Teatime treats in Cornwall and Devon
14th May 2009
In a new monthly series Alexandra Fullerton will focus on the top places to take tea around the British Isles . First up? The home of the classic cream tea - Devon and Cornwall.
The ancient counties of Cornwall and Devon lie at England 's south-westerly point and, for tea fans, the allure of the area is obvious. The traditional cream teas served in these counties are a major reason for planning a visit to the area, but Cornwall has a more modern connection to the cuppa too. While tea from China and India are commonplace, Cornwall has it's own budding tea plantation. The Tregothnan Estate has been growing camellia sinensis for over 200 years but seven years of trials have resulted in a blend of excellent English-grown tea, stocked and served by several members of The Tea Guild.
But if you've ever wondered what the differences between a traditional Cornish cream tea and it's Devon counterpart are, read on. Linda Hastings from Dartmoor Tearooms and Cafe reveals that, "In Devon it's traditional to split the scone and spread it thickly with clotted cream topped with jam. However in Cornwall the jam is applied to the scone first, followed by cream".
Apart from indulging in afternoon tea, the counties have plenty of other attractions to keep visitors busy... Lindsay Southgate from Muffins in Lostwithiel recommends the Eden Project and The National Trust property, Lanhydrock House, as some of Cornwall 's must-visits. But, as always, tea is the star and for any day out we recommend planning a pit-stop for afternoon tea! Here are some of the best places to do so in Cornwall and Devon...
Muffins Tea Shop
Tea at Muffins is a quintessentially Cornish experience. The tearoom is situated in the picturesque town of Lostwithiel , which was described by John Betjeman as having "history in every stone”. Run by Lindsay Southgate for the past eight years, all Muffins' cakes are homemade using fabulously fresh locally-sourced ingredients. The tea selection is pretty good too! When the weather is fine nothing beats taking a seat in Muffins' walled garden and enjoying the tearooms' signature dish - the Luxury Full English tea which comprises a smoked salmon sandwich, scone with jam and cream and a piece of cake, along with a pot of tea, of course.
32 Fore Street, Lostwithiel, Cornwall , PL22 0BN / 01208 872278 / www.muffinsdeli.co.uk
The Corn Dolly
A charmingly decorated tea shop in the town of South Molton. Owned and managed for many years by the Venison family, the Award of Excellence winning Corn Dolly offers guests an impressive choice of loose leaf teas and absolutely delicious home baking.
115a East Street, South Molton , EX36 3DB / 01769 574249
The Quarterdeck at The Nare Hotel
The Nare Hotel combines the charm of a country house hotel with exhilarating sea-views and, according to manager Toby Ashworth, it's the "stunning views over Gerrans Bay towards Nare Head and overlooking Carne Beach" which make the afternoon tea experience at The Nare Hotel so special. The hotel has been serving Cornish cream teas since they opened in 1930 and tea is served daily at 4pm. The hot buttered saffron cake is a speciality - Toby suggests guests walk along Carne Beach beforehand "to work up an appetite"!
Carne Beach , Veryan-in-Roeseland, Truro , Cornwall TR2 5PF / 01872 50 11 11 / www.narehotel.co.uk
Charlotte's Tea House
Winner of The Tea Guild's Award of Excellence for the past four years, Charlotte 's provides a welcome respite from Truro 's busy streets.
Coinage Hall, 1 Boscawen Street , Truro Cornwall , TR1 2QU / 01872 263 706
Rectory Farm Tearooms
Jill Savage currently runs the Award of Excellence winning Rectory Farm Tearooms, which have been in her family for almost 60 years. With recipes passed down from Jill's mother-in-law you can be sure of a traditionally tasty afternoon tea - all the scones and cakes are homemade using local ingredients too. The house blend tea, Smuggler's Choice, is a mix of Assam , Ceylon , Keemum and Lapsang Souchong teas and reflects Cornwall 's sea-going past. Rectory Tearoom's proximity to the coast (just a five minute walk) make it a unique and unmissable tea venue.
Rectory Farm, Crosstown, Morwenstow, Nr. Bude, Cornwall , EX23 9SR / 01288 331 251 / www.rectory-tearooms.co.uk
Dartmoor Tearooms & Cafe
If you take tea at Dartmoor Tearooms, Linda Hastings recommends the Earl Grey Blue Flowers tea with Chinese Keemun tea, Indian Darjeeling, Bergamont oil and pretty blue cornflower petals. But if that doesn't take your fancy there are another 31 loose leaf teas on the menu to choose from. "Never compromising on quality and sourcing the finest local ingredients" is Linda's recipe for success - along with making sure the teacakes are all handmade ("a labour of love"). Visitors to the area should check out the "majestic moors" to see Dartmoor's indigenous ponies and England 's highest waterfall, the nearly Canonteign Falls.
Dartmoor Tearooms & Cafe, Moretonhampstead, Devon TQ13 8NL / 01647 441116
de Wynn's Tea and Coffee House
Located in an enviable position on Falmouth's bustling
waterfront, the family-run de Wynn's is an Award of Excellence-winning
tea room. The perfect place to take afternoon tea if you enjoy a side
order of history, the tea room was named after a famous Falmouth
entrepreneur and occupies an important Grade II listed building in the
town and is filled with antiques. We recommend you order Granny Nunn's
delicious bread pudding but locally-produced cheeses, seafood, jam,
cream and tea are all available.
55 Church Street, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 3DS / 01326 319259
The Tea Shop
A consistent Award of Excellence winner, The Tea Shop is a busy
tea room located in town of Wadebridge and is popular with tourists
and local visitors. Owner Nicky Ryland ensures that fresh Cornish
produce takes pride of place on her menu, along with a selection of 40
blends of tea. Customers can also enjoy a choice of thirty traditional
and tasty cakes, such as strawberry pavlova, in this cheery venue.
6 Polmora Road, Wadebridge, Cornwall, PL27 7ND / 01208 813 331