Farrer's Tea & Coffee Merchants - Kendal, Cumbria
Posted by: 
martlakes
N 54° 19.676 W 002° 44.834
30U E 516438 N 6020038
Since 1819 when John Farrer started a family business of specialist tea and coffee merchant at 13 Stricklandgate, the tantalizing aroma of roasting coffee has become a feature of daily life in the market town of Kendal.
Waymark Code: WM33ZY
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 02/05/2008
Views: 64
Farrer's is a unique place for all things to do with tea and coffee. They have been blending and roasting teas and coffee since 1819 and selling the same from the original shop on Stricklandgate in Kendal.
The outside of the shop has hardly changed at all, and the inside has some new innovations (like electric lights!) but the creaking wooden floors, beams and low ceilings testify to the age of the place. The main difference is that the actual roasting is now done at their modern plant on Shap Road.
Behind the counter downstairs, are containers of tea all lined up. Go upstairs and the wide range of coffee blends are on display. As you enter the shop the smell of coffee is exquisite. They will grind your beans for you if desired and for whatever coffee making method you use.
They sell a range of coffee and tea making machines, equipment and accessories. They also supply a lot of hotels, restaurants and pubs in the Lake District.
The café itself is on two different floors and they offer a good selection of light meals, cakes, etc, plus of course, a large number of teas and coffees. The sticky toffee pudding comes highly recommended.
A very different place to the big chains - this is the authentic article when it comes to coffee and well worth a visit if you are in Kendal, even if it's just to sniff the aroma!
Their website is also very informative about the history of tea and coffee and how to get a great cup. (
visit link)