Cream Tea and a Cuppa on the Somerset and Exmoor Coast

We’ve handpicked seventeen cafés, tea rooms and hotels offering freshly made cream teas, delicious cakes and savoury treats. Each is situated on or near the King Charles III England Coast Path (which runs from Brean to Porlock Weir) so are ideal rest stops if you are walking the trail. Most have stunning coastal views, cater for special diets and will warmly welcome four-legged friends too.

Porlock Weir

Photo Credit: Porlock Weir

Porlock Weir Hotel – Enjoy an Exmoor afternoon tea full of homemade treats – finger sandwiches, cakes, macarons and scones in stylish surroundings overlooking the water. In winter, options include homemade scotch eggs and sausage rolls. A full afternoon tea requires 24 hours notice. Dogs are welcomed in the lounge and bar.
Harbour House Coffee Shop – Pieces of Eight – offers great coffee, homemade cakes (plant and very low gluten options) and stunning views of Porlock Bay. Enjoy a West Country cream tea, breakfast, brunch or lunch, vegan/veggie options and dogs welcome.
The Harbour Gallery and Café – Browse local art, ceramics, jewellery and crafts and enjoy homemade cake, cream teas or lunch on the terrace overlooking the harbour. Gluten free, veggie, vegan options and dogs are very welcome.

Minehead

Photo Credit: Nell Barrington

Foxes Hotel is the UK’s only training hotel for young people with learning disabilities. Their students, supported by professional chefs, serve delicious cream teas and high teas made with locally sourced ingredients, as well as magnificent cakes, overlooking the sea. Dietary requirements catered for.
Jubilee Gardens Café offers the unique opportunity to play crazy golf (with your dog) and enjoy a homemade cream tea or cakes (gluten free and vegan options) overlooking the sea. There’s a doggie menu too.
The Beach Hotel has a secret recipe for its giant scones, shared only with apprentices, who are refining their skills at this training hotel. These special scones are part of the perfect cream tea experience, which you can enjoy with your dog at your side.
West Somerset Railway – Choose from three cream tea experiences aboard a heritage train: Afternoon Tea with a selection of sandwiches, savoury snacks, cakes plus a cream tea or a Fish and Chip Plus Cream Tea Special a chip shop meal served on the outward journey and a cream tea served on the return journey or a Cheese and Cider Plus Cream Tea Special with cheese and cider on the way and a cream tea on the way back. They can cater for special diets by prior arrangement. Dogs are not permitted on catering special trains.

West Somerset Railway; Photo Credit: Jack Boskett

Dunster Beach

Kingfisher Café is tucked away among the chalets at Dunster Beach, serving teas – sweet with cream and jam, or savoury with cheese and chutney, as well as cakes and a choice of teas. Enjoy while listening to the steam trains passing by. Open April to November.

Watchet

Hellikers Café is a cosy place offering cream teas with scones and cakes, freshly baked by the owner every day, and a choice of teas served in delicate bone china; dogs are welcome.
Chives Café – You and your four-legged friends will be warmly welcomed to this friendly cafe to enjoy a delicious homemade cream tea with local Whortleberry jam – gluten free and takeaway available too.

Doniford

Doniford Farm Park offers a unique opportunity to enjoy a freshly baked afternoon tea (sweet or savoury, with gluten free options) surrounded by friendly animals, overlooking the coast. Dogs are allowed outside and dietary requirements catered for.

Blue Anchor

The Driftwood is a 1930’s beachside Cafe and Restaurant with a garden sloping to the sea, offering fantastic views, on a clear day, to Wales. Choose from homemade sweet or savoury teas with wholemeal, chilli cheese scones. Dogs are very welcome inside and out and they cater for special diets.

Kilve

Chantry Tea Garden is set within pretty gardens beside the picturesque ruins of a 14th-century chantry, just a short stroll from the coast. They offer delicious, sweet or savoury teas with gluten free and vegan options and dogs are always welcome.

Burnham-on-Sea

Bayview Café is in a prime position right on the seafront and offers a choice of eating your cream tea on the terrace overlooking the golden sands or collecting a takeaway for a picnic on the beach.
Dusicake – Just a short walk from the trail you will find delicious coffee and cupcakes of all flavours. Alternatively, enjoy a traditional afternoon tea with a modern twist – three tiers of sweet and savoury treats. Gluten free and vegan options and takeaway available.

Brean

Sundowner Café and Bar is set just behind the beach with cakes, cocktails and savoury treats to eat in or take away, and as the name suggests, this is a great spot to watch the sun set over the sea.
Brean Down Beachside Café – National Trust – has fabulous views of the beach and Brean Down and serves a choice of hot drinks, homemade cakes, lunches and more. Dogs are allowed downstairs and they offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

We have focused on sweet treats, but many places serve breakfast, lunch and, in some cases, dinner. Please check their websites or call in advance to check as opening times and days vary.

On this remarkable coast you are spoilt for choice when it comes to tasty, locally sourced food and drink – you will have heard about our cider! From award-winning restaurants and pubs, tapas bars and cosy bistros, to fish and chips at the seaside, there is something for every budget. Contact our friendly, knowledgeable teams at the tourist information centres, who will be happy to help find just what you need.

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with Somerset Council being the lead local authority for UKSPF in Somerset.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, click here.