Elephant Tea Rooms

Elephant Tea Rooms is a three-story corner building at High Street West featuring polychrome brickwork, terracotta ornaments, and decorative faience panels. The structure blends eastern and western architectural styles in an unusual composition.

British architect Frank Caws designed this building in 1877 in what became known as Hindu Gothic style for tea merchant William Grimshaw. This approach merged Victorian innovation with Indian influences, reflecting the prominence of British trade routes at the time.

Stone elephant sculptures carry tea chests on the exterior, representing the commercial importance of Victorian-era Sunderland and its ties to global trade networks. These figures visually express how international commerce shaped the city's identity during that period.

The building now houses Sunderland's Local History Library, providing visitors with access to historical documents and research materials. Its prominent corner position makes it easy to locate and reach.

A decorative corner turret features Buddhist-inspired design elements, including a conical roof with ringed ribs. This unexpected ornamental detail gives the structure a spiritual quality that extends beyond typical Victorian architecture.

Location: Sunderland

Inception: 1877

Architects: Frank Caws

Floors above the ground: 3

GPS coordinates: 54.90740,-1.38213

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:26