FIND out the incredible story of Britain’s favourite drink at The Willis Museum’s fascinating new free exhibition, Tea Tales.

We consume over 165 million cups every day in Britain so why not come and celebrate the national tradition of tea drinking at this event, which opens on Saturday?

You don’t have to be a Mad Hatter to join the tea party as Hampshire County Council’s Museum Service displays their daintiest china, oldest tea pots and fanciest tea gowns. See, hear, smell and explore the fascinating history of tea. With caddies and pinnies, cosies and dressing-up costumes, there's something for tea-lovers of all ages.

Designed by Hampshire’s own in-house team, this exhibition explores tea trading, smuggling, blending and tasting. The story of tea is also told through the characters at a central tea party table including a teetotaller, a fortune teller and ‘Jack of Diamonds’, a real life Hampshire tea smuggler caught in the 1740s.

Go head to head in a clipper boat race game and see how quickly you can deliver your precious cargo. Can you tell your Russian Caravan from your Lapsang Souchong just by smell?

This exhibition also features QR codes which can be read by your smartphone and will automatically take you to more Tea Tales and tea-time trivia on the web with prizes to be won.

Look out for special Tea Tales offers in Café Willis with cream teas sure to be on the menu.

On Wednesday, March 28 at 2.30pm, Neil Hyman from Hampshire Arts and Museums Service will give a talk about the history of drinking tea, including some examples of teapots and cups from the Museums Service's extensive collections.

Tickets cost £4 which includes a cream tea and pre-booking is essential.

Further details are available from the museum or online at hants.gov.uk/willis-museum.