England’s Timeless Treasure in Kent The Tulip Tree Offers Centuries of Charm Tea and Tudor Tales in a Village Frozen in Time

Published on April 20, 2025

The Tulip Tree in Chiddingstone, Kent, is believed to be England’s oldest shop, dating to 1453, still serving as a post office, tea room, and gift shop today.

For centuries, a remarkable little shop has stood at the heart of Chiddingstone village in Kent, weaving itself into the fabric of the local community — and it continues to impress visitors, as glowing reviews on TripAdvisor show.

England’s long and fascinating past is reflected in its architecture, traditions, and even its businesses — some of which have been trading for hundreds of years. One such treasure is The Tulip Tree, a charming establishment in the picturesque medieval village of Chiddingstone, often believed to be the oldest continuously operating shop in the UK. Today, this historic gem functions as a delightful post office, quaint gift shop, and cozy tea room, but its origins reach astonishingly far back — with the building thought to date from 1453, a time before the Tudor dynasty had even begun.

Back then, England was gripped by the Wars of the Roses. King Henry VI sat on the throne, only to be overthrown by Edward IV, reinstated briefly, and then overthrown again. His final days were spent imprisoned in the Tower of London, where he died. It wasn’t until 1485 that Henry Tudor — father of Henry VIII — defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth, cementing the start of the Tudor era.

Interestingly, the shop is believed to have connections to the infamous Anne Boleyn, as her father Thomas is thought to have once owned it. The Boleyns were a powerful family at the Tudor court, and Anne eventually became the second wife of Henry VIII. Her tragic fate is well known — accused of witchcraft and adultery by her husband, she was executed not with an axe but by a skilled French swordsman.

Despite the passage of time and the changing world around it, The Tulip Tree has endured. In 2023, the property was listed for sale after a decade under the same ownership. But the character of the place remains unchanged.

Step through the large wooden door of this Grade I listed building and you’ll feel as though you’ve travelled back through history. The timeworn stone step, smoothed by generations of footsteps, welcomes visitors into a space where centuries of stories linger in the air.

One long-time shopper, who has frequented The Tulip Tree for nearly four decades, recalled to the BBC how the shop was once “just a little grocer” when she first arrived. Today, it’s much more — a living, breathing piece of English heritage that continues to serve its community and enchant all who visit.