Review: A Charming Afternoon Tea at Croft Tea Room

*This experience was gifted in exchange for an honest and unbiased review*

It would be easy to drive past Croft Tea Room and not pay it much attention. Tucked away in the suburban outskirts of Orpington, this small roadside tea room is unassuming but packs a punch when it comes to good quality, homemade food and friendly service.

Family-owned and with community at its heart, Croft Tea Room is run by husband and wife team, Lou and Caroline - the former of which used to lead afternoon tea at a 5-star London hotel. Now, in a return to their roots in Kent, Lou and Caroline juggle family life with the café which is open Wednesday - Saturday, as well as some select Sundays for their popular Sunday Roast service. Their dedication and passion for delicious, top end comfort food has led to Croft Tea Room becoming a real 'destination cafe' over the past few years.

We visited as a family during half term to sample one of their wonderful afternoon teas, and were immediately met by a warm welcome from Lou. Friendly, chatty and great with the kids, its clear from the get-go that he's the ultimate host, and was ready to go above and beyond to ensure our experience was fun, enjoyable and that we had everything we needed.

Our afternoon tea arrived on a classic three-tier stand, with freshly made sandwiches at the bottom, large fluffy scones with jam and cream in the middle, and a selection of decadently large slabs of cake on the top. Everything was simple, fuss free yet wonderfully tasty. I particularly enjoyed the chicken tikka sandwiches, and my daughter devoured the ham and cucumber sandwiches that Lou had prepared for her.

The scones were baked to perfection and complimented the sweet jam and smooth clotted cream effortlessly. Honestly, is there anything more British than a pot of tea with warm scones, jam and cream?!

However, the real star of the show were the cakes. Though not a petite four or macaron in sight, these cakes were the real deal - the kind your Mum or Gran would proudly bring to a coffee morning or family birthday. We had a few to try including a moist lemon cake, a rich, indulgent chocolate cake, a light and fluffy Biscoff number and - my personal favourite - a sweet, nutty coffee and walnut delight. They were all outstanding and every bite was an absolute treat.

We left feeling full, happy and with a box full of tasty leftover to enjoy that evening! With a welcoming feel, traditional approach and excellent food, this little hidden gem is a real treat and definitely one to add to you 'must-visit' list if you're near Orpington.