Top Ten London Perfume Shops

Where To Buy Perfume in London

Les Senteurs, meaning 'the scents', is a connoisseur's perfumery. Established in 1984, it's a family-run business and great for fragrance specialists and those still discovering the delights. Staff are willing to offer impartial expert advice and the products are mainly from smaller companies, who tend to use higher concentrations of natural essences and high quality ingredients.

If you only have time to visit one London perfume shop then this is the one to see.

Floris was established in 1730 and is still a family-managed business. Floris sells traditional English colognes and soaps of the finest quality and holds two royal warrants (which means they supply British royalty).

Penhaligon's London was founded in 1870 by William Penhaligon, an enthusiastic alchemist, who started selling exclusive scents to discerning ladies and gentlemen from a barber shop on Jermyn Street. By the end of Queen Victoria's reign (1901), William Penhaligon was 'Barber and Perfumer to the Royal Court' and Penhaligon's London still holds two Royal Warrants (which means they supply British royalty).

Penhaligon's stores often seen like a traditional English gentleman's barber shop so are always worth a visit. They stock fine English toiletries, grooming products and colognes. The signature Penhaligon's bottle signifies a genuine classic to their dedicated devotees.

Ormonde Jayne sells elegant perfumes, scented candles and body products by Linda Pilkington. Impressively, Ormonde Jayne manufactures all its products in its own London laboratory. Ormonde Jayne is all about quality and luxury and uses specialty oils not widely used in the perfume industry today.

Geo F. Trumper is a traditional English barber, offering shaving products and quality colognes. Established in 1875, Geo F. Trumper's range of gentleman's fragrances and grooming products is available around the world.

Miller Harris was founded by perfumer Lyn Harris in 2000. Miller Harris products and stores are luxurious and a custom perfume creation is available.

The Mayfair flagship store offers a peaceful retreat with a Fragrant Tea Room at the rear of the store with teas chosen from Postcard Teas.

B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful is a quirky, independent, English perfumery and glittery make-up emporium by the same people that brought you LUSH. They call themselves, "Ethical beauty that doesn't scrimp on glamor" which is a fine description. The stores stock cosmetics and toiletries too and were designed to be playful as if you are at an adult's dressing up table. The customers I've seen certainly enjoy this fun side to shopping.

The first Jo Malone store opened on Walton Street London in 1994, selling a capsule Skin Care collection, nine personal fragrances and a selection of delicious scented candles. Later, the classic woody fragrance 154 was created in celebration of this Walton Street location. In 1999, Jo Malone moved to a larger store on Sloane Street which is now their flagship store. As well as fragrances, skin care products and candles you can also have facial treatments in-store.

The understated luxury from Diptyque, French perfumery, is still just as good when experienced in London.

The Marylebone High Street location of this is excellent for the time-poor visitor, as on the same stretch of road, you have L'Artisan, Fresh, Aveda, Ortigia and Cologne and Cotton plus a smattering of bakeries and restaurants so you can spend your whole day there.

London department stores are the obvious choice for perfumistas as they have large ground floor fragrance and cosmetics departments. Liberty stocks Le Labo, Serge Lutens, Frederic Malle and a few other perfume gems.

In Harrods, the ground floor beauty department offers an abundant selection of fine fragrances and upstairs on the 5th floor, Roja Dove Haute Parfumerie has selected Roja Dove's favourites for you to sniff. It's worth a visit even if you can't afford them. Custom perfumery also available.