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5 Reasons to visit Chiddingstone Stores & Café - a historic gem in the heart of rural Kent

  • Writer: Katy Mason
    Katy Mason
  • Oct 14
  • 4 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

*This is a sponsored blog post in partnership with Chiddingstone Stores & Café. All opinions remain honest and unbiased*


There are few things more quintessentially British than a walk in the countryside followed by tea and cake in a cosy village café. As England’s oldest working shop and tea room, Chiddingstone Stores & Cafe certainly delivers this, offering a uniquely historic location to visit and enjoy.


Set in the heart of the charming village of Chiddingstone, the traditional village shop offers a treasure trove of gifts and local produce, whilst the café itself serves hearty breakfasts, delicious lunches and mouth-watering homemade cakes.


Here are five reasons to add a visit Chiddingstone Stores & Café to your Kent bucket list.


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It’s bursting with hundred of years' worth of history


Dating back to 1453, Chiddingstone Store is believed to be the oldest working shop in England and has served the local community for almost 600 years. Previously known as Burghesh Court, it was once owned by politician and diplomat Sir Thomas Boleyn - Father of Queen Anne Boleyn.


Today, the classic Grade I listed building and adjacent cobbled streets immediately make you feel like you’re stepping back in time. It boasts an authentic Tudor design, with exposed timber beams, timber windows and magnificent gable roofs which are so iconic of their era. It feels like a real snapshot of history. 


The café sits behind the shop down a wooden framed walkway which you can almost imagine horses plodding up in years gone by. Set in a pretty courtyard, with tables both inside and out, it’s an ideal spot to take in the surrounding historic architecture.



They serve high quality food and drink - including gluten free options


Serving breakfast, lunch, drinks, scones and a delightful array of homemade cakes and traybakes, there’s plenty on offer in the café to enjoy. The kitchen is absolutely at the heart of this small but perfectly formed tea room, with each dish made from scratch, cooked to order and of the highest quality. 


Along with their popular baked goods, owners Dan and Charlotte particularly pride themselves on their high-end meat and homemade pastries. Their sausages and sausage meat are free range, and their highest welfare outdoor reared bacon comes with a Royal Warrant, whilst they make their own all-butter puff pastry in house using an impressive laminating machine. The proof is in the pudding when sampling their delicious pastel de natas or pastry twists! They also offer a good selection of gluten free items, with their quiche pastry and the biscuits for the tiffin and cheesecakes all suitable for those who are gluten intolerant.


Lastly, - but by no means least! - coffee is understandably at the centre of the drinks offering. The café boasts a wide range of award-winning Birchall teas and a carefully curated coffee menu, using locally roasted coffee beans. Made using their new coffee machine and grinder, and including a selection of seasonal flavours, they have received a fair few compliments on their great cups of joe! If you’re after something a little stronger, they also have a license to serve chilled beers and wine.



There’s a wide selection of traditional sweets and luxury gifts


The shop is an Aladdin’s cave of beautiful gifts, toys and luxury items, as well as everyday essentials, homeware and fresh groceries. They also have a well-stocked Cook freezer for an easy yet tasty dinner.


One of the big draws and most charming elements of the shop is their large, colourful traditional sweet counter which oozes nostalgia with every glass jar. From fried eggs to jelly babies; strawberry bonbons to fizzy cola bottles, just looking at their selection transports you back to your childhood.


The owners spend a lot of time carefully curating the items to create a stunning shop full of hidden gems, much of which are from small, UK companies. It’s the ideal place for some special gifts at Christmas or discovering seasonal decor pieces throughout the year. The window always looks so inviting and perfectly presented!



It’s such a picture-perfect, cosy and inviting setting


If you’re looking for charm, the village of Chiddingstone takes some beating. As one of the UK’s best-preserved Tudor villages and now owned by the National Trust, this picturesque village is like something from a classic Christmas card.


At the centre of the high street is St Mary’s church - a late medieval building with Saxon foundations and a fascinating history - which overlooks the shop and café. To the other side is a 15th century pub, The Castle Inn, which leads into the grounds of the magnificent Chiddingstone Castle. You can also take a short walk to visit the famous ‘Chiding Stone’ after which the village is named.


The decor in the café itself is in-keeping with its surroundings with rustic, historic features and wooden furniture. For the Summer, there is the courtyard and elegant pagoda to sit under, whilst an inviting woodburner sits in the corner of the tea room to keep cosy by in the colder months.


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The staff are so friendly and welcoming


As a family-run business, Chiddingstone Stores & Café feels homely and welcoming, with regular staff and the knowledgeable owners taking centre stage on the café floor. It’s a brilliant example of a small, independently run tea room and shop and a credit to the Kent landscape.


You can tell that they are passionate about their produce and seasonal menu, as well as creating a wonderful experience for their customers. They’re accommodating, helpful and offer service with a smile!


Find out more by visiting - https://www.chiddingstonestores.co.uk/ 

 
 
 

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