Fortnum and Mason

Last Thanksgiving I went home for a short trip to London. One of the highlights was a Food Tour that started out at Fortnum and Mason, I actually still can't believe I didn't go back and have afternoon tea there. It is a very old, famous department store in Piccadilly.


The Food tour guide was American, which was unfortunate as I knew much more about all the christmas traditions in England. I think I did a good job of keeping my mouth shut, for once! I may just do a blog about the whole tour later.


The entire store was decorated for Christmas and looked beautiful, I could have stayed there all day. My friend treated me to a few F&M goodies and we got his mum the famous Champagne, Strawberry Preserves that the guy at Gatwick confiscated and said he had to throw away. I am sure he enjoyed in on his toast for the month of December!


Being a very determined pair, we did pick up some similar Jam at Harrod's inside Gatwick - that was almost taken by a customs guy in Atlanta!  This is the original yummy one...

The Royal Family's favorite food hall is Fortnum & Masons.  Of course, they close the store for Royals to shop there!


The store was opened by Messrs Fortnum and Mason in 1707, they supplied provisions during both the Napoleonic and Crimean wars. Despite stocking a solid range of accessories, perfumes, furniture and homeware, the shop is, understandably, famed for its fantastic, upmarket food hall piled high with gastronomic delights and filled with chandeliers and marble pillars. Some of the delicacies here are a little overpriced but the quality is exceptionally high. If you're visiting London in the summer months and want to sink your teeth into a yummy picnic hamper, look no further; Fortnum's has supplied hampers to high society types at events such as the Henley Regatta and the Ascot Races. Even if you're not a foodie, the shop itself is worth a visit just to check out the fantastic decor. It is also an excellent place to pick up a gift. All the delicacies and luxuries on sale here come so beautifully packaged you won't want to open.

This hamper above is around $500 and can be ordered on their website. In 2008 when the store celebrated its 300th birthday they were selling hampers for $50,000 and you could get them delivered in a horse drawn carriage.

We particularly liked this hamper

On the roof on Fortnum's they have beehives which produces the honey they sell. It's true!

Here is a photo of the lovely Christmas crackers they had. The tour guide started the story on these and I finished it!

Fortnum's is just a really beautiful, old store, I prefer it to Harrod's. It is a perfect place to go for afternoon tea, so be sure to go there if you visit London.

Here is the link to their website
http://www.fortnumandmason.com/the-store.aspx




sigh - thanks for sharing my memory.