Empire, Trade & Tea: Tour & Afternoon Tea Experience with PMD Tea

At the heart of the experience is Dan Silva of PMD Tea, whose knowledge and natural storytelling bring London’s tea history vividly to life. With a deep understanding of both the global tea trade and its cultural impact, Dan connects the past with the present in a way that feels engaging, insightful and genuinely memorable. His passion is evident throughout, welcoming questions and conversation as the story of tea unfolds.

Dan represents PMD Tea, a family-run business with roots dating back to 1945 in Sri Lanka’s Maskeliya Valley. Originally established as a small tea shop for plantation workers, the company grew into a specialist tea transporter and supplier, deeply embedded in the workings of the tea trade itself. Now in its third generation, PMD Tea remains committed to sourcing exceptional teas with a focus on provenance, quality and long-standing relationships with growers.

This heritage, combined with a more considered approach to sourcing and production, adds depth to the experience, offering insight not only into tea’s past, but how it continues to be shaped today.

Tea’s journey into British life is shaped by commerce, influence and changing social customs. What began as a valuable traded commodity became a symbol of status, before evolving into an everyday ritual enjoyed across the country. The experience begins at Leadenhall Market, a setting that still reflects London’s enduring connection to trade, where the energy of commerce continues to define the City.

From here, the story unfolds through the streets that once underpinned the tea trade, before culminating in the tradition it helped create. It offers a deeper understanding of how something once rare and exclusive became one of Britain’s most recognised and celebrated customs.

At Red Carnation Hotels, we are always looking to deepen our relationships with partners who share our values, particularly those championing sustainability, craftsmanship and ethical practices. We are delighted to collaborate with PMD Tea on this experience, bringing together heritage, quality and a more considered way of enjoying tea.

Through PMD Tea’s focus on single-estate sourcing and provenance, the experience highlights a thoughtful approach to how tea is grown, sourced and enjoyed, reflecting a shift towards greater transparency and care across the industry.

From its historic roots in global trade to today’s more mindful practices, tea continues to evolve. This experience offers an opportunity to appreciate not only the history behind tea, but also its future, one that values responsibility, craftsmanship and a more considered approach to consumption.