Candle Shop & Secret Tea Garden at Assynt Aromas
Message from Tripadvisor • This business is temporarily closed until 13/04/2025
Candle Shop & Secret Tea Garden at Assynt Aromas
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PRICE RANGE
£1.00 – £10.00
CUISINES
British, Street Food
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
meals, features
Does this restaurant allow dogs or considered pet friendly?
Details
About
WE ARE OPEN TO VISITORS SEASONALLY FROM MAY - SEPT. OUR ONLINE SHOP IS OPEN YEAR ROUND. “What appears from the roadside to be just a small shed, let your curiosity get the better of you and discover Assynt Aromas" ... Where the beauty of nature and the power of aromatherapy converge. A warm welcome awaits at our wee Highland Candle Shop where we produce our own range of luxurious soaps, candles and skincare. A range of delicious freshly prepared refreshments are also available to enjoy in our wee garden area or to take away.
PRICE RANGE
£1.00 – £10.00
CUISINES
British, Street Food
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
Meals
Drinks
FEATURES
Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Mastercard, Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Dog Friendly
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4.5
248 reviews
Excellent
192
Very good
39
Average
10
Poor
6
Terrible
1
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Caron H
Wigton45 contributions
Jul 2023 • couples
A rainy day on our NC 500 trip by motorcycle! Stopped at the viewpoint at Drumbeg and noticed the Secret Tea Garden sign ( I do love a candle as well) so we popped in and where not disappointed! Lovely green tea, scone ,coffee and cake in a peaceful leafy setting even nice when damp. Lovely candles soaps etc as well really made my day on a long wet ride.
Written 4 August 2023
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.
Helen Lambert
Hi Caron, We are delighted to hear about your wonderful experience at our wee business during your rainy motorcycle trip on the NC 500. It sounds like our cozy atmosphere, delicious treats, and candles made for a perfect stop on your journey. Your positive feedback is very much appreciated! many thanks Helen & Danny(mum & son) x
Written 18 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
681chris
London52 contributions
May 2022 • none
This is a lovely little independent cafe. The snack lunches and cakes were delicious, reasonably priced and avoided use of plastics. The staff were friendly and helpful. They also sold candles, soaps etc. Pretty garden with animals in adjacent field. A lovely stop on a long drive.
No toilets, but public toilets are nearby and worth visiting for themselves as possibly the most scenic toilets ever!
Written 30 May 2022
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.
Sue P
7 contributions
Aug 2022 • couples
Found this place by chance. Beautiful outside space - cakes and coffee excellent. Cheese boxes were great value - very generous and made an absolutely delicious lunch on the go. Added bonus of wonderful selection of skincare and perfumery products.
Written 4 August 2022
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.
73assumpta73
Stuttgart114 contributions
Aug 2023 • family
We spontaneously stopped there for a cup of tea and a piece of cake. You sit outside, the garden is small but nicely designed and a cat comes by and lets you pet it. As has been criticized in other recent reviews, everything is served in disposable packaging. We would not go there again for that reason. The Secret Tea Garden does not have any toilets, but there are public toilets at the viewpoint in Drumbeg.

Written 30 August 2023
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.
charliemyboy2016
Penzance5 contributions
Aug 2023 • friends
The Secret Tea Garden has a lovely environment
and friendly staff. However, this was spoilt by the ‘fast food franchise experience’. You order the prepacked food (in plastic and cardboard) at the counter and then have it placed at a collection point. Such a pity.
It also seems very short-sighted to use single use items even if these are compostable. It was not made clear if the large amount of plastic material used is compostable. Compostable materials can release harmful substances when breaking down not to mention the resources and energy used to create them. Completely unnecessary in a small tea room when plates and cups can easily be reused.
Written 16 August 2023
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.
Helen Lambert
Hi Charlie, We are pleased you enjoyed the friendly enviroment during your recent visit to us. Running a small family business in such a remote location, with a brief opening window of just five months, is a complex undertaking. Staffing is a significant challenge. Our primary focus on operating a soap and candle making business demands attention and resources year round, leaving limited capacity for expanding into services like reusable plates and cups. The added workload of preparing, serving, and managing washing up would require more staff than are available, or indeed willing to commit for such a short term, therefore creative solutions are required for us to offer a catering service alongside our candle shop. We are sorry that some aspects did not meet your expectations. Thank you fif taking the time to write your review. Best wishes Helen & Danny (Mum & Son)
Written 18 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kevin Curley CBE
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • family
I was disappointed after reading other good reviews. It's true that the garden was pleasant, the service courteous and cafe cat a sweetie. But my wife and I assumed that a village cafe would have a toilet. The Secret Tea Garden does not have one. The waitress directed me to a public toilet 5 minutes walk away. I am in my 70s and could not reach the public toilet in time, resulting in real embarrassment and discomfort for me. In short, I had 'an accident'. Please make it clear on your website and on signage at the entrance door that no toilet is provided.
Turning to environmental impact, every food item was provided in containers or wrappings that created rubbish - even the butter and jam for my scone. The plate and cup were also single use. It's not good enough now to argue that some or even all of the rubbish was recyclable or compostable. In such a small cafe real plates and mugs could be used and small amounts of butter and jam could be served in reusable containers.
These are the reasons why I rated the cafe 'poor' and will not recommend it to my friends unless these issues are addressed.
Written 16 August 2023
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.
Helen Lambert
Hi, We deeply apologIse for the inconveniences you experienced during your visit to Drumbeg and appreciate your candid feedback, we're truly sorry for the discomfort you faced. Although there is local authority signage in the village for the public toilets your suggestion for clearer signs is duly noted.
We take environmental sustainability seriously, and our vigorous recycling and composting policy is prominently displayed. We would have been more than happy to discuss this with you during you visit. The added workload of preparing, serving, and managing washing up would require more staff than are available in such a remote location, therefore creative solutions are required for us to offer a catering service alongside our candle shop. Best wishes Helen & Danny (mum & son)
Written 18 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Explore44862930875
5 contributions
May 2024 • couples
No sandwiches just little oatcakes to have either smoked salmon bits and cream cheese on or humus. Advertising scores jam and clotted cream but no clotted cream available. Apparently the one in the fridge was the sample!!. Why not remove the clotted cream pot if it’s not available? Sadly the scone wasn’t great. Sorry but a disappointing visit this time won’t be going back
Written 27 May 2024
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.
Helen Lambert
At the time of your visit we did our absolute best to explain the situation to you. We had just sold out of cream and were waiting for our delivery truck which was running late and it was completely beyond our control. Due to our remote location we are only able to get deliveries twice a week. You say you didn’t enjoy the scone, however there wasn’t a crumb left when you’d finished. It’s bizarre you complain there were no sandwiches as we don’t actually sell (or advertise) sandwiches it’s hardly our fault there were non.
Written 29 May 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Luz F
10 contributions
Sept 2023 • friends
Thankful to find them after hours of driving. Excellent signage along the way. When you walk in it smells amazing because of the candles and handmade soaps, They have a variety of products that you would want to buy them all, so we took the opportunity to buy a couple of gifts for the family. Also as the name says they have a secret tea garden, so pretty, you can even hear the birds singing. It was a very relaxing time and you can have a cup of tea and a scone, although they also have cakes and savories. It is very cozy, the staff is very friendly, and there is a cat that comes to you to say hello. It was a very nice stop in the small town of Drumbeg.
Written 4 September 2023
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.
RavenPlatty
Birmingham170 contributions
Jul 2021 • couples
Stumbled across the place whilst doing the NC500 route. It's a cute little set up and if you blink you will miss it.
Serving cakes, scones & pastries - hot & cold drinks and a small selection of savouries, it was a great little spot to grab a drink and bite to eat.
The shop too was lovely, well presented and stocked items that wouldn't look out of place in a high end department store.
No toilets, WiFi or signal at all ... which was fine for us, but worth noting
Written 8 July 2021
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.
Assynt Aromas
Thank you so much for taking the time to write your review. Team Assynt Aromas x
Written 7 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Simon F
Edinburgh28 contributions
May 2021 • none
A quaint and secluded little spot. We stopped here for lunch with our two young daughters. It's a nice quiet little garden setting to sit in. The menu is fairly limited but we were very happy with the food and drinks we were served, and the service was friendly and quick.
Written 29 June 2021
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.
Assynt Aromas
Thank you so much for taking the time to write your review. Team Assynt Aromas x
Written 7 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
seanandnic
Carlisle216 contributions
May 2023 • couples
A more unlikely place to find a quaint tea room we would struggle to find. Located just on the way in to Drumbeg, if you blink you would miss it. The lady in the shop was very pleasant and offered a really good cream scone and hot drinks. The setting was very peaceful and relaxing. You need to park up on the opposite side of the road and walk to the shop/cafe. No more than 100 metres or so. No toilets on site, but public toilets just along the road as well as great viewpoint.
Written 2 June 2023
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.
Shadnmeg
Lostock98 contributions
Jul 2023 • couples
I’ve been here twice in the past few years when I’ve done the NC500.
Coffee was lovely, we paid approx £7 for two coffees with vanilla syrup.
It has some spa music on and the candle shop that you walk through to get to the secret garden, smells of lavender and just switches you into chill mode straight away.
The scones looked delicious but we just had coffee.
We sat in the secret garden under the sun umbrellas and listened to bees buzzing about, drinking coffee and stroking their very friendly cat.
Would recommend to anyone and will come back if I come up this way again.
Written 27 July 2023
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.
Nik
69 contributions
Jul 2023 • family
We were recommended to go here from the campsite we were staying at (clachtoll). Was a great little pit stop on the drumbeg loop. We got some tea and cake and a lovely candle to take home. Loki the cat did get a little too friendly when he noticed our cakes but the girl came out and ushered him away.
Written 2 August 2023
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.
fifilala46
Edinburgh39 contributions
Aug 2021 • family
We were lucky to get a table abs the last scones of the day. The place was very busy and the only downside was that it was very busy inside, queuing to order cakes and buy candles etc. At the same time the postie was trying to deliver some parcels and it all felt very cramped and very difficult to ensure social distancing. That said some of our party visited the next day and things were a lot less busy. Definitely recommended for a stop off if you’re driving the Drumbeg Loop
Written 29 August 2021
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.
Assynt Aromas
Thank you so much for taking the time to write your review. Team Assynt Aromas x
Written 7 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amy P
11 contributions
Sept 2021 • couples
We loved visiting this independent tea garden. It was so quaint and idyllic serving an amazing range of cake and hot drinks. We were gutted their season was coming to a close on 9th September as we wanted to recommend to our friends doing the NC500 but it sounds like they needed a break after a busy few months! Can’t wait to visit again on our next time round the highlands!
Written 9 September 2021
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.
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