British dynasty to die for

Penhaligon's is rich with history, beginning in the late 1860's, William Henry Penhaligon left his native Penzance on the picturesque south west coast of England, and came to London to establish himself as a barber. In Victorian England, a gentleman did not shave himself, and a man's barber was a daily confidante - albeit one wielding a razor.

By 1870, William Penhaligon had a steady stream of loyal customers in London's famous Turkish Baths. The Turkish Baths, at the foot of Jermyn Street, situated between the houses of government and the gentlemen's private dining clubs, were at the crossroads of power. Penhaligon's clients were royal courtiers and heads of state, the men who led the world in the era when the sun never set on the British Empire. In their honour, he created his first fragrance, Hammam Bouquet, in 1872, a rich, exotic, masculine blend. His next scent for the nobility was Blenheim Bouquet, created for a British aristocrat, named for his ancestral home, Blenheim Castle. It was to become a particular favourite of another distinguished member of the family, Winston Churchill. Gentlemen's scents up to this time were unusually rich and floral; Blenheim Bouquet was one of the first citrus scents created and is still recognized as a classic today. Let us not forget the timeless elegance of the distinctive Bluebell, a favourite of many “English roses”.

From these cult fragrances sprang a library quintessentially English men's and women's scents, that continues to attract high profile attention to this day. After 140 years, the signature of Penhaligon's bottles signifies a genuine classic to their discerning and dedicated devotees, sold in the traditional style one would expect from a holder of two royal warrants.

By the end of Queen Victoria's reign, William Penhaligon had been appointed Barber and Perfumer to the Royal Court. Since that time, Penhaligon's has been awarded Royal Warrants by Her Majesty Queen Alexandra in 1903, His Royal Highness of Duke of Edinburgh in 1956 and, most recently, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

Since its launch in 1870, Penhaligon’s has established a reputation for luxury fragrances, bath and body treats, leather-ware and beautiful home goods of the highest calibre. Inspired by the past, stimulated by the present and committed to the future, Penhaligon’s products share a timeless elegance which represents a rich history whilst acknowledging a very contemporary taste for exclusive style. From a tiny scent bottle to a large jewel chest, Penhaligon's is synonymous with style, integrity, tradition and quality.