Where to go for afternoon tea in Cornwall

The best afternoon tea in Cornwall

A delicious and quintessentially British tradition, afternoon tea is a must while holidaying in the UK. Not only does it feature the classic cream tea elements like warm fluffy scones, sweet jam, and pots of English Breakfast, but also delicate finger sandwiches, exquisite pastries, and beautifully crafted cakes.

Whether you’re celebrating Mother’s Day on the 30th March, or planning a special birthday, baby shower, or anniversary, an indulgent afternoon tea is the perfect excuse to gather and enjoy a leisurely treat together. Here are some of the best places in Cornwall to enjoy. 

© Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, Ugly Butterfly and The Scarlet via Instagram.

Duchy of Cornwall Nursery

Nestled on the edge of Lostwithiel and overlooking Restormel Castle, the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery was opened by King Charles and is now overseen by Prince William. With a royal seal of approval, it makes a dreamy setting for afternoon tea and is renowned for its excellent service and fresh ingredients. 

Opt for a table in The Orangery and enjoy a three-tiered masterpiece featuring lemon meringue, rose macarons, homemade scones, and fresh sandwiches. We’d always recommend adding a glass of Trevibban Mill sparkling wine to round off your experience in style.

Afterwards, wander through their greenhouse and homeware shop – their collection is too tempting not to. To extend your afternoon, take a scenic woodland walk around the castle or amble along the River Fowey as it winds through Lostwithiel. 

Ugly Butterfly

For fans of fine dining, the Ugly Butterfly in Carbis Bay offers a luxury afternoon tea experience like no other. With a blend of contemporary and classic flavours, expect sea buckthorn tart and chocolate coffee Battenberg on the sweet selection, while caviar, crab, and smokehouse salmon elevate the savoury offerings.

Carbis Bay Beach sits directly beneath the restaurant, and you can make a day of it by exploring nearby St Ives, with its independent boutiques, galleries, bakeries, restaurants, and cocktail bars.

Scarlet

Renowned for its excellent food, service, and coastal setting, the Scarlet in Mawgan Porth is a favourite destination for special occasions. Overlooking the Atlantic, it’s the perfect backdrop for an indulgent afternoon of delicate sandwiches, handcrafted patisserie, and perfectly baked scones.

Staying at one of our luxury homes in Mawgan Porth? Our Concierge team can reserve you a table to guarantee the best sea views.

© Fowey Hall, The Headland and Fistral Beach Hotel via Instagram. 

Fowey Hall

A stone’s throw from our very own Ria Reach, Fowey Hall is famous for indulgent afternoon teas with a view. Great for families, they even have a dog-friendly "Waggy Tails Tea" menu so no one is left behind. 

Enjoy baked scones, sweet treats, and a selection of teas on their terrace before a gentle wander around Fowey’s charming interior shops. To truly unwind, opt for their "Relax and Recharge" package, which includes access to spa facilities alongside your afternoon tea.

The Headland

A grand setting overlooking the waves of Fistral Beach, The Headland offers an elegant afternoon tea year-round in its RenMor Restaurant. Their classic spread includes homemade scones, Cornish jam, and lashings of clotted cream, alongside sweet treats like rhubarb and custard choux buns and white chocolate passionfruit entremets.

For an extra touch of indulgence, add a glass of champagne, or visit for one of their Halloween and Christmas-themed teas. 

Fistral Beach Hotel

Offering their "Storm in a Teacup" afternoon tea, the Fistral Beach Hotel serves up spectacular ocean views alongside a Double Rosette-awarded menu. Choose "Tea with a Tipple" to enjoy a signature cocktail alongside your sweet and savoury delights. 

There’s also their GAIA spa to enjoy if you’d like to treat your loved one to a treatment or simply laze by the pool. Or, take a walk along Fistral’s stunning beach, which is dog-friendly year-round and currently a popular spot for wildlife watchers, thanks to its visiting humpback whale. 

Good to know: there are steps to enter this hotel. Full details on accessibility can be found on their website.

© Polurrian on the Lizard, Boscastle Farm and Talland Bay Hotel. 

Polurrian on the Lizard

Polurrian is a clifftop Edwardian hotel with incredible ocean views and the South West Coast Path winding past its grounds. Their afternoon teas are worth making the trip for, and with dogs in tow, you can walk along the coast from Poldhu or Mullion. Served in tiers, expect the traditional elements of an afternoon tea, or opt for their savoury option complete with cheese scones topped with local chutneys. 

During the warmer months, their ocean-view terrace provides an idyllic spot for tea in the sunshine, while the winter promises a crackling wood burner in their lounge and dramatic views over the crashing waves below.

Mullion Cove Hotel

Not far from Laflouder Thatch, Mullion Cove Hotel claims to offer “the best afternoon tea in Cornwall”. With handpicked quality teas, a selection of cakes, and freshly baked scones, this is another wonderful setting for Mother's Days and birthdays.

Throughout the year, their seasonal afternoon teas add an extra touch of indulgence, with festive treats served fireside in the lounge during winter. Swap pots of tea for glasses of champagne and head for the spa to extend your afternoon with lengths in the sea-view infinity pool. 

Boscastle Farm Shop

Available daily and adapted for seasonal occasions, Boscastle Farm Shop’s afternoon tea showcases the very best locally sourced ingredients, including their farm’s homemade pasties, sandwiches, and cakes. With panoramic sea views and a working farm setting, it’s a great option for laid back lunching and a post-walk pitstop. 

Take a look around the farm shop for holiday keepsakes, including a fantastic selection of locally made jams, chutneys, honey, and of course, scones. You can also order their afternoon tea to take away, so there’s nothing stopping you from picking one up on your way back from a beach day to enjoy in the comfort of your holiday home.

Talland Bay Hotel

Nestled between Polperro and Looe, this characterful hotel enjoys views over the sparkling south coast. Local to Sea Edge and Eden in Downderry, afternoon tea here is best enjoyed in their landscaped gardens. 

Follow the Alice in Wonderland-themed pathway to a sea-view lawn, where their unusual afternoon tea offers a magical take on the classic treat. Topped with decadent dark chocolate delice, mini-Paris-Brest, and homemade jam-first scones, it’s no wonder it’s so highly reviewed. 
 

Ready to indulge in Cornwall’s best afternoon teas? Speak to our Concierge team to start planning your holiday itinerary: 01208 895 570 | info@perfectstays.co.uk. 

Accessibility note: the above restaurants, hotels, and cafés (unless stated otherwise) offer step-free access, accessible parking and toilet facilities. We recommend checking their website or mentioning your access needs when booking to ensure a seamless experience on arrival. 

Image credits: © Duchy of Cornwall Nursery by John Hersey (main image) and via Instagram | © Ugly Butterfly, Scarlet, The Headland, Fowey Hall Hotel, Polurrian on the Lizard, Boscastle Farm Shop and Talland Bay Hotel via Instagram.