Wonderful choice of special blends and rare coffees from around the World. Friendly knowledgable staff and great location local to City Centre. Huge choice such as Archetype a wonderful blended coffee. Many have notes of chocolate, hazelnut, cherry, Lime, Lemon or even other exotics. All are the finest coffees beating, in my opinion those of Bettys of York and Harrogate. read more

There is a scene in the original Willy Wonka movie where little Charlie first ventures into a sweetshop and his world is changed forever. The shopkeeper is singing and dancing his way around the store, arranging bouquets of lollipops and flinging candies around whilst children gape in awe. Gazing upon the wonders inside, Charlie's eyes brim with sugary tears, and he knows nothing will feel the same ever again. This is exactly how I felt when I first stepped foot inside Atkinson's. Tucked away in one of Lancaster's picturesque streets, Atkinson's is a must visit for tea and coffee lovers. The glorious and welcoming aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans wafts into the street from the roasting ovens set in the back of the shop. Beans are roasted here and shipped across the country to the best cafés - if you're a fan of North Tea Power or Teacup in Manchester then you will have already tasted their work. Mahogany shelves adorn the walls, piled high with tins of coffee beans and jars of loose leaf tea. Elsewhere in the shop you can purchase anything from local fudge to art deco coffee pots. The staff are passionate and knowledgeable and are sure to help you find exactly what you are looking for. There is a rolling selection of specials shipped in from far and wide, so if you are a regular customer you're sure to be treated to new flavours fairly frequently. The shop is a great place to pick up a gift, or just have a look around and learn more about the genealogy of our great nation's favourite pass time: putting the kettle on. read more

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J Atkinson & Co is a Lancaster institution and a place you shouldn't miss! They've been supplying coffee to the area since 1837 and have been in this location since 1901. I can't think of many places in Lancaster that serve coffee (hotels, restaurants, etc.) that don't get it from here, and the whole town smells fantastic on the days they roast the beans. The inside of the shop is very tiny and with incredible ambience. It has many of the original features, including awesome metal canisters to hold the different beans, an old roaster and fantastic metal scales. Even if you don't like coffee, it's worth peeking in just to see the place. The coffee is as good as you'd expect for a company that's been in the business for nearly 200 years. They also do a range of teas, including a nice local Lancaster blend that I usually buy as a gift for my family back in Chicago when I go visit. The one thing I would mention is that in my mind, Atkinson's is a place to go buy coffee beans, not hot coffee in a cup. It's not the kind of place that sells a paper cup to go! Also, they say on their website that there's a place inside to sit and drink a cuppa, but as many times as I've been in there, I've never noticed one. There is a little table near the door that I guess you could sit at, but you'd be right next to the entrance and constantly interrupted by the flow of people in and out of the tiny shop (not to mention cold, most likely!) You'd be better to buy it and do it at home. If you're visiting, chances are your hotel already serves coffee from here. read more

Fantastic Coffee - you've made a Melburnian who is far from home very happy. Quick, friendly service and a great range of coffee.

The best coffee in Lancaster...or maybe even in the whole North West England. Seriously!

Wonderful place. All coffees are excellent but the smell of freshly roasted coffee is what makes this place truly wonderful. Also the vintage equipment they have in their shop. Lovely gifts too such as specialty chocolate. read more

Absolutely brilliant! Huge selection of coffees, teas and spirits and coffee equipment. The prices are pretty reasonable too for what you get. read more

J Atkinson, is superb. I have visited it many times and bought both tea and coffee. The coffee is outstanding. I visited recently and parked up about 1/4 mile away. I could already smell the coffee! As you walk along China Street, the aroma of roasting coffee hits you nostrils and very soon you are in coffee heaven. The shop is a step back in time. The staff are friendly and helpful If you are in the market for coffee this is the place. You won't be disappointed. read more

Wonderful coffee & wonderful people. I was recently taking my mum to experience a delightful siphon coffee when she fell, thankfully just outside The Hall. She was OK but had hit her head on the pavement and had a lump the size of a golf ball. The staff at Atkinson's got us in & sat us in a quiet corner, filled us with tea & coffee, brought water & offered us food. They even brought a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a cloth for the bump on my mum's head. The owners, staff & even the chef were extremely kind and constantly checked to make sure we were OK. I've never had better coffee served by better people. read more