I'm bringing a small group of tea lovers to London in March and have put together what I think is a pretty darn good tea-related itinerary for us.

In looking ahead to doing another tour next October, would like to know if anyone knows of other tea-related sites/activities (other than partaking of Afternoon Tea - there will be plenty of that on each trip!) that would be good additions to the tour?

Thanks for any/all suggestions!

Denise

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Here's my existing list:

Bramah Museum of Tea & Coffee:
I'll be leading a tea history walk around Southwark and The City based on Mr. Bramah's latest book


Museum in Docklands
Has some interesting tea exhibits, and The Cutty Sark is nearby although currently undergoing refurbishment


V&A
Small but nice tea section tucked into a corner in the British Galleries; porcelain and silver exhibits good for tea equippage


British Library
Original stamps from The Stamp Act


National Portrait Gallery
Put faces to the names of historical tea people


Twinings
Shop and "museum"

Plus, of course, Afternoon Tea in various places and visiting tea shops such as The Tea House (Covent Garden), etc.

tea at the savoy or the ritz would be nice [but a tad expensive for some - depends on your budget]. also a visit to fortnum and Mason might be just your cup of tea [sorry, couldn't resist].

good luck!

Don't know if the dates would work or if you'd be interested but there's tea tasting seminars:


http://tinyurl.com/y6jvqt

Just a note, it is pricy but maybe you could contact them & they might have some other suggestions for you.

Did you find a hotel for your group?

Here's a less expensive evening version that sounds interesting. This one is on Nov. 9 but it appears they have these regularly.

http://tinyurl.com/y8lefl

Thank you for the suggestions. I've already arranged for my March group to participate in the Tea MasterClass.


I decided on Grange White Hall Hotel, across the street from the British Museum. They gave us a deal and I think it will be a good location for us. Looks like a nice place.

My March group will indeed be enjoying Afternoon Tea at The Ritz, The Lanesborough, The Chesterfield (Cream Tea) and The Tea Palace in Notting Hill.

From memory the Gilbert museum has quite a lot of teapots and services etc in it.

Thank you for that suggestion. I've not been to Somerset House. I will definitely check into this.

You can borrow my dad. when he left school at 14 he worked for a tea importers brewing the tea for them to taste and blend. Since then he's been the 'world expert' on how to brew tea and hasn't stopped yelling instructions to us when we are out in the kitchen making a cuppa.

LOL Once a tea expert, always a tea expert!