Vintage Tetley Tea Tetley Tea Folk Mug 1996

Bring a smile to teatime with this Vintage Tetley Tea Folk Mug (1996). Crafted in ceramic with colourful Tetley Tea Folk characters, it celebrates one of Britain’s most beloved advertising campaigns.

Perfect for use or display, this mug is both practical and collectible — a cheerful reminder of the Tetley Tea Folk’s place in British tea culture.

The Tetley Tea Folk

Tetley, founded in 1837, grew into one of Britain’s most popular tea brands. In 1973, the company introduced the Tetley Tea Folk — animated characters who became household favourites through charming TV adverts.

By the 1990s, the Tea Folk were cultural icons, embodying warmth, tradition, and the everyday ritual of tea drinking. Promotional items like this 1996 mug brought the campaign into domestic life, blending utility with advertising.

Today, Tea Folk mugs are prized as nostalgic collectibles that capture the heritage of British tea culture and advertising history.