The Friars Tearooms in Tonbridge and Malling

I have visited the Friars many times over the years, very rarely do I use the tea room as years ago I had an awful experience with the staff being rude to us there. After what must be 7 years I thought we would try again. Sadly the staff were still rude and disinterested. The food is basic and good, the environment is of course wonderful so it’s such a shame that the staff can’t make that little bit of effort to make someone’s day. This is a place with many visitors after all. Of a team of 4 that I could see, 3 were looking in their phones and the lady that served us could just about be bothered to talk to us. I’ll give it a go in another 7 years maybe 👎🏼

Visited yesterday 6th October with my husband and had a delicious lunch. The 2 ladies serving were extremely busy but very friendly and welcoming. We will be visiting again with friends to try the cakes next time as the lady serving said they are lovely but we were too full from lunch to try them. Thank you for a lovely visit.

Regularly visit for lunch with friends. Homemade soup and cakes are our particular favourites. Very pleasant barn and comfortable seating. Great value for money. Also worthwhile allowing time to wander around the historic and beautiful Friary.

About a 25 minute drive from where I live so I have plenty of other choices but this is my favourite place for a quick or leisurely lunch or just a snack. Also a favourite place of my children and grandchildren when they come to stay. Popular too with walkers and cyclists. Fantastic ambience in well preserved tithe barn with thatched roof - or there are tables outside. Excellent reasonably priced jacket potatoes, paninis, sausage rolls and various sandwiches and cakes. Varietyof coffees and soft drinks. Friendly staff who cope well even in very busy periods and somehow always remain cheerful. A short hop from the A229 Maidstone to Chatham Road and junctions 5 or 6 of the M20. Easy parking. If you want to you can also enjoy all that the immediately adjacent Priory grounds have to offer including the lake with wildlife and the Heritage Funded Peace Garden.

I have a condition that means it’s important I eat at regular times. I’d secured a table and was eating a small snack whilst my friends were in the queue to purchase lunch for us all. Angeline came and barked at me that it was not a picnic area! I explained I knew that and my friends were queuing but I needed to have something whilst waiting. My friends returned with pastries, sandwiches and drinks for all and, again, without looking at what was happening, Angeline came and barked at us! When she realised her error and that we were eating the long awaited food, did she apologise? No! She just wandered off to ensure other customers had their experience ruined and were made to feel uncomfortable! As a religious environment there was zero understanding, compassion, empathy or tolerance shown by this staff member and she does nothing to promote what could be an amazing tea room!

Came here on a recent visit to the area, we had very nice jacket potatoes, but the cake was a little dry and the coffee was bitter. Two out of three girls serving were very pleasant but one of them was permanently miserable, such a shame, maybe she had piles ? Nice cosy warm cafe and gift shop.

Possibly the worst run cafe I have ever visited. I can’t imagine a less efficient way to organise a catering establishment. A massive queue with no effort being made to serve it.

I regularly meet my friend at the Friars tea room and can honestly say that whatever you order is freshly made, with generous servings! An assortment of cakes are always available. Every member of the staff is friendly and helpful......so what's not to like!?

After a nice walk four of us stopped for refreshments. One member of staff was quite rude. The other didn’t listen to what we ordered. Sandwiches were poor quality. Not much cake choice and the coffee was so weak it had no taste at all. Such a shame as it’s a beautiful setting. Won’t be returning

Staff need some training on how to serve customers. A smile or a hello! The hot chocolate was luke warm and very very weak. I couldn't drink it, it was disgusting. Won't return

I ordered 2 panini s. After half hour wait still no sign of them so asked at the counter. Cafe wasn’t particularly busy when we were there. Still no sign of them 10 mins later, go up to the counter again , this time they’re handed to me. Sit down, begin to eat. They were cold, fillings hadn’t been heated up properly. Back to the counter for the 3rd time. Decided to stand there whilst they’re heated up- another 5 mins. Asked to speak to a manager, was told there wasn’t one in that day a Sunday, would be back following day. The 4 staff there looked blankly at me. Didn’t seem to get it why I might be annoyed.

On the whole, this is a nice Tea room, especially if you like homemade type cakes. I ​do however wonder if there is a "Suggestions Box" As the layout of food and the signage for what they actually sell is hard to see or phantom. For the most part, it seems you only find out what things cost once you've qued up and got to the till where you and the staff are under pressure to be quick because of ppl queuing behind you. I think what's needed is clear signage of what cakes and food prices are before you have to give your order and pay. And maybe a flat "cake price" clearly shown with cakes of the day signage clear. The current sign is jumbled and confusing. The cakes are well out of sight because of covid I do understand, but there ought to be a streamlined way of knowing what there is and what it costs so no nasty surprises at the till.

Nice selection of food and drinks. Agree with previous comments lack of friendliness but as a stop for refreshments very good.

This tearoom is appalling. Dirty with food all over the floor and staff were rude and very unwelcoming. Food was very disappointing with overpriced selection of cakes and pastries.

This was our second visit. A very pleasant setting and easy to park car close by. Food was ok but not outstanding.On this occasion however we did find there was a lack of friendliness from staff who appeared a little sullen and a distinct lack of social interaction.

We visit here regularly with our family, lovely to be able to sit inside again. Food is always tasty and staff friendly and organised. Covid restrictions taken seriously and you feel completely safe. Highly recommend. Been a lovely haven for our family to meet (when able to as lockdown eased) lovely atmosphere.

Popped in fter the farmers market, all lid out well with good signage for entry. No issues with service

We organised afternoon tea as part of my wife’s 60th celebrations at the tea rooms. The service was excellent, the food delicious, and we would definitely recommend. It was difficult to find somewhere to meet in these difficult times, but thanks to the Teas Rooms at the Friars for making the event so lovely.

We visited the last two Sundays but couldn’t stay because there were still no parasols. Lovely surroundings and so peaceful. Do go and take a walk around. Visit the beautiful Peace Gardens. If lucky you will see the two resident black swans.

Lovely for a cup of tea and a piece of cake after a lovely walk round the priory. They now have a one way system in place, track and trace, sanitizer and masks to be worn.There is seating outside if required. Prices are average for a tea room.

It's very pleasant at the tea rooms and in good weather nice and peaceful outside but please could you provide sun umbrellas over the tables as there is not much shade.Not everyone wants to sit in full sun especially if they already have sun damaged skin that needs protection.

We’ve had many nice snacks here after a worthwhile visit to the peace and tranquility of the Friars. Plenty of room and tasty snacks

Been past many times then stopped here with friends on a cycle run for coffee and cake. The building is old and quaint from the outside, inside it's homely and welcoming, with a nice lounge area as well as outside seating which was just perfect giving the weather we had at the time of writing. The staff here were friendly and the coffee very good as was the cake! Indeed would wholeheartedly recommend stopping here, we have added it to our list of recommended coffee stops locally.

Nice for a cup of tea and cake when you have been for a walk at the priory. Prices are average for a cafe.

A lovely place just to escape the pressures of life. Serves a decent hot drink and basic meals. Comfortable and rustic.

We were there at a quite time and had marvellous service from the staff. Friendly and efficient. The food was good and reasonably priced. Ours was hot and served with a smile in very comfortable surroundings. There is a nice gift shop attached if you want to buy something.

We often call into the priory when visiting family and it is somewhere we like to come to worship.We always have called into the cafe for a snack.We popped in last Thursday with our granddaughter and got her a 'kids lunch box', and sandwiches and sausages rolls for ourselves, which was all great.Unfortunately the lady serving came across very off hand and surly.The place was practically empty and although she was the only one serving (with a lad in the background) she was hardly overworked.A little more welcoming would not come amiss rather than making us feel we were a nuisance.Although not in the same department, the two ladies in the shop were lovely.

Was here at the weekend and had a nice enough lunch and coffee, but the ladies in front of us were charged extra for using a card (because total was under £5), despite them objecting, and quite rightly saying it is no longer allowed.I sympathize with small places like this trying to make a profit, but this practice has been against the law since 13th Jan 2018, so you simply need to stop doing it. Sooner or later it will be reported to the Trading Standards by someone, so I hope they take action before this happens.

Such a beautiful converted barn. Good selection of drinks and especially cakes. Homemade soup is also available It also has a nice comfy seating area

A team room in a converted barn, serving hot drinks and cakes plus snacks. Hours 10-5 summer time. I'm not sure of winter opening.Not worthy of a special visit but a needed part of the overall visit to The Friars. Seating inside and out.Shop in the same building, offering Christian memorabilia and books.Loos in a building a few yards away. Parking at The Friars a couple of hundred yards walk. Honesty box payment.great stop for those on a walk or cycle.

Decided to pop into the tea rooms at 1.30 only minimal selection to choose from and the place could do with a revamp. Looked very untidy and certainly needs time and energy invested into it to make it a place you would want to return. We had cheese scones (as that was all that was left) they were dry even with two butters!

You can have a relax time after eating spiritual food, you can come here and have physical food. There is also a shop where you can buy sacramentals, candles, etc and later get them blessed by one of the friendly and loving Carmelite Priest

These tea rooms are set in the grounds of Aylesford Priory. This is still a working monastery where the monks still live and work. There are tours around the site to see how things work. There are the lovely tea rooms near the barn which are on the right as you drive in. There are picnic tables outside where you can sit when the weather is nice. It's a lovely peaceful place.

Have been coming to the Friars for 30 years, however haven't been to the tearooms for a long time, and it'll be a long time until we go again. 3pm on a Sunday popped in for a cup of tea and some cake. Display counter messy and uninspiring, ordered tea, to be told in a somewhat annoyed manner from the server that it would have to be in a takeaway cup as they closed in half an hour. Which confuses me as they still have to wash up the plates we ate the cake off, the bit we didn't take kindly too. Was the women jangling her keys barking they were closed and about to lock the doors. You would do well to remember the environment and place you are working, people come to the friars for a reason. I dread to think how they'd be coping or speaking to people here on pilgrimage.

Called in for afternoon cup of coffee as we had not been there before and I will never go again . The woman serving was rude and unresponsive not making eye contact . The coffee was like dishwater and tasted foul, in this day and age why would anyone have to sell coffee like that . We left our coffee’s and walked out .

Called in here after going to the Friary's the other day ,the place was nice and clean , with toilets and a gift shop next door . Very nice grounds outside so the ideal place to stop after .

Self service tearoom in a beautiful building. Plenty of tables and sofas to relax at. Outside seating too for a nice day.

Called in yesterday whilst my wife was at Mass, lovely sandwich and latte coffee prices very reasonable compared to some other places. Friendly assistant and nice shop and friendly saleslady. Will visit again.

Los tes están situados justo en la entrada al estacionamiento frailes. Justo al lado encontrará también los baños públicos.

We stopped at the priory and were pleasantly surprised. The grounds were amazing. The gardens, geese and buildings made a peaceful afternoon stroll. We came to get the scapulas but also found a very nice lunch. The food and service were good and affordable.

Los salones de té son cerca del aparcamiento, así que no es muy lejos para caminar. Es tan grande por dentro, muchas mesas y sofás también para mayor comodidad. Hay una gran zona para sentarse fuera y días soleados. No es mal precio, tuvimos una tarde muy relajada.

Paramos para té y bollos mientras espera para asistir a una función en el convento. Nada extraordinario para informar. Té y bollos era regular y nada para emocionarse. El lugar tiene mucho más potencial dado su preciosa ubicación y el público cautivo que visitas el convento sobre una base diaria.

Estuvimos aquí hace poco para una boda y nos lo pasamos de maravilla. Fue externa, pero topamos en personal de la tetería. muy agradable.

Disfrutamos de una buena taza de té, pero encontramos la selección de pasteles bastante limitado y lo que estaba disponible era caro en nuestra opinión. El bizcocho estaba cortada en rodajas en rodajas muy pequeñas que casi se estaban cayendo a pedazos.

Oh cielos, a arrastrado a Frailes té habitaciones, gran ubicación y edificio Tudor pero prefiero menú era decepcionante - sólo la sopa del día, bocadillos envasados y comprobar una pequeña selección de pasteles, muy limitado. Así que tristemente no estancia. Es una pena porque la ubicación es impresionante. Y podría ser mucho más taaaaan

In the grounds of the Friars this is a charming cafe built within a thatched Barn. Set up to serve visitors to the Friars the tea rooms offer good fare to casual callers and churchgoers alike.

Staff friendly but very slow. Ordinary choice of teas and coffee. Food was a bit canteen ish. Lovely thatched building

We had a wonderful day at this most amazing and beautiful place last weekendThe church and the little walks with a lovely lake is just so peacefulThis wonderful place will take you back in time and it gives you inner peace when you just have a walk aroundThey have a fantastic lunch/dinner/and afternoon tea area and the food was perfectThere is also a lovely pottery shop on site A beautiful day out

The friary is an amazing place, of history, and has beautiful gardens, bird pond full in the middle of the green. Most area are accessable to the public, the friars also offer retreats there. The cafe is very large, family and child friendly. The menu is just right with very good prices. They also have gift shops, good priced, and usually some of the workshops are open

We were just having a look around the Friars. We have been here before and I was taking some relatives from London to have a look round.

We visit here as a couple and as a family.Just a beautiful setting....the church and surrounding buildings really tell a story and take you back in time.The tea room just rounds the whole day off with a lovely cup of tea and scone ☺

Nice tearoom situated within the Friars Aylesford. Nice high ceiling making it cool on a very hot day.

Enjoyable lunch. Bowl of soup, sandwich and a lovely cup of tea. Nice self service. Nice and friendly staff like being at home. Highly recommendable. Peaceful and relaxing.

Everyone should visit here at least once to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the hot chocolate the place is amazing whatever your religious beliefs

Visited on a sunday afternoon and, despite the scaffolding bring up for rethatching, the tearooms were open. We had a cream tea and the home made scones were delicious. The tearooms , and the peaceful surroundings they are set in., are defiantly worth a visit.

We attended an event at the Friars and decided to stop in the tea rooms for some lunch.I needed to change my son's nappy and couldn't find any signs for baby changing facilities. I asked a member of staff who said the toilets were outside. When I said there were no signs for baby changing she flippantly said "Well I haven't got a clue then" and walked off. I was shocked at how rude she was! I ended up changing my son's nappy on a ledge on the female toilets which was next to the hand dryers and totally freaked him out every time they were used; not ideal.And the tea rooms themselves...whilst they looked nice they had totally underestimated the number of visitors in the day and had practically no food left at 12.15pm. What they did have did not look appetising; there were a couple of sausage rolls which someone in front of me had which were zapped in the microwave. We needed up with a couple of bits if cake which were nice but very overpriced.All in all a very disappointing visit to what is a lovely location, but only due to the tea room.

Confusion, baguettes advertised on the board outside, baguettes advertised inside the tearooms, when asked for one, we don't do them, they only do them in the main restaurant and gave directions from where we had come from because it was a restaurant and didn't do baguettes, grrrr!!!

The Friary is so full of history. When you are there, ask yourself ," What is the difference between and Monk and a Friar ?" Then see if you can find out the answer while you are there.The tearoom, is both airy inside, and relaxing and interesting outside. Whilst there, check out the history of the place.The bathrooms are well kept, and the grounds well worth a long stroll.Bottomline, a very interesting historical tearoom.

On previous visits I have very satisfied and no complaints. My experience today however was of coffee in paper cupsfrom a automatic dispenser (latte and Americano) both of which were awful with very little taste. Cheese scone very average. We did complain and they said the machine had recently been filled.. Not going into the tearooms again

The food was not hot and the service was poor. It's not cheap to eat here. I would not recommend. Staff not friendly or helpful

Myself and ten others stopped here for tea and a sandwich.What I found interesting was the history behind the place and the place itself. It has character, and it's different.The tea/ coffee/ cake/ sandwiches are about average together with their price tags. But, what is of interest is the place itself, and it's history.The bathrooms were clean and well maintained.Well worth the visit, but not just for the " eats", but for the history and purpose behind the establishment.

I do not know what has happened but recently this place has changed for the worse. Very disappointed with our last visit. They used to make the most gorgeous toasted sandwiches and fresh home made soups. Only cold sandwiches now

Lovely place to have food or even a quick snack and coffee. In a barn surrounding situated at the edge of The Friars site at Aylesford - so good parking

While there is nothing inherently wrong with this (self-titled) tea room, that description in itself is a little misleading. This isn't not a tea room in the true sense of the term - in fact, the tea is from established company tea-bags (Twinings etc.) and the coffee is from machines. That said this is still a good place to stop and relax for a few moments and the grounds themselves are of particular note.

We purchased two cake and two cups of cappuccinos. Both cakes were stale and dried up and the coffees you make yourself from the machine. I wish we had never bothered we threw it all in the rubbish bin. The staff are always friendly it's a shame it's not a good as it use to be.

I did stop for a cup of tea prior to signing into my room and was very pleased with the fruit cake I selected. My he price was reasonable and the tea good quality. I did however have a challenge with making the tea using a machine. It is the first time I have had tea at the Friars but would use te facility again. Reasonably priced and good quality. The shop is also worth a look round and the staff are helpful and lovely.

I don't really understand the criticism against the Friary Tea Rooms: it is not fine dining. But there is a relatively good choice of food on offer. The tea room is spacious and tidy. I like the fact that many of the preserves and cakes on offer are home made on the premesis.We're talking about a Monastic establishment here folks, if you want more luxurious fayre go else where. For me personally, a cup of tea and scone and jam after a visit is always welcome.

It's an extremely basic tearoom which could be excellent with some catering know How! Our lunch was mediocre The Friars is a wonderful setting and this cafe could be a r eal earner . As it stands its stuck in the 1960s

Setting wonderfully quiet and peaceful.Ancient friary with famous pottery on site.Guests welcomed from around the world to this ancient village location.Friars manage the Aylesford Friary site and all facilities including these tea rooms we'll run.

This a very spacious tea room with a small selection of snacks and beverages.Don't expect to much as it's OK as a place to rest the weary legs and have a coffee or a cuppa.The snacks are very average but you do get what you pay for as the prices are very reasonable.There are plenty of picnic tables outside so that you can take your own eats.

Basic food on offer but it's ok not too overpriced like some places, staff are friendly enough, perfect for grabbing a tea or ice cream

Lovely selection, and reasonably priced.I found the staff could've been a little more professional.

We came to the Friars to visit the Pottery, and decided to have our lunch in the Friars Tearooms. I chose the panini with tuna and cheese and my husband opted for a ham ploughman's. I was really disappointed by the presentation of the food. The portions are adequate and the food ok, but so very bland and unimaginative. The salads consisted of anaemic tomatoes, iceberg lettuce and a few slices of cucumber, and my husband had some tinned sweetcorn too. His ham was not what we had hoped for, but the cheap looking pressed and sliced variety, and the rolls were from a box rather than a nice chunk of baker's loaf. The drinks were served with a polystyrene cup. All of it shouts minimum standard expected, no effort or thought required and a lack of hospitable spirit. The Christmas decor was there, but again a little more thought and effort ( at not much extra cost!) would have made a huge positive difference. That said, the staff were friendly and helpful, which was good. There is a bookshop attached to the tea room, but this also was very disappointing in terms of it's content. All in all sadly not somewhere I would ever eat again.

Strangely few people outside the visitors to the friars visit these lovely tearooms. Based in an old rebuilt barn the Tearooms offer the usual fare, in a quiet roomy atmosphere. Sunny days will find you relaxing outside in the extensive seating area soaking up the rays and tranquillity.

Nice place to take family on a summers day. Average prices but lovely home made scones and a pleasant and relaxing environment. There are usually events at the Priory most weekends and the tea-rooms provide a terrific pit stop during these. Thoroughly recommended and delightful!

cheap and cheerfull food ok,service slow,atmosphere ok can be noisy but it is a tag on to the shop so has foot traffic,more of a cafe really than a resteraunt

We arrived at 1.30pm and hoped to get the soup that was advertised, only to be told it had run out. So we opted for the hot cross buns with tea and hot chocolate. The serving area was infested with flies, but this was not a hot day, in fact it was quite cool. The server explained it was because of the mild winter and "we are doing our best". One of the mugs of hot chocolate was only half full, so we had to ask for it to be topped up. Everything seemed like an effort to the staff and we felt as though we were in the way.The tables were so close together at the counter area, it was difficult to navigate through while carrying a tray of hot drinks, I feared I would spill some on another diner. The cold hot cross buns were brought to the table. We expected them to be hot, but in fairness maybe we shouldn't have..but that's how we always have them. As we had to wait, we assumed they were being toasted. On eating, we discovered them to be be slightly stale, very disappointing. If they were toasted we may not have noticed. Prices were reasonable, but we will bring a flask and packed lunch next time we visit the priory which is lovely any time of the year.Would be nice to have some feedback from the proprietors regarding this.

Went for a quick lunch when alone. When you have a nice old barn in a pleasant environment you expect service and quality to match.There was a fair choice of dishes for the size of establishment . I chose meat lasagne but though not late they had 'run out'. Had veg lasagne, reasonable. I was reprimanded for not taking knife and fork, given it well bent metal and no napkin.Then had apple strudel and Roddas cream. Tough pastry served relucyltantly warmed on small cheap paper plate with small plastic fork and teaspoon. Asked for tea. Milk behind you. Only UHT. I asked for proper milk. Committed the crime of rejecting the tea. Refund after first degree interrogation,I hope management reads this and takes action.

We popped in for a quick drink before visiting the nearby Priory. The drinks were served in polystyrene cups and although the taste was not too bad it was not what we expected in such a lovely building. I think we were just disappointed. In fairness it may be that due to the volume of trade at busy times it is easier to cater on this basis.

We went for afternoon tea at the friars tea shop which we had purchased with Groupon. We have been to several different places for afternoon tea and I can honestly say this is the worst. We were shown to our table a bit begrudgingly. The tea was ready and just plonked on the table. There was no finesse ,the scones to my mind were not home made the jam came in little sachets and the 'clotted cream' was on the turn. They started clearing away very quickly and almost before we had finished they asked us to leave as they wanted to close. I appreciate it was a groupon outing but this is the first place we were made to feel like second class diners. We will not be going back