Join the celebration! NATIONAL CREAM TEA DAY 27th june 2025
A much loved British tradition, the cream tea has been enjoyed by the nation since 1662. Take a look at some of the history surrounding our most loved afternoon treat.
Britain’s love affair with tea began when Portuguese Catherine de Braganza married Charles II in 1662, bringing the custom of drinking tea at court with her and making tea popular worldwide.
In 1706, Thomas Twining opened London’s first tearoom. Before long, a flurry of tearooms appeared across the city, a far sight more inviting for a lady than the male-oriented coffee houses.
The cream tea tradition flourished in the Westcountry following the tourism boom in the 1850s, brought on by the opening of the railway. Visitors bustled south looking to relax and indulge, and hotels, tearooms, farmhouses and cafés were happy to oblige – offering delicious afternoon cream teas, made with the finest local ingredients. The jam was invariably strawberry. And the cream was always clotted.
Tiring of the long wait between lunch and dinner, we have the Duchess of Bedford to thank for the invention of afternoon tea. What started out as simply ordering tea and treats to her room when peckish soon evolved into a gowns-and-all social affair, inviting friends to join her in her country house.
By the middle of the 19th century, afternoon tea was an every day occurrence; a spread of sandwiches, cakes, scones, cream and jam – the first hint of cream teas as we know them today.
Cream then jam, or jam then cream? It’s the difference between the Cornish and the Devonshire cream tea and the cause of much controversy. If you want to know the correct way, why not read our etiquette tips below to discover the proper way to enjoy your cream tea.
afternoon tea - the bath hotel lynmouth
DEVONSHIRE CREAM TEA - 2 Scones, Clotted Cream, Jam & a pot of Tea
AFTERNOON TEA - A selection of Pastries, Macarons, Cakes, Sandwiches, Scones, Clotted Cream, Jams & a pot of Tea
TIPSY TEA - A Tea pot Cocktail served alongside a delicious Afternoon Tea Select from Cosmopolitan, Pina Colada, Pornstar Martini, Strawberry Daquiri or Espresso Martini.
ALL THE SPOILS AFTERNOON TEA - A bottle of Prosecco alongside a delicious Afternoon Tea
VEGAN OPTIONS AVAILABLE
afternoon tea saunton sands hotel north devon
SAUNTON TEA - A Pot of tea Choose from our range (right) Finger sandwiches Egg mayonnaise, watercress Smoked salmon, cucumber, lemon mayo Coronation chicken South west cheddar and tomato chutney Freshly baked raisin and plain scones Clotted cream and strawberry preserve A selection of delicate afternoon cakes and pastries
SAUNTON VEGAN TEA - A Pot of tea Choose from our range (right) Finger sandwiches Chickpea coronation Cheese and tomato chutney Cucumber and dill mayonnaise Eggless mayonnaise and chive Freshly baked raisin and plain scones Dairy free spread and strawberry preserve A selection of delicate afternoon cakes and pastries
lynton & Lynmouth cliff railway top cafe
“Best EVER Devon Cream Tea… we chose the Cream Tea for two and were not disappointed!”
Jeanette - Trip Adviser
“10-star Cream Tea & fabulous cake selection. Best scone I have ever had. Lovely views & great service.”
JP-Baili - Trip Advisor
award winning Strawberry jam - bumblee's preserves
The quintessential English preserve, packed with fruity plump Strawberries.
Cream Tea etiquette tips
Loose-leaf is best. Brew loose leaves in a teapot, but remember to serve a second pot of hot water – just in case you’ve over-brewed.
If you don’t want to pour, don’t sit near the pot. The person nearest the pot should pour for everyone
Make the perfect brew. Allow the tea to brew for at least three minutes before pouring – time enough for the full flavour to infuse.
Tea before milk. Pour the tea first, followed by milk (so you can accurately judge the required strength) and then sugar.
Spoons on saucers, please. Once you’ve stirred, place your spoon on your saucer (think of the table cloth)
No outstretched pinkies! Always hold the cup between your thumb and forefinger. Contrary to popular opinion, sticking your little finger out does not a lady/gentleman make.
Simply break apart. The perfect scone should break apart with a simple twist! Just make sure you’ve got your saucer to catch the crumbs.
Spoon then spread. If the table is laden with bowls of jam and cream, spoon your desired amount onto your plate first, before spreading them thick on your scone.
Jam before cream. While there’s much debate around which goes first (a dispute dividing Cornwall and Devon), etiquette gurus Debrett's say you should spread your jam before dolloping cream on top.
A final word. Never use whipped cream. It’s utterly improper.