Fortnum & Mason

NileGuide Expert tip:

Despite its often formidable price tags all over the store, the classic Fortnum's hamper starts at just £40 - The Strand, including tea, biscuits, chocolate and preserves, and, of course, the classic F&M monogrammed hamper itself.

Description:

• Grocers to Royalty and "British Expeditionary Forces and Adventurers Overseas" since 1707, Fortnum's trademark hampers and department store goodies still cut the mustard today. On the front of the building, don't miss London's most polite clock – every hour the figures of Mr F and Mr M trot out, bow to one another then retreat back inside. Two unusual foodie firsts for Fortnum's: c. 1756 they invented the Scotch egg (a hard-boiled egg encased in sausage meat, deep fried); in 1866 this was the first store in the world to stock tins of baked beans (Heinz, of course). Even unlikelier is the fact that they have four beehives on the roof providing Fortnum's very own honey. The shop also boasts London's most famous ice cream parlour. Enjoy!
• © NileGuide2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Very Highly Recommended 2010