Lobb, bespoke shoemakers, dates from the 19th Century. There is a wonderful smell of leather in the shop, where a fitter measures your foot and a ‘clicker’ selects a suitable skin.
James Lock & Co, one of THE places to buy a hat, was established in 1686. They invented the ‘bowler’ and made Nelson’s hat.
Web: James Lock & Co
Wine merchants Berry Brothers & Rudd, suppliers of Cutty Sark whisky, date from 1699. Originally grocers, they still have huge scales, where coffee, tea and customers were weighed.
Web: Berry Brothers & Rudd
Fox’s Cigar Merchants are the oldest cigar merchants in the world and have Royal Warrants from reigning monarchs since Queen Victoria – famous clients included Winston Churchill.
North along St James’s is William Evans’ gun and rifle makers since 1883, where some of the finest examples of British gun making are still being sold today.