Date visited: Saturday 7th September 2024
Nancy’s Tea Rooms is situated in Lambert’s Yard, Tonbridge, on the edge of a car park just off the High Street and mid way between Tonbridge railway station and Tonbridge Castle. Unusually, most of its tables are upstairs, with six tables on the first floor and only one inside on the ground floor for those wishing to take tea, as well as three outside.
Nancy’s Tea Rooms has a relatively limited menu of sandwiches and toasties. The choice of cakes on display at the counter was limited to a Victoria sandwich and millionaires shortbread. Disappointingly for a tearoom, amongst the range of beverages on the menu was single item of ‘tea’, with coffees and a wide selection of soft drinks also offered.
I chose A bacon, cheese and mayo sandwich, a slice of Victoria sponge, and a pot tea, which came to £10.50 – remarkably cheap compared to many tea rooms I’ve visited in recent years, and especially so for the south east of England. Perhaps not surprisingly at this price, the sandwich had plenty of mayo but very little bacon. In contrast, the Victoria sponge was nicely balanced – fluffy yet moist – with plenty of cream and pieces of fruit in the filling. The tea was served without a spoon.
During my early afternoon visit, there was just one other table occupied indoors when I arrived, as well as two of the outside tables. There was also a steady takeaway trade of younger customers keeping the one member of staff busy.
Overall, this was – apart from the cake – an unremarkable experience. But at a price of just over £10, one wouldn’t expect more, and well worth the visit just for the cake.
Nancy’s Tea Room is open daily from 10 am, closing at 4 pm on Saturdays and at 3 pm on other days.
