Teapot Island
Teapot Island
4
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4.0
353 reviews
Excellent
175
Very good
91
Average
48
Poor
18
Terrible
21
Lu182
Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK1 contribution
Whilst the collection of teapots is impressive, the food was awful-microwaved supermarket scones that were hard and practically inedible and the clotted cream came in a sachet. We went for what we thought would be a lovely afternoon tea in a beautiful setting and what we found was nasty food in a greasy spoon. The hygiene of the staff left a lot to be desired as we saw them touching their mouths then preparing for without washing their hands and wearing no aprons.
What would be good is to use some of the wonderfully unique teapots to serve the tea in, not some cheap generic cafe ones.
I'd visit again to see the teapots but not to eat until there are some improvements.
What would be good is to use some of the wonderfully unique teapots to serve the tea in, not some cheap generic cafe ones.
I'd visit again to see the teapots but not to eat until there are some improvements.
Written 4 May 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.
Claire W
London, UK1 contribution
Aug 2013 • Couples
We (me, my boyfriend and my parents) decided to visit teapot island as a no hassle Sunday outing. Parking in the field next to it was fine, yes you have to pay but it's used as a car park not a field and its not expensive. Teapot island itself doesn't look very big, but it does have a huge collection of teapots, which is the point of teapot island, and at £2.50 for adults and £1.50 for children and OAPS it doesn't break the bank!
You probably won't spend a long time here but it is an enjoyable half day out. I wouldn't class the eating facilities as a tea room or a cafe but something in the middle, it certainly is not a greasy spoon! The food is well priced and of a high standard, considering that it is a small, family run business they have done well with the food.
Now for the staff. We spoke to both the husband and wife who were VERY nice, smiley and welcoming. There were a few members who seemed like they wanted to be somewhere else, but, are YOU always happy at work? Chances are you're not and you can understand, if its not their business they wouldn't put in as much effort. However the owners more than made up for this with their actions.
Overall I have to say I do not know how you can give this place a bad review. I would (and will) definitely come back.
You probably won't spend a long time here but it is an enjoyable half day out. I wouldn't class the eating facilities as a tea room or a cafe but something in the middle, it certainly is not a greasy spoon! The food is well priced and of a high standard, considering that it is a small, family run business they have done well with the food.
Now for the staff. We spoke to both the husband and wife who were VERY nice, smiley and welcoming. There were a few members who seemed like they wanted to be somewhere else, but, are YOU always happy at work? Chances are you're not and you can understand, if its not their business they wouldn't put in as much effort. However the owners more than made up for this with their actions.
Overall I have to say I do not know how you can give this place a bad review. I would (and will) definitely come back.
Written 18 August 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.
Kathy M
Maidstone, UK153 contributions
Oct 2012 • Family
A charming Tea Pot museum with over 6,500 tea pots to view, a collectors' paradise, small gift room to purchase tea pots of course and a cosy tea room set by the river with outside dining facilities and a giant teapot which pours water into a giant cup, very amusing for young and old!. We can recommend the tasty homemade soup, they also provide takeaways. A lovely way to spend an Autumn afternoon, as there are also walks by the river and kayaking to watch. A lovely spot in Yalding, great for walkers.
Written 29 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.
fruitybeetle
Rochester, UK128 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
Once you have visited Teapot Island you can gleefully impress acquaintances by casually mentioning that you have been up close and personal with the Guinness World Record collection of teapots.
They can probably just about justify the entrance fee (but only just!). It’s a curious collection of mostly garish and highly varnished teapots. Anything from thimble size to insane rocket how-do-you-pour-tea-from-that kind of proportions.
Celebrities, musicians, Disney and other cartoon characters, politicians... even a pole dancer (see pic). So yep, if you’re in the area anyway, it’s an interesting stop with a basic on site cafe and a small outside play area for 3-12 year olds.
Walking round the exhibition is probably 30 minutes but you could spend hours in there if you wanted to (I don’t know why but you could). I’ve given it a 4/5 rating because if you want to see thousands of teapots, it does deliver.
They can probably just about justify the entrance fee (but only just!). It’s a curious collection of mostly garish and highly varnished teapots. Anything from thimble size to insane rocket how-do-you-pour-tea-from-that kind of proportions.
Celebrities, musicians, Disney and other cartoon characters, politicians... even a pole dancer (see pic). So yep, if you’re in the area anyway, it’s an interesting stop with a basic on site cafe and a small outside play area for 3-12 year olds.
Walking round the exhibition is probably 30 minutes but you could spend hours in there if you wanted to (I don’t know why but you could). I’ve given it a 4/5 rating because if you want to see thousands of teapots, it does deliver.
Written 24 August 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.
Stephalie1
Rainham, UK17 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
When I told my children (12 and 10) that we were going to look at teapots they weren’t exactly excited. However when we were there they were enthralled and excitedly pointing different teapots out to me. They also went on to tell friends and family how funny or cute some of them where. It’s also in such a beautiful location and we really enjoyed a walk along the river.
Written 6 August 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.
Linda K
Sevenoaks, UK186 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
This is a truly remarkable collection of around 8,000 teapots. They have tried to organise them into categories which is brilliant. They range from very small to absolutely enormous in size and I'm not sure how you would be able to pour them if they were full of tea. There is also a tea room which caters from a cup of tea to a Sunday Roast. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.
Written 21 April 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.
PaulClabburn
Sunshine Coast, Australia117 contributions
Sept 2015 • Family
If you like bespoke teapots then this is the place to visit with hundreds on display and many for sale at quite reasonable prices. They also have a small cafe for refreshments and although I did not sample I was told by some who did that the Cream Teas were very good. It is located in a beautiful setting right alongside the river, with a 16th century Pub, the Anchor & Hope just over the Weir. Parking can be problematical or pay a couple of pounds and park in an adjacent field.
Written 16 September 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.
poppyathome
Canterbury, UK11 contributions
A fascinating day out, we aren't serious collectors but we found the collection very interesting as the teapots were in such a diverse range of shapes and sizes. My 94 year old father even enjoyed the visit viewed from his mobility scooter . The day was made even more memorable as all the staff went out of their way to ensure we had a good time.
Written 18 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.
Crochet1956
216 contributions
Did not know what to expect. But such a charming quaint place. So many teapots. 7,400 and counting. The cafe next door is well worth a visit. Car park expects you to pay on entry so make sure you have change.
Written 12 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.
G C
Gillingham, UK3 contributions
Sept 2014
Recently visited Teapot Island with a group on the specially built disabled accessible boat named the 'Kingfisher'. We stopped for lunch at the cafe. Even though the outside seating area was more than half empty & the season is practically over I was told I couldn't eat a picnic there (despite the fact that I'd purchased drinks from them). This attitude wouldn't encourage me to revisit this particular cafe.
Written 24 September 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.
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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