Fortnum and Mason
Location -181 Piccadilly, London, W1A 1ER
Fortnum & Mason is one of the premier department stores in London. Its headquarters is located at 181 Piccadilly, where it was established in 1707 by William Fortnum and Hugh Mason.
From its earliest days it has been associated with Royalty and the Aristocracy being associated with high quality goods. Starting as a grocery store it developed in the Victorian era into a department store stocking a large variety of exotic foods as well standard fare. Some of the stores claim to fame is inventing the Scotch Egg in 1738, Queen Victoria sending shipments of Fortnum and Mason’s beef tea to Florence Nightingale’s hospitals in the Crimean War and being the first store in London to stock Heinz baked beans which they bought directly from Mr Heinz in the 1886.
More recently Queen Elizabeth II gave the store a royal seal of approval by opening the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon.
The stores layout is such that it is probably the nearest you will get to a 19th century shopping experience with items in attractive tins and ceramic containers. The food hall is very popular with a high standard of quality food. Its tearooms and restaurants are also very popular. Although there is a large amount of expensive items, there is a wide range of items for all prices and the store is a popular place to pick up unusual gifts. Especially popular are the famous picnic hampers which were originally created for the Victorian “Society” events, but are now available to everyone ranging in price from around £30 pounds to £25,000
The interior of the store is interesting, but the window displays are usually very entertaining and if you look at the front of the store there is the famous Fortnum’s clock where on the hour Mr Fortnum and Mr Mason make an appearance.
Quick guide
FOURTH FLOOR The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon The Drawing Room The Tea Tasting Room
THIRD FLOOR Books Games Gentlemen’s Accessories Gentlemen’s Grooming Gentlemen’s Nightwear Gifts Leather Goods Luggage Pens Stationery Gentleman’s Cloakroom Gift Advice, Card Wrapping
SECOND FLOOR Babywear & Gifts Bath & Beauty Bathroom Accessories Bed & Linen Fashion Accessories Handbags Jewellery Lingerie & Nightwear Perfume & Cosmetics Beauty Rooms Baby Changing Disabled Cloakroom
FIRST FLOOR Al Fresco Eating Candles Cooks Library Cookshop China, Glass & Silver Hampers Disabled Cloakroom Ladies Powder Room The Parlour Restaurant Demonstration Kitchen Fortnum’s Services Hamper Ordering Account Enquiries Events Corporate Orders Deliveries General Enquiries Personal Shopping VAT Reclaim
GROUND FLOOR Bakery Biscuits & Cakes Chocolate & Confectionery Coffee Patisserie Preserves & Honey Tea The Gallery Restaurant The Fountain Restaurant
LOWER GROUND FLOOR Cheese Charcuterie Delicatessen Flowers Fruit & Vegetables Meat & Fish Savoury Groceries The Fortnum’s Take Away Traiteur Wines & Spirits 1707 Wine Bar
Opening Times
Monday to Saturday 10am – 8pm
Sunday 12noon – 6pm
London Visitors 