The 'Twinings Museum' is a small museum adjacent to the 'Twinings' shop (an English marketer of tea and other beverages, including coffee, hot chocolate and malt drinks) at 216, Strand, in London.

The brand is owned by Associated British Foods. It holds the world's oldest continually-used company logo, and is London's longest-standing ratepayer, having occupied the same premises on the Strand since 1706.

Thomas Twining moved with his family from Gloucester to London in 1684, when he was nine years old. After serving an apprenticeship as a weaver in the City of London, Twining worked for the 'East India Company' merchant Thomas D'Aeth and became a tea merchant.

Twining purchased 'Tom's Coffee Shop', in Devereux Court, off the Strand, in 1706. He subsequently used the premises to sell tea to customers, in addition to the more common coffee. Tea was then an expensive luxury product.

By 1717, Twining was trading at 216 Strand, at the sign of the 'Golden Lyon', where the business remains 300 years later. The classical door case is surmounted by a pediment with a statue of a golden lion, and two figures of Chinese men, the latter in reference to the origin of the beverage.

Twinings received a Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria in 1837, which is displayed at the museum. The museum also displays vintage tea caddies, examples of Twinings packaging, and other tea memorabilia and ephemera. The museum explains the history of the Twinings family.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org