Our History
1886: It All Begins
At the age of 17, Walter Whittard quit the family leather business out of frustration with his fathers way of running things, and took a job with a tea trader in London. Eight years later at aged just 25 he opened his own shop in bustling Fleet Street, with a simple philosophy: to buy the best. Walter insisted on blending his tea and roasting his coffee on sight; he also targeted the nearby law courts by describing his tea as The Barrister's Refresher.
1892: Satisfied Customers
It wasn't long before Walter started to make a name for himself. In 1892, a Lady from Cheltenham wrote to the store that We like the tea very much and have recommended it to our friends." Another customer was similarly impressed: I received the tea safely, and am much pleased with its quality, it is very good indeed, and I shall recommend it to my friends. The tea however recommends itself."
1935: From Father to Sons
In 1935 Walter died, and the business fell to his sons Dick and Hugh. It was a tough time to take over any business: the effects of the Great Depression were still being felt across Europe, and a new war was looming on the horizon. Undeterred, the Whittard brothers took the helm, their father's philosophy to buy the best" firmly entrenched in their minds.
1940: Disaster Strikes
In 1939 war was declared, and a year later a bomb struck the Whittard warehouses during the blitz. "I shall not be sorry when this is all over", Hugh wrote to his brother, sketching out a detailed diagram of where the bombs had fallen. Sadly, it ended in the worst possible way, as the "Second great fire of London" in late December 1940 blew the warehouses to smithereens. Dick later wrote that "it was as though the ground had opened up and swallowed the building".
1941: A New Home in Chelsea
After Whittard lost its warehouse to the blitz, Dick and Hugh quickly set about finding a new warehouse nearby. They decided to move their entire business to Chelsea, settling on a rather grand looking building at 111 Fulham Road. The new premises presented new challenges, as well as opportunities. The brothers couldn't get their hands on a new tea blending machine until 1944, so for over three years all blending was done on the floor of the warehouse using special wooden shovels. But they had inherited their father's eye for quality, and rationing presented a new opportunity, with plenty of customers eager to nominate Whittard of Chelsea as their dedicated tea suppliers..
1967: A Tragic Accident
In 1967, Walter's son Hugh Whittard was killed along with 48 others when a train came off its rails at Hither Green. It was a serious blow to his brother Dick, who ran the business alone for another five years before handing over the reins, though he was still called in for consultation. Dick died on the 20th July 1985, just under a century after his father first set up shop.
1999: A(nother) New Home in Covent Garden
As the new millennium brought promises of new beginnings, we were celebrating a new beginning of our own: our dazzling new flagship store in Covent Garden. Filled with loose leaf tea, aromatic coffee and creative hot chocolate, it was an instant hit with Londoners and day-trippers, visit today and you'll find a treasure trove of wonders to discover.
2014: China and Middle East Expansion
Whittard of Chelsea expanded significantly into international markets, including China, the Middle east and beyond. This strategic move allowed the brand to grow its global presence, capitalising on the rising demand for premium tea and coffee worldwide.
2024: USA: Expansion
Whittard of Chelsea is expanding its presence in the U.S. market, focusing on strategic growth through both wholesale partnerships and a strengthened eCommerce offering. By bringing its heritage British tea, coffee, and hot chocolate to new audiences, the brand is building awareness and driving demand across premium retail and online channels.
Today: What next?
It's been a long, varied and exciting history for Whittard of Chelsea, but if there's one thing that's kept us going, it's the attitude of our founder. Walter was a tradition-breaker with no time for compromise: he was never afraid to try something new, and he always stuck to his philosophy of "buying the best". Today, we push boundaries with our unique, innovative blends and scour the world for the best single-origin varieties, from the very best tea to our limited edition coffees. Nathan Smith our CEO says: "Whittard's future is full of potential. We are committed to building on our strong UK presence and expanding globally in markets where we see great opportunity. With new store concepts, a loyal customer base, and a strong leadership team, we are excited to continue our growth journey and share the Whittard experience with more customers around the world."
© 2025 Whittard of Chelsea. Customer Services, First Floor West, 25 Western Avenue,
Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4SH
Company Number - 06753147