Dartmoor’s Best Afternoon Teas
Just-baked scones, gooey clotted cream and lashings of strawberry jam – no holiday in Devon is complete without a traditional cream tea. When done well – and eaten in the right setting – they become one of the great pleasures of a romantic getaway.
From grand country houses to riverside inns and village cafés, these are our favourite places on Dartmoor to enjoy an afternoon cream tea. All are well suited to pairing with walks, gardens or gentle afternoons out, before returning to the peace of Moorland View.
Hotel Endsleigh – Tavistock
Our favourite cream tea in Devon. Supersized scones are served in the elegant setting of an Elizabethan mansion overlooking the Tamar Valley, with generous help-yourself quenelles of clotted cream and strawberry jam. Enjoy it in the wood-panelled drawing room by the fire, or after a stroll through the Grade I-listed gardens.
Bovey Castle – North Bovey
Just a short walk from Moorland View, few places do grandeur quite like Bovey Castle. Soaring ceilings, vast fireplaces and terraces with sweeping Dartmoor views make this one of the most dramatic settings for a cream tea on the moor. Book ahead.
Gidleigh Park – near Chagford
A Michelin-starred afternoon tea served in a Tudor-style country house set within 107 acres of woodland. Pair with a walk around the grounds to properly earn your scones.
Fingle Bridge Inn – Drewsteignton
Cream teas taste best after a long walk, and few settings are lovelier than this riverside inn on the Teign. While the scones are simple rather than showy, the scenery – kingfishers, shaded pools and the ancient packhorse bridge – more than compensates.
The Birdcage – Chagford
A friendly café on Chagford’s main square serving excellent cream teas in cheerful surroundings – ideal for a relaxed stop while exploring the town.
The Old Forge – Chagford
Housed in a converted forge in the village centre, this traditional tearoom is known for its excellent scones and homemade cakes.
A Quiet Place To Return To
After lingering over Devon’s finest cream teas, returning somewhere calm and well located makes all the difference. Moorland View offers a peaceful Dartmoor base for couples who value privacy, space and unhurried days – with many of Devon’s most characterful cafés and tearooms within easy reach.
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We share hidden gems privately with Moorland View guests, so guests can enjoy truly unique afternoon teas.
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