Browse for umbrellas at James Smith and Sons

Another shop today, but you may need this one after yesterday's brolly-busting thunder showers. Whilst the company was founded in 1830, it wasn't until 1857 that James Smith and Sons Umbrellas Ltd moved to its current location on New Oxford Street where it has remained for 152 years.


The company still manufactures walking sticks and umbrellas in its basement workshops, and is an unrivalled destination for any brolliologist.

With so few such specialist shops remaining, its a valuable part of London's shopping heritage, especially so considering the shop frontage has remained unaltered for 140 years. Having said all this, it's not a destination for the thrifty, as a good umbrella will probably set you back in excess of £100.

For more information, visit http://www.james-smith.co.uk.

_{^Picture from Flickr courtesy of MairiMcCann^}