Ridgmont Station Tea Room and Heritage Centre
Ridgmont Station Tea Room and Heritage Centre
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
+44 1525 287120+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
10:00 - 16:00
Wed
10:00 - 16:00
Thu
10:00 - 16:00
Fri
10:00 - 16:00
Sat
10:00 - 16:00
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, Cafe, British, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Does this restaurant offer free wifi?
Details
About
Delightful Tea Room situated in the former Victorian (1846) Ridgmont Railway Station building, with its distinctive Cottage Orné Gothic architecture. Menu offers breakfasts and light lunches, plus locally made cakes, afternoon tea and cream tea. Ask about the special occasion afternoon teas available to book. Not open Mondays and Tuesdays. It's advisable to phone ahead for availability on other days.
CUISINES
Cafe, British
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Brunch
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
Contribute
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
288 reviews
Excellent
229
Very good
38
Average
11
Poor
3
Terrible
7
Christine B
13 contributions
Apr 2021 • family
First things first, the ladies that manage and serve were absolutely lovely.. so welcoming and couldn’t do enough for us. The very friendly lady who served us, spoke so kindly and enthusiastically to my daughter, convincing her to have a sandwich.. which they made specially and cut the crusts off (which we didn’t ask for, but meant the lady was psychic too.. as my daughter would never have ate it). They also gave her a sprinkling of Pom bears :) Every piece of food that they served was delicious and everything so thoughtfully presented.. they warmed the scones, and my sandwich came with a side salad and homemade coleslaw. It’s such a unique location, and the countryside around is very pretty. Don’t hesitate to visit.. you really won’t regret it. Thank you so much x x x
Written 9 May 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.
Barbara W
Potton27 contributions
Jun 2021 • couples
The lady that served us was so friendly and seemed happy on her work. The afternoon tea was 1st class lovely and fresh the sandwiches were newly made not mass produced like others I've had. The eating area was exceptionally clean and well set out.
Written 24 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.
Helen H
4 contributions
Jan 2022 • none
Was my second visit and it was equally as good as the first time, it was my partners first visit.
The tearooms are very clean and welcoming...and warm, which was appreciated as it was a cold January day.
Our afternoon tea was delicious and beautifully arranged on cake stands, there was such a variety too and so tasty!
The staff were very friendly and helpful. The whole visit was great and will be repeated soon 👍
Written 9 January 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.
Vicki C
6 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Treated a friend to Afternoon Tea and wow what a good find ! It’s perfect!There was so much food that we had to leave some .The room is nicely decorated and the staff are very friendly.Infact I have been back twice now for lunch with different friends and they have fallen in love with the place. There is a good choice of food on the lunch menu with a selection for vegetarian & vegan too.We have booked for Mothering Sunday already
Written 13 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.
KateWalby
Ampthill23 contributions
Jul 2023 • family
Took 10 family members to this tea room to celebrate my mother's 80th birthday. I just cannot fault the service, quality or quantity of food or the value for money. It was outstanding!
Hands down best afternoon tea I had ever had (and I've had a few!).
The tea rooms are beautifully decorated and the heritage centre/shop worth a visit (volunteers look after that area).
Check out their website and socials for more info on what they offer.
Will be returning very soon!
Written 30 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.
Hannah Penwright
We're so glad to hear you think our afternoon tea is the best you've ever had, that really makes us proud. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and we look forward to seeing you again. - Hannah
Written 7 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lesley
15 contributions
Aug 2022 • none
What a great place to visit.
The staff were very friendly with helpful.
We had originally booked for our tea at 2pm but got there 90 mins early so we could look around the lovely place.
It doesn't take long so we asked the lovely friendly lady if we could have our booking changed she was very obliging and booked us in for 1 pm.
The food was very nice lots of sandwiches big pot of tea refilled .
Had a large scone lots of little cakes small cup of lemon posset yummy a bit sweet but if was a small cup .
The staff were very friendly and didnt rush us.
Written 6 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.
therichastill
Stevenage3492 contributions
May 2021 • none
As you can see from the title the Tea Room and Heritage Centre is located at Ridgmont Railway station which you can see from the M1 just south of Junction 13.
It is also just off the A507 close to the colossal Amazon warehouse.
In spite of all this busyness around it has the look of a quiet country station and a hospitable welcome.
Since I last visited they have had a bit of a move around and there a is decent sized seating area inside the station for you to sit and have a drink and a snack. There is also an outdoor area with benches and umbrellas. There is also a stairlift to get in if you have mobility issues.
There is a small shop if you want to buy some souvenirs from the museum as well.
Everyone I met was very friendly and went out of their way to assist.
Well worth checking out if you are in the area but make sure you check the opening times.
Written 31 May 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.
ALAN C
Bedford482 contributions
Apr 2023 • none
What a great find for afternoon tea. This is a proper old tearoom, with the added benefit of it being located on the Bedford - Bletchley rail link. The trains are not currently running, but the tearoom is open and their museum/heritage centre is worth a look. This is great if you are a train enthusiast, we are not, but it was a trip down memory lane. The afternoon tea was very nice indeed and offered sandwiches,, savoury pastries, cakes, and fresh scones with cream and jam. There was plenty of tea and coffee on offer too and all at a very reasonable price. Well worth a visit.
Written 17 April 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.
Hannah Penwright
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review - we're glad you had an enjoyable visit and enjoyed your Afternoon Tea! Hopefully see you again soon. - Hannah
Written 20 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jonmiles2017
Elstow6 contributions
Jul 2023 • couples
This small volunteer staffed coffee/cafe is truly excellent. Based in the old station rooms plus attached to a live running rail platform, it provides a unique experience.
Cakes made locally in the nearby village, always friendly and accommodating staff these tea rooms are well worth visiting.
Written 26 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.
Hannah Penwright
Thanks so much for visiting and for taking the time to leave us a review - it really helps us out. We're glad you had a great time and that you'd recommend us! - Hannah
Written 28 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Helen E
Bedford14 contributions
Dec 2024 • couples
We went for breakfast and the rooms are beautiful but it is not that warm . When our breakfasts came they were served on cold plates and the food was not that warm and went cold very quickly. There was only one other couple in the tea room but none of the staff found time to came to ask us if everything was okay while we were eating our meal and in fact nobody spoke to us again until we left the table and approached them in order to pay. We wondered what the service would have been like if the tea room had been full of customers ! This left us feeling that we were not valued customers and unfortunately will probably not go there again.
Written 12 December 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.
Hannah Penwright
We are very sorry to hear your expectations were not met, Helen. We always strive to do our best to make every visitor feel valued and well-cared for and, usually, our customers are pleased with our service. We will take your feedback into consideration and aim to improve on the areas you highlighted and we do hope that you will come back and let us rectify your experience.
Written 16 December 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stephen J
75 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
Had heard good reports about this venue so made a special journey (as it's tucked away and not all that easy to find) to visit. Didn't book as this is only advised for weekends, but did check on the website before starting out - showed as open. Arrived to find the place closed! Wasted journey ......and therefore not inclined to potentially waste any more time there in future. If you have a website and decide to close your establishment - for whatever reason - during times you would normally be open please be considerate enough of your potential customers to put a note on the website. Obviously unable to realistically comment on food or value (though the pictures and other reviews suggest they are good) but consideration for customers clearly not great.
Written 20 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.
shonas181
Hi Stephen
Please could you tell me which day you visited us? Our opening times are tues to sat 9am until 3pm throughout Jan,Feb and March then it reverts back to 9am til 4pm in April. This being said we have been here until 4pm-4.30pm every day so far this week with it being half term. I'm sorry you feel you had a wasted journey. Please reconsider visiting us again. We do advise prior booking not just at weekends but at any time as we ar3 very small. Could I please also ask which website you looked at? Thanks in advance.
Shona
Written 21 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
machinmad
Yaxley2664 contributions
Mar 2022 • none
A small tea room in an old train-station with lots of railway memorabilia.
We partook the after tea. Lots of different types of sandwich and a micro-quiche, followed by a lemon posset palette cleanser, then a giant hot scone with cream/jam, with mini cakes and meringues. We didn't leave hungry. All served on bone china and as much tea as you could drink.
Go support this charity.
Written 5 March 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.
Kerrywhitmee
Milton Keynes9 contributions
Sept 2020 • family
I cannot recommend this place enough. Very cute little tea room, amazing food and so much of it. No shortage of fillings and lovely fresh and varied bread.
The service was amazing too, very good value for money and we will definitely be revisiting.
Written 5 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.
shonas181
Thankyou Kerry. We are so pleased you all enjoyed yourselves. Look forward to seeing you again.
Written 6 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Becky G
Ampthill201 contributions
Nov 2024 • friends
We visited from a local care home recently, 4 residents and 5 staff members, we spoke on the phone in the lead up to the day to book 3 afternoon teas (we were assured this would be plenty) and to ensure there was plenty of space for wheel chairs and that they were accessible in the first place.
We arrived about noon and had a little trouble with the wheelchair ramp but the staff figured it out and we managed to get all 4 wheelchairs in no problem, we were shown to a beautiful room and settled down ready for afternoon tea, we had a slight change of who was coming so rang before we arrived to say we had a gluten free lady coming and could we accommodate her, this was no problem, we swapped the 3 afternoon teas for 2 and a gluten free option, the tiered plates came out full of sandwiches and mini quiche tartlets, there was so much food, and then after the sandwiches, another couple of tiered plates came out full of scones and cakes, the scones were fresh from the oven and absolutely delicious, the gluten free option was ok but no where near as good as the non gf option.
The staff couldn't do enough for us, a lady came in and told us the history of the station building and we will arrange a visit to the home sometime soon for them to come and show us some memorabilia and tell us all about the station and it's history. There's a lovely gift shop with many gifts to choose from postcards to portraits and lots in between.
Thank you to all the staff, our residents had a lovely time and we will definitely be back
Written 20 November 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.
Hannah Penwright
Thank you for your feedback. We're pleased you had a great experience and look forward to seeing you again!
Written 15 December 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tinarinalemon
York27 contributions
Aug 2023 • family
Having had many a cooked breakfast out - the full english at The Ridgmont Station Tearoom was one of the tastiest I’ve had in a long while. The eggs cooked to how your Nan would cook them - crispy brown edges, soft in the centre - delicious. No greasy spoon at the Ridgmont!! The service was faultless too, very friendly and attentive staff. A whistle stop for us but would definitely visit again if we lived local.
Written 13 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.
Hannah Penwright
Thank you for leaving us such a lovely review, we're glad to hear you enjoyed your breakfast with us! If you're ever in the area again we would love to have you back. - Hannah
Written 22 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
…
Showing results 1-15 of 288
Best nearby
We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Best nearby hotels
See all 
Best nearby restaurants
See all 
Is This Your Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Free Listing