The Tulip Tree, Chiddingstone: Britain's Oldest Working Shop

The Tulip Tree shop in Chiddingstone, which is amongst the oldest shops in Europe, dates back to 1453.

It is situated in Chiddingstone, Kent - a beautiful example of a Tudor one-street village. More than 70% of the buildings in Chiddingstone are more than 200 years old!

This structure was once owned by Thomas Boleyn - the father of the former Queen of England Anne Boleyn - back in the 16th century.

The Boleyn family were influential during the Tudor period.

Anne Boleyn became the second wife and queen consort of Henry VIII - their daughter was the future Elizabeth I.

Ms Fahie-Wilson, the shop's current owner, said the entrance to the property has an unusually wide-hinged door.

The door "would have been big enough to let him through," she said, referring to Henry VIII's famously large frame!

The village's iconic tearoom is a Grade I-listed building and has a post office, general store and tearoom.

Its heritage status means the site must be kept as a shop and post office, once current owner Nicoletta Fahie-Wilson finds a buyer.

The beautiful building has also been used in popular movies, such as A Room with a View, featuring Helena Bonham Carter.

Nicoletta Fahie-Wilson has recently put the historic shop on the market for £230,000 after a decade of running it.

She said the next owner has "got to be someone who really wants to take on a lifestyle choice - it's not just a shop, it's a community".

In the shop, you can currently buy a wide range of items including gifts, furniture, greeting cards, sweets, ice creams, groceries, candles.

The shop is open from 9am - 5pm Monday to Saturday.

Chiddingstone, where the shop is situated, is a wonderfully attractive village, also home to Chiddingstone Castle.

Remarkably, over 70% of the buildings in Chiddingstone are more than 200 years old!

That may explain why the National Trust purchased the entire village to preserve its heritage value.

Only the church and castle are not owned by the National Trust.

The stunning village is quite small; really no more than a hamlet, so it won't take long to walk from one end to the other with a short excursion.

It's well worth a visit for when you're next in Kent.

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