The hidden nature of the cottage makes you feel even more naughty, and makes you think about keeping the secret to yourelf.
Just off the A39, west of Minehead
The best cream teas in England are served on Sunday afternoons in the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul in Great Missenden. The Church is situated above the beautiful Misbourne valley in Buckinghamshire. Teas are served by members of the Church and include an exciting range of home-made cakes and scones. You can eat your tea inside the wonderful 14th-century Church or take your tray outside where you can sit with views over the Buckinghamshire countryside. On many Sunday afternoons, the teas are accompanied by music – ranging from organ recitals to local young student musicians and classical guitar to modern jazz – details are on the Church’s website. www.missendenchurch.org.uk
The Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Church Lane, Great Missenden, Bucks, HP16 0BA. 01494 862352.
www.missendenchurch.org.uk
www.missendenchurch.org.uk
Nearest station: Great Missenden (Chiltern Rail)
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
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
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
In fairly unassuming premises the Corn Dolly front door opens to a wonderful old fashioned cafe/tea room with friendly service and the most fantastic cream tea we have ever consumed - in fact we did not manage it all it was so large!
The scones are enormous but do not let size fool you. Freshly made and very light my wife considers them the best she has had - she being something of an expert at making them anyway. Supplied with lashings of fresh Devon clotted cream, exquisite home made jam and proper tea in a proper teapot it really is a wonderful experience - what's more you can have seconds if you want!
Corn Dolly
115a East Street
South Molton
Devon EX36 3DB
between Tiverton and Barnstaple
01769 574249
Home made scones and clotted cream. The jam is great and served in a pot. You can eat inside or out and it's very clean and comfortable.
By main car park near to Fairlight Church, Fairlight Country Park
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.
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. They 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, Fax: 01246 555991
Email: enquiries@northern-tea.com
Every Sunday through August, this small rural village hall, situated in stunning countryside near Chichester, does an excellent cream tea with scones, jam and a vast selection of cakes - all made in the village by whichever community group is hosting the afternoon. Sitting outside on the grass or seated in the hall, the volunteer waitresses provide a warm welcome and efficient service! All this for under £5.00.
Downs Road, West Stoke, Near Chichester, West Sussex.
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).
www.star-castle.co.uk/
Cream teas are £5.00 per person and include 2 home-made
fruit scones, clotted cream, strawberry jam and a pot of tea.
Docton Mill is an old water mill surrounded by beautiful gardens. The main reason for visiting though is almost certainly the cream teas. It was voted Best Cream Tea in Devon.
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