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Closed until 4 Mar 2024
Teapot Island
Teapot Island
4
Temporarily closedClosed until Mar 4, 2024
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- FrankieGEast Sussex, United Kingdom289 contributionsOnly one Queen thoughSo my birthday venue was Teapot Island this year. I'd been wanting to visit for several years, and this Sunday was the right time. We were here for 11.30, having booked a table in advance. Good plan, as it steadily filled while we waited for brekkie. I really wanted the pancakes. Unfortunately, it was taken off the menu apparently because it was so busy. Shame. There were all manner of people visiting this day. Groups for Dads Day, families, couples older and younger. Small boats, paddle boarders, and kids and ponies enjoying the river. There is a very sizeable recreation paddock over this river where you can park for a flat rate of 4£ at the time of review. This was being used by many groups for fun food and frivolity. The teapot museum was 3£ each to enter and was fabulous! Hubby got board but persevered for me, and I looked at every 8,500 of the awesome teapots! What a very worthwhile place to celebrate and take in something completely out of whack. Awesome! I seriously felt for you all when I saw how far up your property that 2013 flood came to. But you obviously made it beautiful again. Well done, guys.Visited June 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 June 2023
- Julie CBexley, United Kingdom25 contributionsA bit disappointed with cafe area and foodSuch a beautiful setting and garden area but I do feel that the cafe itself needed some love and attention, could be so nice with just a few tweaks. We also didn’t like that fact that the man that served behind the counter kept sitting at the bench just outside the cafe smoking as we could smell the smoke. The food wasn’t very well presented, all in all we felt like the usual staff must have been off today what with going by other peoples reviews.Visited July 2023Written 5 July 2023
- SawyerTeamGravesend, United Kingdom21 contributionsOverpriced, adequate food.Bit of lunch here after a morning paddleboarding and canoeing on the Medway. Okay, so 2 lots of ham, egg and chips at £12.95 each, and 2 lots of jacket potato with Chili at £8.95 each. The food was alright, but we thought it was overpriced. The ham appeared to be pre-sliced supermarket produce, and the chili was in a pot on the side, quite small and fairly bland. With drinks, the bill was nearly £60.Visited July 2023Travelled with familyWritten 4 August 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
350 reviews
Excellent
172
Very good
92
Average
48
Poor
18
Terrible
20
John G
East Grinstead, UK21 contributions
Aug 2020
Don't bother going here, staff were not very welcoming, generally disorganised, the place appeared dirty especially the loos.
The cake i ordered was put on the plate with bare fingers (where's the tongs?) you would have thought during covid 19 you wouldn't consider even handling food with your hands?
I won't be back....
The cake i ordered was put on the plate with bare fingers (where's the tongs?) you would have thought during covid 19 you wouldn't consider even handling food with your hands?
I won't be back....
Written 1 September 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.
Paul G
Maidstone, UK131 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Not a particularly friendly cafe and extremely busy. We had to wait 45 minutes for the food, which was nothing great, but the whole outside seating area was full of wasps. Not one or two, literally loads of them and once this is added to an average meal, long waiting times and a surly man behind the till,it makes it all rather forgettable.
Written 23 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.
David S
Minster on Sea, UK18 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
I was looking forward to a visit to teapot island. What a disappointment. I was expecting at quaint tea room with loads of tea pots around.
It’s a CAFE which charges you to go in to the tea pot room. So didn’t see many tea pots and had an all day breakfast instead. Don’t get me wrong it’s all ok. They sell cakes and cream teas etc but I guess times have changed and they can’t make a living just selling tea and cakes.
It’s a CAFE which charges you to go in to the tea pot room. So didn’t see many tea pots and had an all day breakfast instead. Don’t get me wrong it’s all ok. They sell cakes and cream teas etc but I guess times have changed and they can’t make a living just selling tea and cakes.
Written 13 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.
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.
Icarus M
Burgess Hill, UK14 contributions
Jul 2020 • Friends
4 of us in our 30s stopped here before and after walking the 10km medway valley loop. Hotchocs and coffees before which wee great then a mix of toasted sandwiches and soup with rolls on the way back. Great food, good vegan and veggie options and very reasonable priced. Has cold beer as well so. Always a bonus
Written 25 July 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.
Oli S
London, UK16 contributions
Jul 2020 • Friends
They were clearly extremely busy but were organised and well prapared. Outside area was tidy and clean and the service was prompt.
Written 19 July 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.
Live Life To The Full
Penwortham, UK1,417 contributions
Jul 2020
Went on a walk along the river and stopped off for a coffee en-route. Very pleasant outdoor seating area, right by the river.
There is a quirky museum here as well, which is full with thousand to teapots. Currently unable to go in there due to the covid restrictions, but i have been in there once before, its well worth a look, who would think there could be so many teapot designs.
Coffee and food reasonably prices, I only had a coffee on this occasion but it had plenty of flavour, was very nice.
There is a quirky museum here as well, which is full with thousand to teapots. Currently unable to go in there due to the covid restrictions, but i have been in there once before, its well worth a look, who would think there could be so many teapot designs.
Coffee and food reasonably prices, I only had a coffee on this occasion but it had plenty of flavour, was very nice.
Written 9 July 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.
Questers
Weston super Mare, UK46 contributions
Feb 2020
A collection to suit all tastes.. and none! 8000 plus exhibits tightly packed on simple shelving, with only the manufacturers' names as your guide. Not so much a museum, more a statement of one collector's lifelong passion; the British obsession with tea taken to its most eccentric and extreme; it really has to be seen to be believed. A great place to while away an hour or two on a foul day, rounded off with a delicious chicken laksa soup in the cafe. Family friendly and great fun.
Written 25 February 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.
Lajos Szilard Bana
Maidstone, UK83 contributions
Jul 2019
What a collection of teapots. Lovely place, lovely staff, and great food. Even you can make your own pot. Lovely surrounding area.
Written 15 February 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.
Hoppityskip
Essex, UK13,803 contributions
Jan 2020
This museum is stunning and quirky, the selection of teapots are just incredible.
Tiny to huge!
Love this place, have lovely food then go for a vitus it. Some teapots available in the shop afterwards
Tiny to huge!
Love this place, have lovely food then go for a vitus it. Some teapots available in the shop afterwards
Written 27 January 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.
hilbil2017
Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK
Are there anything for kids to do or play with?
MichaelDavidSwift
Gravesend, UK26 contributions
Yes; there is a children’s playground.
Donkeyman68
Canterbury, UK10 contributions
hi just a quick question , is the teapot museum easy to find and is there parking near by. much appreciated your answers
Linda K
Sevenoaks, UK193 contributions
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.
Wonderluster
United Kingdom1,279 contributions
How much is entry to teapot island? The website isn't very clear at all.
Karen B
Chichester, UK107 contributions
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.
Joyara
Dartford, UK
Is this a suitable venue for group visits by over 50s
_sharon_vero
Kent, UK45 contributions
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
anthonyrX5929KC
Kent, United Kingdom
Do you serve "High Tea" with Sandwiches - Scones - Cream - and Cakes?
anthonyroberts
Barbara463
Whitstable27 contributions
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
921lindab921
Maidstone, UK133 contributions
What days is market open
921lindab921
Maidstone, UK133 contributions
Maidstone market is open Tuesday an again on Saturday morning.
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