The Best Afternoon Teas in Cornwall
I don’t know about you but sunny Spring days always make me feel in the mood for an afternoon tea…
There’s something about sitting outside with a cocktail or cup of tea and lots of tasty treats that gets me in the Spring mood, and with this change in weather I thought it would be the perfect time to share some of my favourite spots for afternoon tea in Cornwall.
By all means there are PLENTY of places in our county that offer delicious afternoon teas, but (sadly!) I haven’t managed to visit all of them yet 😂. So while your favourite may not be on this list – yet! – please do leave a comment at the end of the post to let me know where I should visit next to add to my list!
What makes a great afternoon tea?
For me what makes the perfect afternoon tea is the right ratio of savoury to sweet treats (although this is definitely a subjective preference!), the presentation, and the atmosphere or location! There are so many different ways to ‘do’ an afternoon tea – whether you like a modern, fine dining feel, a cute kitschy vibe with china teacups, or something totally different; I’ve tried to include a variety below as well.
Afternoon Tea at The Alverton
I took my mum for afternoon tea at The Alverton Hotel in Truro a couple of years ago for her birthday, and they were actually doing a ‘festive’ twist version with pigs in blankets and other Christmassy goodies. So while I haven’t tried their original afternoon tea, we very much enjoyed the festive version and I’ve heard great things about their year-round selection. If you just look at the menu on their website I think you might start drooling!
Learn more on the Alverton website
Afternoon Tea at Hotel Meudon
Hotel Meudon is a total hidden gem in a stunning location in the Mawna Smith area, just outside Falmouth. The subtropical gardens here are beautiful in the sunshine, and they have plenty of tables outside to enjoy an afternoon tea (and a must-try cocktail!) amongst the greenery. The best part is that after you’ve eaten, you can stroll down through the gardens to a secret beach at the end!
Read my full review of our afternoon tea
Learn more on the Hotel Meudon website
Afternoon Tea at Dolly’s Tea Room
It’s been a while since a visited as part of a blogger’s get together I organised back in 2015, but I still hear great reviews about Dolly’s Tea Room’s afternoon teas. This tea room is based in the Falmouth high street and has the perfect vintage, kitsch vibe going on for a classic afternoon tea complete with china tea cups and mis-matched crockery with beautiful designs. A great one for a girly day out!
Learn more on the Dolly’s Tea Room website
Afternoon Tea at The Scarlet
The Scarlet hotel at Mawgan Porth is known for its modern luxury, and the afternoon teas definitely follow suit! When we visited in 2019 they were doing a ‘gin-inspired’ afternoon tea theme, including gin-cured trout, and even a gin & tonic cake. The views from the restaurant here are also stunning, and you know the service will always be good here too.
Learn more on The Scarlet’s website
Afternoon Tea at Merchant Manor
During our visit in 2020, Merchant Manor hotel in Falmouth were doing something really different and out-there with their afternoon tea, which I loved! It was called the ‘High Tea’ and it was a CBD themed tea experience – totally unique. I think they have stopped this now, but I am very happy to recommend the quality of the food here as their restaurant in general is amazing.
Learn more on the Merchant Manor website
As I say this is by no means an extensive list – just a few that I have tried and loved and wanted to share.
If you have any favourite afternoon tea spots to share, please leave a comment below so that I can make sure I visit soon! ☺️
he Best
Hey, we love you blog! We would love to invite you to try our rather special Afternoon Tea at Boscundle Manor. Drop us a line if you would like to come and try it out.
I love your guide on afternoon teas in Cornwall! The idea of pairing scones with local clotted cream sounds heavenly. Last time I visited, I found a cozy spot near St. Ives that had the best views! By the way, while indulging in tea and pastries, I’d often sneak in some quick snake breaks—those levels can be addictive!
What a brilliant guide! I’ve been to The Alverton and completely agree — the menu alone makes you drool! I always plan my Cornwall trips like a Snake, mapping out the best spots without doubling back on myself. Boscundle Manor is definitely going on my route next!
I visited Dolly’s Tea Room a few years ago and the mismatched china alone made it worth the trip — so charming! We ended up staying far longer than planned, which is exactly what happens when you’re in good company. We actually pulled out set of chess while waiting for the second pot to arrive and the staff thought it was hilarious. That’s the magic of a proper afternoon tea — no one’s in a rush.
What a lovely collection of afternoon tea recommendations! I really enjoyed reading your personal experiences and seeing the variety of places you’ve included. The combination of beautiful locations, delicious food, and peaceful surroundings makes Cornwall even more appealing. I actually discovered this blog while searching for diccionario de sueños, and I’m happy I stayed to explore your travel and food content. Looking forward to reading more of your recommendations in the future!
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