Teme Valley Arts Society Lectures: Coffee – From Arabia to the Coffee House: The Art and History of Coffee Drinking

A talk by Christopher Bradley

Wednesday 17 June 2026

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Long before cappuccinos and skinny lattes, all the world’s coffee traded through the tiny port of Mokha in Yemen. Popularised in Constantinople, Vienna and Amsterdam, the first English coffee house opened in the 1650’s and by 1700 there were 500 in London alone. Beginning as ‘sobering meeting places’ they were frequented by artists, authors and politicians where the debating of literary and political ideas was encouraged, as seen in early prints and lithographs. The marketing of coffee went through distinctive art nouveau and art deco periods and we see it included in works of the major French Impressionists.

Christopher Bradley is an expert in the history and culture of the Middle East and North Africa. As a professional tour guide and lecturer he has led groups throughout the Middle East and Asia. He writes extensively on Arabia and is the author of the Insight Guide to the Silk Road and Berlitz Guides to Cairo; Abu Dhabi, Nile Cruising, Libya; the Red Sea; Oman and the Discovery Guide to Yemen. As a photographer he has pictures represented by several photographic libraries. As a film producer and cameraman he made documentaries for the BBC, National Geographic TV and Channel 4.

Attend as a Visitor:

You can attend our lectures for just £8 – pay on the door.  Should you subsequently become a member your first lecture fee will be refunded.

Timings

• 1:45 pm onwards – Members Free Registration / Visitors £8 Ticket
• 2:00 pm Auditorium Doors Open
• 2:15 pm Lecture Begins
• 3:30 pm Refreshments Available.  Meet other members and visitors.

Become A Member:

Our annual membership of £50 or £95 per couple gives you:

• Free Access to 9 Lectures per year
• Exploration Days, Visits and Social Events (extra cost)
• Volunteering opportunites in preservation and conservation projects.
• A quarterly glossy magazine from The Arts Society
• Information on current and local upcoming cultural and artistic events

For membership please see the Teme Valley Arts Society website here.