YOU won’t be in any doubt about the subject of the Willis Museum’s charming new exhibition once you spot the huge Cornishware-style mug at the front desk.

Apparently we drink over 165 million cups of tea every single day in Britain, so it’s no surprise that there has been plenty of interest in this display.

Designed by Hampshire’s own in-house team, it explores tea trading, smuggling, blending and tasting with items on show including china, tea gowns, and 1870s aprons, plus a very rare example of a very, very old tea bag from the early 20th century. One huge copper tea urn from 1800 has been loaned by the family of actress Helena Bonham Carter.

A gorgeous refurbished Twinings tricycle from 1885 stands near the entrance, just before you’ll take in the splendour of the central table.

As I arrived to have a look, I spotted two little girls trying on tea-related fancy dress in a cute corner where you can don Alice’s iconic frock and sit down on a rug to enjoy a tea party all of your own. Cousins Amelie Ward, aged six, and Alicia Quinby-Bray, aged eight, were having a terrific time.

One of Tea Tales’ very enjoyable associated events so far has been an afternoon talk – plus cream tea – by Neil Hyman from Hampshire Arts and Museums Service.

Neil brought a number of artefacts from the service’s collection to be passed around the gathered tea fans, including a tea brick and old tea pots.

He debunked tea myths, moving from its first mentions in history through evolutions in its making and drinking such as when teapots were invented and modified, and when handles were added to cups.

He informed his shocked audience that one pound of tea would have cost more than a week’s wages in part of the 18th century, and that men were killed over the illicit trade in the stuff. Early British tea caddies were minute because their contents were so valuable.

And he raised a few laughs when he mentioned that afternoon tea became popular because the Duchess of Bedford was scandalously discovered having a cake at 4pm!


*The Willis Museum is open from Tuesday – Saturday and admission is free. To find out more about Tea Tales, call in to the museum, ring 01256 465902 or log on to hants.gov.uk/willis-museum.