The 50 best British brands

As well as being home to some of the world’s most influential gentlemen, Britain has produced some of the greatest – and most well-known – brands in the world. From motoring and menswear to fine wines and fragrances, here are the 50 Best Brands our nation has to offer…

Unrivalled in every sense of the word, there’s no doubt that Barbour deserves its place on this rarified list. Not only does the British fashion brand have a heritage-heavy great story behind it, it is also one of the best in the game for functional and beautiful outerwear guaranteed to last for years to come.

An avid collector of vintage cars and sports watches, the man at the wheel of Bamford Watch Department — George Bamford — saw his passion sparked when he discovered a Breitling Navitimer. Years later, he has established this cutting-edge customisation brand. From case coating to dial designs, every cosmetic modification is achievable — and the company’s motto remains: “If you can imagine it, we can create it for you”.

Founded in 1971 by Roger Saul — who received a £500 cash injection from his mother and named the brand after the trees he’d walk past on the way to school — Mulberry is a British success story. In the men’s range, we especially like the alpaca wool scarves, and the car holders, stitched from heavy leather.

No such list would be complete without those stalwarts of the big British brands: Land Rover, a brand associated with all aspects of Great Britain – and for good reason too. The car brand was founded in 1948 and has been making waves off-road and throughout towns and cities all around the world ever since. With recent forays into electric vehicles, they are staying at the vanguard of progress, whilst honouring a heritage-laden legacy.

Anthony Bradbury, Marketing Director, Jaguar Land Rover (UK): “I’d like to thank Gentleman’s Journal for the special recognition of Range Rover in its selection of the greatest British Brands. For over 50 years, Range Rover has been the de facto benchmark for luxury SUVs, constantly innovating to retain its place in the hearts and minds of its decerning clients. To receive this accolade today demonstrates a great achievement for the entire team and we accept it with pride”.

Purdey is a brand synonymous with the English countryside; one whose heritage is at the forefront of everything that it does and produces. Purdey has been going strong since 1814 and continues to be one of the most sought-after British brands there is, keeping you well kitted-out in great gear in the not-so-great British weather.

Something you might not know about Northampton – unless you hail from the East-Midlands town – is that it’s a place commonly associated with shoemaking, and has been since the Middle Ages. Crockett & Jones is arguably the best in this bastion of footwear, founded in 1889 and remaining wildly popular to this day for their handmade shoes and boots.

James Fox, Head of Marketing & E-commerce at Crockett & Jones: “Having worked with Harry [Jarman, Editor-in-Chief] and his team since the launch of Gentleman’s Journal, it gives us great pleasure to continue to be recognised by them as a great British manufacturing brand.

“With a slightly longer heritage, Crockett & Jones was founded in 1879, our core ethos and focus remains largely unchanged, much like at the Gentleman’s Journal. All of our Goodyear welted shoes are handmade in the home of English shoemaking, Northampton, as does the founding family who are still at the hands-on helm, a key detail that we don’t plan on changing anytime soon.

“Thank you also to your readers. Our customers and our partners mean everything to us, simply because without that support, long-standing Heritage English manufacturing brands are at the mercy of foreign investment, which may not always be a positive.” 

James Fox, Marketing Director: “It gives Crockett & Jones great pleasure to have been included in the Gentleman’s Journal 50 Best British Brands. We have supported Gentleman’s Journal, with great delight, from the very beginning. C&J’s company ethos is all about longevity: We bring quality and value to footwear, focusing on what our customers really want in their footwear collections. Gentleman’s Journal perfectly compliments this through their journalism and also the brands they choose to align themselves with.”

Considered to be one of the best-selling single malts around the world, the Moray-based distillery has luxury credentials unlike any other whiskymaker. With expressions aged in bourbon barrels and sherry casks, the choicest dram from the brand comes courtesy of the ultra-luxe ‘M’ collection.

Jaume Ferras, Creative Director: “Founded in 1824, we’re proud to have built a reputation for incomparable craftsmanship, creativity and innovation. From our partnership with Bentley Motors, through to collaborations, including the recent launch of The Macallan James Bond 60th Anniversary Release, we are proud to be working with other British icons which have an equally rich heritage and share our vision of the future.”

There are few brands quite as cool as Connolly. The British classic clothing and leather designer has been proudly upholstering the finest cars of the British automotive industry for decades — including the Queen’s coronation carriage, Concorde and even the seats of the House of Lords and Houses of Commons. 

Isabel Ettedgui, Connolly Owner: “We feel very honoured to be included again in Gentleman’s Journal 50 best British brands. Thank you for this recognition, especially as the last year has been a challenge for us and so many independent brands dealing with supply chain chaos and red tape. We love what you do at GJ and your support and take on what makes a brand tick and stand out from the crowd, makes it all worthwhile”.

A fragrance that’s worthy of a gentleman can be a difficult thing to come by. There’s so much competition out there, with many signature scents coming from the continent or our friends across the pond. But a fragrance in a league of its own – created in the heart of London and epitomising all the class and sophistication of a true gent – is Floris. James Bond creator Ian Fleming favoured the brand for his super-spy, and if it’s good enough for 007, it’s good enough for you.

Joseph Bullmore, Editor of Gentleman’s Journal: “I love that London’s premier perfumer is still run and owned by the same family. Edward Bodenham, current custodian of the Floris family values, has a nose like a bloodhound and an incredible eye for marketing. I’m very fond of the company’s new limited edition Islay number, which has some very distinctive peaty notes. “

The barley used to create Aberlour’s whisky is grown mere miles from the distillery itself. The whisky-making craft is honoured and respected by the brand, with each spirit sleeping for at least twelve years in Spanish sherry and American oak casks to develop the flavours it deserves.

Miranda Firth, Brand Manager: “It is a great honour to be acknowledged by Gentleman’s Journal as a leading British Brand. From our home in Speyside, Scotland, alongside the enchanting river Spey, our small and intimate distillery holds a special place in the hearts of malt lovers. In the last few years, Aberlour has steadily grown into a cult, much loved brand, built on our foundations of award-winning liquid, and modern craft packaging. We’d like to pay special thanks to the readers of Gentleman’s Journal for this wonderful accolade”.

In 1865, New & Lingwood opened as a uniform shop for Eton. Since then, the tailors have outfitted generation upon generation of students, dressing some of Britain’s most elite pupils in their tailcoats, wing-collared shirts and, in the early days, top hats and gloves. They are unorthodox, exuberant and truly fantastic at what they do.

Freddie Briance, CEO: “While still staying true to our heritage, our focus going forward is to re- imagine the expectations of relaxed style, elevating the standards of domestic elegance. British distinctive design and craftsmanship will be at the forefront of that process“.

With meticulous attention to detail, Princess have floated to the top of the yacht-building pile. Based in Plymouth, the brand is known for their range of class-type yachts; each bearing a letter from F to Y. And that’s not all. The boat-maker has also partnered in the past with such prestigious brands as Pininfarina and Ben Ainslie’s BAR Technologies outfit.

Kiran Haslam, Chief Marketing Officer: “We are really honoured to be acknowledged by Gentleman’s Journal as a leading British Brand. What we have done since 1965, and continue to do in terms of design and manufacturing here in the UK is indeed unique, as we are one of the last remaining manufacturers going from raw material to finished yachts on site in a vertically complex and integrated way.

“On behalf of the 3,200 employees here in Plymouth, I’d like to thank the readers of Gentleman’s Journal for this extraordinary recognition.”

Challenge almost any British gent to name a wine merchants, and the likelihood is they’ll answer Berry Bros. & Rudd. With a Royal Warrant from the Queen, and more prestigious wine awards than you can shake a corkscrew at, this brand is as British as you can get, and becomes more and more established with every year that passes – which, given its origins in 1698, is a lot.

Geordie Willis, Creative Director: “Berry Bros. & Rudd has been a trusted merchant since 1698 and this year we celebrate 325 years in business. We are very proud to be recognised as a leading British brand. Now the global destination for collecting fine wine and spirits, Berry Bros. & Rudd still operates from our historic home at No. 3 St James’s Street, continuing in our aim to help customers drink better now, and in the future. As we mark our 325th year, we continue to collaborate with our community and the industry to help create a sustainable future.”

The latest trimly-tailored iteration of an age-old company; Private White V.C. is a family-run outfit that has been creating coats and outerwear from fine fabrics for over a century. And it can be found, with CEO James Eden at the helm, doing its good work beneath the clouds of Greater Manchester.

James Eden, Founder & CEO: “As a brand that strives to manufacture every single garment from within the UK, we are delighted to be recognised as one of the Top 50 British Brands by Gentleman’s Journal. We proudly lay claim to be ‘The last remaining clothing factory in the world’s first industrial city’ and we are more determined than ever to continue our efforts to raise the awareness and appreciation for our Great British Luxury Clothing”.

Holding a Royal Warrant from the Britain’s monarchs is something that every British brand aspires to. Ettinger, among a handful of other purveyors of quality products on this list, have achieved this aim. Founded in 1934, the company has build a reputation almost as strong as its leather goods – one put together carefully and slowly, and likely to last a lifetime as a result.

Robert Ettinger, CEO: “We were delighted to hear that Gentleman’s Journal has again included Ettinger in its ’50 Best British Brands’. As a family-owned and run business which next year will be celebrating 90 years since my father, Gerry Ettinger, founded the company in London in 1934, we have continued to manufacture our products in the UK throughout whilst many other brands moved overseas.

“The Ettinger factory in Walsall has been in continuous use as a leather factory since 1890 and all our products continue to be hand-made there by our highly skilled craftspeople. We are also very proud to be Royal Warrant holders to HRH The Prince of Wales which enables us to carry his cipher of three feathers on all our products”.

Founded in Liverpool in 1798, Boodles has been adding glitz and glamour to its customers’ lives for four centuries. And what sparkling centuries they’ve been. Experts in trophy-making, silversmithing and the sourcing of rare and precious gemstones, there are few jewellers more revered and respected in the entire world. 

The luxury watchmaker, based in Henley-on-Thames, is as British as brands come. In fact, the brothers who founded aviation-themed Bremont, Nick and Giles, bear the surname ‘English’. And their chronometers are as capable and stiff-upper-lipped as you’d expect; with many horological awards under their respective watch straps — and a 35,000-square-foot manufacturing and development centre named ‘The Wing’ building over 50,000 watches every year.

Friend to Gentleman’s Journal, Paul Smith is one of the most successful designers in the world. Boasting a brand of stature, sophistication, success – and stripes – he is consistently and unapologetically proud of his British roots, which feature massively in most of his collections and individual designs. Paul Smith is a simple name – but one we will continue to hear for years and years to come.

Paul Smith: “A sense of modern Britishness is certainly at the core of Paul Smith. I hope people will think that there’s an elegant eccentricity to what I do, I try to add an element of the unexpected to classic designs.”

Henry Poole holds not one, but two, warrants from the Royal Family – which tells you all you need to know about the heritage, quality and traditions of the brand. Hailing again from Savile Row, the tailor cut its first suit in 1806, and still prides itself over two centuries later on creating some of the most beautiful bespoke suits in the world.

Found at the top-right corner of the Cotswolds, Bicester Village is a concentration of all that makes Britain great. Whether it’s the luxury artisan boutiques showing off proudly patriotic craftsmanship, the appointment-only VIP spaces demonstrating our national flair for hospitality or Cecconi’s plating up the finest dining this side of Mayfair, it’s one of the most debonair, delectable destinations in Britain.

Anne-Marie Verdin Mulot, Digital Marketing and Communications Director: “It’s an honour to be part of the Gentleman’s Journal ‘Best British Brands’ list. Bicester Village is one of the UK’s leading destinations and guests come from all over the UK and, in safer times, from all over the world to explore and discover British and international brands at Bicester Village.”

In an assuming area of North London, dunhill hones the art of considered craft. Its skilled artisans labour intensely throughout the working day to create the weekend bags, briefcases, wallets, document holders and other gentlemanly accoutrements that make up the exceptional accessories roster of this Great British brand.

Turnbull & Asser recently celebrated their 130th year in the shirting industry and are yet another proud owner of a Royal Warrant. World-renowned for making some of the finest clothing in the world, Turnbull & Asser live on to be one of the most successful and well-known brands in the world. And, as with Floris, they’ve also created wares for 007 himself, one of the highest seals of approval for a British brand.

With a factory that sits in the middle of Gloucester in a beautiful 18th century townhouse, Emma Willis is about as British as it gets. The brand creates some of the most luxurious shirts, boxer shorts, pyjamas and dressing gowns in the world; clothes truly fit for a gentleman and bespoke items imbued with heritage that will last you a lifetime.

Emma Willis: “Thank you GJ for including us in your 50 Best Brands. Your sincere support for British craftsmanship and skills and our charity Style for Soldiers are exemplified in all the support you give us in the beautiful editorials you create. I can’t imagine how I styled my Jermyn Street shop now without the stunning Gentleman’s Journal!”

Founded in 1961, and named after the Kent Engineering & Foundry complex, KEF is the best producer of loudspeakers in Britain — and beyond. At the forefront of loudspeaker design and technology for 50 years, its technical expertise and innovative designs grace anything from discreet home theatre systems to class-leading, serious Hi-Fi stereo speakers.

During the first 80 years of business, the Cheaney factory made shoes exclusively for some of the finest retailers around the world, branded to their individual company requirements. Thankfully, in 1964, the founder’s grandson decided to build up the Cheaney name itself — and the Northamptonshire factory has been creating leather-lined, Goodyear-welted, hand-crafted shoes that bear their name ever since.

William Church, Joint Managing Director: “As a brand, we are very proud to still be 100% made in England, unchanged since 1886. We are thrilled to be included in Gentleman’s Journal and their Best British Brands as recognition of the highly skilled workforce at our factory who dedicate such a large amount of time and handwork to each pair of shoes. We hope that through sharing this craftsmanship we can ensure the continuation of fine English shoes for generations to come, and we’d like to thank Gentleman’s Journal for championing our craft and our story”.

Established just under a decade ago in a flurry of zips, poppers and luxury leather, Bennett Winch proceeded with one simple aim. Each product they designed and created would be an item of luggage that had been missing from their lives up until that point. And, not only have they succeeded, but they’ve done so while keeping the thing completely British; designing in Farringdon, bringing their ideas to life in a factory in Carlisle and selling them on that bastion of traditional menswear; Savile Row.

Robin Winch, Co-Founder: “We’re honoured to have once again made the cut and be featured here by Gentleman’s Journal alongside so many Great British Brands we admire and respect. The last 9 years have been an amazing journey and we look forward to still hopefully holding a firm spot many years from now, not only on this list but also in the minds of customers when they think about luggage and accessories brands with integrity who craft heirloom quality products”.

Sunspel was founded in 1860, at the very beginning of the Industrial Revolution and during a period of earth-shaking, world-wide change. Thomas Hill, Sunspel’s founder, set out with a vision that still epitomises the brand today: To create simple, everyday clothing from beautiful fabrics. The company’s success comes down to this simplicity, and long may it continue.

Fuss-free, sustainably-sourced and founded in 2017, Heath is on a journey to reframe skincare as a wellness moment. Whether its the brand’s brilliant moisturiser, its pocket-sized eye serum or its nourishing beard oil, every product has hit the mark. That packaging is pretty handsome, too. 

Harry Aaronson, Co-Founder of Heath: “We are so delighted to be associated not only with Gentleman’s Journal, but also to be alongside some of the best brands in the UK. Since Heath started in 2017, we’ve strived to make our products reflect the innovation, quality and excellence of British design.

“We’re dedicated to being a British-made brand, from our formulas being made in England to our packaging being inspired by the racing green of the Jaguar E-type. We’re proud to show off our heritage whilst we continue to expand into the global market, protect men’s skin and occupy the wellness territory within male grooming.”

From foundations in 1692, Coutts is a business build upon trust. The eighth oldest bank in the world, it is the bank of the British Royal Family — and decamps, like Gentleman’s Journal, every year to Cannes for the annual film festival. It’s an exclusive brand to be aligned with; prospective clients need at least £1,000,000 in investable assets.

Paul Fletcher, Head of Marketing: “Coutts is proud to be British. For over 300 years as a private bank and wealth manager, we have been part of British culture. We have been shaped by it and shaped it ourselves. When you join Coutts, as an employee or as a client, you join a family of entrepreneurs, of roaming adventurers, trailblazers and thinkers.

“Our clients are landed gentry, rappers and lottery winners and each as different as the next. We understand them. We understand their families. We back their adventures, support their greatest hopes – and help them achieve their goals. We think that is a very British thing to do. For Gentlemen’s Journal to recognise us as one of their 50 Best British Brands is an incredible honour and we are all pleased as punch!”

Triumph Motorcycles has a bumpy history. And yet, despite tackling the potholes and pitfalls of receivership and redundancies (and on two wheels, no less), the British brand is currently motoring along better than ever. A true testament to engineering passion and mechanical craftsmanship, the bikemaker has counts customers including Marlon Brando, Elvis Presley, James Dean, Bob Dylan and Steve McQueen.

Devron Boulton, General Manager UK & Ireland: “It’s a real honour to be included in Gentleman’s Journal ’50 Best British Brands’. Triumph Motorcycles has a British heritage that dates back to 1902 and we are passionate about growing and building the brand. By designing and developing truly beautiful, powerful and capable motorcycles that deliver the perfect ride, we can be best in class not just in Britain, but across the world.”

Every gentleman should have a taste for the finer things in life, and that includes a beautiful bottle of sparkling wine. For over 25 years, the Nyetimber Vineyard has been creating the finest English sparkling wine – believe it or not, it does exist – and it’s the bubbly your flutes have be waiting for.

Cherie Spriggs, Head Winemaker: “At Nyetimber, we are driven by a pursuit of producing exceptional sparkling wines and a passion for British craftsmanship, which is why we are delighted to have been recognised as one of the top fifty British brands by Gentleman’s Journal. We continue to pioneer and demonstrate the superb qualities of this nation for wine production, and what it means to be a leading British luxury brand.”

With a shop set up in Chelsea, Oliver Brown’s style may be firmly inspired by the traditional — but the brand isn’t afraid to put modern, confident twists on classics. In the covetable new collection, the highlight is surely a selection of luxury velvet smoking jackets, in rich burgundy and emerald greens.

Founded in 1896, Knight Frank is, simply put, the finest real estate company we’ve ever worked with. Headquartered in London, the brand pride themselves on being built on several unshakeable values: Innovation; Endurance; Collaboration; Inspiration; Commitment and Respect. We’re particularly fond of the Knight Frank Private Office, dedicated to advising and transacting on the most prime plots of real estate.

Since launching in 1707 on Duke Street, this bastion of British cuisine has made some great gastronomic leaps. In 1738, they invented the Scotch Egg – the perfect snack for travellers. In 1886, they introduced the might Baked Bean to Britain for the first time. And, in 1922, they provided the food for the UK’s first Everest expedition – including 60 tins of quail in foie gras and four dozen bottles of champagne. Now that’s what we call luxury eating.

Savoir make fewer than 1000 luxury handcrafted beds a year — because they’re a brand focused on making the best, not the most. The company began as part of the Savoy Hotel, but was recently purchased by Alistair Hughes. Today, with showrooms in cities from Stockholm to Singapore, this British bedmaker is responsible for countless deep sleeps around the world every single night.

It may seem traditional, but Bentley is pioneering. Producing over 10,000 cars, Bentley owns 115 acres in Crewe — and is ready to expand into a hybrid and electric-powered future. Part of a recent £28 million investment even installed 22,000 solar panels onto every roof of the factory; 60% of the energy used is also produced on site.

Wayne Bruce, Director of Communications: “It is wonderful to be included by the readers of Gentleman’s Journal amongst this list of incredible British Brands. For over 100 years, we have been producing cars, using skills that have been handed down through generations, alongside engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology.

“We believe our ‘Beyond 100’ strategy for the future will set a benchmark for the automotive industry as a whole and be a shining light for UK manufacturing cementing the future of our Crewe headquarters as a centre of excellence. On behalf of the entire Bentley family, we feel incredibly proud and thankful for this award.”

The standard bearer in the legendary shoemaker capital of Northampton, Church’s has been the nation’s go-to brand for durable and stylish shoes for over a century. So, if you’re after some flawless Chelsea boots, Derbys or Oxfords, this is the label to look into.

In 1760, a pair of scented leather gloves was delivered to King George III by a new London tailoring company. And, while the brand may have focused more on the scents than the tailoring in the years since, the House of Creed has now been creating fragrances for the discerning and the discriminating for over 260 years. We’re particularly fans of the brand’s timeless Aventus.

Hatched in 1913 by Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin, Aston Martin – with it’s elegant, flowing aesthetic and powerful build – leads the pack when it comes to luxury cars. Moreover, with a tight association to Britain’s most famous super spy, its credentials are only further elevated.

Established in the mid-Nineties by Nick Jones as the remedy to dated members’ clubs, Soho House was marketed as a “home from home” for the capital’s creatives. Since then, it’s evolved into a global juggernaut with no fewer than 18 locations spanning Europe and North America.

Renowned for hosting the most thrill-seeking and breath-taking horse racing events in the world, Ascot was founded in 1711. Since then, the destination has naturally evolved into a brand synonymous with providing a luxury and memorable experience.

Felicity Barnard, Commercial Director, Ascot Racecourse: “We are delighted to be recognised by Gentleman’s Journal as one of its leading British brands for 2023. For more than 300 years, the patronage of 13 monarchs has helped make Ascot a racing venue like no other and it remains a pillar of British sporting and social culture to this day.

“We see the Ascot brand as a true celebration of the very best our sport has to offer, inspiring style, joy and a sense of occasion that is embraced globally. Yes, we celebrate traditions, and a rich and long history, but we also embrace innovation and bring enjoyment to people. Whether that’s through an unbridled love of racing and sartorial style, or our sustainability actions and commitment to our community, in everything we do at Ascot we do it with a sense of Britishness – thank you Gentleman’s Journal for acknowledging us in this way.”

When it comes to cutting luxury goods, few do it as well as Graff. Not only does the jeweller laser engrave most of its diamonds with a unique Gemological Institute of America tracking number (a feature that allows you to track each stone’s origins, but it also ensures that none of its products are bought or sold in areas where there are conflict diamonds trades).

Francois Graff, CEO of Graff: “As a British brand founded in London in 1960, we are proud of our London headquarters and our Mayfair atelier – it is a hive of expertise and innovation, where our designers and master craftsmen consistently strive for perfection. While we now operate on a global level, with over sixty stores worldwide, we remain a family-run, British business.”

If you were to ask any petrolhead what car they’d want in their garage, the chances are that they’ll ask for an Jaguar E-Type. Billed as the ‘most beautiful car in the world’ by Enzo Ferrari, this set of wheels redefined people’s expectations of what could be expected from a moderately-priced sports automobile, and as a result firmly cementing the company’s status in the upper echelons of the design industry. 

Today, Jaguar’s worldly portfolio has been furthered bolstered by contemporary models such as the F-Type and C-X75, the latter having featured in 2015’s Spectre.

Heading out of the city this weekend? Let Farlows kit you out. Supplying the finest fishing tackle and shooting attire since 1840, this iconic Pall Mall store carries a range of high-quality stock that’ll see you through your countryside escape in the most stylish (and practical) way possible.

After growing up in Herefordshire and growing potatoes for over 20 years, William Chase evolved his company into the international crisp brand Tyrrels. To make things even more fun, he then expanded to vodka, and 10 years ago this year, bottled his first batch of Chase Vodka. It’s vodka, but not as you know it. In fact, it’s better.

James Chase: “As a proud countryside based business, we are delighted to be included amongst a stellar line up of Great British Brands. We founded Chase in 2008 to challenge the status quo and to champion field to bottle spirits from British potatoes distilled on our farm in Herefordshire.”

Covering one million square feet and renowned for its luxury goods and celebrity-endorsed products, Harrod’s is the closest thing you can get to a retail mecca. Despite the rise of e-commerce, the fact that the green and gold London institute can still attract over 15 million customers a year is a testament to its reputation as the world’s greatest department store.

At Goodwood, the brand’s vision is to create and maintain a financially healthy group of businesses that – both individually and through collaboration – help to protect their heritage and anticipate future challenges and opportunities. Through conscientious, progressive management of the Estate, they have successfully strived to promote prosperity, health and wellbeing.

In a world of sneaker drops and fluctuating trends, Edward Green stands tall. With shoes that are cut and crafted by hand from the world’s best leathers, and utilising time-consuming processes such as the hand-cutting of materials, this Northampton-based company guarantees quality with every step.

Look out for the Gentleman’s Journal Best British Brands logo on chosen brands’ websites.

Want another list? Here’s our rundown of the 20 things that make a gentleman…

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