As Home of the Cream Tea, Tavistock hosts an annual festival where businesses battle it out to be crowned 'Best Cream Tea' in town!
The cream tea, a form of afternoon tea consisting of tea taken with scones, clotted cream and jam, originated in Tavistock over 1000 years ago. The Benedictine Abbey, established in the 10th Century, was plundered and badly damaged by Vikings in 997AD. Restoration of the Abbey was undertaken by Ordulf, Earl of Devon, who rewarded his workers with bread, clotted cream and strawberry preserves made by the monks. A Devon cream tea!
Today, local businesses in the town come up with new and inspired flavours to celebrate this history and to earn themselves the accolade of 'Best Cream Tea' in Tavistock.
2024 saw The Bedford Hotel crowned 'Champion of Champions'. Who will take the title this year?
Be sure to pop in over the course of the week to taste some different and inventive takes on the Devonshire Classic.
A Cream Tea & Bubbles Festival will be taking place at the end of the week on Sunday 29th June from 11:30-17:00.
Enjoy a summer fete in the hear of Tavistock, in association with Miss Ivy Events.
What can you expect:
- Cream Teas: taste all the entries of Cream Tea Week in Butchers' Hall (charges apply)
- Live Music: Enjoy live performances throughout the day.
- Bubble Displays and Workshop.
- Prosecco bar and Street Food :Delicious Street Food including pie & mash and BBQ.
- Competitions: Take part in exciting competitions such as space hopper races and bubble excitement!
- Tea Tasting: Sample an array of teas.
- Artisan & Gift Market
- Children’s rides & face-painting (small charge)
- Decorate a Scone Competition (small charge)
- Cream Tea Results: The winners from the Cream Tea competition will be announced.