London's Oldest Shops

This video showcases some of London’s oldest shops in the luxurious area of St James’s.
We visit Berry Bro’s & Rudd, Lock & Co, Ede & Ravenscroft, Fortnum & Mason, Hatchard’s, Paxton & Whitfield and Floris!
Which is the oldest? And where can you go to smell like James Bond?!
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[@marsy1480]

Love a bit of Floris!

[@travis2333]

As a public historian in the US, I thoroughly enjoy these videos you make! The amount of effort you put into them shows, and I respect you so much for providing a fun way to learn about London's past! Thank you for what you do.

[@KnowzsPenge]

This countries history is U.S history.

[@terry9965]

My nan worked in the grill room and Fortnums in the 60’sand i have to say some of the food she acquired was superb as a kid nan took me every Sunday to watch the two figures come out when the clock struck the hour

[@LookUpLondon]

What a lovely memory! And I bet she brought home the best doggy bags!!

[@terry9965]

@@LookUpLondon Oh yes she did we had these Belgian Chocolates that were splendid about £6 a box back in the 60’s

[@barryballinger5912]

This is a brilliant depiction of old london lovely clear narration and thank you for the research xx

[@davidseetvsierra123]

This is a fantastic guide! A full day of shops, next time I'm in London! Thank you!

[@LookUpLondon]

Thanks David, so glad you enjoyed it!

[@sonyavs455]

Interesting video and information. My favorite old shop in London is Twinings. It has occupied the same premises since 1706 and can boast the world’s oldest continually used company logo. Everywhere in every direction in London - history. Love it!

[@annabelcusenza9607]

A video on the oldest restaurants would be super cool on the back of this!

[@LookUpLondon]

Ooh, yes I’m on a rich theme of the oldest ‘stuff’ in London, I always get asked on tours so has been nice actually researching definite answers

[@snafufubar]

So that would be Rules then near Covent Garden.

[@shahjhanhaider26]

Charles Dickens my favorite,old curiosity shop is looking great

[@garyfrancis6193]

I flew to London from Vancouver, British Columbia in May 1974 to get at Compilation book of Sherlock Holmes short stories published by John Murray and Sons. Going to their office they referred me to Hatchard’s where I picked it up and flew home.

[@TheJazz61]

I recently subscribed to your channel.Congratulations to you..i really enjoy your videos.I have been a London cabbie since 1999 ( 24)and occasionally i have done London tours ,mostly to my clients from Latino America ,Spain and Italy,as i am fluent with italian and spanish.Love London and history in general(coming originally from Rome must be in the DNA)..I wish you all the best and thanks for your precious Knowledege!Rocco

[@shaffar100]

Katie how are you making these videos, doing tours and being a mum all at the same time?! Impressive stuff x

[@LookUpLondon]

Lots of support from my partner and parents! Thank you ☺️ x

[@shaffar100]

@@LookUpLondon well done! It must be tough especially having your own business and brand. It took us months to feel comfortable enough to get out of the house and do other things properly. Hope the sleep isn’t too bad x

[@popcult]

Excellent factual yet entertaining video. The Painted Hall is one of the most significant sight in London. Every time I visit London I make sure I come and see this jaw dropping painting and the equally unique collection of buildings in Greenwich.

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

Fascinating and wonderful stuff! ❤

[@littlemork6472]

Thank you very much for sharing these videos, they are insightful and just fascinating. Katie you're one amazing guide with such a vast knowledge of London. Always love watching your KZbin channel/Facebook/Instagram 😁❤️

[@LookUpLondon]

Thank you so much! Hope to share more on here in 2023 :)

[@VictorRochaGaming]

I spoke at LSE a couple of years ago. I was pleasantly surprised to see the The Old Curiosity Shop building when I stepped outside. Thanks for the background info.

[@Mistydazzle]

Delightful! Thank you!

[@offshoretomorrow3346]

Charming guide! ❤

[@quinnerl1984]

The next time I am in London I will be visiting these places. Thank you for sharing xx

[@htukram]

Just discovered your channel and am loving it. After watching this, am wondering if Twinings at 216 Strand deserves an honourable mention as they boast that they have "the oldest brand logo in continuous use in Great Britain". Looking forward to the rest of your videos.

[@ninalatimer874]

Thanks as always, Katie! Love your tidbits and historical treasures!

[@LookUpLondon]

Thanks Nina!

[@johnorchin8567]

Hi Katie, This was your best video yet in the series. Please do more like this, there are so many old shops worthy of a mention. The Ede & Ravenscroft branch on Chancery Lane is the old historic one, although it has all been revamped in recent years. I can remember when the outside was all black and ancient looking, with wigs and robes in the window. Have you ever seen paint as thick, as that on the front door of Lock’s? Even the door knocker is coated in paint, this really intrigues me.

[@LookUpLondon]

I know! So thickly encrusted isn’t it? So glad you enjoyed it and yes there’s lots more I could mention which aren’t *quite* as old but still so historic - like Twinings for example! Maybe a Part II is in order!

[@johnorchin8567]

@@LookUpLondon Hi Katie, If you do a follow up might I suggest a few names. James Smith & Son 53 New Oxford Street. Fribourg & Treyer 34 Haymarket. 56 Artillery Lane Grade 1 listed building. Penhaligons 41 Wellington Street Covent Garden. J Wippell & Company 11 Tufton Street Westminster

[@banana9106]

Service at Ede and Ravenscroft is always exquisite and perfectly discrete. Always fun to see wigs going in for 'dressing'

[@Obiter3]

I wish I had a tour by you when I went this June. But we'll be back!

[@stephen129]

Excellent video and channel. Thanks for the content. BBR are actually a customer of the company I used to work for, so I know some of the guys there.

[@theresehopkins1581]

Absolutely 💘 loved the video!!! Thank you!!!

[@thehallwayofhistory4657]

I'm inspired! You can tell you are a professional - very impressive stuff 😁

[@Art-ny1pr]

I don’t know if it counts as London, but on the north side of Kingston market place there is a shop with a Neo-Carolan frontage, but a genuine early staircase inside. So far as I know it has always been a shop

[@judithbarnett2966]

This is fun. I might need to go and find some of these one day. Thank you

[@LookUpLondon]

It’s lovely for a wander! Also I’ve found in general the staff are all so knowledge and proud of the heritage!

[@alanbudgen2672]

Fascinating Katie. I know all of the shops, and some I knew of their great age. But others were a surprise to me. Thank you.

[@popcult]

PLEASE create a CORONATION themed list of videos. Your expertise and knowledge would help many visitors during those hectic days.....THANK YOU.

[@georgegard.aka.currymonste1498]

Welcome back and congratulations 🎊

[@LookUpLondon]

Thank you! ☺️

[@johnfife3062]

Loved this -- thank you! All new to me except Lock & Co -- do mention that they invented the bowler hat so, What-Ho! British spoken there.

[@fleurbeckwith9280]

Fabulous, I think I saw Hercule Poirot shopping in floris also.

[@RedcoatsReturn]

Berry Bros is where I buy my Late Bottled Vintage Port, not expensive and pure quality! 😉🍷👍👍

[@waynejones750]

Brilliant.

[@anyahanley6698]

very enjoyable

[@reneesnider549]

I’m so envious. I’ve long been almost obsessed with anything English, even since before I discovered my heritage is English (Yorkshire) I think. I love my country too, so y’all don’t come for me. Lol Anyhow, great job with the videos and thank you for the insight! ❤

[@wuffothewonderdog]

By no means ancient but fascinating to visit and contemplate is Thomas Goode & Co, which is a china, silverware and glass shop at 19 South Audley Street in Mayfair, London. It holds two royal warrants to supply the British royal household, one from Queen Elizabeth II and the other from the Prince of Wales

[@uingaeoc3905]

Ede 7 Ravenscroft is on Chancery Lane, the branch on Burlington Gardens is only a couple of decades old.

[@charlesperez9976]

Excellent video! There is a cheesemonger in Greenwich that I look forward to revisiting,I forget the name,but their blueberry Wensleydale is to die for. Also,and perhaps you can guide me to the specific street,there is a street(and this was back in 1995) that was predominated by the most wonderful print shops,selling printed images,gleaned from old books! I would love to go back to those shops,in September. I own many prints from that street,or lane,one of which is an image of an anaconda snake constricting a cow!!!

[@shelleysayer9821]

I would love to see inside Swan and Edgar's department store.

[@MrBurtonshaw]

Worth noting, Ede & Ravemscroft had four Royal Warrants until the death of the Queen Mother + the time allowed to remove the warrant. They regained four though in 2012 for suppling the Queen with two categories of goods. Only one Queen's coat of arms is used though.

[@jasonpayneuk]

Wonderful! Thank you as always Katie!

[@LookUpLondon]

My pleasure!

[@paulhier]

Nice informative presentation although when talking about James Lock moving into no.6 St. James's 'Place' it was actually St. James's 'Street'.

[@christinedalton5745]

Fabulous shops in this area and Havnt visited for awhile so will make sure I do! One of my favourites is JJ Fix the cigar merchant on St James Street ! They have an order fir Oscar Wilde own Turkish blend and other wonders!

[@LookUpLondon]

Ooh not a smoker myself but can appreciate the appeal. Not 100% sure if it’s that one but I know one cigar shop on the Street has a smoking room, literally behind glass to get around the ban inside! quite bizarre

[@christinedalton5745]

@@LookUpLondon that’s right! I had been taken in there on and Oscar Wilde walk a couple times about 20 years ago x 🌹

[@nataliesong9487]

hello I want to know more about bond street history why there are so many flagship stores？I am really inspired by this charming s street～thank you

[@roberterdman7268]

Opposite Sir John Soane's house in Lincoln's Inn are two old timber-framed shops leaning together. I think the Society of Chartered Accountant's had their office next to them. Those structures looked quite old indeed. I would like to know something about them. There was an old timber framed gatehouse or something next to St. Bart's church as well....

[@alanpeachey4085]

❤️‍🩹Thank you for being you Fabulous From an English Man here Down under ✍️☮️

[@gordonayres2609]

I found most of these over the years when I lived in London. I have become tired of all the chain cafes and takeaway etc which have spoiled the character of our culture. Also it is tiresome how there is disco music playing in every single shop and cafe and store . I like the peace and quiet in some of these traditional shops. Thanks for such a well documented survey .

[@hamzaakbar6190]

Best of luck 😎

[@mgramsdale]

No Twinings?

[@raymondmalone9721]

New sub, great insightful videos 👏

[@LookUpLondon]

Thanks Raymond, welcome!

[@CamdenArtsCentre]

thanks Katie! love it!

[@LookUpLondon]

Thanks Craig, are you going to be in London any time soon?!

[@Six6ix]

Hope your going to make videos again👍

[@Ysoie]

I’m also curious where Twinings’ shop might fit. I know it’s been extensively remodeled over 300 years, so does it count?

[@philparisi9175]

In Boston Massachusetts we have 1 shop that Is just about 300 years old...I would think London has some much older.

[@TheRealMisterProtocol]

What about Geo. Trumper? I'm a total fan.

[@Hannahtheredhead2454]

❤️

[@denisburgess2966]

Queen Elizabeth11 shopped at Fortnnam and Mason's and I remember she went in there one day with Camilla and Kate.

[@Rafael-gn2fe]

Subscribe ✔️. Just discovered your channel. Love it!

[@georgiancrossroads]

Thanks indeed. What are the oldest bookstores in London or Oxford?

[@Davethehedgehog]

Excellent series of videos that the algo seemed to bubble up to me. Shame there's been nothing new for a while! Other comments seem to imply a baby, congrats if so!

[@LookUpLondon]

Yep! That is the reason! Well that and I'm also a full-time London tour guide which is very busy at the moment so hope to get some videos out again at some point. I also wrote a London guide book which you can find out more about here with plenty of self-guided walks, great facts and hidden history! lookup.london/guide-book/

[@Millieshin-yj5mb]

If I ever went to London the places I would visit would be, the oldest shops and oldest churches. I would definitely do the Ripper guided tour at night. Hopefully, there is one at night. Last would be the tombs of King Henry the 8th and his wives. That's it. Nothing else would interest me.

[@mytwocents848]

Love your "oldest" videos. However, the sound is very low and hard to hear.

[@anzacmick8559]

surprised the Goat in kensington high street doesnt get a mention......

[@judithscobee8102]

Any really old bookshops there?

[@patboudotlamot]

top

[@kellysouter4381]

That makes me wonder who is the Duke of Edinburgh now? Have they left the title empty or did someone inherit it?

[@AtheistOrphan]

It’s still ‘vacant’, but there are rumours that the title might go to Prince Edward after the King’s coronation.

[@ryushogun9890]

Ah, is there any 18th century authentic store? Like, selling 18th century clothes or stuff?

[@AtheistOrphan]

Theatrical costumers?

[@ryushogun9890]

@@AtheistOrphan You mean costumes? If it's dumb stereotypical saturated stuff.. no. I'm looking for things that are at least usable, authentic as they dressed in the past.

[@AtheistOrphan]

@@ryushogun9890 - OK. If it’s original items you’re after then antique shops or auction houses would be your best bet. Good luck with your search!👍

[@annhalton1963]

Please drink some tea and honey and give your voicebox a rest..You can damage your vocal chords by speaking when you are ill.

[@cassidywest5539]

Has this channel been abandoned?

[@LookUpLondon]

Yes and no I suppose! I haven't had time to make more videos in over a year as I work full time as a tour guide and it's been exceptionally busy for my business! I do weekly updates on my blog (www.lookup.london/blog) as well as other social channels. I'm also presenting YT vids on the History Hit channel :)

[@FlamingBasketballClub]

KZbin recommended me this video. However, have you considered doing a podcast and creating a Discord server?