Somerset is home to some of the best cream teas in the country so indulge in a tier of sandwiches, scones and cakes at one of these charming spots to enjoy the quintessential English treat. We pick ten of our favourite in the county
1. The Oakhouse Hotel, Axbridge The small hotel and restaurant lies in Axbridge at the foot of the Mendip Hills. Parts of the Oakhouse date back to the 11th century, with features including an ancient well and a large inglenook fire in the residents’ bar.
Try a traditional cream tea with homemade scones with Cornish clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam, or perhaps try the Oakhouse Afternoon Tea which includes finger sandwiches, homemade scones and a trio of sweets. You can even add a bottle of Prosecco for a special treat!
2. Cole Manor Tea Rooms, Bruton Winner of Best Tearoom / Coffee Shop of the Year at Somerset Life Food & Drink Awards 2016, Cole Manor Tea Rooms is nestled in an idyllic countryside setting between Bruton and Castle Cary. Leave plenty of room before dining: Cole Manor Tea Rooms serve up generous helpings of homemade fare including delicious cream teas.
As one of our favourite places to dine al fresco, during the warmer months you can enjoy your tea and scones in the Tea Room’s quintessentially British garden? Try and find yourself a spot by the River Pit which flows along the garden length.
3. Ston Easton Park, near Bath
Select your pastry of choice from elegant china cake stands as you sip on a glass of champagne at Ston Easton Park. Set amongst 18th century parkland gardens, the rural setting of the house is surrounded by views across the former Duchy of Cornwall estate.
A choice of cream tea, afternoon tea, gourmet afternoon tea or a Ladies tea awaits you, served daily from 3pm to 5.30pm.
4. The Castle at Taunton Head to this historic hotel in Taunton and choose between four different afternoon teas to be enjoyed in the former Norman fortress with origins stretching over 1000 years.
The Castle Traditional Afternoon Tea comprises of the treats you would expect: tasty finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and pastries baked by the in-house Patisserie.
5. The Blitz Tearoom, Weston-Super-Mare Travel back to the 1940s at The Blitz Tearoom. Sip freshly brewed tea from vintage china, surrounded with 1940s music and memorabilia from the era. This quirky café offers homemade cakes, tea, coffee and light snacks.
They are also available for group and party bookings, and what better way to indulge with friends than over cream tea!
6. Abbey Tearooms, Glastonbury Overlooking Glastonbury Abbey, Abbey Tea Rooms offers patrons a traditional tea experience with linen tablecloths amongst fresh flowers and pretty china.
Afternoon tea is a decadent affair: homemade scones with clotted cream and a selection of jams, cucumber sandwiches and a wedge of fluffy Victoria sponge all washed down with tea. There are 12 different teas and herbal infusions to choose from!
7. Periwinkle Tea-room The Periwinkle Tea-room, situated on the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate at Selworthy Green, boasts views of Exmoor and its dog friendly to boot (ideal after those long dog walks in the stunning Exmoor countryside). Make sure to wander round Selworthy itself; the thatched cottages are gorgeous.
The tea room is open daily serving delicious cream teas to tuck into.
8. Lion Rock Tea Rooms, Cheddar Located below Lion Rock in Cheddar, Lion Rock Tea Rooms have been open for over 100 years so a traditional experience is on the cards whilst dining here. There are plenty of afternoon teas to choose from, including the rather sumptuous strawberry cream tea.
Enjoy afternoon tea inside the 1950s style café adorned with kitsch furniture, vintage bunting and bespoke bone china or dine among the flowers in the pretty terraced garden, weather permitting of course!
9. Odette’s Tearoom, Wellington Finalist in Somerset Life’s Best Tearoom/Coffee Shop of the Year 2016, Odette Tearoom in Wellington has been described by our readers as a ‘true gem’, no doubt due to its delicious selection of homemade cakes and freshly made sandwiches.
Settle in the tearoom, bursting with rustic Somerset charm and a little French chic, and tuck into one of the many cream teas on offer. Chocolate lovers should definitely try the Chocolics cream tea; two scones served with chocolate and hazelnut spread alongside a warming hot chocolate.
10. Hestercombe House and Gardens, Cheddon Fitzplaine After exploring the historic country house, and beautiful surrounding gardens, take a seat in Hestercombe’s Column Room, attractive, south facing rooms with panoramic views across the garden.
Relax and soak in the pretty scenery with an afternoon tea. You can choose from the traditional tasty affair accompanied with loose leaf tea or cafetiere coffee, or for added luxury perhaps try a Champagne Afternoon Tea? Clink!
