Chiddingstone Stores and Café

Welcome to Chiddingstone Stores and Café

Nestled in one of the country’s oldest, most picturesque, and best-preserved Tudor villages, Chiddingstone Stores and Café is an independent, family-run business. Our charming village, with buildings dating back to the 15th century, provides the perfect backdrop for a visit to our shop and café.

Open seven days a week, we offer a warm and friendly welcome to all—dogs included! Whether you’re stopping by for a hearty breakfast, a delicious lunch, a large slice of cake with a pot of tea, picking up something for supper, or buying a special gift, we’re here to make your visit memorable.

Come and experience the heart of Chiddingstone, where tradition meets warmth and community.

The Shop

Possibly the Oldest Working Shop in the UK

Dating back to 1453, Chiddingstone Stores is believed to be one of the oldest working shops in the UK. Once owned by Sir Thomas Bullen, father of Anne Boleyn, this historic building has been a part of the village’s story for centuries.

Today, we continue the tradition with a modern twist, offering a diverse range of convenience, lifestyle, and homeware products. From everyday essentials and fresh groceries to greeting cards, accessories, and carefully curated gifts, there’s something for everyone.

Step back in time at our large, sweet counter, where you can indulge in a ‘quarter’ (now 100g) of your favourite classic sweets—just like the old days.

Come visit and enjoy a slice of history with a taste of nostalgia.

The Café

Also Known as the Tulip Tree Café

Situated in a charming, converted coach house, our Café offers a welcoming space for you to relax, whether indoors by the wood-burning stove during the chillier months, or outside in one of our two seating areas—a sunny courtyard or a peaceful back garden.

Our small kitchen is the heart of our café, where everything is baked and cooked fresh to order. We’ve earned a reputation for our delicious cakes, available by the slice or as whole cakes to take away for special occasions. Our breakfast and lunch menus change regularly, but at our core, we focus on using fresh, free-range, high-quality ingredients—local when possible—to create simple, delicious food.

We also offer a wide range of award-winning Birchall teas and a carefully curated coffee menu, featuring single-origin Brazilian Arabica beans roasted locally for us by Cafézinho.

We are also licensed and offer a selection of chilled beers and wines to complement your meal. Come join us for a delightful experience in a beautiful setting.

Food Menus

We like to keep things fresh, so our menus change regularly based on what’s in season and what we’re loving in the kitchen. We also have a daily specials board — be sure to check it out when you visit!

Take a look below for some sample dishes to give you an idea of what we serve.

Freshly Baked Cakes

We always have a tempting selection of cakes and traybakes available by the slice—freshly baked in our kitchen each day.

If you’d like to order a whole cake to take away, just call 01892 356575 or email us at hello@chiddingstonestores.co.uk. Please do not contact us via Instagram/Facebook direct message.

Opening hours

(Our opening times can sometimes vary please check our news page, Instagram or Facebook for updates)

Chiddingstone Stores

Monday	9.00am – 5.00pm
Tuesday	9.00am – 5.00pm
Wednesday	9.00am – 5.00pm
Thursday	9.00am – 5.00pm
Friday	9.00am – 5.00pm
Saturday	9.00am – 5.00pm
Sunday	10.00am – 4.00pm

Cafe

Monday	9.00am – 4.30pm
Tuesday	9.00am – 4.30pm
Wednesday	9.00am – 4.30pm
Thursday	9.00am – 4.30pm
Friday	9.00am – 4.30pm
Saturday	9.00am – 4.30pm
Sunday	9.00am – 4.30pm

News and Events

Welcome to our News section. Here, you’ll find all the latest updates, events, and happenings at Chiddingstone Stores and Café.

12 June 2025

A Slice of Summer is Here! 🍓

Treat yourself to the ultimate taste of summer with our Fresh Cream & Strawberry Sponge Cake...

Work with Us

At Chiddingstone Stores and Café, we’re always on the lookout for friendly individuals to join our front of house and kitchen teams. If you love good food, great coffee, and providing exceptional service, we’d love to hear from you.

Whether you're still at school and looking for a weekend job, a trained barista with a love for coffee, a good cook with a passion for cakes, or someone who loves working with people front of house, we might have just the job for you.

If you think you'd be a great fit, get in touch with us today We can’t wait to hear from you.

Hello@chiddingstonestores.co.uk