About Glendale
Adderley, Glendale & Runnymede. Glimpses on its history.
James Stanes was the first member of the Stanes family to visit India making the trip from the City of London in one of his father’s vessels in the late 1840s. While the ship was in Madras, James was persuaded by his father’s agent to visit the Nilgiris. There he decided to stay opening Runnymede Coffee Estate, Coonoor. In May 1852, on his way to Ootacamund, he bathed in a waterfall and was drowned. His grave dated 08.05.1852 is one of the oldest in the Churchyard of St. Stevens, Ootacamund.
James’ brother William too liked the Nilgiris, situated at an altitude anywhere between 4500ft and 7000ft above MSL, and decided to continue his brother’s work. He married Harriet Scudder and the couple made their home in Runnymede House, Coonoor. The third Stanes brother, Thomas, also came to India.
In April 1854, William applied to the Collector of Coimbatore for permission to clear, fell and plant coffee plants on a piece of land in the Culler Valley. In 1855, Thomas Stanes established Adderley Estate here. In 1857, elder James Stanes, the father paid a visit to his two sons and was so pleased with their success. On his return to England, he sent his youngest son, Robert, to join the brothers.
Robert arrived just before Christmas in 1858 and went to stay with Thomas to learn coffee plantation. Robert started the Stanes Coffee Curing Works in Coimbatore in a temporary workshop of the Madras Railway Company and the curing works started in 1861. It was from Coimbatore that Robert Stanes went to Anamallai hills and bought Waterfall Estates in 1870.
Glendale, Glenmore and Runnymede, Brooklands and Springfield, Adderley, Glenburnie and Colacumbie originally belonged to Nilgiri Plantations Co. Ltd., managed by T. Stanes & Co. Ltd..
Unfortunately towards the end of the 19th century, the whole of the initially planted coffee estates were devastated by black bug, stem borer and other leaf diseases.
Tea planting began successfully from about 1897 and most the coffee estates were uprooted and replaced with tea bushes.
Adderley Guest House built around 1880 was the original main bungalow and the aura still remains intact that is really ‘olde’ world.
Adderley, Glendale & Runnymede. Present Day.
Over the decades, Glendale tea is renowned for offering a range of SINGLE GARDEN PURE PREMIUM TEA of PLATINUM quality. All the estates have a thriving eco-system, nurtured with passion and care. Technology is pervasive, without affecting the essential characteristics that makes Glendale teas so special.
Modern techniques ensure that the bushes are always in prime condition. Plucked tea leaves are processed in the factories located in the gardens, ensuring freshness, quality and consistency. Vacuum packaging ensures that the tea you drink is garden fresh. 
Lush verdant tea gardens are now a unique experience for the average city dweller that Glendale estate has thrown open its gates to discerning visitors from across the world to drop by and visit. Stay back a few days and experience what is called the Plantation Stay, with its own heritage guest houses.
Glendale Stays is an experience any tea connoisseur will cherish. Albeit, staying here gives you access to the Glendale Tea Factory, and all its estates. A perfect holiday and eco-tourism without the routine and monotonous daily chores. Walks, picnics and tea gardens, in the Scotland of India, Nilgiri Hills.
