I recently visited the Lockhart Tea Factory in Munnar, Kerala, and it was a fascinating experience. It offers a glimpse into the tea-making process. As we entered the factory, we were greeted by the friendly staff, who explained the tea-making process in detail. We were taken through the various stages of tea production, from withering to rolling, oxidation, and firing. The staff was knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and they answered all our questions patiently. The highlight of our visit was the tea-tasting session, where we got to taste different varieties of tea. We were impressed by the quality and flavor of the tea, and we ended up buying a few packets to take back home.

Lockhart Tea Factory established in 1936, stands as a testament to the traditional methods of orthodox tea processing. The factory is located at Lockhart, just a minor deviation off the Munnar Gap Road. The scenic drive through expansive tea plantations will reach to the factory. Currently operated by the Harrisons Malayalam, now owned by the RP Goenka Group (Sanjeev Goenka), the factory remains a bustling hub of activity. Visitors can often witness tea sacks being loaded onto lorries bound for export to various countries. Tickets for the factory tour are priced at Rs. 250 per person, and are available at the factory entrance. Online payment is mandatory, though both cards and UPI are accepted. Given the weak mobile network in the area, Wi-Fi access is provided for ease of transaction. For those who prefer not to take the tour, the outer premises of the factory can still be explored. The staff at the ticket counter are courteous and helpful. The man we interacted with spoke fluent English, Tamil, and Malayalam, and was explained the tour process in a friendly manner. The guided tour of the factory is highly informative. Visitors are walked through the various stages of tea production—from withering and rolling to oxidation and drying—gaining insight into how black, green, and white teas are traditionally made. Our guide, an enthusiastic factory employee, explained the operations in English & Hindi with humor and clarity, making the tour both engaging and educational. Following the tour, a tea tasting session allows visitors to sample various grades and flavors of teas produced at the estate. There is also a sales outlet on-site where teas can be purchased. For a more immersive experience, visitors can opt to stay at the Lockhart Bungalow, a colonial-era accommodation located within the estate. The Lockhart Tea Factory and Museum is a recommended destination for anyone interested in Munnar’s rich tea heritage and traditional tea-making methods.

Took a tour while staying at the bungalow nearby. Very interesting place. The tour showed the entire process of how tea is made. This included describing the difference between white, yellow and black tea.

Visiting the Lockhart Tea Factory was a fantastic experience! The lush surroundings set a beautiful backdrop for our tour. We learned about the history of tea production and witnessed the entire process, from handpicking leaves to packaging. The guides were knowledgeable and shared interesting stories about different tea varieties. I also highly recommend taking a tour through the surrounding tea fields for an even richer experience.

Lockhart Tea Factory is one of the oldest Tea Factories in India. It’s located in Munnar. We learned lot about Tea manufacturing. We will get an opportunity to taste the Tea using Tea leafs manufactured in the factory. Make sure do the factory visit with guide who is staff member. He explained the details thoroughly. It’s worth visiting place in Munnar.

We went to Lockhart Tea factory to see the process of Tea making along with our granddaughter. We were disappointed at the counter as we were informed that the next guided tour will commence after 45 minutes as the guide has gone for lunch. As we were short of time we just roamed in the compound, visited their Tea Shop and returned back.

One of the oldest tea factory in Munnar established by British. Still they using old methods to extract tea powder. They will explain the tea powder making process and provide to taste the tea. Very good scenic place. Entry fee for adult is 250 per person.