In short: The Banks Tea Estate is a tea garden near Robertsbridge in East Sussex, England, operated by The Banks Tea Co., and known for growing tea outdoors on former hop fields.
The Banks Tea Estate is a tea garden located near Mountfield in East Sussex, England, operated by The Banks Tea Co. According to Banks Tea, the estate grows tea entirely outdoors on former hop fields at about 50 metres above sea level and hand-picks the top two leaves and a bud. BBC News reported in July 2026 that the estate previously grew hops, began looking into tea about five years earlier and now makes black and green tea at an on-site factory. Banks Tea says it offers tastings, estate tours, cream teas and residential stays.
What the Published Sources Say
- Banks Tea says it grows tea entirely outdoors on former hop fields at about 50 m above sea level and hand-picks the top two leaves and a bud.
- BBC News (7 July 2026) reports that the estate previously grew hops, began looking into tea about five years earlier and now makes black and green tea at an on-site factory.
- Banks Tea says it offers tastings, estate tours, cream teas and residential stays.
Sources: Banks Tea: the estate, BBC News. TeaTrade has not tested or tasted this grower's tea; these are the grower's and publishers' own statements.
Terroir & Climate
The estate sits at 86 metres above sea level in the Sussex Weald, a region that typically experiences a mild, maritime climate influenced by its proximity to the English Channel. Estates at this latitude and elevation generally benefit from moderate temperatures and reliable rainfall distributed throughout the year, conditions that tend to support steady vegetative growth during the warmer months.
The temperate climate of southern England typically means a shorter active growing season than in subtropical tea regions, with flush activity generally concentrated between late spring and early autumn. The mild winters and cool summers characteristic of this area often result in slower leaf development, which can influence the character of the processed leaf.
Tea Produced
According to BBC News, the estate makes black and green tea. The sources consulted do not describe the cup character or flavour profile of these teas.
Operator
The estate is operated by The Banks Tea Co. No other estates operated by this company are recorded in the directory.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
The Banks Tea Estate is in East Sussex, England, United Kingdom; the map pin (50.96, 0.47) is approximate and marks the locality. Its 86 m elevation is the 7th highest of 16 estates we map in the United Kingdom. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from this approximate pin, are:
- Peterston Tea Estate — 270 km away · Vale of Glamorgan
- Dartmoor Estate Tea — 301 km away · Devon
- Tregothnan — 395 km away · Cornwall
- Auchencairn Tea — 520 km away · Dumfries and Galloway
- Buittle Tea Garden — 528 km away · Dumfries and Galloway
The Banks Tea Estate Compared with the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, The Banks Tea Estate is the driest of the 18 estates by 2025 rainfall; higher than 60% of the others by elevation; warmer than 94% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets The Banks Tea Estate against the 17 other estates we map in the United Kingdom, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | The Banks Tea Estate | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 86 m | 55 m | 2 to 256 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 777 mm | 1,324 mm | 836 to 2,070 mm |
| Mean daily high | 14.7 °C | 12.7 °C | 10.9 to 14.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 8.1 °C | 6.0 °C | 5.1 to 8.8 °C |
Observed Climate at The Banks Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for The Banks Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 777 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was January (118 mm) and the driest was March (14 mm). Daytime highs averaged 14.7 °C and overnight lows 8.1 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 777 mm |
| Wettest month | January (118 mm) |
| Driest month | March (14 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 14.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 8.1 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The Banks Tea Estate located?
The Banks Tea Estate is in East Sussex, England, United Kingdom. The map pin (50.96, 0.47) is approximate and marks the locality rather than the garden, at an elevation of about 86 metres.
Who operates The Banks Tea Estate?
The Banks Tea Estate is operated by The Banks Tea Co., according to the grower's published information.
What type of tea does The Banks Tea Estate produce?
The Banks Tea Estate is recorded as producing black and green tea.
How much rain does The Banks Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 777 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in January (118 mm).
Data sources: the grower’s own published information and public sources (Banks Tea: the estate, BBC News); climate figures are ERA5 reanalysis modelled for the area’s coordinates via Open-Meteo (calendar year 2025); the map pin is rounded to about 1 km and marks the locality, not the garden; elevation is a terrain-model value for that point. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].