Light Railway Tea Room in Shepway

Such a terrible shame. Its called the vintage tea room but the minute you step in it's obvious that this is far from a vintage tea room and more like a workman's caff. Bottles of brown sauce and ketchup stacked in a metal holder on the table definitely isn't something you would find in a vintage cafe. We were going to buy a children's lunch but no-where was it mentioned if sandwiches were included and if so what the choice was. There may even have been an ice lolly included (as there often is at various outlets with children's lunch boxes) but no body would have had a clue. How about a list posted next to the boxes showing what you get????? We wanted to sit in the outside searing area but what a depressing place! Two old picnic benches on a rough peice if concrete. The toilets needed a good tidy. There was a bottle of toilet cleaner next to the toilet, not good to have chemicals not locked away from young children that may be using the loo!! This could be a real asset to the station but to be honest it shouldn't be using the description 'vintage cafe'. It could be a little gem if only they sharpened up their act.

Great stop at the end of the train line we’ll worry the stop and afternoon tea was amazing they even made us a few extra sandwiches for the train home great original interiors so much better than expected just lovely

Best tea in Kent Amazing service amazing value so enjoyed the visit true step back in time Perfect for birthday tea Had the southern maid tea £12 per head so much had to take it back in bags for the train joinery home Huge thank you will be back

Bit difficult to review this as electricity was down so we couldn't get anything gluten free to eat for lunch so just had crisps. Fortunately the food festival was on so could have a meal there. BUT we did use the toilets and they were dreadful. The rubbish bin was right up tight against the toilet bowl with the bin liner hanging over the bowl. Paper all over the floor and wet, whether from sink or something else not sure. Needs about 3 deep cleans plus ripping out and decorating. New Romney and Dungeness toilets are a good example of how they should be. I did report it to the lady in the shop who said she was responsible for it. Hope they act on my review

Just popped in for a quick coffee and a bite to eat ordered two coffees and two sausage rolls £12.90 Coffee was average but the sausage rolls were overcooked and greasy stored in a glass container for god knows how long Not good value for money and will not be going there again

Review based on conditions at present, think this would normally have rated a higher rating. At present, the tables are only outside and everything is pre-packaged. However we did have a nice breakfast bap and bottled drinks as we waited for our ride on the train.

Nice place to pop into for a cup of tea and quick bite to eat. The steam railway is just next door, so highly recommended if waiting for the excursion. Lots of outside seating and quick service. I would go again.

We took our mum there for her birthday surprise. We received a quick and friendly service. Lovely selection of sandwiches and cakes. The staff even bought mum out a cake with a candle in it and sung happy birthday. Thank you to all the staff for their kindness. We will definitely visit again xx

Nous nous faisions une joie de prendre un aftenoon tea dans ce bel endroit après avoir pris le train vapeur... on nous a lancé un « ça ferme à 16h » Super ! Quel intérêt d’ouvrir un salon de thé et qu’il soit fermé le samedi à l’heure du thé ! Dommage qu’il soit annoncé dans la brochure du train vapeur ! Nous aurions pris le thé dans une autre station!

No atmosphere, tea tasted funny, no food available and £2.80 a cup of tea felt we were a real nuisance to even go in !

Nous sommes arrivés avec 2 cars depuis la Suisse pour prendre le train...le joli tea-room était ouvert que pour les boissons par manque de personnel......le dimanche de Pentecôte, nous avons trouvé des sandwiches et pâtisseries moyens dans la partie cafétéria

Four of us visited the Vintage Cafe during our trips on the R,H&D Railway. It was a real delight, just like a traditional English Tea cafe. We ordered the Cream Tea which was fantastic value our £14.50 for 2 people. It included 2 complete rounds of sandwiches with salad & crisps, 2 huge slices of cake and 2 large fruit scones with jam & clotted cream. On top of this, the price included a very large pot of tea or coffee. Everything was really fresh and delicious and caused heads to turn as it was brought to the table. This is like the tea rooms that I used to go to with my parents very many years ago. I suggest that a visit to this lovely place is essential when taking in the steam train experience.

We were on a steam day (anorak Granddad and grandson) and called into the Vintage Tea rooms for lunch. We liked the decor (apart from the lit up trees?!) laid out as if for an outing (which it was ) The luxury tea was very good value, we felt, £14.95 for two with choice of sandwiches, scones with Tiptree Jam and Rhodda clotted cream and a huge piece of cake each (choice) with large pot of tea. I have paid much more for much less! The staff were pleasant and accommodated toddler in high chair and a lively 5 year old. Also with the added bonus of little steam trains chugging in on one side and the Royal Military Canal on the other side.

I always say you can judge a business by how it handles problems. My sister had booked afternoon tea up for our fathers birthday (10 of us) and dispite speaking 4 times on the phone to someone the booking was just made for cream tea. Well bearing in mind there was 10 of us and were just prepared for scones they still managed to produce an amazing afternoon tea. Cake stands were brought out which we thought to share but no we had one each.... None of us managed to finish our food and containers were given for us to take home our left overs. The food n service was excellent.

Has tremendous atmosphere, just like a steam age railway tea rooms were in the past. We went for the luxuryafternoon tea ... really comprehensive and all fresh and home made! Great waitresses ... smiling and attentive!

We came across the tea room purely by accident during our walk. The staff were very accommodating and helpful when asked if dogs were allowed to be brought onto the premises. Although directed to the garden area, we were not forgotten about and were promptly served. My wife and I ordered a cheese ploughmans lunch and didn't have to wait too long, though the size of the lunch was a little too much for me. A good experience especially as it was a dog friendly establishment.

We expected an olde worlde tearoom with atmosphere and style.Well, we arrived near to closing and that clearly was not a well received fact.The tea was fine, but by no means best quality. Nice crockery. Room laid out very rigidly and semetrically and no atmosphere at all. Service attentive at start, but as soon as tea was served, disappeared, even though we needed extra milk which we did not get.Gents toilets a joke. If you go in, lock the door behind you, even if only using the urinal. Otherwise the next person will have to squeeze behind you to go into the sit-you-down one. Absolutely no discretion or privacy at all.Well disappointed, well unimpressed and resolved never to return.

Popped in for a cream tea today. Looked good from the outside but was very disappointed with the inside. All that was available at 2.30pm was tea and a piece of cake. One cup of tea and a slice of cake each came to over £13!!! The only thing vintage about it was the crockery which was fake Victorian. Won’t be going back for sure.

Firstly the vintage style tea room shares the same kitchen as the greasy spoon cafe which sits in front of it on the main road.For £12 you get one sandwich from a choice of 3 fillings, bag of crisps spread on lower plate with a couple of chopped tomatoes and cucumber. Then on the second tier two Fruit scones. They were bone dry and stale!!. The rodda’s cream was also dry/off. When you put your spoon in the cream it stayed curdled like cream cheese and did not run smooth!!Then where it says selection of cakes you basically get a slab of what’s on offer that day. The staff who served us SAID themselves that we may as-well had eaten in the front cafe as it would have worked out cheaper!!We complained about the food and got around £6 knocked off. If you want a good vintage afternoon tea then avoid at all costs.We were the only ones there which says a lot.There is a SAINSBURY over the road!!

Now if this was advertised as a vintage café that would be ok, but as a tearooms deffinty not. The seats are old school type chairs, the tables are ruff wood with no cloths on. There is China cups and plates. The menu is basic at best. I had a sandwich thinking they could not get that wrong it was like a door stop not afternoon tea sandwiches at all. Had to ask twice for tea to be brought out. Cake was not home made as advertised, service was poor at best. They need to give it up and go with an extension to the cafe at the front. Waste of time and money. Not for me at all.

Called in for coffee while waiting for the train. We ordered two coffees and one cheese scone. The coffee came in a small cafetiere which we thought was for 1 person but it turned out to be for 2! There was enough for 1 small China cup each for which we were charged £6.50. It wasn't even great coffee. The scone was OK but not very cheesy. The cost of the scone was £2.50. Overall we were very disappointed. On the plus side, the young waitress was efficient and the crockery is pretty !!

Lacked finesse, doorstep sandwich, no napkins not at all what we were expecting from a vintage tea room.

Saturday lunch and the place was empty, we should have been warned. Sandwich dry, obviously yesterday's bread, salad the same. I had egg and cress....about three leaves of cress in the whole sandwich...was supposed to be a Luxury Sandwich. Staff seem young and inexperienced. Shame, well set out tea room.

Very poor and rather expensive. I had their platter, one mini pork pie, one mini scotch egg, just like you get from Sainsbury's for 25p each and a small piece of pate. The menu described it coming with a 'hunk' of bread which was actually one slice of bog standard sliced bread. And a bit of undressed salad, mostly lettuce. All for just under £10. I also had a milk shake costing over £4, described as coming with two scoops of ice cream and Eaton mess. No sign of ice cream, all quite warm and a bit of squirt cream on top. Even served in the milkshake making jug.

We visited the Railway as a family being locals to the area and the railway and we were quite impressed with the pretty vintage tearoom itself (it was empty when we arrived but not put off) The young girl was very polite and we asked her for one cream tea to share as they were £7.50 each but she bought us two cream teas out ,she went of before we could tell her of her mistake so we went ahead and tried them - the scones were 1cm in height and rock hard, dry and crumbly and the worst scone I have ever tried! When she came to clear the table we had only eaten most of 1 plate of scones and I explained to the girl how awful it was and she apologised, we went to the till to pay and she took our money and put it on the side by the till - we said we were happy to pay for one cream tea but not £15 for two of the worst inedible cream teas, she said sorry we have to pay "it's the railway not her" so leaving our money she was lost for words and said "oh well I'll get my manager" A lady came out and we explained to her why we were so unhappy and she apologised and we said our money was left on the side, she then gave us too little change, and my Husband had to step in and correct her how much change we were owed!! A very awful and embarrassing experience! Potentially with better scones and some staff training in front of house and money skills this place could be great, such a shame.

We had half an hour before our train so popped in for a cup of tea . The service is at the counter . Service was efficient , with a smile. The place was clean and tidy. Worth a try if you have time.

Dropped in after walking out of Lathe Barn after being totally ignored. What a difference!! Abby's smile lit the room up!! tried the Southern maid afternoon tea, which is not for the faint-hearted. Great sandwich, scone, cake and coffee. each of us had a cakestand full, it being plenty for the rest of the day. WE WILL BE BACK

A group of three of us visited on a Bank Holiday for afternoon tea. We were the only customers at the time on arrival which was a bit disconcerting. (Two other parties arrived while we were there). The place was tastefully decorated, and we were quickly presented with a menu. Slightly unusually for an afternoon tea, you were allowed to choose just one flavour from the three on offer, but as there were three of us, we ordered one of each. They'd run out of plain scones so we had to have fruit. There was no choice of tea we were told, it was just a pot. You also got to choose two slices of cake out of chocolate, coffee and walnut and Victoria sponge, which did us fine.The food arrived promptly, and the tea was not brought out with the food. We did notice that we'd been served only one scone rather than the two stated on the menu. However as the size of the sandwiches and cake slices was quite generous, we didn't feel the need to comment on this. Also, one of the sandwiches was not among the variety ordered (the menu stated a choice of cheese and pickle, egg and mayo, and ham and mustard, but we were given tuna instead of ham). However, we were quite happy with tuna, so left it as it was. After almost ten minutes one of the waitresses came out and asked if everything was ok. That's when we mentioned the tea hadn't turned up! They'd clearly forgotten, as she quickly went and grabbed some tea pots. She asked us what kind of tea we wanted, which was odd, as when I'd asked the question when ordering we were told it was just regular English Tea. So we ordered a pot of Earl Grey and an English. This came fairly rapidly, although we had to ask if this was ready to be drunk or whether it needed a couple of minutes as no information would appear to have been forthcoming. The meal passed without further incident, and there was certainly enough food to go round, with the sandwiches being so big that you could cut them into four and share them around. Quality of sandwiches and cakes was good, but the scone was a bit flat and sorry looking. Overall, the meal was good value for money (£12), but the service was somewhat Fawlty Towers. So, if you fancy a laugh and a reasonably priced bit of nosebag, this could be just the place for you.

Food wasn't too bad. The tomato and vegetable soup was tasty! Reasonable prices. Friendly and considerate staff. Not too many vegetarian/vegan options but hopefully they'll add them in the future.

Situated very close to Hythe light railway this delightful tea room is perfect to pop in for a snack or one of their afternoon teas.It was lunch time but they still let us have the afternoon tea. We asked if we could share one, there was ample food for both of us and all top quality.Very nice and helpful staff.

We had breakfast here prior to travelling on the Hythe and Dymchurch train. Good menu and food was nice a hot.

We only had a breakfast with tea and coffee, was very good value would certainly go again. Good are you can walk along the canal after visiting the tea room.

This is a very pretty tea room located just behind the Light Railway Cafe - you could miss it if you weren't travelling on the train or didn't know the area. It's a clean looking cafe with wooden chairs and cups and saucers set out on the tables. Quite a retro feel and look with 50s music playing in the background. We were the only ones in there when we arrived at around noon today (Saturday) and were quickly served by friendly waitresses. We ordered three sandwiches and a pot of tea. Sandwiches were served on a wooden block with some crisps and side salad, all looked fresh and tasted nice with a generous filing in the sandwiches. The bill came to just under £25 which I feel is quite expensive for three sandwiches and a pot of tea; feel they are slightly overpriced which is why I have not given them a 5 rating. Also, the toilet was absolutely freezing! No heating or just wasn't turned on! I would come again as an occasional treat as it was nice but too pricey for a regular sandwich and cup of tea.

We enjoyed an afternoon tea on Mother's Day and were well looked after by the very friendly waitresses who made sure we had everything we needed, including a high chair. The sandwiches and scones were delicious and we had to take the cake away with us, as we were full! The tables were very prettily presented; our only slight issue was that the vintage nature of the crockery meant that some of it looked a bit dirty, but on closer inspection I could see that this was just staining. Overall would certainly have tea here again.

We had a lovely valentine's day dinner here after a ride on the train, the food was excellent and the cheeseboard was spectacular. We thought it was to share but no there was one each!

Went on little train with friends little boy then when we got to Hythe wanted something to eat so went in tea rooms lady is very friendly , I reconiced her off the tele

Brilliant sandwiches, served with splendid garnish and yummy crisps. Best sandwich I have had in a long old time! Superb location - wonderful authentic feel - just loved it!

Right alongside Hythe Station. This is a lovely old style English tea room with wooden floors and wooden furniture. We had a cream tea which had a pot of loose tea (remember to strain it!) two lovely, still warm scones which looked homemade along with clotted cream an a pot of, what I think was also homemade, strawberry jam. Service was at table and prompt and friendly. The couple on the next table had the afternoon tea which also looked yummy with various sandwiches, scones and cakes. Would very much recommend and next time we will save enough room and time for the afternoon tea.

Lovely little tea room serving open sandwiches, afternoon teas and home made cakes! (also catering to Gluten Free!) Excellent service and with the added bonus of either sitting by the canal or watching the trains steam up and down.