Latest news with #creamtea
The Sun
10-08-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I tested ready-made supermarket scones… the CHEAPEST were the clear winners & worthy of a posh cafe
NO classic cream tea is complete without an oven-baked scone – but the traditional favourite may soon be off the menu at some UK teashops. The fresh versions are to be replaced at a number of National Trust outlets by bought-in versions. But can pre-made versions really compete? As Afternoon Tea Week kicks off today, Laura Stott tests supermarket ones to discover which is the most stately, with marks out of five. Top tip: Pop a shop-bought scone in an air fryer for five minutes at 160C – it will taste like it's just come out of the oven! Specially Selected All Butter Scones Pack of 4, £1.49, Aldi 8 ALDI's afternoon tea treats certainly look the part – generously sized, they would be right at home in a stately home cafe. Golden on top, they smell scrummy and have a nice home-baked look, complete with uneven edges. Made with 19 per cent buttermilk, 14 per cent British butter and six per cent clotted cream, they are rich in flavour. Crumbly and fluffy yet dense enough for toppings, these are teashop worthy at a low price. The Daily Bakery Sultana Scones Pack of 4, £1.60, Iceland THESE are made with 12 per cent sultanas but don't contain any butter. They use palm and rapeseed oil instead, which may be why they didn't look quite right – they had a sheen. While scone-shaped, the scones tasted more like a teacake. When I cut one open, it was dry and fell apart. Even with cream and jam, I didn't fancy it unheated. But warmed and slathered with butter it tasted fine. If you want the full cream tea experience these will not deliver. Deluxe All Butter Scones Pack of 4, £1.49, Lidl 8 THESE plump treats have the yum factor with their puffy exterior, golden brown tops and delicious buttery aroma. Made with ten per cent butter, they taste like a proper scone, if a little sweet. Quite cake-like in texture, once I'd smothered mine in cream and jam it had the feel of a mini Victoria sponge, which isn't a bad thing. Soft inside, it could be eaten with just butter. If I was being picky, they are a tiny bit dry. RATING: 4/5 Sultana Scones Pack of 4, £2.20, M&S/ 8 EVEN though these were the most expensive, they looked disappointing. Compared to others on test, they were smaller and the tops looked too dark, oddly shiny and flat. They lacked the plump appearance you'd expect. Made with 21 per cent sultanas, 13 per cent buttermilk, 12 per cent milk and clotted cream, they were at least moist. Warmed with cream and jam they tasted better than they looked, but they were not good value. Sultana Scones Pack of 6, £1.65, Tesco YOU get six in the pack and considering they are made with 13 per cent butter and 17 per cent dried fruits, these are very good value. They looked liked cafe scones, with crimped edges and a perfect golden colour on top. And they taste very nice, too. A little dense but rich and buttery, and the sultanas work well. The scones could be fresher and less dry, but they hit the spot warmed with butter. Ideal for an everyday eat. Sultana Scones Pack of 6, £1.75, Sainsbury's THIS pack offered a mixed bag visually – the bigger ones had more plate appeal than the smaller more squished ones, so satisfaction might depend on size. Containing 13 per cent butter and 16 per cent sultanas, these tasted fresh for a shop scone, but you couldn't pass them off as homemade. They smelt delicious warmed, and with jam and cream they were nice, but a bit oily. They could have been tastier and fluffier for the price. All Butter Scones Pack of 6, £1.65, Morrisons 8 I WAS not enthusiastic about tucking into these as they looked so plain. There was no delicious freshly baked waft – all I got was a sweet, sugary aroma. Despite containing 17 per cent butter, they didn't look especially fresh either. To eat, they were dry and dull with no flavour. Warmed, they were more enjoyable – but only because of the jam and cream. Dense and far too firm with no fluffiness at all and they felt too compact in the mouth. The Bakery Plain Scones Pack of 6, £1.64, Asda 8 I COULDN'T wait to tuck into these treats as they looked so cream tea-worthy. Made with 18 per cent butter, the scones looked and smelt fresh and delicious with soft, crumbling insides and pale but still appetising outers. Very satisfying. Perhaps a little dense to really hit that teashop sweet spot, but caked in cream and butter they weren't bad. For a teatime treat these are a decent scoff and a good all-round buy.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Stoke-on-Trent centenary cream tea sets new Guinness record
A new world record has been secured in Stoke-on-Trent after hundreds of people joined in with a special cream tea party at venues across the and scones were enjoyed by 777 people across five officially-verified venues, according to Stoke-on-Trent City beat the previous record of 667, set by Yorkshire Building Society across six locations in Leeds, Bradford, Peterborough and Cheltenham in total, about 15,000 people came together across almost 200 venues on Tuesday to celebrate the city's centenary. Guinness World Records adjudicators attended five venues: The Victoria Hall in Hanley, DoubleTree by Hilton hotel at Festival Park, Stoke Town Hall, Stoke Minster, and NatWest in parties were also held in Stoke-on-Trent's twin city Erlangen in Germany. 'So proud' "This wasn't just about the numbers - it was about celebrating who we are, a city built on pride, resilience and togetherness," said Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent Steve Watkins."Vis unita fortior – united strength is stronger – is our motto, and today we proved exactly that by coming together and being record breakers."He congratulated all those who took part and said they had done the city Lyn Sharpe, Stoke-on-Trent City Council's centenary champion, added: "You're record breakers, ducks."I'm so proud that the city I love came together to celebrate our centenary by smashing an official world record."What a way to mark 100 years of Stoke-on-Trent." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Telegraph
07-07-2025
- Telegraph
The 10 best restaurants in Devon
No holiday in Devon is complete without experiencing three classic meals: a pub lunch, fish and chips by the sea, and a traditional cream tea. Fine dining in the county is also superb, with four Michelin-starred restaurants and an array of English country house hotels to choose from. There are plenty of quirky venues too, including floating pontoons, field kitchens and beach shacks. For further Devon inspiration, see our guides to the city's best hotels, pubs, cream teas, beaches and things to do. Find a restaurant by area South Devon Mid & North Devon Exeter & the English Riviera West Devon South Devon Riverford Field Kitchen, Buckfastleigh Vegetables don't get fresher, healthier or more local than at this organic farm, famous for its nationwide box scheme. Vibrantly coloured produce, plucked from the earth less than 50 yards away, are fashioned into hearty, homespun meals in a purpose-built, wave-shaped barn at set times. Dishes are dictated by the morning's harvest and are mostly vegetarian – think cauliflower with whipped feta and almonds, or roasted pear and parsnip salad – save for one meat or fish dish. Puddings might include mango pavlova or sticky toffee pudding. Seahorse, Dartmouth A long-standing member of Devon's restaurant scene, the Seahorse occupies a prime waterside position on Dartmouth's quayside. Run by Ben Tonks, son of celebrity chef Mitch, it focuses on seafood cooked over an open charcoal fire and has a strong Italian bias, with dishes that include locally-landed seafood pasta, grilled Sicilian red prawns and a Tuscan ricotta and lemon tart. Fish is sourced locally, with other produce such as baby artichokes and burrata delivered from markets in Brittany and Puglia. The dining room has a romantic and cosy feel, with low lighting, a button-backed orange leather banquette and shelves of wines, grappa and champagne lining one wall. Rockfish Serving some of the best fish and chips in Devon, and awards to prove it, this chain of beach shack-style restaurants, run by Mitch Tonks, are set in pretty waterside locations across South Devon. Locally landed scallops, crab, Dover Sole and red mullet are on the menu, along with oyster and traditional fish and chips. The hake and haddock are fished from sustainable stocks certified by the Marine Stewardship Council. There are restaurants in Brixham, Exmouth, Exeter Quayside, Dartmouth, Salcombe, Plymouth and Torquay, with another opening planned in Sidmouth. Oyster Shack, Bigbury Don't be put off by the garish décor at this prefab concrete building, housed on the site of a former oyster farm; the freshness of their oysters is legendary. Handpicked from the River Avon less than half a mile away, cooked-to-perfection meaty molluscs are served with a mouth-watering array of sauces and accompaniments. It's fish focused, with other options that include anchovies on toast, fish platters and mussels. The coastal kitsch décor isn't for the style-conscious – think bouys and fishing nets strung from ceilings – but the atmosphere is fun, the staff light-hearted and the value excellent. Mid & North Devon New Coast Kitchen, Croyde At Croyde's coolest new restaurant, the focus is on upmarket brunches (granola bowls, superfood brunch salads, Reuben grilled cheese sandwiches) and dinners that have a strong seafood bent, fitting of the coastal location (think Fowey scallops with hazelnut butter, seabass and basil gnocchi and brill landed in nearby Appledore). A geometrically tiled bar, inky blue walls and tropical décor lend it an urban vibe, and the staff are young, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Masons Arms, Knowstone The gridlock at meal times outside this 13th-century thatched pub on the edge of Exmoor speaks volumes for the quality of the Michelin-starred food served within. Wood-beamed walls, open fires and white-washed stone walls give it plenty of old-school charm, with sloping floors and low doorways adding an element of jeopardy (padding is strapped to the top of doorframes to soften bumps). The restaurant is in a modern extension with a pseudo-classical fresco on the ceiling. Typical mains include roasted guinea fowl with braised leg, potato fondant and morels, fillet of sea bass with brown shrimps and saffron potatoes, and for dessert, pineapple tart tartin with rum and raisin ice cream. Farmers Arms, Woolfardisworthy A short drive from the coastal village of Clovelly, the Farmers Arms builds its dishes around ingredients foraged by staff from local hedgerows and coastlines, and from its dedicated organic farm, which is run under a 'no-till' sustainable agroforestry system. The result? A truly innovative, original and ever-changing menu that combines style, substance and scruples. Dishes during my visit included carrot and dog rose parfait, a riotously colourful goat's cheese salad, roasted seabass with nasturtium, mussels and smoked trout, and for dessert, vanilla rice pudding with seabuckthorn, gorse rum and fig leaf sorbet. The décor is divine; the staff, dynamic. If you eat out only once in Devon, let it be here. Website: Reservations: Recommended for dinner Prices: ££ Exeter & the English Riviera The Elephant, Torquay The bucket-and-spade resort of Torquay seems an unlikely setting for a Michelin-starred restaurant, but Simon Hulstone's trick at The Elephant is to keep things casual and low-key. Overlooking the harbour, this pretty terraced Georgian house serves up the best food you're likely to find in the English Riviera, with dishes that include dry-aged beef fillet with beef fat carrots and oyster emulsion and roasted monkfish with open salsify ravioli. All with the best views in town. Jack In The Green, Rockbeare Traditional pub grub is given a contemporary twist at this roadside inn near Exeter, but dishes remain hearty, affordable and locally sourced. Try gin and treacle-cured salmon with wood sorrel, five-spice glazed Creedy Carver duck breast, loin of Broadclyst lamb with fondant potato and parsnip puree, or butter-poached cod with brown shrimps. There's also a good value menu for children, a good cocktail list and Saturday brunch. West Devon Schoolhouse, Mothecombe Sister property of The Beach House, which is further up the Devon coast at South Milton Sands, Schoolhouse shares the same informal, buzzy and sociable atmosphere, with communal refectory-style tables, jazz and reggae on the sound system, a sunny outdoor terrace and rustic décor that includes memorabilia from the restaurant's days as a Victorian village school. The menu is Italian influenced, with sourdough pizzas and burgers the specialities, and there are barbeques, DJ sets and live music in summer. Mothecombe, one of west Devon's most beautiful sandy beaches, and the South West Coastal Path are a short walk away. How we choose Every restaurant in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets, from neighbourhood favourites to Michelin-starred restaurants – to best suit every type of traveller's taste – and consider the food, service, best tables, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest opening and provide up to date recommendations. About our expert Epic scenery, cosy pubs and a strong community spirit drew Suzy Bennett from East London to a remote village on Dartmoor over a decade ago. She travels everywhere with her dog, Ziggy.
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Cream tea world record attempt for Stoke-on-Trent centenary
Thousands have signed up to attempt to break a record for the biggest cream tea party as part of celebrations to mark Stoke-on-Trent's 100th said they would be "making history" if efforts across multiple venues on 8 July were successful. Nicky Twemlow, director of communities for YMCA North Staffordshire, one of the organisations taking part, said the events would have to meet strict criteria laid out by Guinness World Records."You've got to eat all your scone and your cream and your jam, or you're disqualified," she said. "And you can only have tea." More than 10,000 people from more than 100 organisations, including businesses and schools, have already signed will take part at Stoke Minster, the Victoria Hall and Doubletree Festival Park to try to beat the current record of 667 people, which has stood for 10 years. Ms Twemlow, who also chairs community group Made in Stoke, said she hoped at least 800 would indulge to allow for anyone who might not quite clear their they will not count towards the record-breaking attempt, residents across the city are being encouraged to hold their own cream tea parties at the same time."The idea was that communities all around the city, or Stokies around the UK and the world, could all have a party together at the same time, in their own unique way, that just reflects our brilliant communities," said Ms the world record is broken or not, it will be a day to remember, said Ms Twemlow."It's a celebration of our city, our centenary and our community, which is just brilliant," she said. "It's going to be an incredible day - let's make history together." The Big Centenary Tea Party takes place at 11:00 BST on 8 July. Anyone who would like to take part can sign up on the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce website. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
04-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Beauty of countryside celebrated on Devon's day
"The best thing about Devon is the countryside. The views are spectacular."People from across Devon have spoken of their affection for the county's rich natural beauty as part of a day celebrating all that is good about this part of the Day, also known as St Petroc's Day, is a national day of recognition celebrated annually on 4 June since 2016. Ian Cobham, the head brewer and managing director at Dartmoor Brewery, said the county had a special place in the lives of many and nature was its biggest selling point. "I live on the moors and the views are pretty special," he said."As you drive through the South Hams, with the rolling hills and the farmland, it's just gorgeous." Mike Coombes, from The Bedford Hotel in Tavistock, the site which is claimed to be birthplace of the Devonshire cream tea, said his favourite thing about the county was its contrasts from the countryside to the coast."We talk to our guests who come and stay with us with us here and for them it's about the diversity of the offering," he said."They start with enjoying Tavistock, which is a quintessential Devon market town."We have all of Dartmoor and its fantastic scenery right on the doorstep, and then Devon's coast whether it's the north coast of the south coast."We also have Devon's great ocean city of Plymouth just a stone's throw away from us and the Tamar Valley Area of Natural Beauty just down the road." Discussing the legend of the cream tea's invention, Mr Coombes said: "Where the hotel is situated was the original site of Tavistock of Benedictine Abbey."So the story goes when the Benedictine Abbey was being restored around 997 AD the monks of Tavistock's Benedictine Abbey rewarded the labourers who were doing the restoration with bread, clotted cream and strawberry preserve."So it doesn't take a huge jump of the imagination to say effectively what they were getting was a cream tea, and that's exactly what we've been serving on this site since the hotel started in 1822." Sally Thomson, proprietor at The Highwayman Inn, Okehampton, which purports to be Britain's most unusual pub, also named Dartmoor as being a major draw for Thomson, whose family have worked the business since 1959, said of the national park: "It has so many legends. It's so atmospheric."But from a professional perspective, I think Devon has some great little pubs."Devon is filled with little gems, some little quirky places and some that offer really special things. "We have a lot to offer, here in Devon, but we're very understated so you have to discover it, as we don't throw it in your face." Rob Braddick, who owns a variety of tourism businesses in Westward Ho!, said it was an area where family-run firms were valued by residents."I think the community is really nice," he said. "Everybody gets on really well, it's full of independent shops and restaurants which is really nice. "It's nice to see the families working in the businesses instead of the big corporate boys."He also agreed nature was at the core of the county's offering."I love being on the beach, we live just a few hundred yards from the beach," he said."I very much love the fresh air and the walking."
