Visiting the Factory House

Proudly standing in the heart of Porto, the Factory House remained closed to the public for more than two centuries. Today, its doors open to reveal a building like no other—a private world of tradition, diplomacy and the fine art of wine.

Your guided visit takes you through rooms steeped in history and detail: the Entrance Hall with its neoclassical geometry; the grand Ballroom, where crystal chandeliers still hang above polished floors; and the stately Library, housing over 20,000 books, including rare 19th-century editions and early maps of the Douro.

A highlight of the tour is the Factory’s wine cellar—home to the largest collection of vintage Port in the world. This is no showroom, but a working cellar where bottles from centuries past line the shelves, carefully stored in darkness and silence.

Along the way, you’ll encounter portraits of British merchants and Portuguese monarchs, signatures of royal visitors, and the echo of Wednesday luncheons that still take place today. From decanting tables to diplomatic rituals, every space reveals how commerce, culture and ceremony were woven together under one roof.

This is not a reconstruction. It is the real thing. Maintained by the British Association for generations, the Factory House invites you to discover a unique chapter in Porto’s history—one of elegance, alliance and tradition.