Twinings Flagship Store 216 Strand

With over 300 years of history, our flagship store is the world's first dry tea and coffee shop. 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 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. Perfect as a gift for a celebratory occasion.

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 our 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

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.

Wondering about which loose leaf tea to choose from our bar? 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 flavour you've never had before!"

Pick & Mix

Amongst our gift options, you'll find our Pick & Mix well. 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!"

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 (it was a prime location), he knew he was buying a business in a prime location.

After the Great Fire of London in 1666, many 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 reputations

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. Hogarth was an accomplished painter, and a man of some wit, but also a man of considerable 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.

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.