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The Earl Grey Tea House is open daily from 10.30am for indoor and outdoor service.

  Visit   www.theearlgreyteahouse.com   for more information, menu and tearoom events.

You will find The Earl Grey Tea House situated in the East Quadrant of Howick Hall. During the 1928 rebuild, the quadrant had been converted into a kitchen, pantry, larders, store rooms, and servants hall. Consequently all were stripped out in 2003 and the room restored to its original shape as a ballroom.

The Story of Earl Grey tea and Howick Hall

Howick is the home of Earl Grey Tea! It was specially blended by a Chinese mandarin for Charles, 2nd Earl Grey  to suit the water from the spring at Howick by using bergamot in particular to offset the taste of the lime in it. Lady Grey used it to entertain in London as a political hostess and it proved so popular that she was asked if it could be sold to others, which is how Twinings came to market it and it is now sold worldwide.  Sadly the Greys, being unbusinesslike, failed to register the trade mark and as a result they have never received a penny in royalties!

Enjoy a cup of Earl Grey Tea at Howick Hall
The Earl Grey Tea House in Howick Hall

Paintings in the Earl Grey Tea House

Within the Tea House are two very large paintings by James Northcote, which were commissioned by Lord Grey in 1809. They depict two biblical scenes: ‘Daniel in the Lion’s Den’ and ‘The Disobedient Prophet’.   Above the mantelpiece is a 19th Century copy of the portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence of 2nd Earl Grey painted in 1828.

A Family Run Business

The Earl Grey Tea House is run by Mary and Karen Jamieson. Mary, the youngest daughter of the retired Head Woodman at Howick, Andrew Jamieson Snr, was born and bred at Howick, while Karen is her sister-in-law, thereby giving the Tea House an old estate feel.  They serve a variety of teas, home made and local produce, snacks and light lunches.  Visit www.theearlgreyteahouse.com  for more info, menu and tearoom events.

WEATHER TODAY

OPENING TIMES

2023

EARLY SEASON

11th February to 31st March
OPEN DAILY 10.30am - last entry 4pm

MAIN SEASON
1st April  -  30th September
OPEN DAILY 10.30am - 6pm
(last entry 5pm)

LATE SEASON
1st Oct - 12th Nov (inclusive)
OPEN DAILY 10.30am - last entry 4pm

Please note:

The Visitor Centre and Rooms will close at 5:00pm main season and 4:00pm early and late season.

The Earl Grey Tea House is open to garden visitors only - last orders 5.30pm in main season, and 4.15pm in early and late seasons.

ADMISSION CHARGES

Day Tickets:

Adults: £9.90*
Over 60s: £8.80*
Children 5 - 16 years  £3.30*
Children 0 - 4 years FREE
Family (2 Adult + 2 Child)  £22.00*

Season Tickets:

Single £39.60*
Double £71.50*
Family (2 Adult + 2 Child)  £88.00*
*includes a 10% voluntary Gift Aid donation.                                                                                  SORRY, NO DOGS except Assistance Dogs.

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