It looks like afternoon tea is back on the menu as people are cheering themselves up with tea and cake, instead of an expensive dinner, in response to the current financial ‘doom and gloom’. A recent survey revealed that searches on the web for ‘afternoon tea’ have increased by 67 per cent in recent months. We love our tucker down here in the West Country and have some great places to taste the ‘best of the west’ when it comes to afternoon tea.
The Dartmoor Tearooms and Café in Moretonhampstead is the place to go for an afternoon tea fix – everything is homemade at this Tea Guild award winning café. Full afternoon teas kick off in earnest from Easter - homemade scones, cakes such as lemon and blueberry drizzle, and chocolate brownies with clotted cream, apple and blackcurrant tartlets are just some of the tempting offers. Rest it all off at this farmhouse in Moretonhampstead with glorious long views over Dartmoor.
Or try the Whitehouse at Chillington, a funky country hotel in the heart of the South Hams. You can pick your spot in the garden or if it’s chilly, by the fire, for homemade scones, cakes and a selection of cucumber and smoked salmon sandwiches. Work off the calories by strolling back afterwards to this peaceful detached, 16th century house not far from the centre of the village.
