Celebrate National Cream Tea Day With Piglet’s Pantry

At Piglets Pantry, we absolutely adore any reason to celebrate, and there’s one particular annual occasion that holds a special place in our hearts – National Cream Tea Day.

National Cream Tea Day is dedicated to paying homage to the timeless British tradition of indulging in tea accompanied by scones generously filled with creamy clotted cream and delectable jam.

So, let’s raise our teacups and savour every bite as we commemorate this delicious and cherished British tradition.

Want to join in with the festivities?

At Piglets Pantry, our homemade afternoon tea hampers are lovingly handcrafted by our team of experts.

Available in a vast array of options, including vegetarian and vegan, our afternoon teas are packed full of sweet and savoury bakes, including mouthwatering buttermilk scones, strawberry jam and clotted cream. Shop our range of cream tea gifts.

When is National Cream Tea Day?

Mark your calendars!

National Cream Tea Day – also known as International Cream Tea Day – is always celebrated on the last Friday in June. This year’s date, Friday 26th June 2026, has just passed, but the next celebration falls on Friday 25th June 2027, so there’s plenty of time to start planning.

Now in its second decade, National Cream Tea Day was established by Rodda’s Cornish Clotted Cream and Wilkin and Sons Tiptree (whose cream and jam both feature in our products!) with a meaningful purpose – to foster togetherness and support charitable causes.

Whether you choose to celebrate this delightful British tradition with loved ones at home or with colleagues at the office, National Cream Tea Day encourages everyone to participate in community events and revel in the joy of cream tea. It’s an opportunity to indulge in these tasty afternoon treats while making a positive impact.

Where Did Cream Tea Originate?

Historians trace the origins of the delectable practice of layering jam and cream on bread back to Tavistock Abbey in Devon during the 11th Century. However, it’s worth noting that the people of Cornwall may have a different perspective on this claim!

Both Devon and Cornwall have gained fame for their unique variations of cream tea, leading to an age-old debate about the proper order of adding cream and jam. However, here at Piglet’s Pantry, we’re not too particular. As long as you enjoy your afternoon treat, there’s no need to fret over the finer details.

What Does Cream Tea Consist Of?

Though cream tea, as we know it today, is slightly different, it is still a simple combination of scones, cream, jam and a piping hot cup of black tea, served with milk and sugar.

Traditionally enjoyed warm, the star of the show, scones, can be enhanced with raisins or currants for an extra burst of flavour.

To enjoy them at their best, simply split the scone in half horizontally, slather on some cream and jam, and take a bite. The result is a mouthwatering combination of warmth, richness from the cream, and sweetness from the strawberry jam. It’s a delightful blend of flavours and textures that will leave you wanting more.

At Piglet’s Pantry, our buttermilk scones are just as delicious as they look, favoured by generations of treat-lovers.

Browse our range of classic British afternoon teas.

What’s the Difference Between Cream Tea and Afternoon Tea?

This might come as a surprise to you, but cream tea and afternoon tea are not the same.

Cream tea is a delightful, yet modest, indulgence that includes four simple components: freshly brewed tea, a scone, jam, and cream.

Now, let’s take things up a notch with afternoon tea.

Sprinkling an additional touch of luxury, afternoon tea features the traditional components of a cream tea with an additional array of tiny treats. From delicate finger sandwiches to sweet and savoury cakes and pastries, the spread is diverse and lavish, showcasing a range of flavours.

So, while cream tea provides a charming experience, afternoon tea offers a more lavish, extravagant experience, promising a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds!

How Can I Celebrate National Cream Tea Day?

To honour this timeless British tradition, all you need to do is gather your loved ones, find a cosy spot in the garden, and indulge in a delicious cream tea! It’s as simple as that.

Want cream tea delivered to your door? Here at Piglets Pantry, we’re passionate about sharing the power of handcrafted gifts to brighten up someone’s day. We’re proud to deliver all of our sweet and savoury treats across the UK, making it easier than ever to deliver the perfect edible gift to someone you love. Our talented team is thrilled to share their passion for this delightful British tradition, offering a variety of afternoon tea options to cater to your preferences.

Whether you opt for the classic Cream Tea For Two, or the luxurious Sparkling Afternoon Tea For Two, we have everything you need to make next year’s National Cream Tea Day the most memorable one yet.

Quick Cream Tea Day FAQs

When is the next National Cream Tea Day? National Cream Tea Day is always held on the last Friday in June. The next date is Friday 25th June 2027.

Is cream tea the same as afternoon tea? No. Cream tea is just scones, jam, cream and tea, while afternoon tea adds sandwiches, cakes and pastries to the spread.

Jam first or cream first? It depends who you ask! Cornish tradition spreads jam first, then cream. Devon tradition spreads cream first, then jam. At Piglet’s Pantry, we say enjoy it however you like.