Fortnum and Mason

Up there with the likes of Harrods and Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason is one of London’s most high-end and upmarket department stores. Founded over 300 years ago by William Fortnum, a footman in the household of Queen Anne, a lot has changed over the years but the department store has maintained its regal character and stately identity.

Located in Piccadilly, Fortnum’s spans several different floors and is divided up into a number of complementary departments. It offers everything from homeware products to wines and chocolate. Its most well-loved products are the distinctive Fortnum’s hampers which are often purchased as gifts for Christmas.

• Fortnum’s claims to have invented the Scotch egg in the early 18th century.
  
• Fortnum and Mason are known to have helped the war effort during the Napoleonic Wars. The store provided British soldiers with dried fruits and other commodities.
  
• During World War II, Fortnum’s introduced a bespoke Officer’s Department which offered items such as exotic cigarettes and other luxury items.
  
• The iconic department store has additional branches in St Pancras train station and Heathrow airport.
  
• Fortnum’s has ventured to the highest point in the world. They supplied the successful expedition to the summit of Mount Everest in 1922.