Teapot Island
Teapot Island
4
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4.0
353 reviews
Excellent
175
Very good
91
Average
48
Poor
18
Terrible
21
Sarah
1 contribution
Jul 2020 • Family
I’m not one to ever write reviews but the fact I had visited this place 2 weekends of last month and was treated the way we was by the old man with grey hair that works or owns the cafe has left me feeling angry and upset.
The first time we visited was a Sunday this was the first time most of the group we was with had been, so all the children where very excited, we set up our Picnic and games while the children played in the water, we then decided to take a walk over to the cafe area which on view is a lovely setting!, as we have gone into the cafe we have been rudely spoken to by an old man sitting in the corner of the cafe giving out orders!, he demanded me put on our mask before we entered the shop even though he didn’t even give us a chance before we stepped in the cafe, all while sitting in the same proximity as me and everyone else in there not wearing a mask with what I can only guess was his wife sitting there with him also not wearing a mask! I thought this was laughable as like they say practice what you preach!
So wearing an mask is normal thing at the moment, but for some people to walk in behind us of an older age and not tell them to put on a mask?? How does that make sense! That’s discrimination! So his judging me and my friend and family for what? Because we don’t fit his category of what a person should look like or be dressed like! This infuriated me as Before we went near this cafe we had such a brilliant day surround by happy friendly people! Can I just say I’m a 30 year old women with 2 children! So not a child myself! So this is my first trip,
2 weeks later we all went again because the kids loved it so much, and generally tea pot island is a beautiful peaceful place! If you’ve never been I would still recommend it just not the cafe!
We spent most of the day around the water like the weeks before, and this time me and my 4 friends decided we would take a walk over to the cafe to get some drink and food for the children! My group of friends are 30 and above, we all had our mask on when we entered the shop to find a lady standing at the front of the queue with no mask and then a family came in behind us and still the old man who owns the cafe says nothing!! Doesn’t ask them to put masks on? So if this isn’t discrimination then what is this bully?
We spent over 40 pound between us all in the cafe! I’m giving the cafe my money! The least they could do is have some respect and manners for the customers! And if they struggle so much with this then I think it time they gave up there job!
Iv never seen customer service like this my life!
As we waited outside for our food the old man/owner decides to stand and watch us from the door, and then stand at the window the whole time we was waiting for our food outside, this was extremely Intimidating! As if we was young children! This was completely unacceptable behaviour for someone who runs a cafe establishment! And they need someone to go in a teach them some customer service skills! So to be completely judged For what? When iv just spent my money in this cafe!
My partner and his friends drove round to get the boat out of the water while us mums loaded the cars back up and got the children together, when the dads came back the same old man from the cafe had closed the gate for him to get back in!! It clearly stated on a sign outside it shut at 8! It was 5.30, we was all still inside this car park and all the kids where waiting to get back into the car but he refused them in to pick up his children! Who are 2 and 5! So they had to park up outside and cross the kids across a dangerous road all
Because of what?? Is it a control thing? I just didn’t get it! They stated my family are in there and yet still he drove his own car in but wouldn’t let my partner and the other dads back in even though we had all paid £3.50 each to park there! When asked for a refund he refused? But why we had paid to park there? He knew we was all in there we had receipts!
Please don’t be out of the whole island as an overall because it’s such a lovely calm place! But just be aware of the rude, disrespectful old man that apparently works in the cafe! He like to judge people! And to not allow a dad to get in and pick up his children after we paid he should be ashamed of himself! Let’s just hope his family never get treated in such a way!
The first time we visited was a Sunday this was the first time most of the group we was with had been, so all the children where very excited, we set up our Picnic and games while the children played in the water, we then decided to take a walk over to the cafe area which on view is a lovely setting!, as we have gone into the cafe we have been rudely spoken to by an old man sitting in the corner of the cafe giving out orders!, he demanded me put on our mask before we entered the shop even though he didn’t even give us a chance before we stepped in the cafe, all while sitting in the same proximity as me and everyone else in there not wearing a mask with what I can only guess was his wife sitting there with him also not wearing a mask! I thought this was laughable as like they say practice what you preach!
So wearing an mask is normal thing at the moment, but for some people to walk in behind us of an older age and not tell them to put on a mask?? How does that make sense! That’s discrimination! So his judging me and my friend and family for what? Because we don’t fit his category of what a person should look like or be dressed like! This infuriated me as Before we went near this cafe we had such a brilliant day surround by happy friendly people! Can I just say I’m a 30 year old women with 2 children! So not a child myself! So this is my first trip,
2 weeks later we all went again because the kids loved it so much, and generally tea pot island is a beautiful peaceful place! If you’ve never been I would still recommend it just not the cafe!
We spent most of the day around the water like the weeks before, and this time me and my 4 friends decided we would take a walk over to the cafe to get some drink and food for the children! My group of friends are 30 and above, we all had our mask on when we entered the shop to find a lady standing at the front of the queue with no mask and then a family came in behind us and still the old man who owns the cafe says nothing!! Doesn’t ask them to put masks on? So if this isn’t discrimination then what is this bully?
We spent over 40 pound between us all in the cafe! I’m giving the cafe my money! The least they could do is have some respect and manners for the customers! And if they struggle so much with this then I think it time they gave up there job!
Iv never seen customer service like this my life!
As we waited outside for our food the old man/owner decides to stand and watch us from the door, and then stand at the window the whole time we was waiting for our food outside, this was extremely Intimidating! As if we was young children! This was completely unacceptable behaviour for someone who runs a cafe establishment! And they need someone to go in a teach them some customer service skills! So to be completely judged For what? When iv just spent my money in this cafe!
My partner and his friends drove round to get the boat out of the water while us mums loaded the cars back up and got the children together, when the dads came back the same old man from the cafe had closed the gate for him to get back in!! It clearly stated on a sign outside it shut at 8! It was 5.30, we was all still inside this car park and all the kids where waiting to get back into the car but he refused them in to pick up his children! Who are 2 and 5! So they had to park up outside and cross the kids across a dangerous road all
Because of what?? Is it a control thing? I just didn’t get it! They stated my family are in there and yet still he drove his own car in but wouldn’t let my partner and the other dads back in even though we had all paid £3.50 each to park there! When asked for a refund he refused? But why we had paid to park there? He knew we was all in there we had receipts!
Please don’t be out of the whole island as an overall because it’s such a lovely calm place! But just be aware of the rude, disrespectful old man that apparently works in the cafe! He like to judge people! And to not allow a dad to get in and pick up his children after we paid he should be ashamed of himself! Let’s just hope his family never get treated in such a way!
Written 2 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
scarymary70
Gillingham. kent4 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
This is in the beautiful village of Yalding. It is a brilliant place for a peaceful but interesting day out.There is plenty of parking space but there is a charge of £2. There is a teapot museum containing over 7, 000 teapots from all over the world. There is also a lovely little café that serves full breakfast, great variety of lunches and of course traditional afternoon tea and scones. Children and dogs are made very welcome.There is an abundance of wildlife to entertain you. There is also a pub on the other side of the weir. All in all a very great day out.The only drawback was the toilet facilities, they were situated the otherside of a field and were not very clean.
Written 12 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MichaelDavidSwift
Gravesend, UK28 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
My wife and I had the pleasure of visiting Teapot Island at lunchtime today. I was quite surprised at some of the harsh reviews on TripAdvisor as we had no problem in presenting a Groupon voucher. All of the staff we met were very friendly and helpful and the food was good and delivered in a timely manner. OK, it wouldn't compete with top London restaurants but was more than adequate for our purposes. A visit to the museum is a must; 8 250 teapots on display and still being added to. It seems that any topic can be catered for when crafting teapots. Who would have thought that an orang-utan would make a suitable subject? Many thanks to all for a most-enjoyable experience.
Written 6 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Travelling Piggy
London, UK6,240 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
My boyfriend took me here for a change from the beaches. We both had the ice cream which on a hot day hit the spot. They had quirky teapots which were not to our taste but were interesting to see.
Written 7 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline N
London, UK1 contribution
Nov 2016 • Friends
We visited this place today, the museum was interesting and we then went into the tea shop. NOT a good experience. We spent £8 on 2 cups of teas, two scones, a small saucer of jam and a small tub of clotted cream. We wanted to share the scones as there were 2 of us and the scones were a reasonable size, we asked if we could have a little more clotted cream as the scones were a fair size and the tub of clotted cream was quite small.
After making this request, we waited about 5 minutes the manager came to our table He said that we needed to pay £1.80 for another small pot of cream, when I asked why and that seemed very expensive for such a small pot, he said that we had only paid for 1 cream tea and went on about how much the tubs cost, I have worked in catering and know that those types of pots coat about 50p each, when I queried if he thought that was good customer service he said that there was enough cream for 2 scones and how dare we ask for a little more cream without paying for it. He then just walked away when we were trying to sort this out,
I would not recommend this place to anyone for tea and especially not a cream tea, the experience was made worse as the board outside said that they did lovely cream teas-I would beg to differ
I was very surprised that the cafe manager was so rude and appeared to have little idea of what constitutes good service
After making this request, we waited about 5 minutes the manager came to our table He said that we needed to pay £1.80 for another small pot of cream, when I asked why and that seemed very expensive for such a small pot, he said that we had only paid for 1 cream tea and went on about how much the tubs cost, I have worked in catering and know that those types of pots coat about 50p each, when I queried if he thought that was good customer service he said that there was enough cream for 2 scones and how dare we ask for a little more cream without paying for it. He then just walked away when we were trying to sort this out,
I would not recommend this place to anyone for tea and especially not a cream tea, the experience was made worse as the board outside said that they did lovely cream teas-I would beg to differ
I was very surprised that the cafe manager was so rude and appeared to have little idea of what constitutes good service
Written 20 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lindaharrild
Paddock Wood25 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
I spent a lovely sunny afternoon and lazy lunch here with freinds. The scenery is lovely and very relaxed. On top of this they have a wishing well which the proceeds are donated to the Kent Air Ambulance. The museum of teapots is well worth a visit and very resonable entrance fee.
Written 31 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kushti_Bokt
London, England, United Kingdom16 contributions
Great if you are a teapot collector as there are absolutely hundreds to see of every shape, theme and description you can imagine. Situated by a weir and a pub right on the river. Car parking at the front of the pub
Written 8 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mypet62
Maidstone, UK1 contribution
Jun 2011 • Friends
visited teapot island what a nice place to visit. what a amazing collection of teapots enough to make you potty lol
Written 24 July 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
InKayleighWeTrust
15 contributions
May 2015 • Family
We visited Teapot Island today and can't wait to go back! We had cream tea and chips in the restaurant which was lovely and very well priced. The strawberry jam is worth the trip alone. We went into the teapot exhibit after which may not sound exciting but is amazing to see. There are teapots available to buy and I have now started my own collection. I will definitely visit again. It's a great place to visit for all ages and really entertaining. Can't wait to return!
Written 18 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pamela S
Maidstone177 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
This is a good place to visit if you want to see something different for an hour or so. It is a tiny space to hold over 7000 teapots and a real curiosity. (No wonder the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles chose to make a flying visit when in the area after the Christmas floods). All the teapots are displayed behind perspex (thank goodness) on floor to ceiling shelves. Simply follow the yellow footsteps to wiggle from one tiny room to the next. (A mobility scooter did manage to get round but needed a little help on the tight turns and had to miss a room with a step).The teapots range from the first 2 collected (auntie and grandmother's) to modern styles. They commemorate special people, places and events from Churchill to Wallis and Grommit, from castles to cottages and from art deco to the simply bizarre. Some will take you down memory lane, one has damage from shrapnel from WW2 and some are even a little bit rude! Some are for sale. It was nice to chat to the family running the exhibition to find out more. It only costs £2.50 per adult (£1.50 for OAPS and children) and as such is brilliant value. Parking is £2.00 (coin in slot to raise barrier) in the council field next door and the path to the exhibition is over a bridge. Visit the weir and see the confluence of river and stream while you are there and maybe have a picnic or kick-about on the grass.
We stayed for lunch in the cafe (which is now licensed) before continuing on a blossom tour of the Weald of Kent for the rest of the afternoon.
We stayed for lunch in the cafe (which is now licensed) before continuing on a blossom tour of the Weald of Kent for the rest of the afternoon.
Written 21 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hilbil2017
Royal Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom
Are there anything for kids to do or play with?
Written 22 July 2018
Yes; there is a children’s playground.
Written 30 July 2018
hi just a quick question , is the teapot museum easy to find and is there parking near by. much appreciated your answers
Written 29 April 2018
There is parking on the main road but also a car park, but it wasn't open when we went there in March. It's pretty easy to find if you have a sat nav.
Written 30 April 2018
How much is entry to teapot island? The website isn't very clear at all.
Written 1 September 2017
Hi it's )£2.50 for adults OAP & kids £1.50
Hope that helps . It's not overly large in area but has an amazing collection of tea pots don't miss it.
Written 2 September 2017
Joyara
Dartford, United Kingdom
Is this a suitable venue for group visits by over 50s
Written 18 October 2016
Sorry, not replied before but hadn't seen post. Tea Pot Island is in Yalding, near Maidstone, and a lovely small Tea Pot Museum, with about 8000 tea pots, from weenie to big, its very cute little musuem, so few at time is better, plus small fee to cover cost. Certainly worth a visit, it is cosy inside the musuem, people with walkers, and sticks is ok, but tight for wheelchair users but could do if careful, as on a flat.
Parking is normally in the field near by, so would have to cross the wooden bridge, or be dropped on road outside and then re park. There is a cafe with a choice of foods, good value and food good, plenty of outside seating and small play area for younger children, but limited seating inside at cafe.
Do hope this helps, and again sorry for late reply
Written 17 April 2017
Do you serve "High Tea" with Sandwiches - Scones - Cream - and Cakes?
anthonyroberts
Written 20 August 2015
I saw some people with a high tea bug they had booked in advance. They had a print out with them so I think they booked on line
Written 21 August 2015
Maidstone market is open Tuesday an again on Saturday morning.
Written 3 July 2015
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