Farrer's

Farrer's, café and tea & coffee shop in Kendal since 1819

Farrer's is a tea and coffee establishment with a café and shop located in the centre of Kendal, in the English Lake District. The company occupies a listed 18th-century building on the main street, where it has been selling freshly roasted coffee and a selection of teas since 1819. In its own presentation it describes itself as a tea and coffee specialist and notes that its history goes back more than two centuries in the same town.

A house with history on Stricklandgate

The business dates back to 1819, when John Farrer acquired the establishment at 13 Stricklandgate, dealing in tea, coffee, cocoa and refined sugar. According to the house's account, William Farrer, a relative from Liverpool who was a merchant and importer of tea and coffee, placed him at the head of the business. John and Ann Farrer came from Grayrigg.

The building, described as grade two listed, retains original features. These include the tea counter next to the main entrance and the twenty original tea canisters that are still in use. The original coffee grinder from 1853 is also preserved, displayed in the centre of the shop, along with the floorboards, which the company presents as part of the historic character of the premises.

The café

The premises has a café where cakes and light meals are prepared throughout the day. There it is possible to sample the full range of teas and coffees sold by the house. Food service continues until mid-afternoon, according to the hours indicated by the establishment itself.

Tea and coffee shop

The shop brings together a wide selection of teas and coffees, as well as other products. The tea catalogue includes signature and house blends, black tea, oolong, green, white, flavoured black tea, speciality teas, rooibos, fruit tisane, herbal, chai, ayurvedic, decaffeinated, teabags and matcha, among other categories. In coffee it offers house blends, guest coffees, African, Americas, Asian, Fairtrade, decaffeinated, pods and coffee bags.

The offer is completed with hot chocolate pouches, tins and chocolate spoons, the Kokoa Collection, chai and syrup. It also has hampers and gift boxes, gift bags and the possibility of creating your own hamper. In food there are deli items such as alcohol, biscuits, chocolate, crisps, Italian deli, local produce, preserves and chutneys, honey, savoury items and home brewing supplies.

Tea and coffee equipment includes infuser teapots, strainers and infusers, tea accessories, cafetieres, filters, Aeropress, moka pots, grinders and coffee accessories. The shop also offers gifts, vouchers, local tableware, mugs and merchandise.

Featured products from the catalogue

Among the bestsellers shown in the shop are Lakeland Special teabags, Farrer's hot chocolate sachet, Farrers No.1 Blend coffee, French Continental Blend, Westmorland Blend, Italian Blend, Farrers No.2 Blend, 1819 Blend, Colombian and Kenya AA. In teas there are, among others, Spiced Christmas Tea, Jubilee Blend, Sencha Cranberry & Rose, Jade Oolong, Afternoon Blend, the Tea Discovery gift box, Decaffeinated Kenya Fannings, decaffeinated teabags, English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Lakeland Special in 1000-unit format and Peppermint Tagged.

Shipping and orders

The online shop applies free shipping to orders over £55, excluding hampers and gift boxes. The site allows orders of tea, coffee and hampers through its catalogue.

Location and contact

Phone: 01539 731707 · Email: shop@farrers.co.uk