10 London Perfume Shops You Should Visit Now
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3 months ago
Where to get your sniff on in the capital
Planning your next trip to the UK capital? If you are, and you fancy some retail therapy, your first port of call should be a good ol’ fashioned perfumier. London is home to a whole host of fantastic British (and further afield) brands, lining the bustling streets and luring customers in with their tempting fragrances. From Jo Malone to Ormonde Jayne, these are the London perfume shops to visit should you find yourself in the city.
The Best Perfume Shops In London
1. Molton Brown
Molton Brown is one of Britain’s most beloved fragrance brands. The brand actually began its journey in London, starting out at a hair salon at 58 South Molton Street in 1971 before taking the leap into a separate business dedicated to selling sweet-smelling products. Nowadays, you can find Molton Brown at four main outposts in London (Covent Garden, Regent Street, Fenchurch Street and Cheapside), but you’ll also find the brand stocked at numerous retailers and department stores across the city.
Where? Various locations in the capital, see here for details
Explore:Â moltonbrown.co.uk
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2. Floris
One of the oldest perfume stores in London, Floris was set up in 1730 by Juan Famenias Floris when he began selling perfume, combs and shaving products in St James’s. The brand is a firm favourite of the British royal family, having received its first royal warrant from King George IV in 1820, and was also favoured by the likes of Winston Churchill, Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana. You can pay a visit to Floris’ flagship store on Jermyn Street (the very first opened by the brand in 1730) to get an idea of the various scent profiles it offers.
Where? 89 Jermyn Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 6JH
Explore:Â florislondon.com
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3. Les Senteurs
Nestled between the terraced townhouses and garden squares of Belgravia, Les Senteurs is London’s oldest independent perfumery. It’s also known for its stunning fragrances and window displays. The shop, which has a home on Elizabeth Street, can often be seen decked out in flowers and fairy lights. Inside, you’ll find shelves upon shelves of fragrance products from over 350 brands (Les Senteurs prides itself on introducing a number of niche labels to its London clientele), as well as a super friendly team ready to take you on a personal scent journey.
Where? 71 Elizabeth Street, Belgravia, London, SW1W 9PJ
Explore:Â lessenteurs.com
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4. Penhaligon’s
For a sensory experience like no other, make sure to visit one of Penhaligon’s many perfume shops in the capital. The brand, which oozes eccentricities and rich fragrances, set up shop in London back in 1870 and has stayed in the city ever since. Penhaligon’s first store was on Jermyn Street in Mayfair, and while it no longer exists the brand has branched out to cover most of London. You can find stores on King’s Road, Brook Street and Regent Street, as well as in Covent Garden, Harrods and Selfridges.
Where? Various locations in the capital, see here for details
Explore:Â penhaligons.com
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5. Jo Malone London
Jo Malone London has had a home in the UK capital for nearly 30 years. Starting out on Walton Street in Chelsea, the brand was a big success amongst London’s scent sensationalists. So much so, in fact, that it expanded to multiple stores in the city. Jo Malone’s flagship store, which launched in 1999 on Sloane Square, is still there today and is well worth a visit if you happen to be nearby.
Where? Various locations in the capital, see here for details
Explore:Â jomalone.co.uk
6. Diptyque
Parisian perfumier Diptyque may have its roots across the Channel, but its London fanbase is nothing to be sniffed at. With several perfume shops dotted across London, it’s safe to say we’re quite in love with this luxury brand. A store not to miss is the Spitalfields boutique, which was recently reimagined by the Maison and re-opened in July 2022, becoming the largest Diptyque store in London. The store, described as ‘a marriage between its Parisian roots and the East London location’, blends British industrial architecture with French design in an exciting display of craftsmanship and culture – an ideal location for exploring new scents.
Where? Various locations in the capital, see here for details
Explore:Â diptyqueparis.com
7. Ormonde Jayne
Ormonde Jayne was founded by Linda Pilkington in 2000 and has quickly become a fond favourite amongst Londoners. The brand started out with a line of scented candles, but quickly expanded to include perfumes, bath and body products once it realised how popular its fragrances were. While Ormonde Jayne has many locations across London, its flagship perfume store is a must-visit if you want a quintessentially British experience. The store has a coveted spot in the Royal Arcade on Old Bond Street, which is regularly dressed up for seasonal occasions.
Where? Various locations in the capital, see here for details
Explore:Â ormondejayne.com
8. Creed Fragrances
Creed has been wowing customers since 1760, when its founder James Henry Creed set up shop in London. While starting out as a tailoring house, the brand quickly became famous for its legendary fragrances, which still capture the hearts (and noses) of customers today. Creed’s flagship boutique is in the heart of Mayfair, nestled amongst the Queen Anne revival style architecture of Mount Street. Drop into its London flagship browse the selection of perfumes available, or book an in-store consultation to find your signature scent.
Where? 99 Mount Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 2TF
Explore:Â creedfragrances.co.uk
9. Experimental Perfume Club
While it’s all fun and games plucking a bottle of perfume off the shelf, what if you could get behind the counter and make your own personal blend? London’s Experimental Perfumer Club is a store like no other. Part-shop and part-academy, it allows visitors to both browse existing lines and make their own fragrance. ‘We believe everyone can be the designer of their own personalised perfume,’ says French perfumer and founder Emmanuelle Moeglin. ‘Through our training academy and fine fragrance collections, we empower people to explore, experience and experiment with fragrances.’
Where? 53 Monmouth Street, London WC2H 9DG
Explore:Â experimentalperfumeclub.com
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10. Jovoy
This Parisian perfume house landed in London back in 2017, filling the pavements of Conduit Street with the scents of rare and decadent perfumes. With 76 brands on its shelves, Jovoy invites visitors to select a scent via a list of access points spanning raw materials, perfumer and olfactory families. The London perfume shop also offers a try-me service, so you can test the scents you like before buying them.
Where? 21 Conduit Street, London W1S 2XP
Explore:Â jovoyparis.com
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Featured image: Jo Malone
