Business Details
27 Years
experience
Award-Winning Ethically Sourced Coffee & Tea in Sherborne
Established in 1999, Reads Coffee combines a rich family heritage in milling with a passion for ethically sourced coffee and tea. Our journey began in 1993 when founder Giles Read transitioned from corporate life to explore specialty coffee in the USA, eventually pioneering Pret A Manger's coffee offerings. We pride ourselves on traditional small-batch roasting of single-estate Arabica beans and crafting unique espresso blends, alongside a curated selection of loose-leaf teas. With over two decades of experience, we supply businesses and individuals across the UK, driven by customer recommendations and a commitment to quality. Our ethical practices include partnerships with organisations like the Rainforest Alliance to ensure sustainable sourcing.Based at Limekiln Farm in Dorset, we maintain a hands-on approach to roasting while offering brewing equipment, subscriptions, and wholesale solutions. Our team's expertise spans coffee origins, roasting techniques, and brewing methods, ensuring every product meets exacting standards. Customer satisfaction remains our priority, reflected in long-term partnerships with cafes like Hamish's Farm Shop and La Fosse. We continue innovating through seasonal blends, tasting boxes, and educational resources while maintaining our core values of quality, sustainability, and community.
Services
Coffee Roasting
Tea Retail
Wholesale Supply
Brewing Equipment
Coffee Subscription
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- We offer over 20 years of specialist coffee roasting experience
- Our beans are ethically sourced from verified global origins
- Family-owned business with generational milling and roasting expertise
- Rainforest Alliance certified sustainability practices
- Award-winning blends developed through traditional small-batch roasting
Associations and certifications
- Rainforest Alliance
What people say
Delicious coffee
Compliments all the time
Award winning
Best coffee experts
Damn fine cafe
Services
Coffee Roasting
Specialist small-batch coffee roasting using traditional methods at our Dorset facility. We source single-estate Arabica beans from verified global origins, including Ethiopia, Colombia, and Sumatra. Our roasting process prioritises ethical practices while maintaining the unique flavour profiles of each origin.
Tea Retail
Curated selection of premium loose-leaf teas including black, green, herbal, and fruit infusions. Our range features classic blends like English Breakfast alongside specialty teas such as Genmaicha and Lemongrass. All teas are selected for quality and flavour diversity.
Wholesale Supply
Comprehensive wholesale coffee and tea supply for cafes, restaurants, and retailers. We provide commercial-grade beans, brewing equipment, and point-of-sale materials. Partners benefit from expert support and consistent quality across our product range.
Brewing Equipment
Specialist brewing equipment for home and commercial use, including Aeropress, Hario V60, and manual brewers. Our selection supports various brewing methods from pour-over to immersion, accompanied by expert guidance through brewing guides.
Coffee Subscription
Regular delivery service for fresh roasted coffee beans with flexible subscription options. Customers can choose from our full range of single-origin beans and blends, with automatic deliveries tailored to their preferred frequency and quantity.
People
Giles Read
Founder
Giles transitioned from corporate life in 1993 to pioneer specialty coffee in the UK. He established Reads Coffee in 1999 after working with Pret A Manger as their first coffee specialist. His expertise spans global coffee sourcing and traditional roasting techniques.
Questions
What ethical practices do you follow?
We source beans through Rainforest Alliance certified suppliers and maintain traceability from origin. Our packaging uses recyclable materials and we prioritise direct trade relationships with growers.
Do you supply cafes and businesses?
Yes, we offer wholesale coffee, tea, and brewing equipment to cafes and retailers nationwide with dedicated support for trade customers.
What brewing methods do you support?
We provide equipment and guidance for all major methods including pour-over, immersion, espresso, and manual brewers like Aeropress and Chemex.
How should I store coffee beans?
Store beans in an airtight container away from light and moisture. For optimal freshness, use within 2-3 weeks of opening and keep at room temperature.
Do you offer delivery services?
We provide free UK delivery on orders over £30, with tracked shipping options available for urgent requirements and international orders.
What coffee varieties do you offer?
Our range includes 14 single-origin Arabica beans from Africa, Americas, and Asia, plus unique espresso blends and naturally decaffeinated options.
Reviews (7)
Chris Carpenter
Oct 15, 2021
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Fabulous coffee, expertly roasted and always delicious. Started ordering online during lockdown - best decision I could have made. Nothing beats a great cup of Reads coffee first thing in the morning. C
Matt Grant
Aug 24, 2021
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Amazing coffee and incredibly friendly team. Giles is truly passionate about coffee and it comes through in the taste. Well worth popping in.
John Collins
Jul 31, 2021
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Highly recommended, a lovely family run coffee stop. Seating available cash or card payments MASSIVE COFFEE SELECTION. There is of course a tea selection for all you weirdos out there, selection of ice cream and Saturday morning bacon rolls. Friendly owners and a charming cat to keep you company on your visit.
Nicko
Jul 14, 2021
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Been ordering their Sumatra Bourbon espresso beans among others for a while and very happy with the excellent quality. By chance on the way back from a trip to Sherborne Castle, I happened upon their premises. Very friendly and helpful, and bagged some up to order for me. Top notch all around.
Simon Spencer
Jun 08, 2021
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Good, tasty coffee to drink on site and a nice selection of beans to take away at a good price. Will be returning regularly!
Ryan Williams
May 08, 2021
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Quite simply the best coffee in Sherborne. Highly recommend a visit to the trailer for a coffee and cake or bacon roll on Saturdays, as well as a nice chat. Love visiting Reads!
Simon Sid Hibbert
Mar 11, 2021
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Well we didn't believe there was a coffee stop here but low and below there is. What a great excuse to have a walk in that direction just so you can have a great cup of coffee and a hot chocolate, a friendly service and a nice stop all set in a rural location..