Pinky fingers poised! It’s Afternoon Tea Week. From the traditional tower of treats to the indulgence of a proper Devon clotted cream tea … if you love scones, clotted cream, petit fours, cakes, finger sandwiches and, of course, tea then you’re in the right county.
We can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon than relaxing with friends over delicious sweet or savoury treats and a steaming cup of Earl Grey or – if you’re in the mood to celebrate – a glass of fizz.
It’s National Afternoon Tea Week from 7th – 13th August 2023, so we’ve rounded up some of the best afternoon teas and cream teas on offer in Devon. Updated for August 2023.
Places to enjoy Afternoon Tea
Boringdon Hall Hotel & Spa
Colebrook, Plympton, Plymouth (Top image)
There are several places to dine in this 5* Manor House spa hotel but if you’re there to enjoy an afternoon tea you’ll be served in their Great Hall, or you can take tea on the lawn. Choose from their traditional afternoon tea or go all out with their Lauren-Perrier Champagne version. Vegan and gluten free available too.
From £32 per person
Ilsington Country House Hotel
Ilsington Village, Newton Abbot
Located in the pretty village of Ilsington, close to Haytor, this family owned hotel is the perfect spot for relaxing and unwinding. Choose between their traditional Devonshire cream tea, savoury tea, sumptuous Ilsington or savoury afternoon tea. Served 2pm-5pm.
From £11.00 for Cream Tea or £26.00 for Afternoon Tea
Exeter Golf & Country Club
Topsham Road, Countess Wear, Exeter
This is the only place in Exeter where you can soak up the beautiful views of putting greens, and a golf course, whilst tucking into a luxurious afternoon tea. If you have dietary requirements then just let the team know when booking if you’d like it to be vegan, gluten free or dairy free. Open to the public. Members get 20% discount.
From £9.50 for Cream Tea or £19.50 for Afternoon Tea or Fizz Tea for £23.50.
Heron Farm Vineyard
Heron Farm, Weston, Nr Honiton
Treat yourself and a friend to a delectable afternoon tea at Heron Farm – sit indoors or in their flower-filled walled garden. You’ll be served a selection of finger sandwiches, canapes, and of course freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam. To drink you can choose a pot of loose-leaf tea, or a coffees. Reserve ahead.
Afternoon tea for two £44
The Bakehouse
3 High Street, Cullompton
A pot of tea for one, a choice of sandwiches, scone with clotted cream & jam, and a slice of cake from that day’s selection. Add a 200ml Bottle of Sparkling Prosecco for £7.95. Your four-legged fried is welcome too. Served 9am-4pm.
Cream Tea from £7.50, Cheese Tea from £7.95 or the full Bakehouse Afternoon Tea £17.50.
The Salutation Inn
68 Fore Street, Topsham, Exeter
Escape to one of Topsham’s grandest buildings, The Salutation Inn, for a relaxing afternoon enjoying a high tea in their light and airy GlassHouse. Choose between a Devon cream or savoury tea, full afternoon tea or treat yourself to a sparkling Nyetimber tea.
£24.50 for Afternoon Tea or £38 for Nyetimber Afternoon Tea
Occombe Farm Shop
Occombe Farm, Preston Down Rd, Paignton
A treat for one or share with friends. Delicious farm-made scones and assorted cakes and sandwiches available in the Occombe Farm Café between 2.30pm – 4pm.
£17.95 / £34.95 or with prosecco 21.95 / 42.95
Booking preferred. Call 01803 696 255 or email here.
Winslade Manor
Clyst St Mary, Exeter
On the outskirts of Exeter, surrounded by 86 acres of stunning parkland, Winslade Manor will give you a feeling of understated luxury and offers a pretty perfect place to unwind. Delicious sandwiches, scones and pastries and an assortment of cakes.
£35 per person / £45 with a glass of champagne
The Bedford Hotel
1 Plymouth Rd, Tavistock
The Bedford Hotel is situated in the centre of Tavistock and offers a relaxing setting where you can enjoy their full afternoon tea service or the simple pleasures of their Devon cream tea. The Duchess of Bedford afternoon tea is served with a selection of sandwiches, home baked scones, strawberry jam, Devon clotted cream, homemade cakes or your choice of hot drink.
From £7.50 for Cream Tea, The Duchess of Bedford Afternoon Tea £23.00 or £28.50 for Sparkling Afternoon Tea.
Soar Mill Cove Hotel
Soar Mill Cove, Malborough, Kingsbridge
Soar Mill Cove Hotel is surrounded by breathtaking and beautiful scenery and is just a stone’s throw away from the chic seaside town of Salcombe. Afternoon tea can be enjoyed in the main restaurant with wraparound windows or on the all-new alfresco deck. Choose from a Soar Mill cream tea, luxury afternoon tea or Salcombe Tea, all of which are served with fruit scones, homemade raspberry jam, Langage Farm clotted cream and fresh strawberries. Served 2.30pm-5pm.
From £10.90 for Cream Tea or £22.90 for Afternoon Tea
Taylor’s of Tavistock
22 Market St, Tavistock
Served on Friday and Saturday afternoons with two options – the Taylors Afternoon Tea (£17.95) with tea or coffee, a selection of finger sandwiches, homemade quiche, pork and poppy seed sausage rolls, Devon scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, homemade cakes and mini macarons; or Deluxe with the addition of chilled Prosecco (£22.00). Please book in advance.
Orestone Manor
Orestone Manor, Rock House Ln, Torquay
Set in the pretty South Devon coastal village of Maidencombe, Orestone Manor has spectacular sea views across Lyme Bay and beyond. Afternoon tea is available in the newly decorated bay restaurant and includes a selection of fingers sandwiches and cakes, homemade scone and Orestone preserve with Devon clotted cream. Served 2.30pm-3.30pm.
From £10.00 for Cream Tea or £22.00 for Afternoon Tea or £28.50 with fizz.
Salcombe Harbour Hotel
Cliff Rd, Salcombe
The Salcombe Harbour Hotel takes great pride in selecting the best local ingredients for its menu which can be enjoyed, whilst watching the boats go by, through its jaw-dropping panoramic view over Salcombe Estuary. Afternoon tea is a championed tradition here and is a highly recommended treat for yourself and your loved ones during your stay. Choose between the traditional, savoury or sparkling afternoon tea. ‘Tea for kids’ is also available for those with smaller appetites.
From £25 for Afternoon Tea and £33 for a sparkly version
Cottage Hotel
Hope Cove, Kingsbridge, Devon
Situated in a superb location overlooking Bigbury bay, this charming traditional family run hotel is known for its cuisine and hospitality. Their cream teas and afternoon teas are created using ingredients from a selection of local producers and are available to enjoy in the comfort of the bar lounge or outside on the terrace. 24 hours notice needed.
From £8.50 for Cream Tea or from £16.50 for Afternoon Tea
The Arundell
Lifton, Devon
In an area of outstanding natural beautiful, The Arundell is tucked away on the Cornwall Devon border and is known to be Devon’s favourite rural hotel for exploring the countryside. Executive Chef, Ashley Wright, offers a quintessentially British experience when enjoying his afternoon tea or cream tea.
From £9.50 for Cream Tea and £19.50 for Afternoon Tea
One Market Street Cafe
1 Market St, Hatherleigh, Okehampton
One Market Street Cafe is an independent and dog friendly establishment situated in the heart of Devon, just off the Tarka Trail. Enjoy afternoon tea or proper cream tea, which in Devon means cream first then jam on top. Both are available for takeaway, however they invite you to pre-order your afternoon tea for ease on collection.
Pre-order by calling 01837 810582
From £5.25 for Cream Tea or Afternoon Tea is £16 for one and £27 for two people.
Places to enjoy a Devon Cream Tea
Lynmouth Bay Café
18 Lynmouth St, Lynmouth
Everything is either homemade or locally sourced at this quaint tearoom, including their freshly made real Devon cream tea. They even do an Exmoor Cream Tea clotted cream and Golden Syrup! If you don’t have time to eat in then they’ll send you on your way with a picnic to enjoy elsewhere.
£8.50
Home Farm Cafe
NT Parke, nr Bovey Tracey
Set in the beautiful grounds of National Trust Parke, this delightful cafe celebrates Dartmoor’s finest produce and is a haven for walkers and visitors to the estate. Their Devon cream tea or cheese tea is served all day and can be enjoyed amongst their charming cosy interior or outside in the sunshine.
From £8.95
Bayards Kitchen
Shinners Bridge, Dartington, Totnes
Located at the Cider Press Centre, Bayards Kitchen is a family-run restaurant which serves delicious, home cooked food. After a spot of shopping, you can pop in for one of the Bayards Cream or Savoury Teas. If savoury is more your thing, you’ll enjoy a homemade cheese scone with local chutney, cream cheese and a hot drink of your choice.
From £8.00
Valley View Cafe
Rake Farm, Loddiswell, Kingsbridge
The names says it all, this is the place to enjoy delicious food and stunning view across the glorious valley and River Avon. The friendly team are there to welcome you for cream teas and much much more.
£30 with tea or £35 with Prosecco for two people
Coldharbour Farm Shop
East Hill, Ottery St. Mary
This award-winning farm cafe creates their delicious menu using natural ingredients and produce that is either locally-sourced or handmade. Afternoon teas are served after 3pm and are available by bookings only, so don’t forget to reserve one before you arrive. Afternoon tea and cream tea hampers are also available for pre-order – a lovely gift!
From £7.50 for Cream Tea hamper or £17.50 for full Afternoon Tea hamper.
Order a Devon Cream Tea by post
Waterhouse Fayre
Cream tea by post! Award-winning handmade Devon jams and preserves producer, Waterhouse Fayre, offer a range of delicious cream teas for nationwide delivery, including traditional, savoury, gluten free, low sugar and split cream teas. All of which are delivered with Language Farm clotted cream and Devon tea.
Order a 2-scone cream tea for £20, up to and 8-scone cream tea for £36.
Devon Hampers
Cream Tea and Afternoon Tea by post with a huge choice of contents to go into the sturdy cardboard delivery box, with gift card and free delivery.