Quintessentially British?

Brolly Shop New Oxford St
@Ronrybs (21723)
London, England
July 16, 2026 3:48am CST
In 1830, at Foubet’s Place, just off of Regent Street, the shopping Mecca for the rich, an umbrella shop was opened by James Smith. His son adopted a newly invented, lightweight, umbrella frame (honest!) and with the business thriving, moved to new premises on New Oxford Street around 1865. Jas Smith & Sons continued to do well and if you want an umbrella, a walking stick or just a shoehorn, this the place to visit. I have several umbrellas and walking sticks, but not a one from this shop. I really need to pop in and invest in a quality ‘brolly and can then be quintessentially British, just like the shop!
8 people like this
8 responses
DE
@DaddyEvil (175695)
• United States
10h
I used to own several umbrellas but have no idea what happened to them. Younger people here buy hooded sweatshirts and wear the hood up if they go out in the rain. I do that now, too.
3 people like this
Fleur
@Fleura (35733)
• United Kingdom
10h
Most hooded sweatshirts have a hood that is just made of a double layer of the main sweatshirt material, so it keeps the rain off for a while - by just soaking it up. Eventually of course the water will seep through and down your neck. And the double thickness hood takes ages to dry!
3 people like this
DE
@DaddyEvil (175695)
• United States
10h
@Fleura True enough, if you're actually walking somewhere in the rain. Most Americans just go from their house into their car and drive someplace and then get out of the car and go into a shop or another house. Umbrellas are just something to keep one of your hands busy.
3 people like this
Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (21723)
• London, England
10h
Not often I carry a full size one, usually just a folding one
3 people like this
Fleur
@Fleura (35733)
• United Kingdom
10h
Do they also do parasols?
2 people like this
Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (21723)
• London, England
10h
Good question, I guess so. Must pop in next time I in the area and have a look
2 people like this
Fleur
@Fleura (35733)
• United Kingdom
9h
@Ronrybs That could be a growing market again!
1 person likes this
changjiangzhibin89
@changjiangzhibin89 (17274)
• China
5h
This umbrella shop boasts a long history ! I wonder if its products are still popular with young people now.
Anna
@LadyDuck (504623)
• Italy
8h
This is an impressive shop and I am sure they have any kind of umbrellas. I have several umbrellas, including a couple of those compact folding umbrellas that I keep in my bag when I am not sure about the weather.
1 person likes this
Scott Ganschow
@teamfreak16 (44390)
• Denver, Colorado
10h
I think the last time I had an umbrella was in the 90's. I'm just used to getting wet at this point.
2 people like this
Scott Ganschow
@teamfreak16 (44390)
• Denver, Colorado
10h
@Ronrybs - I'm also talking about just walking around. I was in the army. Rain just isn't a big deal once you've been in some of that stuff.
1 person likes this
Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (21723)
• London, England
10h
On the bike, not a lot you can do about it unless you are in the Netherlands. They happily cycle with brollies up!
2 people like this
Anindita Sengupta
@aninditasen (18210)
• Raurkela, India
5h
I used a raincoat before now I use an umbrella both for the sun and rain.
snowy
@snowy22315 (210695)
• United States
5h
I would love to go in there and browse around. I do have an umbrella I really like with cats all over it. I have had it for years. My other is a totes umbrella.
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (384778)
• Rockingham, Australia
5h
How cool is that? You definitely need to get an umbrella from here.