Umbrellas

  I knew this shop existed but for some reason I had never come across it which is strange seeing as I walk around London so much. This Grade II listed building is situated at the end of New Oxford Street. Opened in 1857, James Smith & Sons is a beautifully preserved example of a high class Victorian West End shop. 

Inside, the shop is stocked with a huge array of umbrellas, walking sticks and canes. Not so long ago the male workers in the City of London could be seen hurrying to work wearing a bowler hat and using a black rolled umbrella as a walking stick. You would be hard pushed to see anyone these days dressed like that. However, umbrellas are still needed and as long as you have a healthy bank balance you will find what you need here.

I did chat to one of the assistants who very kindly showed me the most expensive umbrella in the shop which had a silver handle and ebony wood shaft. This retailed at just under £4000. He also showed me a cane that was a little more expensive than that as it was made from snake wood. Umbrellas over £300 are still hand made on the premises using the same methods they have always used. The business has remained in the same family for the last 175 years.

I did find one section which was more in my price range. 

Entering the shop was a real step back into history.