Babingtons’ history all began back in 1893 when Isabel Cargill and her chaperone and companion Anna Maria Babington arrived in Italy after a long and tiresome journey from England, gasping for a cup of tea! Only to discover that such a luxury was solely available at the chemist! They immediately decided to remedy this distressing shortfall and with the 100 pounds they had brought with them from England they founded the very first English Tea Rooms in the heart of Rome at the foot of the Spanish Steps in Piazza di Spagna.

125 years have gone by since that pivotal day and Babingtons has survived all that history could throw at her, two World Wars, various recessions and even the advent of fast food. And so it is that the oldest and most famous Tea Rooms in Italy is preparing to celebrate its one hundred and twenty fifth jubilee in 2018.

Today we have Rory Bruce and Chiara Bedini, the great grand-children of Isabel Cargill, at Babingtons’ helm. Together, their passion, desire and ultimate objective is to launch Babingtons and proliferate its teas around the globe, whilst not loosing sight of her past. Imagine how many people have walked through the doors into the welcoming interior of the Tea Rooms? How many people have ordered tea with home-made scones and jam? How many men and women from all over the world have paused to admire Isabel’s portrait which hangs in our second parlour. Last but, and by no means least, how many people have worked in our kitchens, waited on tables and learned to serve tea, whilst with each cup contributing a leaf to the annals of Babingtons history!

And this is where you come in.

We’d like you to help us by sharing your memories of Babingtons. Perhaps you have old photos, containers, original jam jars or any other Babingtons memorabilia? If you haven’t yet been to Babingtons we would appreciate greatly your sharing our appeal for mementos, souvenirs and photos with as many people as possible.

Our address is anniversary@babingtons.com, we would be most grateful for any photos, videos, old letters etc. When our research is finished we will be delighted to share these memories with you. You will be helping us find missing pieces of our history and enjoying a wonderful journey through time.

#throughouthistory