Cornwall BEAT this world record at the weekend (by more than double)

Guinness World Records don’t come much more Cornish than this! On Saturday, Cornwall Hospice Care gathered 2,483 people at the Royal Cornwall Showground for a single, simple goal: the largest cream tea party ever held.

The record they were chasing had stood since 2019, when Mercedes-Benz assembled 1,088 people for a cream tea event in – randomly – Beijing. Cornwall more than doubled the number!

• New record: 2,483 people — largest cream tea party ever held
• Previous record: 1,088 (Mercedes-Benz, Beijing, 2019)
• Where: Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge
• When: Saturday 19 September 2026
• Organised by: Cornwall Hospice Care, marking its 45th anniversary
• Hosted by: Johnny Cowling, with support from Josh Widdicombe

The day itself

The event was hosted by Cornish comedian and entertainer Johnny Cowling, with comedian Josh Widdicombe also lending his support to promote the attempt in the run-up to the day. 

The attempt also marked Cornwall Hospice Care’s 45th year supporting patients and families across the Duchy.

“Achieving a Guinness World Record title is a fantastic achievement, but what makes this so special is that it was accomplished by the community coming together for our hospices,” said Frazer Hopkins, the charity’s director of income generation. “Every person who joined us has helped raise awareness of the vital care we provide and the difference hospice care makes to local families every day.”

Cowling echoed that sentiment, saying he was “honoured” to play a part in bringing the record to Cornwall, adding: “I hope it stays for a very long time.”

Devon nearly got there first

That said, Cornwall wasn’t the first part of the South West to take a run at this record. 

Back in June 2022, the Devon village of Lympstone attempted exactly the same feat as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend.

Led by local volunteer Vic Drinkwater, the village set up tables in Candy’s Field with proper tablecloths, crockery and full Devon cream teas, hoping to beat that same 1,088 target. They came agonisingly close: 1,070 people sat down, just 18 short of the world record! They did walk away with a British record of over 1,054, but the global title stayed in Beijing!

Four years on, it’s Cornwall that’s finally taken it – and by some margin!