Mote Cafe

This medieval manor house was one of our favourites during a June visit to Southern England. It is tucked away in a wooded area and has kept most of the original medieval features. The dark wood and stonework interior, numerous rooms to peruse (different styles and eras), unique tree trunk carved chairs, enclosed courtyard, chapel with medieval ceiling paintings (revealing allegiances apparently), and of course the moat provide interesting sights at every turn. Can’t even begin to describe the rich history of this place! Also a pleasant trail on the property with children’s playground at far end. Indoor/outdoor café next to the National Trust entrance building. The gardens were OK, but not wow (even though visited in June). Strongly recommend listening to staff give an intro description of the estate’s history before venturing inside the home. It made the visit even more delightfully memorable. NOTE: Visited in June 2023

I’ve been to Ightham Mote on a few occasions and it’s always been a lovely peaceful experience. The house is stunning with an amazing back story. It’s also a great starting point for some good walks. I sadly hit it today at the wrong time with car parks full and queues to get in and worse queues for food and drink. But if you avoid the sunny Saturday afternoon chaos it’s a lovely day out.

Yet another lovely National Trust property in the beautiful Kent countryside. The beautiful building is set in lovely grounds, consisting of a mote, lakes and gardens. The only slight issue I have with the property (hence only 4 stars) is that the cafe is located beside the main entrance, which is up a slightly steep incline. So when you want to break for refreshments you have to walk up the slope, have a drink and bite to eat, before heading back down to the property and grounds. I'd suggest bringing your own snacks and drinks, if you don't fancy the walk up the slope. All in all though it's a wonderful place to visit and somewhere I'd definitely be happy to return to.

Ightam Mote is a fantastic medieval house with a great location. The picturesque gardens offer a delightful variety of plants, making it a visually pleasing experience. What sets it apart is the intriguing mix of historical eras showcased within the house, providing a comprehensive journey through British history. The informative volunteers add depth to the visit, enriching the experience. On the day of our visit, we were fortunate to witness an impressive falconry display, highlighting the array of events they host. However, the cafe’s offerings were somewhat ordinary, lacking any standout features. Nevertheless, Ightam Mote is definitely worth a visit for history enthusiasts and those seeking a charming, historic setting.

We visited with our 5 and 3 year old. Stopped into the cafe first, which you can visit without having to pay admission. There was a small selection of well prepared hot and cold lunch items available. I enjoyed my sausage bap, the spicy cauliflower pastry also looked good. The kids enjoyed the kids lunch boxes. The grounds and house are fantastic, the gardens are gorgeous and the house very interesting to look around. There were Tudor style games to play in the gardens. There's a "natural" play area at the very back of the grounds. Bring wellies as there's a shallow stream to splash around in. We really enjoyed our afternoon here and look forward to returning.

Tudor styled home nestled in beautiful gardens and surrounded by some really nice walking trails. The staff are knowledgeable and happy to share info on its history. We went in summer and there were themed activities happening on the grounds. There is a kids playground and many picnic spots. The cafe caters for most diets and is similar to what you see at most National Trusts.