British Brands - The Best of Britain
Read a listing of the best British brands.
Britain was once a byword for the quality of its manufacturing. The country may no longer be the "factory of the world" but made in Britain still has a certain cachet and style.
British brands are still much sought after in the fields of fashion, high-tech engineering, accessories and automobiles.
Further information on many of the listed entries on British brands are available via accompanying links.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Abercrombie & Kent - pioneers in luxury safaris ("hunt with a camera, not with a gun") and private jet travel. It all started with a motorbike tour in Africa.
Admiral - a British sportswear manufacturer who kitted out such famous club teams as Leeds and Manchester United in the 1970s. In 1974 Admiral became the England national team's first official sponsor.
Alexander McQueen - founded by designer Lee Alexander McQueen in 1992, the brand is renowned for its avant-garde and often provocative designs that blend exquisite craftsmanship with innovative tailoring techniques. The brand's collections frequently draw inspiration from historical and cultural themes, challenging traditional notions of beauty and fashion. Under the creative direction of Sarah Burton since 2010, Alexander McQueen has continued to garner critical acclaim and commercial success, maintaining its reputation for theatrical runway presentations and striking, narrative-driven collections.
Alighieri - a luxury jewellery brand that takes its name and inspiration from Dante's Divine Comedy. Founded by designer Rosh Mahtani the mainly gold-plated and pearl pieces are produced in Hatton Garden, London.
Aquascutum - a luxury men's clothing brand founded in 1851, now Chinese-owned. The brand is famous for developing a wool fabric with waterproofing, which is indicated by the name combining the two words Aqua (water) and Scutum (shield). In 1897, the British royal family called on the tailor when they heard about the reputation of their waterproof coats. Prince Edward VII placed the first order from the royal family.
Aston Martin - an iconic luxury sports car made in Britain since 1913. James Bond drives one beginning with the DB5 model in 1964.
Austin Reed - was a luxury clothing retailer founded in 1900. The company's fashions have been worn by former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and even The Beatles. Awarded a Royal Warrant twice, the brand was once among the top names in British tailoring. They were one of the first to sell off-the-peg clothes, the clothes that are hung in a shop for sale, when order-made suits were still the mainstream of the industry at the time. The company went into administration in 2016 and the name and brand have been acquired by Edinburgh Woollen Mill.
B
Barbour - the ultimate in outdoor clothing founded in 1894 by John Barbour. Their iconic wax cotton jacket is a must for the Country Life set.
Bentley - luxury car manufacturer and the wheels of choice for rich Arab sheiks and Premier League footballers.
Orlebar Brown - founded in 2007 by Adam Brown, is a British fashion brand that specializes in tailored swimwear and resort wear for men. The brand is distinguished by its innovative approach to swimwear, offering designs that feature tailored fits and sophisticated patterns, often inspired by iconic photography and travel destinations. Orlebar Brown's commitment to quality and attention to detail has established it as a leader in the luxury swimwear market, appealing to discerning customers who seek both style and functionality in their beachwear. The brand reached a global audience when its swimwear featured in the Bond movie Skyfall in 2012.
Bowers & Wilkins - founded in 1966 by John Bowers, is a British company renowned for its high-fidelity audio equipment, including speakers, headphones, and sound systems. The brand is celebrated for its commitment to acoustic excellence and innovative engineering, often incorporating advanced materials and cutting-edge technology to achieve superior sound quality. Bowers & Wilkins' products are highly regarded in both the consumer and professional audio markets, cementing the company's reputation as a leader in high-performance audio solutions.
Burberry - Burberry is probably the most famous fashion brand in the UK. The checkered pattern with beige, brown and red is extremely popular and the design used in clothing, bags, and scarves is loved by people of all ages. In 1857, the founder Thomas Burberry opened a clothing store in Basingstoke, Hampshire, and from that time he was particular about not only design but also materials. The great war photographer, Robert Capa, took part in the D-day landings wearing a trench coat by the brand, remarking "A Burberry coat is the only a weapon I had with me" in his book.
C
Cadbury - founded in 1824 in Birmingham, Cadbury is now the second largest confectionery brand in the world. Started by the Quaker John Cadbury, the company began selling tea, coffee and drinking chocolate. The Bournville model village, like Saltaire in Yorkshire, was built by the company to improve the lives of its workers and both banned alcohol. Cadbury's most famous product is still its Dairy Milk chocolate.
Cath Kidston - the brand began life in the founder's own words as a "glorified junk shop" in London's Holland Park in 1994. Now big now just in Britain but Japan, China and South Korea, too, Cath Kidston's distinctive floral patterns evoke a "quintessential British way of life." In March 2023 the company ceased to exist as a trading entity with the intellectual property acquired by retailer Next Plc.
Chase - not satisfied with starting Tyrrells crisps, William Chase branched out into potato vodka with his Chase brand. The award-winning spirit is produced at the company's distillery in Herefordshire.
Church's - founded in 1973 by Thomas Church in the traditional shoe manufacturing town of Northampton, the high-end footwear company is now part of Prada. The company now has stores in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the USA. Famous wearers include former PM Tony Blair, James Bond and Mr. Bean.
Coutts - bankers to the Queen, Coutts "offers private banking and wealth management services for high net worth individuals and their families." Now part of NatWest Group the bank was founded in 1692 by Scot, John Campbell. It is the eighth oldest bank in the world with its HQ on The Strand in London! Prospective customers must have at least £1,000,000 in assets, not including property.
D
Doc Martens - once the choice of 1970s British soccer hooligans, Docs are now more likely to be seen on the dainty feet of female Japanese college students. The design choice has widened from the original cherry reds and black to patent leather, tartan and Union Jack numbers.
Dunhill - once known for its tobacco products, the Dunhill name is now divided between cigarettes and luxury goods. The two are now independently owned companies. The latter brand is a leader in gentlemen's accessories. The original company was founded in London in 1907 by Alfred Dunhill.
Durex - the name in condoms. The brand was launched by the London Rubber Company in the 1930s. The name is a contraction of "durability, reliability, and excellence." Production is now entirely overseas.
Dyson - a modern British success story, Dyson is now a multi-national home appliance company with more than 12,000 employees worldwide. It all began with a new type of vacuum cleaner developed by founder James Dyson in his shed in the 1970s.
E
Ettinger - founded by Gerry Ettinger in London in 1934, Ettinger has established its reputation as one of the finest leather goods manufacturers in Britain today. Still family-owned, the company hand crafts and sells a wide portfolio of leather accessories and bags to customers all over the world. In 1996, it was granted a Royal Warrant to HRH The Prince of Wales and this has helped seal its reputation amongst connoisseurs worldwide.
All products are made at the Ettinger factory in Walsall, near Birmingham, which has been in continuous use as a leather factory since 1890. Products range from wallets and purses, to jewel and stud boxes, watch and glasses cases, stationery items, zipped boxes and pouches, overnight and weekend bags portfolios and more. Many items can be personalised with initials for gifting and the overnight and weekend bags can be embroidered with initials. Bespoke attaché and wallet services are also available.
ettinger.co.uk; Tel +44 (0) 20 8877 1616; Insta: @ettinger.london; FB: EttingerLondon; TW: EttingerLondon
F
Fentimans - established in 1905, Fentimans is a maker of original British beverages such as Dandelion & Burdock, Lemonade, Cola, Tonic, Shandy and Ginger Ale. The original business grew out of a botanically brewed recipe for a beverage given as collateral on a loan that was never re-paid. Over a hundred years on Fentiman's is still going strong and is still family owned. Fentiman's bottled drinks can be purchased in shops, restaurants and bars.
Fortnum & Mason - often called Fortnum's for short, is a upmarket department store located in Piccadilly, London. Originally built during the Victorian era as a grocery store, Fortnum & Mason are experts in providing quality food products to high-end shoppers around the city. William Fortnum was a footman in the royal household to Queen Anne who insisted on using new candles on every occasion. The enterprising Fortnum sold these half-used candles for a tidy profit and started his sideline business as a grocer in 1707, which was the beginning of Fortnum & Mason. The department store is known for its fine collection of quality foods, hampers, teas and wines. Aside from food, the upper floors have an assortment of men's accessories and women's clothing.
Fred Perry - born in Stockport in northwest England, Perry (1909-1995) won eight tennis Grand Slams in total including consecutive Wimbledon championships from 1934 to 1936 as well as the US and Australian titles. He went on to found the Fred Perry clothing label and the Fred Perry shirt became an iconic fashion statement for many in the youth scene of the 1960's and 1970's.
G
Glenlivet - a world famous single malt produced at its distillery in the Scottish Highlands in Moray since 1824. The brand is the biggest selling single malt whisky in the USA. The company is now owned by the French beverage company Pernod Ricard.
Globetrotter - a British luxury luggage brand founded in 1897, is renowned for its handcrafted suitcases made from vulcanized fiberboard, which offer a unique combination of durability and lightweight construction. The brand's commitment to traditional manufacturing techniques and timeless design has garnered a loyal following among discerning travelers.
Edward Green - a long-established footwear brand founded in 1890 and based in Northampton. Their beautiful antique finish is originally developed and still the greatest feature of a pair of Edward Green shoes. Many other brands have also imitated their method of manufacturing using the Goodyear Welt technique. The company produces around 350 pairs a week.
Grenson - based in Britain's shoe-making capital of Northampton, Grenson have been producing hand-made shoes for men and women for well over a century. In 1913 Grenson became the first brand name ever registered in the UK.
H
Hackett - established in 1979 by Jeremy Hackett and Ashley Lloyd-Jennings, is a British luxury menswear brand known for its classic and refined aesthetic, which emphasizes traditional British tailoring. The brand's collections include a range of clothing and accessories that cater to both formal and casual styles, often drawing inspiration from British heritage and sporting culture. Hackett's commitment to quality craftsmanship and timeless design has solidified its reputation as a quintessentially British brand, appealing to a clientele that values elegance and sophistication.
Harrods Department Store - located on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, London, originally started as a modest grocery market in 1849 and has grown into a luxury department store known worldwide for its high quality retail and fashion products. In May 2010, the department store was sold to Qatar Holdings for £1.5 billion following public statements that the store was not for sale. Harrods offers 330 different departments to its customers, served by over 5,000 staff, including: clothing for all genders and ages, sportswear, accessories, electronics, health and beauty items, furniture and stationery etc. Harrods' food hall is a tourist attraction in its own right with rare food items imported from all over the world. An impressive 300,000 customers visit Harrods on peak days to experience its high-end shopping.
Heath - a contemporary British grooming brand, offers a range of shaving products that combine natural ingredients with advanced formulations to provide effective and skin-friendly solutions. The brand, supposedly thought up over a game of squash between Harry Aaronson and his father, Denis, is distinguished by its focus on addressing the specific needs of modern men, emphasizing ease of use, sustainability, and dermatologically tested formulations to ensure optimal performance and skin health. Heath's signature colour is a reference to the racing green of an E-type Jaguar.
Henry Poole - a Savile Row bespoke tailors of the highest quality since 1806. The company is known for creating the dinner jacket and suit beginning with a jacket for the future King Edward VII.
Holland & Holland - founded in 1835, Holland & Holland is a gun-manufacturer specializing in rifles and shotguns. The company has also branched out into accessories and clothing.
Huntsman - a bespoke Savile Row tailors founded in 1849 and specializing in equestrian wear. The company has clothed many European monarchs and Hollywood stars.
I
Innocent Drinks - founded as recently as 1998 by three Cambridge graduates the company is known for its smoothies and juices.
J
Jaguar - another iconic British make of luxury car, Jaguar, based in Coventry in the English Midlands, began in the 1920s. The company originally produced sidecars for motorcycles before producing its first car in the 1930s.
Jigsaw - A luxurious fashion clothing brand started in London. Jigsaw offers a unique style for the sophisticated, urban woman including dresses, shoes, bags, and accessories. Kate Middleton once worked for the brand as a buyer in the accessories department after she graduated from university. The current fashion icon of the Royal family has cultivated her sense of fashion through her time in Jigsaw.
Johnny Walker - producers of Black and Red Label whisky. Johnny Walker is the most widely distributed brand of blended Scotch whisky in the world. Red label, in fact, is the best selling Scotch whisky in the world. It was Winston Churchill's favourite tipple.
K
KEF - KEF produces high quality audio speakers. The company was founded in Maidstone in 1961.
KitKat - a chocolate wafer first produced by Rowntree's of York in the 1930s. It is popular around the world especially in the Far East. "Have a break, have a Kit Kat" goes the advertising slogan.
L
Land Rover - another classic British car now owned by India's Tata Motors along with Jaguar. Land Rover is the epitome of off-road, four-wheel drive style. The company has also produced the Range Rover model since the 1970s.
Laura Ashley - founded in the 1950s by husband and wife team Bernard and Laura Ashley, the brand had considerable success with its "quintessentially English" floral print dresses, headscarves and home furnishings all manufactured in natural fabrics. Both founders are now dead and the company has been purchased by the Malaysian MUI Group.
Lipton - founded by Thomas Lipton in the 1870s in Glasgow, Lipton began as a chain of shops before becoming more famous for its initial Ceylon (Sri Lanka) tea. The company's most famous brands are Lipton Yellow Label and Lipton Iced Tea. Its products are sold in over 100 countries.
Lock & Co - Lock & Co Hatters at 6, St James's Street in London is the world's oldest hat shop. The company is still family-owned owned and run. Famous customers include Charlie Chaplin, Lord Nelson and Oscar Wilde.
Lush - began as suppliers for The Body Shop in the 1970s. Now based in Poole, Dorset the company sells plant-based beauty products in over 900 stores in nearly 50 countries. Popular Lush products made with only vegetarian or vegan recipes include face scrubs, fragrances, lotions, moisturisers, soaps, shampoos, and shower gels.
M
Mackintosh - Mackintosh raincoats, often simply referred to as "Macks," have a rich history rooted in early 19th-century Scotland. Charles Macintosh, a Scottish chemist, is credited with the invention of this iconic waterproof garment, in 1823. Macintosh (the 'k' was added later and became standard) discovered a method of creating a waterproof fabric by bonding two layers of cotton with a solution of rubber dissolved in coal-tar naphtha. This innovative technique led to the creation of the first practical waterproof raincoat, which revolutionized outerwear by providing effective protection against rain. Despite initial challenges with the strong odor of the rubber solution and the garment's stiffness, improvements over time enhanced its appeal and functionality. The Mackintosh raincoat gained widespread popularity, becoming synonymous with durable and stylish rainwear. The company was aquired by Dunlop in 1925. However, after running into financial difficulties in the 1990s and its factory in Blairlinn, Cumbernauld near Glasgow in danger of closing, it was acquired by Japanese company, Yagi Tsusho, in 2007. The Mackintosh brand remains a symbol of classic British style and practical elegance.
Margaret Howell - contemporary British clothing designer Margaret Howell produces both men's and women's fashions. She describes her clothes as "updated modern classics."
Marks & Spencer - a high street giant now fallen on hard times due to the pandemic and the rise of online shopping.
Mini Cooper - at the other end of the scale from the Rolls Royce, the Mini, along with The Beatles defines a 1960s mindset. "You can do it in a Mini" went the advertising blurb - the it being the act of love, supposedly.
Mulberry - based in Somerset the company is known for its leather goods including bags, purses and accessories.
N
New & Lingwood - founded in 1865, New & Lingwood have been supplying Eton students with their distinctive uniforms ever since. Their Jermyn Street shop in the Piccadilly Arcade in London is the place for high quality men's shirts, jackets, trousers, socks and accessories in silk, linen and tweed.
O
Oliver Spencer - it all began with a stall on Portobello Market and a first shop on Lamb's Conduit Street. Oliver Spencer emphasizes hand-crafted quality menswear allied with a sustainable approach to manufacture and sourcing. Much of the line is manufactured in Britain and Portugal.
P
Paul Smith - Based on the traditional British style, this brand features a playful design. The founder is British designer Sir Paul Smith, who opened his first store in his own hometown of Nottingham in 1970. With the slogan "Classic with a twist", he has added playfulness, such as colorful stripes and floral patterns, to traditional techniques and tailoring. His brand created new values in traditional British fashion which had been declining in popularity at the time.
Pringle - Pringle of Scotland are leaders in luxury cashmere knitwear. The company began way back in 1815 and still produces much of its line in Scotland.
Q
Quad Electroacoustics - Quad are a manufacturer of hi-fi equipment, mainly quality speakers and amplifiers, based in Huntingdon, near Cambridge.
R
Raleigh - Britain's most famous bicycle manufacturer dating back to 1885 and founded in Nottingham.
Reebok - the company derives from a sports shoe business began in Bolton, Greater Manchester by Joseph William Foster in 1895. Foster pioneered the use of spikes by athletes including 1924 100 meter Olympic champion Harold Abrahams of Chariots of Fire fame. The name Reebok was begun by two of the founder's grandsons.
Rolls Royce - the ultimate status symbol on wheels. Britain's most famous luxury car began life in Manchester the brainchild of Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. The car is now produced at the Goodwood Circuit in West Sussex. Along with Bentley, which it once owned, Rolls Royce is one of the most recognised brand of cars in the world.
Royal Doulton - like Wedgewood, Royal Doulton, is based in Stoke-on-Trent, and is another famous name in British ceramics. The company is best-known for its high-quality tableware and figurines.
Russell & Bromley - still family-run Russell & Bromley began trading in 1873 first with shoes and more recently high-end ladies handbags. The company has over 40 stores in the UK.
S
Selfridges - Selfridges on Oxford Street in London is a fine example of quality shopping ranging from clothing and accessories to cosmetics, shoes, handbags and furniture. Selfridges prides itself in having the second largest retail space in all of the UK with 540,000 square feet of selling space. Selfridges emphasizes the importance of the saying that "shopping should be fun". They have upheld their theatrical and hands-on image since 1919 by offering various scientific exhibits to gather attention of customers. One of the most eccentric of these exhibits are the Japanese themed characters used to play out scenes from TV dating shows as well as an authentic seismograph located on their third floor, which has recorded the tremors from the 1938 Belgian Earthquake. The futuristic Selfridges store in the Bullring in Birmingham, which opened in 2003, has also quickly become a new landmark of the city.
Smythson - has been manufacturing luxury leather goods, diaries, travel accessories and hand bags from its headquarters in London since 1887. Among its famous clients past and present are Queen Victoria, Winston Churchill, Sigmund Freud, Madonna, and Katharine Hepburn.
T
Ted Baker - luxury men's clothing brand founded in Glasgow by Ray Kelvin in 1988. Its UK stores all closed in 2024.
The Body Shop - founded in 1976 by Anita Roddick in Brighton has grown into a huge global brand with over 3,000 stores in over 60 countries. The company sold cosmetics and beauty products made from natural ingedients that were both ethically-sourced and not tested on animals. In 2006 the French cosmetics company L'Oréal purchased The Body Shop. It has since been acquired by Brazilian cosmetics company Natura.
Triumph Motorcycles - is an iconic British motorcycle manufacturer. The largest British-owned motorcycle manufacturer, Triumph is based in Hinckley in Leicestershire. The present company rose from the ashes of Triumph Engineering which was founded in Coventry in the late 19th century and began life making bicycles. Famous bikes made by triumph include the Bonneville which won the Isle of Man TT in 1969.
Turnbull & Asser - a British shirt-maker dating back to 1885. Its flagship store is on Jermyn Street with its bespoke store nearby on Bury Street. The company provided shirts for Sean Connery's James Bond and was a part of the 'Swinging Sixties' scene in London. Prince, now King Charles III was also a famous customer. The company's main factory is in Gloucester. Turnbull & Asser is owned by Ali Fayed, the younger brother of former Harrods boss Mohamed Al-Fayed, and his sons.
Twinings - is probably Britain's most famous name in tea. Among its superlatives are having the world's oldest continually-used company logo, and being London's longest ratepayer, having been on the Strand since founded by Thomas Twining in 1706. Now owned by Associated British Foods, Earl Grey is the company's most popular tea.
U
Umbro - sportswear manufacturer based in the northwest of England in Cheadle near Manchester. The company began in the 1920s and the name comes from the original Humphreys Brothers Clothing. Producers of soccer shirts, balls and boots, the company was bought out by Nike and is now owned by the Iconix Brand Group. Umbro has produced shirts for some of Britain's top football clubs as well as the national team.
V
Virgin - now a mega-brand with an airline (Virgin Atlantic), rail routes and even plans to journey into space, Virgin began with Richard Branson's record shop in Notting Hill Gate before the first Virgin store opened near Tottenham Court Road on Oxford Street in the 1970s. Later becoming a record label to boot, Virgin Records signed the Sex Pistols and several other top performers of the day, before selling up to EMI in 1992.
Vodafone - now a huge multinational telecommunications firm, the company grew out of military radio technology in the 1950s trading as Racal-Millicom. Since the 1990s and the growth of mobile technology and the internet the company has expanded massively and now operates in over 20 countries worldwide.
W
Walkers - a snack food manufacturer based in Leicester best known for their crisps (potato chips). The company has over 50% of the British crisps market and began trading in 1948. TV promotions have included those by Leicester City's biggest fan and the BBC's own Gary Lineker.
Wedgewood - one of Britain's most well-known brands of porcelain, Wedgewood was founded in the 18th century and is still going strong in the Potteries in Staffordshire. Jasperware, stoneware and lustreware are some of the types of ceramics the company is most famous for.
Wolf - a heritage brand established in 1834, is renowned for its meticulously crafted jewelry boxes and watch winders, which combine luxurious materials with innovative storage solutions. The brand's commitment to quality and attention to detail has solidified its reputation as a leader in the luxury accessories market, catering to discerning clients who value both elegance and functionality in their personal storage.
X
Y
Yorkshire Tea - a black blend tea that is the most popular traditional black tea brand on sale in Britain. The tea is made by the Bettys & Taylors Group that runs the famous Betty's Tea Rooms with branches in Harrogate, Harlow Carr, Northallerton, Ilkley and York. The original tea company began trading in the late 19th century.
Z
Zinc - Zinc created in 2009 is now the UK's number one wheeled toy brand retailing hoverboards, scooters and electric scooters.
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