A Guide to Afternoon Tea and the Best Places for a Cream Tea in East Devon
I love a Devonshire cream tea and am really happy to share some of my favourites and the best places for a cream tea in East Devon. All in the name of research of course I will keep checking for quality.
There is endless debate over cream or jam first, please don’t stress, life is too short, but you’ll note I am from Devon (cream first please!)
The Origins of the Cream Tea
Even the history of the cream tea is up for debate. Apparently the term Devonshire Cream tea is ranked with the Yorkshire Pudding and Cornish Pasty for it’s regional status.
The cream tea evolved in Devon and Cornwall out of the 19th century fashion for tea houses and afternoon tea, which was a way for wealthy folk to bridge the gap between lunch and the late evening dinner.
What is a Traditional Cream Tea?
The basic ingredients are simple, freshly baked light scones, good quality strawberry or raspberry jam and clotted cream. The addition of sultanas to a scone is just another complication.
An English scone is sort of half way between a cake and bread. If you are American it’s closer to what you call a biscuit. To confuse matters even more, what the English call a biscuit is what Americans call cookies. English tea is always made with the addition of cold milk.
Book an Afternoon Tea for Mothers Day
Enjoying a cream tea for Mothering Sunday is a really popular idea so don’t forget to book in advance if you want to share this celebration. The same goes for a special occasion afternoon tea experience, this will usually need booking a day or two in advance.
Top Cream Tea and Afternoon Tea spots in Devon
Having done some research (it’s been tough!), I have put together some top Cream Tea and Afternoon Tea spots in East Devon. Some are based on recommendations. Now there is a lot of choice, so my top picks are places that are all quite different. Then you can choose one depending on what sort of outing or experience you are looking for.
I have added in some more cream tea suggestions for the rest of Devon as well.
Being so close the Somerset and Dorset I couldn’t leave them out. So at the end of the post there’s another list!
Choosing the best places for a cream tea in East Devon
When you plan a cream tea you’ll choose where you go based on who are you taking and why you are going.
So whether you are celebrating a birthday or special occasion or just really love a Devonshire Cream Tea whatever day it is, then I hope you find this post useful. Let me know if you have enjoyed any of these suggestions or have others to add.
Seaton Tramway Cafe
This is a great option for a family afternoon outing that all ages will love. Join the tram at Seaton and take one of the traditional narrow gauge line trams along the Axe Estuary to the Tramstop Cafe at Colyton Station. There is also parking there if you are not wanting to take the Tram.
It’s a lovely journey with birds to spot along the way, and it’s a dog friendly attraction. Look out for their dinosaur and fairy special trams as well the chance to drive one. (details on the Seaton Tramway website).
Stay on all the way to the Colyton terminus and get off there to enjoy a lovely cream tea or light lunch at The Tramstop Cafe. Hop back on when you are ready for the ride home. There is also a request stop at Seaton Wetlands so you can enjoy a nice walk as well.
Of course if you are happy just to spot the trams then you can also park at the Colyton end.
Otterton Mill near Budleigh Salterton
Combine a look round an historic working water mill with the chance to browse at locally produced gifts and crafts as well as regular art exhibitions and music events. At Otterton Mill there’s an onsite cafe and bakery and local food store so you can expect some great scones here!
Voted in the Sunday Times as one of the best places in the UK for afternoon tea – sounds like high praise.
Then if you are feeling ever so slightly guilty you can walk around the pretty village of Otterton or head off along the River Otter. Enjoy the route of this tranquil river and nature reserve as it flows out at Budleigh Salterton. It’s 2.5 miles to the sea along a well established flat path.
Otterton Mill is open all year, events and exhibitions change so do check the website for details.
Burrow Farm Gardens – Dalwood
On the edge of the Blackdown Hills close to the A35 this is a great spot. You can pay to look around the beautiful Burrow Farm Gardens, featured in numerous gardening magazines (a season ticket is available) or just use the tea room.
The gardens are a mixture of formal and natural areas with a small lake to walk around, azaleas and rhododendrons a blaze of colour in the spring. You can purchase plants from the nursery. They also host various outdoor theatre events in the summer.
The tearoom with indoor and outdoor seating is very popular and serves a selection of light lunches, homemade cakes and of course cream teas. Open from 1st April – 31st October.
Heron Farm near Honiton
Not only is the food lovely (I can vouch for the cream teas), but a bonus is children have been thought about from the start. There is a great adventure play area and a fairy garden as well as goats in the apple orchard.
Book ahead for a traditional afternoon tea experience. After your tea and cakes stock up in the small shop on cider or wine made on the farm. One word of warning, don’t leave it too late to get there. The Heron Farm kitchen cafe closes at 4pm and the cakes were nearly all gone by 2.30 on the day I visited.
The Salty Monk – Sidbury
An East Devon place that often gets a mention, the Salty Monk is a 16th century hotel also offering meals and cream teas in it’s pretty gardens. It’s a good place to refresh yourselves if you also want to take a walk from Sidmouth along the river known as The Byes.
Best Devon Afternoon Tea
If you are looking for a special celebration there are few places to choose.
If budget is no barrier then you can really splash out the Michelin stared Lympstone Manor Hotel. This Georgian Manor House has a fabulous setting overlooking the River Exe. A chance to indulge in a delicious selection of cakes and French patisseries. From £49.50 pp.
For a beautiful view of the Jurassic Coast while you enjoy your treats, the Harbour Hotel in Sidmouth has a long standing reputation. Prices start at £25 pp.
My last suggestion for afternoon tea in East Devon is where you can enjoy views of the golf green, mature trees and landscaped gardens at Exeter Golf and Country Club at their Wear Park restaurant, excellent value from £19.50. Located in a Georgian manor house near Topsham there is also the opportunity to enjoy a pampering spa day.
More of the best cream teas in Devon.
It’s tough job but I think I will keep on searching for the best cream teas.
I wouldn’t want to miss out on any real gems.
Here are more ideas for you from across Devon
Popular destinations for cream tea in Devon include tea rooms, historic house or traditional luxury hotels. Local recommendations from friends, family, or online communities are valuable in discovering hidden gems. Enjoy your cream tea adventure in Devon!
The Ivy Exeter – a classy place for a tea in the heart of Exeter. The ladies always shares a selfie from the loo (I was actually a bit disappointed at the size, the mirrors are deceiving!)
Bovey Castle – a beautiful stately home on Dartmoor, a real treat.
Bedford Hotel Tavistock – a popular Tavistock Hotel
The Café on the Green, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor
Ocean View at The Dome, Plymouth
Mercure Hotel, Paignton – a popular new hotel on the seafront with a delicious tea.
Ullacombe Farm Shop, Haytor
Lewtrenchard Manor, Okehampton
Occombe Farm, Preston Down Rd, Paignton
Salcombe Harbour Hotel
Coldharbour Farm Shop Ottery St Mary (pre order afternoon tea)
Strawberry Fields, Lifton (takeway)
Stuart Line Cruises – cream tea and Jurassic Coast Cruise
Blackberry Honey Farm (near Sidmouth, local honey and gifts)
The Hideaway Cafe (Seaton seafront)
The National Trust properties – always a popular choice in their tea rooms.
Top Cream Teas in Dorset and Somerset
Of course Dorset and Somerset are not to be forgotten so here are some more places to discover – feel free to contact me if your cream tea needs tasting!
Dorset Cream Teas
Bell Cliff Restaurant (Broad Street, Lyme Regis)
Downhouse Farm (Eype) – seasonal
Somerset Cream Teas
Forde Abbey Gardens – seasonal
The Potting Shed Cafe (Chard Garden Centre)
afternoon teas Across the UK
If you are not in Devon and still want to find a good place for a treat then check out the blog Afternoon or Cream Tea for locations all over the UK as well as tips of different types of afternoon tea and how to hold your own.
Hi! I am Clare and I live in glorious East Devon with my family.
Join me in finding new places to explore in the West Country as well as further afield.
I hope you enjoy reading and taking inspiration from this website. 
What an amazing list! I want to go to all of them!!
Great list of cream teas. Two I have been to; The Clock Tower and Otterton Mill and totally agree with you. . Look forward to visiting the one’s you recommend. Thank you.
Hi, I was just wondered if there were any pub type places with garden areas in & around lyme Regis you could recommend? We are coming to lyme Regis for our annual holiday soon & would love to find places not too far away to take the children to.. many thanks , Jayne
Hi Jayne – are you also on Facebook – it might be better for me to add some suggestions on there for you. I can also email you rather than start listing them here. Thank you for reading my blog.
After reading this I really want a scone! Love a cream tea but it does have to be jam before cream! Thanks for this great list of suggestions!
I really don’t mean much encouragement to eat a cream tea – I won a voucher recently for our local garden centre so we’re off to try that over half term! Thank you for all your comments x