Nothing says Devon quite like a cream tea! The perfect one consists of light, fluffy scones, homemade fruit jam and proper clotted cream, which is so thick it sticks to the spoon, accompanied by a thirst-quenching pot of tea. This delicious afternoon snack is served in virtually every café, hotel and pub in the county, but here are a few suggestions of where to find the best cream teas in the area:
Fingle Bridge Inn
Drewsteignton, EX6 6PW; www.finglebridgeinn.co.uk
This pub has a breath-taking location, on the banks of the River Teign. Why not work up an appetite first with a walk along Fingle Gorge, before rewarding yourself with a well-earned break and an award-winning cream tea – the ones served here were voted ‘Best in Devon’ in 2007.
The Walled Garden
Dunsford EX6 7AA; www.churchcottagedunsford.com
The tearooms are housed in a 400- year-old thatched cottage on the edge of Dartmoor, with a really pretty enclosed garden, so it’s best to visit when the weather is warm enough to sit outside if you can.
Hotel Endsleigh
Milton Abbot, PL19 0PQ; https://hotelendsleigh.com/home/
The Hotel Endsleigh has a wonderful location above the River Tamar and is set in 100 acres of fairy tale gardens, woodlands, follies and grottos created by Humphry Repton. Afternoon tea is the highlight of every day, when an array of cakes, scones and sandwiches is served in the library. Guests are welcome to help themselves to as much or as little as they like.
Home Farm Café
Parke, Bovey Tracey, TQ13 9JQ; http://www.homefarmcafe.co.uk/
Home Farm Café is set in the Parke Estate, which lies on the outskirts of Bovey Tracey and is now home to the Dartmoor National Park Authority. There is dog-friendly seating inside and outside. Afterwards, you can enjoy a stroll along the River Bovey and Granite Railway, both of which pass through the estate.
Bovey Castle
Dartmoor National Park, North Bovey, TQ13 8RE; http://www.boveycastle.com/
Set in Dartmoor National Park, Bovey Castle is one of the finest hotels in the UK and offers visitors a chance to be treated like a king whilst enjoying a cream tea or a more extensive afternoon tea within its wonderful grounds.
The Old Forge Cafe & Restaurant
6 The Square, Chagford, TQ13 8AB; http://theoldforgechagford.co.uk/
The Old Forge is a beautiful converted blacksmith’s forge in the heart of Chagford, where high-quality local and homemade food and drink is served. Their cream teas are presented in a wicker basket on a wooden chopping board and come with proper loose-leaf tea.
Prince Hall Hotel
Two Bridges, PL20 6SA; http://www.princehall.co.uk/
The Prince Hall Hotel is located in a lovely setting overlooking the beautiful West River Dart. They serve delicious Devonshire cream teas featuring freshly baked crumbly scones, locally made strawberry preserve and Devon clotted cream. Creams teas can be enjoyed in the cosy sitting room or bar, the light and airy restaurant or outside on the terrace. They are dog friendly so why not pop in for a cream tea after a walk on Dartmoor.
Badgers Holt
Dartmeet, Princetown, PL20 6SG; http://www.badgersholtdartmoor.co.uk/
Once an old fishing lodge, Badger’s Holt is located between Ashburton and Princetown at Dartmeet, the famous beauty spot where the east and west tributaries of the River Dart meet. Badger’s Holt serves a great Devonshire cream tea, with a secret scone recipe going back 60 years, and offers homemade traditional fruit, cheese and gluten-free scones.
Moorland Gardens Hotel
Yelverton, Near Plymouth, PL20 6DA; http://www.moorlandgardenhotel.co.uk/
Moorland Gardens Hotel is located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, not far from Plymouth, Tavistock and the border with Cornwall. It’s set within nine acres of stunning and tranquil moorland garden. Devon cream teas and afternoon teas are served in the lounge or the picturesque garden and come with homemade scones and a choice of tea.
White Hart Hotel
The Square, Moretonhampstead, TQ13 8NQ; http://www.whitehartdartmoor.co.uk/
The White Hart Hotel is a family-owned hotel in the centre of Moretonhampstead, on the Eastern side of Dartmoor. The hotel is very dog-friendly, so dog owners can pop in after a walk on the moors. Food is sourced locally and cream teas can be enjoyed daily in the restaurant or bar area.
Oh, and please remember: in Devon, we put the cream on first and the jam on top!
