This is London's oldest surviving bakery of its kind — a Tudor-era tea room on Kew Road that's been churning out the same melt-in-the-mouth tarts for over 150 years. Yes, it leans touristy thanks to its location seconds from Kew Gardens, but the scones are genuinely excellent and the wood-paneled tea room with its winter fire feels like stepping into a more sedate century. Skip the overpriced afternoon tea sets and order à la carte — a portion of scones and a pot of tea is all you really need.
Henry VIII's secret-recipe tarts, baked on Kew Road for 150+ years — the scones alone are worth the detour.
Order scones and tarts à la carte rather than the afternoon tea sets — reviewers say the sets are overpriced and the à la carte pastries are the real stars.
A Tudor-era institution steps from Kew Gardens
If you're visiting Kew Gardens, this is the place to stop afterward. The Original Maids of Honour has been baking on this spot for over 150 years, and the legend goes all the way back to Henry VIII, who supposedly loved the namesake tarts so much he locked away the recipe. Whether or not you buy the Tudor story, the tarts themselves are the real deal — delicate, curd-filled pastries with a crumbly shortcrust that genuinely melts in the mouth.
The scones are the standout though. Eater London called them "dainty things, soft and aerated, with just enough structure," and that's spot on. Order a portion with clotted cream and jam rather than one of the pre-packaged afternoon tea sets, which several reviewers felt were overpriced for what you get. The tea room itself is lovely — wood-paneled, with a fire burning in the main room on winter days, and a pace that feels wonderfully unhurried.
It's not perfect. Service gets mixed reviews — some find the staff warm and attentive, others report off days. A few reviewers have flagged inconsistencies in freshness, particularly with cakes and pies that may have been sitting a while. Go on a busy day when turnover is high, stick to the scones and tarts, and you'll understand why this place has survived for a century and a half.