PENHALIGON'S: PAST & PRESENT

From humble beginnings to Royal patronages, Penhaligon’s has been on quite the fragrant adventure. Do join us as we take a bracing stroll down memory lane.

1837

On the 27th January, our founder, William H. Penhaligon is born in Penzance, Cornwall. A wild, dramatic place, famous for pirate ships and salty windswept cliffs. 

1852

Aged 15, William is apprenticed to local barber Humphrey Roberts, where he first learns the art of hairdressing – and first dabbles with essences to create hair products and fragrances.

1861

Our budding businessman makes his first strides into commerce: William opens his own perfumery and barbershop on Church Street in Penzance.

1862

William weds Elisabeth Bosence, and the happy couple go on to have four children: Clara, Ida, William and Walter. (Perhaps you’ll recognise those names from our fragrance collection today?)

1869

The Penhaligon's move to London, settling in with a relative, Henry, in Rochester Row, Westminster. William secures a position as assistant barber in the hairdressers of the Hammam Baths on Jermyn Street (formally known as the “Messrs. Douglas Hairdressing Emporium”). 

1870

Not before long, the ever-enterprising William takes over the barbershop. He expands the premises, with his own shop front on Jermyn Street. Many illustrious figures of the late 19th Century visit his barber chair – Oscar Wilde, Rudyard Kipling, Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George and the Shah of Persia, to name a few.

1872

William creates his first fragrance, Hammam Bouquet, inspired by the tonic-like aroma of the Hammam. It’s exotic. It’s exciting. It causes quite a stir. (Fancy a whiff? We still proudly sell it today.) 

1891

Penhaligon & Jeavons (William’s business partner) is now installed at prestigious premises at 33 St James’ Street and 66 Jermyn Street – a distinctly well-heeled part of Victorian London.

1902

William bids his final farewell aged 66, on the 13th of April. His obituary reads: “His great forte lay in hair washes and the manufacture of perfumes, both of which are now renowned worldwide.” Curiously, William’s business partner dies just a few weeks later, and Penhaligon & Jeavons is known simply as Penhaligon’s from here on out.

1903

Penhaligon’s is bestowed its first Royal Warrant by Queen Alexandra, Queen Consort to Edward VII. The highest honour of Victorian society, sending Penhaligon’s popularity soaring.​

1907

With agents now based in Paris, Berlin, Singapore, Buenos Aires and Australia, Penhaligon’s has global domination in its sights. Business blossoms by 200%, and new fragrances such as Zizonia, Lily of the Valley and Esprit du Lavande enter the collection.

1909

Walter becomes Master of the Hairdresser’s Guild. He is immensely popular throughout his term, designated by his peers as “an inspiration to the entire membership.”

1910

Walter introduces a unique take on a classic fougère, English Fern, a fragrance oozing in bucolic Englishness.​

1911

Purveyor of port, Sir Percy Croft, catches wind of Walter Penhaligon’s perfume prowess, and commissions Douro’s concoction – named after the region in Portugal from whence the port originates.

1918

Walter’s health sadly deteriorates. His son, Leonard, takes over the business.

1921

Walter passes away, and his obituary reads:

"TO KNOW MR PENHALIGON WAS TO KNOW A CHOICE SPIRIT SO SELDOM FOUND"

1949

Penhaligon’s ceases to be a hairdressers, and is henceforth known purely as a perfumery.

1956

Penhaligon’s is awarded its second Royal Warrant by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. This will become the longest standing relationship between Penhaligon’s and a member of the Royal Family.

1963

A new fragrance, Extract Of Limes reinvigorates the nation with zest and zeal. ​

1975

Sheila Pickles takes over Penhaligon’s, with help from her boss, Italian film director Franco Zeffirelli. Sheila opens a new store on Wellington Street, the iconic flagship in which one can still step foot today. Concoctions are bottled on the premises behind glass screens, so customers can see the magic happen with their own eyes. ​

1976

Penhaligon’s Anthology collection flourishes, a result of rediscovered recipes from our founder. The Floral Waters Collection ushers in the birth of Night Scented Stock. Its pleasing aroma is as plain as day.

1977

Originally created, but not sold, in the 1870s to be slipped into the pockets of Mr Penhaligon’s most privileged clients, Jubilee Bouquet sees a revival in honour of Her Majesty The Queen’s silver jubilee.

1978

A new fragrance – Bluebell – is born. And what a delightful romp through fragrant woodlands it is.

1984

Elisabethan Rose is created, inspired by the famed gardens of Vita Sackville-West at Sissinghurst Castle.

1987

Penhaligon’s is sold to Laura Ashley – a fellow icon of British craftsmanship and industry.

1988

The Palace smells of Penhaligon’s once more, as we are bestowed with a further Royal Warrant from HRH The Prince of Wales.

1996

Penhaligon’s strength and endurance is marked by the creation of an oak-inspired scent – Quercus, the English national tree.

1999

Grand plans are afoot. Penhaligon’s opens its doors in Taiwan, Singapore and even the Big Apple – New York!

2002

From Paris to Las Vegas, Penhaligon’s stores begin to multiply once again. And the world smells ever sweeter for it.

2002

The forest quivers with anticipation as elusive Artemisia saunters into Penhaligon’s boutiques. Goddesses around the globe commence the hunt for her scent.

2003

Handsome shepherd, Endymion, grown weary of his good looks, chooses to charm the world with his equally appealing scent, taking respite in Penhaligon’s.

2011

Juniper Sling intoxicates the globe! The roaring twenties are set in full swing once again.

2013​

Iris Prima, a floral woody scent created in partnership with the English National Ballet, sissonnes into the spotlight.

2014

Land ahoy! The First Trade Routes fragrances are launched, inspired by adventures on high seas. Does one have a nose for the world’s finest and most exotic ingredients?

2015

A new cologne pays homage to our humble beginnings on Jermyn Street. No. 33 to be precise. Meanwhile, the fabled black rose of Halfeti undergoes its premier plucking. Spritzers are immediately besotted, pierced by love’s fragrant thorn.

2015

A new family takes up the helm of Penhaligon’s – Puig, one of the world’s most highly-regarded fashion and beauty houses.

2016

The founding fragrances of the esteemed Portraits family – The Tragedy of Lord George, The Revenge of Lady Blanche, The Coveted Duchess Rose and Much Ado About The Duke – take up residence in Penhaligon’s stores. Scandal ensues.

2016

Luna’s scent descends from on high, imbuing the air of Penhaligon’s with her beauty. Her followers meander for miles in moonlit pursuit of her divinity. Endymion, enchanted by Luna’s presence, gains strength and intensity in Endymion Concentre. 

2018

Elisabethan Rose and Penhaligon’s reunite, reimagined by the hands (and nose) of Alienor Massenet. The floral fragrance is fit for a Queen! Its loyal subjects curtsy in respect.

2019

Penhaligon’s pries open the apothecary tables of ancient Egypt, but to no avail. The empty-handed journey back from Cairo allows us time to smell the roses – how very pleasing they were! We decide to use the city of Cairo as a muse – Damascan Rose is macerated in an overdose of woods and spices. The scent mirrors the city.

2020

The new leading lady and mother of Blenheim Palace, The Favourite, emerges upon a sandalwood stage. Her scent fills the Royal dressing room, her influence spans to the infinite, and golden mimosa sways society’s opinion.

2023

Penhaligon’s creates a fragrance fit for a new kind of King, in collaboration with his Majesty’s estate – Highgrove Bouquet. 10% of all proceeds are donated to The Prince’s Foundation. Jolly good. Meanwhile, Penhaligon's digs through its founder's recipes and finds the forgotten formulas to create the Potions & Remedies collection.