London Coffee Week 2024: What’s New in UK Specialty Coffee

If you’ve ever wandered through London and caught the rich scent of freshly ground coffee beans wafting through the air, you’ve already felt the city’s growing specialty coffee movement. But how did coffee carve out its place in a nation famous for its tea? And what makes this year’s UK Coffee Week different?

The first-ever UK Coffee Week kicked off in London from April 1 to April 10, 2024, featuring over 800 new coffee shops nationwide and a full calendar of events—from coffee art shows to the grand finale, the London Coffee Festival. It’s a celebration of the UK’s third wave of coffee culture, now deeply embedded in daily life beyond just tea.

What Is the UK Coffee Week All About?

UK Coffee Week is a 10-day festival celebrating specialty coffee in the UK, organized by industry veteran Jeffrey Young. Running from April 1 to 10, 2024, in London, the event highlights craftsmanship, barista skills, and the social role of coffee. It includes a coffee art exhibition, grinder demos, a VIP cocktail party, cuppings, an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, poetry readings, and culminates in the three-day London Coffee Festival.

How Did Coffee Become Big in a Tea-Drinking Nation?

Despite Britain’s long-standing tea culture, specialty coffee—known as the “third wave”—is thriving. Jeffrey Young explains this movement follows two earlier phases: first, low-quality filtered coffee in the 1980s–90s, then the rise of branded chains like Starbucks. Now, East London leads the third wave with innovative, high-quality coffee shops marking a new era. Coffee has become a daily ritual and social hub in offices, homes, bars, and cafés alike.

What Charity Efforts Are Part of the Festival?

Beyond coffee tastings, UK Coffee Week supports the Waterfall Project, aiming to raise £1 million for clean water access in African coffee-growing regions. The initiative targets providing safe drinking water to 100,000 people. Participating coffee shops encourage customers to donate 5p per coffee, and all proceeds from London Coffee Festival tickets go directly to the project. Clean water is both a critical need and a symbolic nod to coffee’s own water-intensive production.

Why Is This Year’s Event Significant?

This marks the first official UK Coffee Week, reflecting how far specialty coffee has come in the UK. With hundreds of new cafes, widespread community engagement, and a strong charitable component, the event underscores coffee’s cultural and economic impact. It’s not just about drinking coffee—it’s about celebrating its journey, craft, and contribution to global communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is UK Coffee Week held?

UK Coffee Week 2024 took place from April 1 to April 10, with the London Coffee Festival as the closing highlight over the final three days.

What is the London Coffee Festival?

The London Coffee Festival is the grand finale event of UK Coffee Week, featuring coffee tastings, demonstrations, and industry showcases. It’s the largest gathering of its kind in the UK and a major event for coffee enthusiasts.

How does the Waterfall Project help coffee-growing communities?

The Waterfall Project aims to provide clean drinking water to 100,000 people in African coffee-producing regions. It’s UK Coffee Week’s flagship charity, supported by donations from coffee purchases and ticket sales.

How can I participate in the charity efforts?

Customers at participating UK coffee shops are encouraged to donate 5p per coffee purchased. All proceeds from London Coffee Festival tickets are also donated to the Waterfall Project.

What are the key themes of the third wave of coffee in the UK?

The third wave emphasizes quality, craftsmanship, direct trade, and barista skill. It represents a shift from mass-market coffee to specialty experiences, particularly strong in areas like East London.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Festivals

For exploring the third wave like in London, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for bright citrus and floral notes, or their Colombia Huila for balanced caramel and nuttiness. Both showcase the high-quality, origin-focused beans central to specialty coffee culture. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.