Seamus Hammond
London is home to a plethora of perfumeries, from famous department stores like Selfridges and Liberty London to quirky, independent boutiques. Whether you're looking for a classic fragrance or something more niche, London has something for everyone. The city's perfumeries offer a range of fragrances, from luxurious and opulent scents to more affordable options, and many provide a unique sensory experience. With so many options to choose from, it can be challenging to know where to start when buying fragrances in London. This guide will help you navigate the city's best perfume shopping destinations, from the trendy streets of East London to the glamorous shops of South Molton Street.
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What You'll Learn
Niche boutiques in trendy East London
London is a haven for fragrance enthusiasts, with a plethora of exclusive perfume shops and quirky, niche boutiques to explore. If you're looking for niche boutiques in trendy East London, here are some places to check out:
Angela Flanders Perfumery
Angela Flanders in Spitalfields is a beautiful boutique known for its floral displays and handcrafted perfumes. The shop is located in a quirky space in Shoreditch, with warm neutrals, peach tones, and sisal carpets, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere. They stock interesting niche brands, and if a brand doesn't supply samples, they're happy to decant them into trial vials for you to try before you buy.
Perfumer H
Perfumer H is a relative newcomer to the world of niche fragrances, offering a unique concept. At this intriguing store, you can create a bespoke scent in collaboration with the perfumer, Lyn, choose a pre-made unique perfume from their Laboratory Edition, or select a ready-to-wear seasonal scent. This family-run boutique, located on Baker Street, brims with rare and hidden gems in the world of fragrance and often hosts events with renowned perfumers.
Ormonde Jayne
Ormonde Jayne, founded by Linda Pilkington, is nestled in the heart of Mayfair. The interior oozes luxury with a sleek black, gold, and bright orange palette, and its 'bento box-style' wall displays a decadent collection of perfumes, candles, and gift boxes based on Ormonde Jayne's opulent scents. Pilkington sources rare ingredients from around the world, creating unique fragrances like Orris Noir, Frangipani, and Osmanthus.
Avery Fine Perfumery
Avery Fine Perfumery, located on South Molton Street, showcases a carefully curated collection of niche and interesting fragrance lines. Their brand specialists encourage customers to take their time and focus on the scents, allowing themselves to be seduced by their olfactory senses. You'll find brands like Blood Concept, Boadicea the Victorious, and Agonist's collectible hand-blown 'Sculpture Line' at this modern and elegant boutique.
Bloom
Bloom in Covent Garden provides a whimsical shopping experience with bespoke fragrance services. Step into this fragrant haven and explore the world of custom scents tailored to your unique taste.
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Department stores in central London
London is home to some of the world's most famous department stores, and many of these are located in the centre of the city.
Selfridges
One of the most famous department stores in London, Selfridges is located in the heart of the city and offers everything from beauty products to luxury fashion brands such as Miu Miu, Prada, and Tom Ford. The food hall and in-store restaurants are also popular destinations for locals and tourists alike.
Harrods
Harrods is an iconic London landmark and a true British institution. With over 300 departments, it offers a massive range of exclusive products, including bespoke perfumes, luxury goods, and the latest tech items. It's a must-see for any shopping lover, and its distinctive bags have become a symbol of the Harrods experience.
Liberty London
Located in the West End, Liberty London is instantly recognisable for its mock Tudor exterior and Union Jack flag. Established in 1875, it is known for its exquisite jewellery, exclusive products, and famous Liberty fabric in the haberdashery department.
John Lewis & Partners Oxford Street
With close to half a million individual products spread across seven floors, John Lewis is a massive name in British retail. The Oxford Street location offers a wide range of products, including fashion, jewellery, electronics, and homeware. The store also features cafes and a rooftop bar with seasonal pop-ups, providing stunning views of London's West End.
House of Fraser
House of Fraser, located on Oxford Street, is known for offering something for everyone. With a wide range of well-known brands and products, it is considered a top choice for many British shoppers.
These department stores in central London offer a mix of luxury and everyday items, making them popular destinations for locals and tourists seeking a unique shopping experience.
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British perfumeries
London is home to some of the world's most fabulous fragrance shops, from famous department stores to quirky, independent boutiques.
One of the oldest perfume stores in London, Floris was set up in 1730 by Juan Famenias Floris, who began selling perfume, combs, and shaving products in St James's. The brand has since received a royal warrant from King George IV in 1820 and has been a favourite of the British royal family, Winston Churchill, Marilyn Monroe, and Princess Diana. You can visit their flagship store at 89 Jermyn Street, St James's, to explore their range of fragrances.
Les Senteurs, London's oldest independent perfumery, has been a destination for fragrance enthusiasts since 1984. Nestled in Belgravia, the shop is known for its stunning fragrances and window displays, often adorned with flowers and fairy lights. Les Senteurs offers a tranquil escape from the bustling department stores, allowing customers to discover their dream scent.
For those seeking a unique, personalised experience, The Experimental Perfumer Club in London is a store and academy. Here, you can browse existing lines and create your own fragrance, blending scents to craft a signature perfume.
Ormonde Jayne, located at 12 Royal Arcade, 28 Old Bond St, is a beautifully presented perfumery in the heart of Mayfair. The shop's interior oozes luxury with a palette of sleek black, gold, and bright orange, showcasing a decadent collection of perfumes, candles, and gift boxes. The founder, Linda Pilkington, travels the world to source rare ingredients, ensuring a unique and opulent offering.
In addition to these iconic perfumeries, London boasts other notable fragrance destinations, including Jo Malone, Creed, Penhaligon's, and Angela Flanders, each offering a distinct and captivating perfume shopping experience.
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Perfumes with rare ingredients
London is home to a wide range of perfumeries, from big-name department stores to niche, independent boutiques. For those seeking perfumes with rare ingredients, there are several options to explore.
Ormonde Jayne, a British niche perfumery founded in 2001, is located in the Royal Arcade in Mayfair. The brand's founder, Linda Pilkington, has travelled the world to source rare ingredients such as linden blossom, tiaré, and a particularly rare oudh. Ormonde Jayne offers a decadent collection of perfumes, including Orris Noir, Frangipani, Osmanthus, and the Four Corners of the Earth collection inspired by travel destinations.
Jovoy, a Parisian perfume house that opened in London in 2017, boasts over 70 brands and 1000 different perfumes. Visitors can select a scent based on raw materials, perfumers, or olfactory families. Jovoy also offers a "try-me" service, allowing customers to test the fragrances before purchasing.
Les Senteurs, London's oldest independently-run perfumery, is located in Belgravia and is known for its stunning fragrances and window displays adorned with flowers and fairy lights. Les Senteurs hosts events featuring renowned perfumers and offers a range of fragrances from various brands, including Frederic Malle Éditions de Parfums, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, and Cloon Keen.
For a historic experience, Floris, one of the oldest perfume stores in London, was established in 1730 by Juan Famenias Floris. The brand has a rich history, having received its first royal warrant from King George IV in 1820, and was favoured by notable figures such as Winston Churchill, Marilyn Monroe, and Princess Diana. You can visit their flagship store on Jermyn Street to explore their scent profiles.
Lastly, Miller Harris, located in the heart of the Piazza, took inspiration from the Square's flower market past. Their boutique launched an exclusive scent, Le Fleur du Matin, capturing the essence of the glorious bouquets once sold in the market. Miller Harris offers a range of fragrances, candles, and smiling, helpful staff to assist you.
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Perfumes with eccentric fragrances
London is home to a plethora of fantastic British and international fragrance brands, with many unique and eccentric perfumes to choose from.
One of the most well-known perfumeries in London is Ormonde Jayne, founded by Linda Pilkington in 2000. The brand has a flagship store in the Royal Arcade on Old Bond Street, which exudes luxury and elegance. Ormonde Jayne offers a range of opulent scents, including Orris Noir, Frangipani, and Osmanthus, as well as travel-inspired fragrances from the Four Corners of the Earth collection.
For those seeking an even more eccentric olfactory experience, Escentric Molecules takes a unique approach to perfumery by celebrating the art of chemistry. Each fragrance in their collection explores the qualities of a single aroma-molecule, either in isolation or with one additional natural ingredient. Their most minimal fragrance, Molecule 01, contains only one aroma-molecule, while their M+ line adds a second natural ingredient to create a new layer of complexity.
Another niche perfumery in London is Angela Flanders, located in a quirkily-shaped shop in Shoreditch. This boutique offers interesting niche brands and unique fragrances, including the Spanish brand Carner, alongside Arquiste, Phaedon, Parfumerie Générale, and Nasomatto.
Lastly, for those who appreciate the artistry and expertise that goes into fragrance-making, Floris London is a must-visit. With nine generations of experience, Floris crafts its perfumes in England using the world's finest ingredients. Their Mulberry Fig fragrance combines floral amber with the soft powdery character of orris, while their Honey Oud fragrance features rare and precious oud oil, combined with rose and sandalwood for a deep, sensual scent.
Whether you're seeking unique aroma-molecules, exotic travel-inspired scents, or classic fragrances with a twist, London's perfumeries offer an array of eccentric olfactory experiences to delight and surprise.
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Frequently asked questions
Les Senteurs is London's oldest independent perfumery, located in Belgravia.
Browns Focus on South Molton Street is the place to go for an edited collection of modern fragrances that change with the season.
Floris London, a British family-owned perfumery established in 1730, is a great choice.
Ormonde Jayne, founded in 2000, has a flagship store in the Royal Arcade on Old Bond Street, offering a quintessentially British experience.
Les Senteurs on Elizabeth Street in Belgravia offers fragrances from over 350 brands, including niche labels.
