Whilst there’s no shortage of shops in the capital city, very few hold as many claims to fame as this one. Lock & Co. is the oldest shop in London and the oldest hat shop in the world (hats off to them, hey?), making it one of the twinkliest gems in the city’s treasure trove. So, if you’re in the market for a nifty new piece of headwear (or even if you just fancy a spot of window shopping), we’d highly recommend you making an immediate beeline in the direction of St James’s.
The history of Lock & Co.
Okay, you’re going pay close attention here, my friends. Back in 1676, a milliner named Robert Davis set up shop in the middle of St James’s and began selling hats to the fancy folk of London. 10 years later, a man called George Lock opened a coffee-house on the very same road. In 1947, James Lock (the grandson of the aforementioned George) became an apprentice to Charles Davis (the son of the aforementioned Robert) who taught him all the tricks of the hat trade. James went on to marry Charles’s daughter, Mary. And thus, the two families were officially combined. In 1765, Mary and James took over the hat business (naming it Lock & Co.), and – well… the rest is history, really. Are you still with me? Great.
Lock & Co. can still be found in that very same spot in St James’s. The shop is still in the hands of the Lock family, making it one of the oldest family-run businesses in the world. The building is now Grade II listed, courtesy of Historic England, and it’s brimming (pardon the pun) with history and – you guessed it – hats.
Lock and Co. boasts a CV as lengthy as its backstory. Many famous faces and notable names have passed through its doors. Laurence Olivier, Charlie Chaplin, Princess Diana, and Oscar Wilde have all worn a Lock and Co. hat atop their head. Winston Churchill wore one on his wedding day, Admiral Lord Nelson ordered his signature bicorne hat from the shop back in 1800, and the store even has the royal seal of approval, having held a Royal Warrant for many years. Lock & Co. also designed the first ever bowler hat, having been commissioned by Edward Coke (a nobleman from Norfolk) to create a new riding hat for his gamekeepers.
Whilst Lock & Co. still supply hats to the royal family (and beyond), it’s not just the rich and famous that get to enjoy the work of the hat-making masterminds. The shop is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm from Mondays to Saturdays – and mere mortals (like you and I) are welcome to peruse and purchase from their wonderful selection. There’s also a mini museum-style heritage space hidden at the back of the shop, detailing the store’s fascinating past.
đź“ŤYou’ll find Lock & Co. at 6 St James’s Street, SW1A 1EF.
🚇 The nearest station is Green Park.
