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Howick Hall Gardens
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    • Earl Grey and the Grey Family
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    • The Gardens
      • Sensory Garden
      • Bulbs
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      • Silverwood
      • The Bog Garden
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      • Woodland Walks
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    • Earl Grey Teahouse
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    • Storm Arwen
  • Menu

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. In addition two modern seascapes sit either side, painted down on the beach at Howick by Len Tabner in 1992.

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.

Other Things to See & Do

Howick Hall Borders & Rockery Gardens

The Gardens

Where there’s always something new to see, are best known for their spring bulbs and the Woodland Garden.

MORE INFO
Howick Hall Gardens & Arboretum Long Walk

The Arboretum

Divided in to two areas the East and the West arboretum are a United Nations of trees and shrubs

MORE INFO

Visitor Centre

Discover how the Garden and Arboretum have evolved and the see the beautifully hand-drawn illustrative map.

MORE INFO

WEATHER TODAY

OPENING TIMES

2022

EARLY SEASON

12th February to 31st March
OPEN DAILY 10.30am - 4pm (last entry 4pm)

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

LATE SEASON
1st Oct - 13th Nov (inclusive)
OPEN DAILY 10.30am - 4pm

Please note that the tearoom is open to garden visitors only - last orders 5.30pm in main season, and 3.30pm in early late seasons.

ADMISSION CHARGES

Adults: £8.80*
Over 60s: £7.70*
Children 5 - 16 years  £2.50*
Children 0 - 4 years  FREE
*includes a 10% voluntary Gift Aid donation

Season Tickets:

Single £34
Double £60
Family (2 adults & 2 children)  £75
SORRY, NO DOGS except Assistance Dogs.

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