Bottle Kiln, The Reviews

Wow, what a find. Thought The Bottle Kiln was a lovely place. The two little gift shops are ideal if you want something special and a little different. The coffee and homemade scones we had were lovely. The members of staff were very friendly. We will be popping in on a monthly basis from now on.

Great place to have lunch, delicious quiches, pies, salads, cakes and drinks! In the summer, it is lovely to eat your meal outside in the garden, and the gift shop/art gallery is splendid!

Excellent home cooked food – pies, quiches, salads, cakes - and the shops are great to look round too. The staff are always patient and friendly, despite working very hard at busy times. This place does get busy but the queue isn't ridiculously long. Tables are often full of people reserving seats for those in the queue, but there is enough seating so you soon find somewhere to sit. It is one of my favourite places to go for lunch.

Surely, the fact that it is so popular says it all!

Yes, the queue does get rather long during the busy hours, but we always try to accommodate our customers and always try to be well mannered and friendly. We do not feel it would be fair on the customers to make them vacate their seats, the moment they finish their meals as we see that as being rude. We would always however try to keep the queue moving and as for the food taking long to cook. We make everything from scratch completely everything! You have to wait for quality we are not Mc Donalds!

The bottle kiln is a lovely treat for lunch but as a Londoner I find the prices very high. The food is good but over priced for the location and standard. Often due to the time and when you arrive you'll find a wide selection or you'll find they've run out and there will be up to a thirty minutes wait for the next batch. The cost of a similar lunch in London would be half the price. Also the popularity often means that even after having food we are waiting for a table while our food goes cold - they need to introduce a table hogging rule! I do recommend a visit but not if you are on a reasonable budget. I suggest getting there on the early side of lunch.

In reply to an earlier review, I feel I must come to the defence of the Bottle Kiln. I have been a customer for the last 2 years, visiting the restaurant every other month and the gift shop more regularly. At 12.30 there are not only a wide variety of quiches and special pies available, but there is always at least one delicious home made soup, baked potatoes and a choice of fresh salads. I have always found the staff to be friendly and accommodating. Yes, the queue is occasionally quite long at lunchtimes, but always well worth the wait!

Always excellent homemade food, unusual quiches and fabulous salad, homemade soup and desserts to die for. Advise to go early on Sunday lunchtime as it is incredibly popular and can be difficult to get a seat. Good vegetarian choices (probably less available for vegans).

Very disappointed. After queueing for twenty minutes I was told that there was only a choice of two main course items, both quiches, which unfortunately I don't eat. This was at 12.30 pm. Other items were listed on the board still and the attitude of the person serving was to shrug his shoulders. Won't go back.

The Bottle Kiln never disappoints, its food is traditional yet with a modern twist. All of the wholesome, home made pies leave only one problem, which one to choose! Absolutely delicious! You do need to arrive early to avoid disappointment.