Shop like Catherine: Fortnum & Mason

In 2012, as part of the Jubilee celebrations, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, attended her first official function with the Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall. The location? Fortnum and Mason, one of the oldest and most distinguished department stores in London. Since 1707, it has stood at 181 Piccadilly, near Regent’s Street and Piccadilly Circus – a landmark in the centre of the city, and a mecca for tourists and foodies alike.

While at the event, the Royal party were treated to a rifle through the hampers that Fortnum’s is so famous for – emblazoned with the famous F&M type, these wicker hampers make an appearance at events throughout the spring and summer, filled with delicious treats. You can purchase hampers online if you’d like to carry your picnic with class – certainly, no Ascot attendee should be without one. But, for the real Fortnum’s experience, you really need to take a visit to the store itself. In fact, in its 300 year history, F&M hampers have been spotted everywhere from Epsom to Everest! They’ve supplied coaching inns, regattas, expeditions and even war zones with British delicacies for centuries.

Fortnum’s ground floor is where you’ll find a fantastic selection of treats, from freshly baked patisserie to the finest teas and coffees – plus, an impressive array of jams, preserves, chutneys and honey. (My particular favourites include the Coronation Majestic Marmalade, Piccadilly Piccalilli, and the Mint Savour – a delicious sweet mint jelly condiment that’s perfect with lamb). Fortnum’s always has an impressive range of seasonal items on offer, from Stiltons, puddings and crackers at Christmas, to biscuits, eggs and chocolate at Easter, and so there’s always a new range or special event to catch your eye. But you need to move beyond the ground floor to get the true Fortnum’s experience. The basement is another foodie haven – and if you’re after an unusual souvenir, pick up a china dish marked ‘Fortnum’s Relish’. It’s perhaps a gamble as to whether you’ll enjoy the overpowering anchovy spread, but once you’ve cleared the jar, it makes an excellent place to store earrings and knick-knacks – and it’s Fortnum’s blue, to boot. Also downstairs are the butchers, greengrocers, bakers and cook’s ingredients – plus wines and liqueurs.

On the first floor you’ll come across homewares, including candles, bakeware, cutlery and hampers. Perhaps a place for a princess in training to kit out her new home? Whether you’re starting out as a student and just after a spatula, or you’re moving into palace apartments and in need of a signature Fortnum’s silver teapot (at £175 each – but these will last for generations – although, there are cheaper versions available...), there’s something here for you.

The second floor will delight any fan of the Duchess of Cambridge. It contains the ladies’ fashion department, which incorporates the new jewellery department, as well as a stunning perfumery (which stocks Kate’s wedding perfume, Illuminum White Gardenia Petals) and millinery section. The accessories department contains many luxury brands familiar to followers of Kate’s fashion – from the reasonably priced Wilbur & Gussie and Longchamp bags, to the more expensive Anya Hindmarch – and even the trendy Lulu Guinness. Fortnum’s even carries a range of Launer bags, carried by the most famous royal of all, Queen Elizabeth II. For me, though, the best part of Fortnum’s has to be the millinery department. Small but packed tight with offerings from Philip Treacy, Stephen Jones, William Chambers, Jane Taylor and other couture designers, this department is heaven – and a great place to cast your eye over a capsule wardrobe of current trends to perhaps spot something the Duchess might appear in next?

The third floor is the terrain of the gentleman about town, with a shoe shine service, leather goods and other accessories, although during the festive period, it transforms into one of the most magical Christmas departments in any store in London. Forget Harrod’s – if you only visit one store in London during Christmas, it should be Fortnum’s. They may not have the sheer floorspace of other, more famous department stores, but they certainly have an eye for collecting together the best range of high quality ornaments. And, you can always count on some British-themed items, too – last year’s included corgis, crowns and red buses!

Upstairs is the Diamond Jubliee Tea Salon and Tea Tasting Room, one of several places to eat and drink in Fortnum’s. The Parlour Restaurant is particular favourite, as it serves gorgeous concoctions of ice cream sundaes, strudels and patisserie, although the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon is the place to go for Afternoon Tea. Plus, it was officially opened by the Queen, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge during their visit in 2012! Prices start at £40.00 per person, although if you didn’t want to splash out so much, The Fountain serves another Fortnum’s classic – Welsh Rarebit, a hearty concoction of cheese and other savoury flavourings toasted onto bread.

Fortnum’s Facts:
• Fortnum & Mason invented the Scotch egg in 1738, a staple of British buffets and picnics, which consists of a boiled egg, coated in sausagemeat, and deep fried with a breadcrumb coating. They are truly delicious!
• 1886 saw the company stock baked beans from Heinz, and it became the first store in Britain to do so. Since then Heinz baked beans have become another staple of the British diet, most often served on toast!
• The most expensive hamper online is the St James Hamper, which is priced at £1,000, although seasonal hampers can cost as much as £5,000, and contain everything from ham to chocolates and champagne.
• In 2013, Fortnum’s opened a new shop in the UK for the first time since 1707, at St Pancras International Station. Since then, the company has opened a new store in Dubai!
• The 1922 Everest expedition was accompanied by Fortnum’s hampers containing 60 tins of quail in foie gras and four dozen bottles of champagne, whilst the 1924 expedition included such luxuries from the store as clockwork lanterns, dessert serving sets and mattresses!
• Fortnum’s reputation was built on the sale of tea – because of high taxes, lots of tea during the 17th century entered the country illegally, and much of it was bulked out with anything from other dried plants, to lead and flour. However, Fortnum’s reputation for quality made it a trustworthy source for tea leaves – amongst other provisions!
• If you want marmalade, Fortnum’s is the place to go – it has the highest number of marmalades for sale in Britain, and also co-hosts the annual Dalemain Marmalade Awards, and sponsors the Artisan category!