Fortnum & Mason often shortened to just "Fortnum's", is a department store situated in central London, with two other branches in Japan. Its headquarters is located at 181 Piccadilly, where it was established in 1707 by William Fortnum and Hugh Mason.
Founded as a grocery store, Fortnum's reputation was built on supplying quality food, and saw rapid growth throughout the Victorian era. Though Fortnum's developed into a department store, it continues to focus on stocking a variety of exotic, speciality and also 'basic' provisions. The store has since opened several other departments, such as the Gentlemen's department on the top floor. It is also the location of a celebrated tea shop and several restaurants.
Discovering mouthwatering stuff on every aisle made in-house by Fortnum's: Chocolates, desserts, tea, mustard, Toffee, fudge, liquorice, jelly beans, Salted Caramel Pebbles, liquorice allsorts, lemon bonbons, dolly mixtures, glacé fruits, chocolate-covered ginger, Biscuits, Condiments, Turkish delight are few of things you can find. Superior chutneys and pickles stand next to gorgeous olive oils, sticky fruit cakes square up to Chocolossus biscuits and Shropshire honey pairs up with English strawberry jam. Whether it's a truckle of cheese, a fillet of salmon or a hand-raised pork pie all produced by artisans using traditional methods and local ingredients, every item is at the top of its class.
The Famous Hampers: Fortnum & Mason is famed for its loose-leaf tea and its world-renowned luxury picnic hampers, which the store first distributed to Victorian High Society for events such as the Henley Regatta and Ascot Races. These hampers – which contain luxury items such as Stilton cheese, champagne, Quails eggs and smoked salmon – remain popular today, especially at Christmas time and can cost anything from £35 up to £25,000.
The Clock and the nicely decorated building: To celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Fortnum & Mason decorated the building from top to toe. They chose ten Beasts taken from the royal family coats of arms: The Lion of England, The unicorn of Scotland, the Dragon of Wales, the griffin of Edward 3, the Falcon of Plantagenets, the Black Bull of Clarence, the Yale of Beaufort, the Lion of Mortimer, the Greyhound of Richmond and the Horse of Hanover. A colourful dancing vitrine. The clock on the front of the building chimes every 15 minutes, and on the hour, figures of Mr Fortnum and Mr Mason make their appearance. There are 18 bells in the clock which were cast at the same foundry as Westminster's Big Ben.
The food hall: Lower Ground Floor: Cheese, Charcuterie, Deli, Take away service, Flowers, Fruit and vegetables, Wines Ground Floor: Bakery, Chocolates, Confectionary, Biscuits, Cakes, Tea, Preserves, The Fountain Restaurant, The Gallery Restaurant
Delicatessen at its Best in the Heart of London... A must visit store full of wonders and discoveries. A food lovers paradise... A land of wonders...
