Classic British Shops

Singular shops, makers and British institutions worth travelling for. Unique gifts for others, and perfect gifts to yourself.

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Fortnum & Mason

The Piccadilly grocer since 1707, and still the most reliable place in London to buy something British to take home.

Food & drinkTrading before 1900Royal Warrant

Photo by Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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William Fortnum was a footman in Queen Anne's household who sold the used candle wax from the royal apartments and went into business with his landlord Hugh Mason. The shop invented the Scotch egg, supplied hampers to the Crimea, and sent tea to Florence Nightingale.

The tea and the preserves are the reason to come, and the hampers are the thing it is known for. The clock on the front performs on the hour, and the food hall on the ground floor is the part worth your time.

Where
181-184 Piccadilly, W1A 1ER
Nearest station
Piccadilly Circus · 4 min walk

Hours

Monday10:00 – 20:00
Tuesday10:00 – 20:00
Wednesday10:00 – 20:00
Thursday10:00 – 20:00
Friday10:00 – 20:00
Saturday10:00 – 20:00
Sunday12:00 – 18:00

Hours from the page that lists them, checked 11 September 2026.

Sunday browsing from 11:30, tills from 12:00.

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Data is compiled from public sources including OpenStreetMap, under the ODbL. Hours change often, so check before making a journey.

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