Dambatenne Tea Factory

Dambatenne Tea Factory, Haputale Overview

Dambatenne Tea Factory is situated near Haputale and is frequently visited on the way to the famous vantage point Lipton’s Seat. The highlight of a visit to Dambatenne is the tour of the factory; wherein one can understand the complete processing of numerous types of tea, from the picking of the leaves until it reaches the consumer.

Apart from the informative tour, visitors can enjoy the scenic surroundings of Dambatenne, namely the lush tea plantations scattered with several tea-pickers moving about their daily jobs, and verdant mountains. Interestingly, some of the equipment at Dambatenne Tea Factory, although more than a century old, still functions today—offering an insight into tea production during the colonial era.

The Tour of Dambatenne Tea Factory

A tour of Dambatenne Tea Factory lasts roughly 15 to 20 minutes. The guides at the factory explain and show various processes involved in the production, such as drying, rolling, cutting, sieving and grading of the tea leaves. Unfortunately, the factory does not usually host a tea sampling session. Although it has neither a café nor a shop selling souvenirs, tourists can still buy fresh packets of tea at its premises.

History of Dambatenne Tea Factory

Sir Thomas Lipton, the founder of the famous brand Lipton Tea, built Dambatenne Tea Factory in the year 1890. The first pound of Lipton Tea sold was manufactured at this factory, and the term Ceylon Tea is also believed to have originated here. The estate was sold in 1930, but Lipton continues to buy around 75% of the tea produced here.

Dambatenne Tea Factory Timings, Contact Number and Entry Fee

The timings of Dambatenne Tea Factory are typically from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It is recommended that you avoid visiting on a Sunday or Monday since there is no tea production on those days and the factory is non-functional. The entry fee to the factory is LKR 250 per person. The contact number of the tea factory is +94 475 670 595.

Best Time to Visit Dambatenne Tea Factory

The best time to visit Dambatenne Tea Factory is in the morning, as it is not crowded, and one can watch and thoroughly understand the processes involved.