The 10 Best Cream Teas in Devon

February 17, 2021

A Devon cream tea, much like a Cornish cream tea is tea and scone, served with clotted cream and jam, the difference between a Devon cream tea and a Cornish cream tea is simple. In Devon, the cream gets added first, then the jam, whereas in Cornwall, you'll find they add the jam first, then the cream. Of course in Cornwall they'll tell you that Jam first is the right way round and the debate continues. In 2018 the Independent reported that The Queen prefers jam first, and while we don't want to argue with the queen, science has conclusively determined that cream first is absolutely the right way round.

1. Café Vanilla, Burnham Nurseries, Newton Abbot

Enjoy high tea at Café Vanilla at Burnham Nurseries to tuck into one of the best cream teas in Devon. Burnham Nurseries specialise in Orchids, so you get to enjoy your cream tea surrounded by these beautiful flowers. You can also pick up Orchids and other plants and flowers from the nursery and visit the Orchid Paradise Greenhouse, to learn about the 30,000 different species of Orchids. IN the café you can enjoy tea made with real tea leaves, and a great selection of cakes and pastries, including elderflower and ginger cake.

2. Nelly May's Parlour, Ilfracombe

Nelly May’s is a traditional tea room dating back to Tudor times. They make their on sourdough bread, as well as baking their own cakes, scones and jams, and Ingredients are locally sourced. The scones come in plain (for traditionalists) or opt for cherry or fruit varieties. To go with the scones there are three types of jam, all homemade of course and the clotted cream portions are generous. Reviews on Tripadvisor describe Nelly May’s as ‘A Gem’, ‘Best Cream Tea Ever’, and ‘Literally the Best Cream Tea in Devon’. What more can we say!

3. Southern Cross Devon Guesthouse and Tea Rooms, Sidmouth

‘The best cream teas I have ever tasted’ is how one Tripadvisor reviewer described the cream tea from Southern Cross. The thatched guest house oozes charm, with comfortable rooms and delicious breakfasts. The quaint tea rooms serve fruit filled scones, crisp on the outside with a soft, fruit filled inner. The tea comes in real china cups and the scones come with more than enough jam and a generous bowl of clotted cream. Everything is baked and prepared on site, and you can expect a friendly warm welcome from the owner Tim.

4. Tea On The Green, Bideford

Tea on the green is an award-winning tea room in the centre of Westward. This small, quirky family run tearoom, serving a good selection of freshly made and home baked treats. The highly rated cream teas are all named after movies stars, opt for the Hepburn, the Grant or the Hepburn. You can choose between sweet or savoury versions, served with either clotted cream and jam, or cream cheese and chutney. Tea on the Green are well-known for serving up the biggest scones in Devon, so you won’t go hungry, and they have a wide range of vegan and gluten free options too.

5. The Old Forge Caffè & Restaurant, Newton Abbot

Sara and Vincent give visitors a warm welcome to the is light and modern café in the centre of Chagford. Set among a number of other tea shops in the village, The Old Forge gets rave reviews for it’s Cream Teas and friendly service. The huge scones are light and fluffy, and come served with a generous portion of clotted cream along with strawberry and whortleberry jam. Beautiful art adorns the walls, and the café/restaurant serves a full menu throughout the day.

6. Hele Corn Mill Tearoom, Ilfracombe

This 16th Century Hele Corn Mill & Tea Room is just steps from the beach at Hele Bay. Multiple winners of the ‘Best Tea Shop in Devon’, you can experience their award-winning cream teas, and combine it with a guided tour of the mill to learn how the flour is ground, and even see the water wheel turning. The original mill stones are still used today to ground their wholemeal flour. The ‘Miller’s Wife Tearoom’ offers a varied selection, all baked on the premises using the flour from the mill You can sit in the mill, or on the outdoor terrace to enjoy your Devon cream tea while watching the water wheel turning. Gluten free scones are available, just call ahead to order.

7. Home Farm Café, Newton Abbot

Home Farm Café opened in 2013, serving brunch, lunch and dinner using locally sourced ingredients. The Café has won numerous awards for their food and service. The Devon cream teas are fresh and warm, and as an alternative, you can opt for a cheese tea, served with local cheese and chutney. The café is very popular with walkers exploring the National Trust ‘Parke’, and dogs are very welcome.

8. The Guardhouse Cafe, Brixham

There has been a café at The Guardhouse at Berry Head for over 100 years. The Guardhouse itself was built in 1802, to protect the batter guns at the end of the headland. The light airy café has large windows offering great views out to sea. They serve a range of home made food, locally sourced and fresh. The cream teas come with fresh clotted cream and a generous serving of jam. They also offer hot cheese scones as an alternative. The location is fantastic, and the view are up there with the best in Devon.

9. Two Bridges Hotel, Dartmoor

The Two Bridges Hotel in the heart of Dartmoor national park, serve up delicious cream teas daily, next to the crackling fires in the hotel’s lounge. The scones are large, light and airy, and the clotted cream and jam are plentiful. The hotel is set in a stunning building, great for an overnight stay or weekend break while exploring Dartmoor.

10. Fox Tor Cafe, Yelverton

Fox Tor café is located in Princetown, home to one of the country’s most famous prisons. Fox Tor Café is a great winter stop, with wood burners keeping the café cosy and warm. The scones come in a variety of flavours, including fruit, data and walnut and ginger, fluffy and warm on the outside with a nice crisp outer. Jam and clotted cream are of course plentiful. This is a great place to stop off after a walk down the railway track. Dogs are welcome and they also have gluten free options.