Twinings Flagship Store 216 Strand
With over 300 years of history, our flagship store is the oldest tea shop in London. Browse familiar favourites, or discover something different at our new premium loose leaf sampling bar.
You'll also find a wide range of tea accessories and gifts. Our on-site and virtual masterclasses give you a tea experience to remember.
Take a moment to pause, and immerse yourself into the world of Twinings tea.
Tea Experiences & Masterclasses
Why not try an alternative London attraction? Whether you’re a history enthusiast, or wondering what makes the ideal brew, there’s a tea experience for you.
Available in-person at our Strand store or online. Perfect as a gift or for a celebratory occasion.
Explore our masterclass options below, or call 0207 353 3511 to enquire about other private, corporate, or after-hours sessions.
- Our Classic Tea Masterclass is an excellent introduction to tea and its six categories
- Get to know the family, and some British tea milestones along the way, at the Twinings Family History Masterclass
- Create your own unique blend with the help of a tea expert during a Bespoke Blending Session
- Delve into the beautiful world of botanics with our Herbal Masterclass
“One of my favourite experiences while in London”
About 216 Strand
Our historical shop at 216 Strand is a must visit place when you are in London.
The Tea Bar
Join us for a cup at our new premium sampling bar. Move beyond the familiar with a daily selection of loose leaf teas and infusions, hand-chosen by our expert Brand Ambassadors.
Perhaps a new Twinings range has caught your eye? Our tea bar gives you the opportunity to touch, smell and taste Twinings products for yourself. Feel free to request a sample, or chat to a member of our team for recommendations.
“It's fun to sample flavours you've never had before!”
Pick & Mix
Amongst our gift options, you’ll find our Pick & Mix wall. A firm favourite with our customers, here you can create a personalised selection of tea bag envelopes, alone or in a deluxe Twinings wooden box.
“Tea Lovers’ Paradise!”
Meet Natalia Our Store Manager
“Everyone has their favourite tea so people often shop for it in auto-piolot, because the huge range of teas can be intimidating. Here in the shop we can introduce them to new teas, educate them about a specific tea, and change people’s perception about it.”
“Tasting the tea is a crucial part of this, which is why we always have between 4 and 5 different types of tea on the go at the bar and one of us is always on hand to brew, pour, explain and chat about tea!”
The staff were beyond incredible and the tea bar allowed us to try a number of teas before buying some interesting varieties.
Store Opening Hours
Monday: 11.00am – 6.00pm
Tuesday: 11.00am – 6.00pm
Wednesday: 11.00am – 6.00pm
Thursday: 11.30am – 6.30pm
Friday: 11.00am – 6.00pm
Saturday: 11.00am – 6.00pm
Sunday: 11.00am – 6.00pm
How to Find Us
We are located exactly opposite the Royal Courts of Justice.
Tube: Our nearest tube Temple (District and Circle lines) is a short 2-minute walk away. Simply walk straight up the road to Strand from the tube station, turn right and you'll find us in about 200 yards. Or get the tube to Charing Cross and have a nice wander down the road.
Bus: The following public buses stop directly opposite the store at the Royal Court of Justice: 4, 11, 15, 23, 26, 76, 172, 341.
- Big Bus Tour: bus stop #15 (Covent Garden, blue, red and green line)
- Original Tour: bus stop Aldwych OT (yellow and red lines)
Address
R. Twinings and Co Limited
216 Strand
London
WC2R 1AP
Telephone
Store: +44 207 353 3511
Twinings Customer Services: +44 1264 313444
History of 216 Strand
Thomas Twining was the man who started, what turned out to be, a great tea company. When he purchased Tom’s Coffee House in 1706 (the name is pure coincidence), he knew he was buying a business in a prime location.
After the Great Fire of London, the wealthy and aristocratic families were relocating to the west of the city walls and building new houses around the area of Devereux Court, where Tom’s Coffee House was located.
Competition between the 2000-plus London coffee houses was stiff, so Thomas introduced fine quality tea as his point of difference.
Despite the ridiculously high tax on tea, it was fast becoming a fashionable drink amongst the upper-class ladies of London.
However, in the eighteenth century, a lady would never enter a coffee house. So, to purchase her tea, she would have to wait in her carriage whilst a male servant would enter the shop and make the transaction on her behalf. Thomas spotted an opportunity here. Having acquired the three neighbouring properties, he opened the world’s first dry tea and coffee shop, standing in its current location at 216 London Strand. Now ladies could browse tea for themselves without damaging their reputation!
Over the years, Twinings has had some very important customers. Notably Jane Austen, but one of Thomas’s best customers was destined to become a famous artist: William Hogarth. When William was a regular at Tom’s Coffee House, he had not yet been recognised for his great talent. In fact, he struggled to settle his account with Thomas. According to the family, Thomas struck up a deal with William: in exchange for painting his portrait, William’s debt would be settled and perhaps some credit established too. You can view this wonderful portrait in the Strand tasting room today.
Discover More at 216 Strand
To learn more about the history of this remarkable shop, our 300 years in the industry, or about the selection of the world's finest teas, please feel free to visit the store at 216 Strand or follow the link to the History of Twinings.
Did you know that Twinings has got the oldest commercial logo in the UK that has been in continuous use since it was made?
