Monitoring Desk
MUNNAR: The beautiful hill station of Munnar is known for its super scenic locales, expanses of luxuriant botanical gardens, thick forests, and incredible tea estates. It is an all-time favourite tourist destination, blessed with a salubrious climate throughout the year, suitable for growing the best tea in the world.
Tea cultivation was introduced in Munnar during the colonial rule by the British. Since then, Munnar has been a hotspot of tea cultivation, housing more than 50 tea estates and gardens. One such estate is the Lockhart Estate, housing the Lockhart Tea Museum as well as the Lockhart Tea Factory.
The tea estate offers a memorable experience and is a must-visit for all the tourists travelling to the lovely hill station of Munnar. There are plenty of hotels in Munnar located close to the Lockhart estate and can be booked online, for a comfortable stay.
Inside Lockhart Tea Museum
Extremely popular with tourists, the Lockhart tea museum offers a historical insight into the first ever plantations of Munnar, dating back to 1879. The museum was initially constructed in 1936, however, it was opened to general public in January 2014.
The museum gives extensive knowledge about the orthodox method of tea production and processing. It also houses numerous ancient equipment used in the plantations such as mechanical harvesting machines, shears, fletcher sprayers, and many more.
Behind the museum is the Chokramudi View Point, one of the highest peaks of Munnar. Perched at an altitude of 7,200 ft. above the sea level, the peak is especially famous for its various trekking expeditions. From the other side of the museum, one can also see the watchtower.
A significant part of the Lockhart museum is the Lockhart kiosk, which offers visitors a variety of freshly brewed teas to choose from. Apart from that, one can also enjoy some delightful ice-cream flavours and scrumptious food, prepared by trained staff. Tourists can purchase various grades of tea and other plantation products they wish to take back home.
Tea Factory in Munnar
The Lockhart tea factory is another very significant part of the museum. The factory uses an orthodox tea manufacturing process, which includes steps like withering, rolling, oxidation, drying and fibre extraction. The entire factory building is constructed in wood, with a beautiful and vast garden in front of it.
The owner of the factory is Harrison Malayalam Ltd., South India’s largest cultivator of tea. The tea factory produces 20 million kilograms of tea every year, which is exported to various countries like China, England, etc. The tea produced here has been certified to be the best commercial grade tea produce in the world. Flavoured teas and organic teas are the prime speciality products of the estate.
On the way to Munnar
The Lockhart Tea Museum is located at a distance of 9 km from Munnar, on the Munnar- Thekkady road. It is easily accessible by rickshaw or taxi. Guided tours are available during the factory working hours.
Taking a walk through Lockhart estate’s perfectly manicured tea gardens, sipping fresh tea and feeling the cold mountain air is one of the greatest experiences. The plantation also offers many adventure activities such as trekking, hiking and wildlife to all thrill-seekers.
