Founded in London in 1707, Fortnum & Mason has a lengthy and well-connected history, with one of its founders, William Fortnum, being a footman of Queen Anne, who along with, Hugh Mason, the landlord of his small grocer’s shop, founded the first store in Piccadilly.
Later affiliations with the royal court of Queen Charlotte and, later, Queen Victoria, further established Fortnum & Mason as the suppliers of all sorts of goods to the royal court, from dried fruit and spices, to concentrated beef tea.
Not quite so royally, its also said to be the first place in Britain to stock tins of baked beans – straight from H.J. Heinz.
To quote from their own website “proud to have remained an essential destination for anyone in search of extraordinary food, exceptional service and joy-giving things ever since.”
The current range of goods include a wide range of picnic offerings and hampers, teas, biscuits, chocolate, wine and spirits, homeware and gifts.
