Empire in a Cup: the History of Tea  New Walk!

(10 customer reviews )

Bank Underground Station, Exit 1 (the meeting point is underneath the clock of the No. 1 Poultry building).

Guided by Lisa

Adult: £20 · Students & Seniors: £15 · Children: £5

Walk Times

Day Walk Type Start Time End Time
3 January 2025 Tour du Jour 10.45 am 12.45 pm Winter
18 January 2025 Special 10.45 am 12.45 pm Winter
9 February 2025 Special 10.45 am 12.45 pm Winter
28 February 2025 Special 10.45 am 12.45 pm Winter Reserve Online
23 March 2025 Tour du Jour 10.45 am 12.45 pm Winter Reserve Online
21 April 2025 Special 10.45 am 12.45 pm Winter Reserve Online
5 May 2025 Special 10.45 am 12.45 pm Summer Reserve Online
24 May 2025 Tour du Jour 10.45 am 12.45 pm Summer Reserve Online
18 June 2025 Tour du Jour 10.45 am 12.45 pm Summer Reserve Online
10 July 2025 Special 2 pm 4 pm Summer Reserve Online
2 August 2025 Special 2 pm 4 pm Summer Reserve Online
23 August 2025 Tour du Jour 10.45 am 12.45 pm Summer Reserve Online
As an accompaniment to Lisa’s East India Company tour, she has brewed a new tour for you all about tea.  The British love their cuppa, but the former Governor of St Helena will tell you there is nothing British about your cup of char. Rather that tea has a dark and intriguing history and the global impact of this innocent brew will astound you.  After this tour, putting the kettle on will take on a whole new meaning.

Lisa will take you to see where tea was first served in London and will explain how, from those small beginnings, the thirst for the tea and its profits turned tea into a national and global obsession and shaped the Empire.

You will see where tea auctions were held, where tea was stored, and where well-known brands eg. Tetley, PG Tips, Brooke Bond, etc. operated from.

You’ll hear about tea clipper races, and how one of the most notable examples of corporate espionage led to India becoming the tea-growing nation that it is today. As you walk through the City you’ll see where the East India Company – those architects of Empire – operated its tea trade from.  You’ll hear how tea drove them to become drug smugglers as well as, unknowingly, the catalyst for the American War of Independence.

“The British never seem to do anything until they’ve had a cup of tea, by which time it’s too late” Lauren Bacall in North West Frontier (1959)

The history of tea is hidden amongst the City streets and alleyways.  Lisa will uncover it with you and will also take you on a fascinating journey through time.

“London Walks puts you into the hands of an expert on the particular area and topic of a tour” The New York Times

Your guide is the distinguished former diplomat Lisa Honan CBE, the former Governor of St Helena – a British Overseas Territory governed by the East India Company for 200 years

APRÈS WALK

The walk finishes near the Tower of London close to Tower Hill station.

“If you are cold, tea will warm you; if you are too heated, it will cool you; If you are excited, it will calm you” 19th century British statesman and Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone

10 reviews for Empire in a Cup: the History of Tea

  1. Alick

    This was an impressive tour by Lisa who shared numerous insights into the impact of tea and trade on the world. It was so much more than just tea.

  2. Tim Gifford

    A most interesting and entertaining walk. Lisa brings to life the stories and anecdotes of how tea became a British staple, outlining the often devious politics involved as well as the enormous wealth generated by the tea trade. All done with humour and group participation. This is a must-do walk!

  3. Paul Wafer

    Lisa’s tour is really excellent and well worth doing! She brings a lovely humour to a fascinating story, while guiding you round the alleys and hidden historical corners of the City. The tour is really brilliantly researched and informative, but light hearted and very engaging. And it’s not every day that you get to be guided on colonial history by a former Governor!!

  4. Tony Carpenter

    Another great walk from Lisa , informative and knowledgeable, Lisa tells the story of the links between the empire and tea while showing us some hidden gems in the City. Definitely one walk not to miss!

  5. Sue

    If you are Earl Grey or Darjeeling, Tetley or Twining’s, or you just want to know more about London, this tour is for you.
    A very well curated walk with a wide variety of information at lots of interesting stops. From Bank to St Katherine Dock, a lot of ground is covered, which allows the full Tea Story to be told and also allows for cameo appearances of a gall stone and a Camembert. Brilliant walk.

  6. Professor Dr Devyani Prabhat, University of Bristol Law School

    This was an amazing tour. Lisa’s expert knowledge on what made tea a central part of human history and colonisation especially through empire was outstanding and she imparted the information in expert storytelling. It was a unique experience and will make one think about how much more lies behind a cuppa!

  7. Jane S

    Wonderful walk with Lisa, filled to the brim with fascinating details about tea and the many ways — quite a lot of them unsavoury — in which Britain’s imperial past was steeped in it. We poked our noses into all sorts of places in the City that played a part in the story over the centuries. Really fun and informative morning, highly recommended!

  8. Bernhard C

    Lisa is a top class tour guide, very entertaining and very easy to follow and understand. She has clearly researched her topic in depth and is able to make it come alive and relevant to today. I strongly recommend this walk where you will find out many new fascinating facts about tea. Thank you Lisa

  9. Linda Nissim

    Nothing less than 5-Stars. This is my second walk with Lisa who is the most congenial and knowledgeable of Guides. Her enthusiasm for the subject is infectious and her tours are so well paced. She has a meteoric knowledge yet she doesn’t overwhelm with reams of dates. She certainly captured the imagination of everyone on her walk as she peppered her talks with fascinating stories giving a real flavour, in chronological order, of the global impact of The East India Company history. I cannot recommend Lisa more highly. Looking forward to her next. Thank you

  10. Lisbeth Nilsen

    I just took Lisa’s tea tour today and it was absolutely fabulous. I’d never have realised how much of a part tea has taken in the history of the world without going on this tour, but Lisa told the story beautifully and kept it interesting the entire time. One of my favourite London Walks for sure!

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