James Smith & Sons Ltd
Fashion accessories store James Smith & Sons Ltd, Hazelwood House, 53 New Oxford St, London WC1A 1BL, United Kingdom:
220 reviews
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Address: Hazelwood House, 53 New Oxford St, London WC1A 1BL, United Kingdom
Website: james-smith.co.uk
Phone number: +44 20 7836 4731
GPS coordinates
Latitude: 51.5168616Longitude: -0.1266386
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reviews
carl ebach
Very friendly and welcoming staff. Valuable and helpful hints. Top quality products.
4 months ago
Oakley Cassiday
I traveled all the way from Portland Oregon USA to not only see James Smith & Sons, but also to pick out the perfect cane. The service was exceptional! I felt like I had walked back in time when I was inside. 2 months later I am back home and speechless. I have never experienced personal service so wonderful in my 45 years of life. Thank you!
4 months ago
Leah Reynolds
Wonderful sales staff and quality products. If you want a cheap umbrella that breaks easily, go elsewhere.
3 months ago
Sahana Navas
Great shop even just to look at, and the staff is so friendly and knowledgeable. Of course there's little to know about umbrellas. But the shop itself has quite a history. And they umbrellas are excellent quality.
6 months ago
Kelli Wetsel
My first visit was by accident. A friend and I were visiting and came upon it and went in and wow I was amazed as I make walking sticks as a hobby and this place has it all. Friendly service and reasonable prices for quality merchandise.
3 months ago
DOUBLE MM
This is possibly the best place to shop for umbrellas and walking sticks. Pricey but worth the visit even to window shop.
2 months ago
Christina Horswill
Super helpful and knowledgeable. Lots of umbrellas with a variety of styles and price points (though not much of unreliably low quality).
2 months ago
Arthur McK
I bought a pair of maple walking sticks to help with my disability. Pricey, as other reviewers have said, but quality is beautiful. Length measurement is very carefully done. Service is attentive without being OTT or gushing. A bonus is that most of the staff are very cute/handsome young men! ;-)
4 months ago
Kevin Nguyen
I don't think it's possible to come away empty-handed or less than delighted. That these places survive in spite of Amazon et al is nothing short of miraculous. That they keep the spirit of specialist shops alive and unharmed should be a lesson for anyone who believes that Internet shopping has more to offer. Visit if for no other reason than to experience the true delight of the place
3 weeks ago
Alexandr Volobuev
Fabulous selection of walking sticks, classic craft umbrella shop, service was great .
3 months ago
wayne Jacobs
Very professional and attentive staff, wide range of umbrellas for any taste and budget, incredible design and quality.
4 months ago
Gianluca Scattoni
A 'traditional' shop with excellent advice and service, no pressure to purchase anything. The assistant spent a lot of time to ensure that my walking stick was the right size, and showed me how to use it correctly.
5 months ago
Andrew Dett
I do not know of any place on this planet where you will find a bigger selection of good quality walking stick and umbrellas in an edwardian shop.
3 weeks ago
Emanuel Vigil
As always ! Great customer service with excellent products.
6 months ago
Luis romero
Old world class grate service the way it should done.
4 months ago
Shreesh Tiwari
Products are hand made and look so amazing. The staff helpful and good company. So pleasing to see a great piece of tradition and history being carried on here.
3 weeks ago
Nayan Lilawala
Nice shop in the center.
1 month ago
Gustavo Vargas
Friendly staff and this place has been here for 100+ years!!! The person explained each umbrella that I was looking at so I may decide based on my needs. I got one house made umbrella (life time warrantee as long as I get the umbrella back to the shop...) and two smaller pockets umbrellas. Happy shopper for the day.
4 months ago
Sona Pradhan
Excellent service with good product knowledge
3 weeks ago
Brian Holder
Excellent first class customer service as always. A pleasure to visit. Thank you.
3 months ago
Glenn Dale
They ruined my Christmas. Sent me the wrong item.
2 months ago
Arlinda Fasliu
First things first. The store is lovely and tidy and worth a visit just to look around (there was actually a group doing just that when I arrived and instead of urging the group to leave or to buy something, the staff was instead kindly solicitous and encouraging of their questions and appreciation of the many umbrellas and walking sticks to be found). Do pop in if you're in the area.
To further speak about the staff, they were polite, and friendly but always professional. They were also knowledgeable about their wares and seemed to take actual pride in what they were selling which made me itch for an umbrella made by their hands even more.
I chose for myself (despite being male) a ladies walking length umbrella in black with a malaccan cane handle. It had a charming tassle attached that asked to be removed (it didn't affect the function at all). If you're curious why I chose the ladies model over the more substantial men's, it's simply because I prefer the size, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let convention tell me what to do.
Now, you're wondering, is the expense worth it? Yes. Yes it is. Not only do you have the privilege of owning what is essentially a piece of functional couture, but it's made of the very best materials meant to stand against the elements without collapsing on you.
Shortly after buying my Malaccan beauty I found myself in Paris during the oddest May weather I've experience. Saying it was cold and blustery is putting it too lightly as the winds and rain were such that all around me I watched as tourists in the champs de Mars were struggling with suddenly collapsed and broken umbrellas that simply weren't up to muster. As for me and my JS&S umbrella, we were fine. The spines barely quivered in the rain and I didn't even notice the hail striking the top until I saw it on the ground.
TL;DR excellent store, staff, and product. And for those curious, yes they do sell other less expensive umbrellas and they are not afraid to help you select something in your price range. I am happy to say that this will not be the last umbrella I purchase from them.
3 weeks ago
Angela Hauser
This shop is a hidden treasure for debonair, mature gentlemen who want to walk in style. Very helpful and friendly staff. So glad I found it.
5 months ago
Denny LI
Welcoming and knowledgeable staff. The place is filled with quality products and I was given great and personal service. The walking stick I bought looks better in real life than in pictures! It feels sturdy and trust worthy. Would definitely recommend this store!
3 weeks ago
Richard Johnson
Very helpful and cool. Quality umbrellas that don't mind London winds.
3 months ago
Brownmoney
I have been buying my storm umbrellas from here for 20 or more years. Fantastic! You don’t need to look anywhere else!
4 months ago
Amy Schwanke
Top quality sticks and umbrellas of all kinds and INCREDIBLY helpful staff too, a must!
3 months ago
Gina Tobaben
Have lovely umbrellas and the staff are always polite and helpful
2 months ago
Pascal Rettig
Lovely staff, if anything ask for Santino, Joe or Josh... They will sort you right out.
6 months ago
Alen Huang
Looks Grest shop and Michael Germans Antiques.
3 months ago
Denzel Ded
A one of a kind store that sells the best umbrellas in the world.
6 months ago
Chris Hoodicoff
Fantastic customer service and knowledge of products. Performed research before trip to London from Dallas. Needed quality umbrella for traveling and occasional use for shelter after exiting vehicle. Chose folding with carbon fiber construction. Upon arrival only explained my needs to salesman. He directed me to the same. Before completing transaction, every aspect of umbrella was tested and explained. Walking sticks of the highest quality. If my father is interested, I will purchase one for him.
3 weeks ago
Leif Sandberg
Go here great one
2 months ago
bEbOtSmOmEnTs gOoDtImEs
I think I'm right in saying it's London's oldest umbrella shop and one of the oldest shops still trading at it's original premises. Full of character and a real historical gem. Still selling really solid quality products to, if you're after an umbrella you could do a lot worse than popping in.
10 months ago
Dmitry Tarasev
Excellently, helpful and friendly staff. Huge selection. Never thought buying an umbrella would bring so much delight.
3 months ago
Emily Reimold
Excellent service and range of old fashion and quality design umbrellas and walking sticks. Highly recommended for someone that is looking for a present or item that is traditional and stylish.
6 months ago
devin wolfe
James Smith & Sons is the most amazing shop! When you step through the door, it is like stepping back into history 100+ years ago.
The umbrellas are beautifully built and you can get anything from the classic to a frilly, modern umbrella.
I highly recommend stopping by this shop if you are in London whether or not you need another umbrella.
6 months ago
Christopher Schmidt
This place has a history, and it has been around all these times says it all.
6 months ago
Joshua Hastings
What a great shop. Enter the hologram. Go there even if you have no interest in umbrellas. And if you do, so much the better!
9 months ago
Chipego Phifer
Excellent quality, British walking sticks and simply the best umbrellas
3 weeks ago
Jian C
Great old style proper service as always!
4 months ago
Chase Martin
Best umbrellas anywhere. Expensive but worth it.
2 months ago
Jax D
I've walked past this shop many times but it's always looked quite imposing so I have never made it inside until now. The shop is actually really lovely and welcoming once you step inside. The staff are friendly but also happy to let you browse and there were a few obvious tourists whilst I was there too. Their range of umbrellas and walking sticks is just fantastic - I think one of the classic umbrellas would make a really nice men's birthday present. The brollies are pricey, but you can tell they will last a long time. James Smith & Sons also do less-elegant foldable umbrellas in case you get caught in the rain and need to pick something up urgently!
3 weeks ago
Mark Shaffer
Great little shop. Bought a great walking cane and umbrella. Customer service was excellent.
6 months ago
Fabian Rodriguez
Love the young fogey staff. Seem to live in an umbrella universe, distaneful of the uninitiated. Probably the best shop in London. Conjures up another age and time, never mind Dr Who, this is a time capsule.
3 weeks ago
samuel quigley
I'm really pleased to see a traditional and highly specialised shop like this flourishing and having such broad appeal in the modern age. When I went in on a Saturday afternoon (admittedly a rainy one) it was buzzing with people enthusiastically looking at umbrellas, and they seemed to be doing a roaring trade. There's a good range of products and prices available, from cheap and cheerful up to expensive but lovingly handmade umbrellas.
5 months ago
Pauline Nguyen
I ordered an umbrella and was surprised to see it was sent out so quick. Imagine my amazement when I received a text from DHL that said to expect delivery 2 days later! Needless to say, that was a complete lie. Why even tell people that something is coming if it is not? I don't know how to feel. $500 for an umbrella that I don't know when is coming. Just ruins the whole experience. Wish I could have my $$$ back.
3 weeks ago
Keani Huijs
A must visit. One of the most Dickensian shops you will ever enter. I bought a 'proper' umbrella from this fine establishment 30 years ago (every man should have one) and it has served me well since. They do repairs too.
3 weeks ago
Victoria Irwin
There are not many shops like this left. Make the most of it while you can. What it sells is also top quality, the assistants are highly competent and assist.
5 months ago
Sonja Montgomery
Its like going back in time outside and inside this amazing shop. A rare collection for the person that wants something distinctive in an umbrella or walking stick
5 months ago
