The 50 best British brands

As well as being home to some of the world’s most influential gentlemen, Britain has produced a large number of the greatest brands in the world. Some are heritage heavy-hitters that you know and love while others are smaller, lesser-known manufacturers that the most discerning gentlemen swear by, but we think every man — nay, human — should have on their radar.

Size and status aside, what the brands on this list do share is a commitment to craft. They honour centuries-old skills and techniques — be they hand-picking grapes or hand-stitching shirts; Goodyear welting shoes or blending scents — while constantly innovating and evolving to maintain excellence.

So, without further ado, let's dive in. From motoring and menswear to fine wines and fragrances, here are the 50 best brands our fair nation has to offer…

Forget package holidays: tailor-made travel is the gentleman’s prerogative. Abercrombie & Kent design holidays that are as individual as the people they are created for. With over 60 years of experience in curating unique adventures and experiences, they’re our go-to whenever a case of wanderlust strikes.

The late fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen’s eponymous label, now helmed by Creative Director Seán McGirr, is known for its highly original blend of subversion and tradition. It draws inspiration from sources as disparate as traditional British tailoring and French haute couture to create truly unique pieces of wearable art.

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.”

Asprey covers practically all departments of the luxury lifestyle sector, specialising in jewellery, silverware, home goods, leather goods, timepieces and fragrance. Founded in 1781, the luxury British retailer is renowned as one of the world’s pre-eminent luxury goods brands, with a notable client base that includes members of royalty, heads of state and famous actors.

Hatched in 1913 by Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin, Aston Martin – with its 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.

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.

Dame Margaret Barbour, Chairperson: “Barbour is a 130-year old, 5th generation family-owned brand and we pride ourselves on our quality, durability, attention to detail and fitness for purpose in everything we do. Through our Wax for Life initiative, we encourage our customers to extend the life of their products through re-waxing and repairs and by upcycling their jackets through our Barbour Re-Loved programme. To be recognised by Gentleman’s Journal as one of the top fifty British brands is a tremendous accolade and testament to all of our employees continued hard work.”

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.”

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, Chief Communications and D&I Officer: “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.”

Challenge almost any British gent to name a wine merchants, and the likelihood is they’ll answer Berry Bros. & Rudd. With two Royal Warrants 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.

Family-owned and run, the company still trades from No. 3 St James’s Street, but thanks to its growing global popularity, it now also holds offices in Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo.

Geordie Willis, Brand Experiences Director and 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.”

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.

Instantly recognisable for its signature check pattern, Burberry is a brand that has become synonymous with British style. Its founder Thomas Burberry — then a 21-year-old former draper’s apprentice — launched the brand in 1865 with a vision of enabling people to move freely (and stylishly) outdoors in the British weather. His development of the world’s first breathable and waterproof fabric, gabardine, revolutionised rainwear and remains at the heart of British outerwear.

Previously a founder of one of the UK’s biggest yacht brokerage companies, Chris Cecil Wright ultimately left to start a smaller, boutique business that puts clients at its heart. The result was Cecil Wright, which offers a discreet, highly personalised service based on exacting standards and high quality relationships.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.”

From foundations in 1692, Coutts is a business built 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.

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 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.”

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.

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!”

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 built 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.”

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.

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.“

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.

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.

Gieves & Hawkes is the result of the union of two highly acclaimed British military tailors: Gieves, founded in 1785 and Hawkes, founded in 1771. The two came together in 1974 and Gieves & Hawkes has been a stalwart of Savile Row ever since, a premier destination for tailoring, menswear and military dress.

When it comes to creating 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.”

As a young man working on Savile Row in the 1960s, Jeremy Hackett was fascinated by traditional British tailoring. It wasn’t long before he opened his first store on the King’s Road, where he sold his own handcrafted garments that fused traditional styles with modern cuts. Now, Hackett’s career has come full circle: his eponymous menswear store is housed at No.14 Savile Row.

Margate-based skincare brand Haeckels draws inspiration from its coastal birthplace, using local seaweed as the base for all its products. Why seaweed? Quite simply, it’s all around us and all natural, packed with valuable vitamins, minerals and amino acids. As a certified B Corp, Haeckels is paving the way for sustainable, science-backed skincare.

Covering one million square feet and renowned for its luxury goods and celebrity-endorsed products, Harrods 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.

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.”

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.

Simon Cundey, Managing Director: “We are delighted to be part of the top 50 best of British brands. Henry Poole prides itself on the craft of pure bespoke tailoring, this being cloths cut and made in the premises. Since 1806 our quality and service have remained paramount to our clients. Our generations of expertness have been been brought together and are still in control by a family-owned tailors today.“

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.

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.

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.

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 discerning clients. To receive this accolade today demonstrates a great achievement for the entire team and we accept it with pride”.

Established in 1676, Lock & Co. Hatters is the world’s oldest hat shop and one of the oldest family-owned businesses. Its luxury hats have graced the heads of some of the most notable figures in Great British history, from Lord Admiral Nelson to Winston Churchill. Two royal warrants attest to the brand’s enduring commitment to quality.

Considered to be one of the best-selling single malts around the world, the Moray-based distillery (which is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year) has luxury credentials unlike any other whisky maker. 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.”

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.

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.“

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.

Driven by the philosophy that holiday wear needn’t be any less elegant than everyday wear, Orlebar Brown creates tailored swim shorts and other resortwear items like polo shirts and tees that are designed to take you effortlessly from beach to bar.

Friend of 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.”

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.

Harry Jarman, Editor in Chief of Gentleman's Journal: “Purdey is one of those brands defines the phrase 'understated luxury'. The quality is second-to-none and under the stewardship of Chairman Dan Jago and the creative direction of Simon Holloway, it seems to be having a moment. It’s part of the luxury conglomerate Richemont and whilst it might not be the biggest brand it is said to be one of the of the owners' favourite brands."

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.

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.

Raul Verdicchi, CEO: "Since 1860 our dedication to crafting luxury essentials from the finest fabrics has been unwavering. Our garments not only celebrate British style and craftsmanship but also embody our commitment to quality. Drawing on decades of accumulated expertise, our Classic T-shirts are still handmade in our factory in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, and the meticulous attention to detail practiced here underscores our entire operation. We are delighted that this has been recognized and that we feature as one of Gentleman Journal’s top 50 British brands."

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 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.”

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.

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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