THE WAY OF TEA: TALK AND TEA TASTING

An Exclusive Event for Members of the Ashmolean

Booking is essential

The talk begins at 11am. Tea tastings begin at 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm.

Separate talk and tea tasting tickets are available, as are joint tickets that include both the talk and tea tasting.

An event with Matthew Winterbottom, Assistant Keeper and Curator of Decorative Arts and Sculpture in the Department of Western Art, and Valerie Diederichs, tea sommelier and tea specialist at Team Tea.

Matthew Winterbottom will share insights into the Ashmolean’s tea-wares and the history of tea drinking in the West after which members can take part in a special tea tasting journey through six award-winning teas.

Based on a tea kit created in a collaboration between Team Tea and the Ashmolean Museum, the teas lead drinkers on a journey from tea's origins in China to its spread across the world via Buddhism, Empire, trade, and espionage. You can purchase our Tea Gift Set online: The Way of Tea Gift Set

Ashmolean Tea Gift Set

 
This event is part of a special Members' event series exploring the history, art and culture associated with tea.

• This event – The Way of Tea: Talk and Tea Tasting, Tue 25 Nov 2025
• The Way of Tea: Japanese Tea Ware Object Handling Session, Tue 20 Jan 2026
• The Way of Tea: Worcester Tea Ware Tour, Tue 17 Feb 2026
   

BOOKING

Tickets are £15 for the in-person event, and £10 for the online event (which does not include the tea tasting).

Tickets are only available to Members of the Ashmolean.

BOOK YOUR IN-PERSON TICKET (Talk & Tea Tasting) 

BOOK YOUR IN-PERSON TICKET (Talk only) 

BOOK YOUR IN-PERSON TICKET (Tea Tasting only) 

BOOK YOUR ONLINE TICKET (Talk only) 

Find out more about Ashmolean Membership: Become a Member