West Cornwall Pasty Co - Canterbury Branch

I know what you’re thinking, this is not the kind of place I would usually write about but after what happened to me today I really couldn’t not write about them.

It started when I was on my way to Canterbury, on the train. I haven’t been back for almost two years and was looking forward to seeing all of my favorite places and discovering some new ones. Halfway there the West Cornwall Pasty Co followed me an Twitter…with both it’s accounts (weird enough, as they aren’t a café or tearoom, so how did they find me anyway?!) So I replied, as I try to always do, with a thank you and mentioned that I used to love their pasties and was upset when my local branch closed. We had a little back and forth, they were telling me all about their loyalty card, lovely coffees and delicious menu with so many great things on it (I swear they didn’t do cake before!) Then as I was waiting for a train from Ashford my phone lit up again with a message from Heidi at their head office which said “I’ve just spoken to the [Canterbury] store and there’s a free pasty for you if you’d like one!” Now I’m not exactly a hungry bottomless pit, like some eaters but I know not to turn down free food!

My train arrived and I wooshed to Canterbury, trying to remember the name of the person I was supposed to ask for when I got to the pasty shop (Maria, Maria, Maria…) To tell you the truth I was a bit worried about just going into a shop and asking for free food whether I knew the managers name or not. Could I actually do it? More importantly would they have a pasty I wanted? As a notoriously fussy eater, I can be hard to please! Its turns out I didn’t have to ask, the second I stepped up to the counter a server with a HUGE smile on his face said “oh I know you! You’re here for your free pasty! High five!” (which, of course, I gave) from that moment on, all of the staff were really nice to me.

The store, which has been re-fitted beautifully since I was last in it about four years ago is lovely, all gleaming and modern-looking. I especially love the exposed (but tidy) pipes above the counter and bare wood and brick throughout the rest of the shop. My pasty, a wholewheat vegetable one, was lovely and warm and though it wasn’t exactly like the ones I used to have all those years ago, its sliced vegetables, warm pastry and just the right amount of herbs made it delicious and tasted, to me, like the best memories.

The wonderful staff were really great to me and all the customers and the atmosphere in store is light and positive (and the room is full of delicious smells!), I really could have sat there all day.

I’m really grateful to Heidi, Maria and all the staff of the Canterbury branch of West Cornwall Pasty Co for making me feel so welcome and giving me the best lunch I’ve had in a while. It was a lovely experience and really added to a great day back in one of my favorite places!