National Cream Tea Day: The Best Places to Go Jam First in St Ives

National Cream Tea Day arrives every year on the last Friday of June, and in Cornwall it is more than a date on the calendar. It is a celebration of heritage, hospitality and the simple joy of a perfectly baked scone topped with jam and a dollop of clotted cream. For guests staying in St Ives, it is also the perfect excuse to explore the town’s most charming cafés and coastal hideaways while indulging in one of Cornwall’s most iconic treats. In this blog we have gathered some of the best places to enjoy your jam first, from the much loved favourites to the quieter, more under the radar spots that locals treasure.

What exactly is a cream tea?

Despite its fame, the term “cream tea” can be surprisingly confusing for first time visitors. There is no mention of scones or jam in the name, yet these are the heart of the tradition. A Cornish cream tea consists of a warm scone, split in half, spread generously with strawberry jam and finished with a thick crown of clotted cream. (Yes, the order matters!)

Whether you prefer a fruit scone or a plain one, the ritual is the same. A pot of tea is the classic pairing, although some cafés will happily let you swap it for coffee if that is your preference. Still, there is something wonderfully grounding about pouring a cup of tea while looking out over St Ives Bay.

 

The Best Places in St Ives to Enjoy a Cream Tea

The Garden, St Ia Church

One of St Ives’ most peaceful hidden gems, The Garden at St Ia Church offers a cream tea with a view that feels almost heavenly. Set within the church grounds overlooking the harbour and the sweep of St Ives Bay, it is a serene place to pause. They serve speciality coffee, home baked cakes and traditional cream teas, with proceeds helping to support the church. Open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm, it is a beautiful stop during a day of exploring.

 

Porthmeor Beach Café

For a cream tea with the sound of waves as your soundtrack, Porthmeor Beach Café is unbeatable. Positioned just above the sand, it is perfect for people watching, checking the surf or, if you are lucky, spotting dolphins dancing in the bay.

 

The Yellow Canary Café

A Fore Street favourite since 1972, The Yellow Canary Café keeps things proudly Cornish. Expect Rodda’s clotted cream, Boddington’s Berries jam and tea from the Cornish Tea Co. It is a nostalgic, friendly spot that has been part of St Ives life for generations.

Market Place Tea Rooms

Pretty, welcoming and wonderfully traditional, Market Place Tea Rooms sits at the top of Lifeboat Hill and is known for its charming china teapots and freshly baked scones. They bake around 250 scones a day, so you can be confident yours will be fresh from the oven.

 

Pedn Olva

Perched dramatically on the clifftop in The Warren, Pedn Olva offers a cream tea with floor to ceiling sea views that make you feel as though you are aboard a ship. Their cream tea features a Baker Tom’s scone, Cornish Dairy Co clotted cream and Cornish Best infused jam, served with a pot of tea.

Scoff Troff Café

In the heart of town, Scoff Troff Café is known for its quirky décor, warm welcome and generous portions. It is a relaxed, good value option that uses locally sourced ingredients and has a loyal following.

 

Where to Get a Takeaway Cream Tea in St Ives

Sometimes the best cream tea is the one you enjoy on your terrace, in your holiday cottage or on a quiet beach with a flask of tea.

Olives Café

Tucked away in Island Square, Olives Café offers takeaway cream teas as well as vegan and gluten free scones. There is indoor and outdoor seating if you decide to stay a while.

St Ives Farmers’ Market

Held every Monday from 9.30am to 2pm at the Island Centre, the St Ives Farmers’ Market is home to The Littlest Baker, who sells takeaway cream teas perfect for a picnic or a relaxed afternoon back at your accommodation.

 

Where to Find a Vegan Cream Tea in Cornwall

If you are exploring further afield, there are some excellent vegan options nearby.

• The Honey Pot, Penzance
• Twisted Currant, Porthleven
• Flicka Donkey Sanctuary Café, Penryn which is fully vegan

Celebrate National Cream Tea Day with Orange Roofs

Whether you are a jam first purist or trying your very first cream tea, St Ives is the perfect place to celebrate National Cream Tea Day. From beachside cafés to peaceful church gardens, the town offers endless ways to savour this Cornish classic.

If you would like to enjoy these experiences from the comfort of a beautiful coastal retreat, explore our luxury holiday cottages and apartments in St Ives. Your perfect Cornish getaway is waiting.

Book your next stay with Orange Roofs today and make your cream tea adventure unforgettable.