A Visit to Farlows: The World's Oldest Fly Fishing Shop in London
Updated: Oct 4
Fly fishing rods on display at Farlows London fishing tackle shop"
Quick Summary Farlows
Finally made it down to Farlows London on Pall Mall, something I'd been meaning to do for a while, this time with my mate Tomo along for the day. First impressions were spot on, a big, well organised store with really friendly staff, I even dropped £20 on the floor without noticing and one of the team came over and handed it straight back. Made a whole day of it, Farlows in the morning, then Roti King for an early dinner before heading back on the train.
This is the shop that's been kitting anglers out since 1840, older than Hardy's, older than pretty much anyone else still trading today, and one of only two shops I actually rate for fly fishing gear, the other being Sportfish, which turns out to be owned by the exact same company, small world. Here's how the day went, and the history behind the shop itself.
Getting to Farlows London
Fancied a quick day out rather than making it a big trip, so me and Tomo went straight from Birmingham New Street to London Euston, direct, about 1 hour 25 minutes each way, and around £73 on an off peak time saver return. Not bad for a day trip when you're back home again by the evening rather than needing to stop over.
Farlows sits at 9 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5NP, an easy walk from Piccadilly Circus or Green Park. Open Monday to Wednesday and Friday 9am to 6pm, Thursday until 7pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm, closed Sundays.
Where My Fly Fishing Journey With Farlows Began
Never really had an introduction to fly fishing, it just landed on me. When my Grandad passed away he left me all his old gear, cane Hardy rods and reels, boxes of flies he'd tied or picked up over the years, and an old Bradley trout bag made not far from where I grew up, in Halesowen. Didn't have a clue what to do with any of it at first, but I gave it a go anyway, and that was that, hooked.
That's the real reason I wanted to visit Farlows in the first place. Most of my Grandad's Hardy gear, the rods and reels I still use now, came from Farlows originally. So this isn't just a shop I'd heard good things about, it's the place that kitted my Grandad out decades ago, and in a roundabout way, kitted me out too, just a generation later.
Back then I was buying bits from a shop called Powell in Birmingham city centre, mostly a gun shop, but with a decent fly fishing section that did the job fine. That shut years ago now, same as a lot of shops like it, Orvis been one example. These days it's Farlows, Sportfish, John Norris and Essential Fly etc doing what Powell's used to do for me, shops still standing while so many others around them have closed.
The Story Behind Farlows London
The story most people tell about Farlows isn't quite the full one. Everyone credits Charles Farlow alone with opening the first shop back in 1840 at 221 Strand, but it was really a family thing from the start, him and his brother John King Farlow built it together, with their dad behind them too. Charles wasn't just running a shop either, he held 14 patents in his own name, so the reputation was earned through actual innovation rather than just being first through the door.
They moved around a fair bit over the years, Strand, then Charles Street, then The Royal Arcade, before finally landing at 9 Pall Mall back in 2004, a building that used to be a Royal Bank of Scotland branch. Two floors now, right in the middle of London, a stone's throw from Piccadilly.
What impressed me most though is the Royal Warrant. First granted back in 1982, renewed a few times since, most recently in April 2026, so it's good until at least March 2031. That's not something you get handed just for being old either, the criteria's strict, and part of it means proving you've actually got an environmental and sustainability plan behind the business, not just decent stock on the shelves.
Turns out Farlows Group also owns Sportfish, the other shop I buy most of my own gear from, so without even realizing it I've been supporting the same company from two different directions this whole time.
From what some other anglers say about the place, it's not the cheapest shop out there, but the staff know their stuff and don't just push you toward the most expensive option. And having been myself now, I can confirm the shop's giving a fair bit of space to clothing these days, not just tackle, Patagonia's got their own section upstairs, and there's a whole side dedicated to country clothing too. Makes sense when you think about it, being right in the centre of London, a fair chunk of the passing trade's probably tourists rather than anglers, and that whole country English gentleman look, tweed, waxed barbour jackets, that sort of thing, tends to appeal to visitors from abroad just as much as the fishing gear does.
Great selection of Fly Fishing Flies at Farlows Farlows display of Fly fishing rods and equipment Simms waders on display at Farlows downstairs
What's Actually On the Shelves at Farlows Fishing Tackle
First impressions were really good. It's a big store, well laid out and organised, and the staff couldn't have been more helpful throughout.
The fly fishing and fishing section is on the ground floor, and it's a big spread, Hardy and Sage fly rods, loads of leaders, tippets, and fly lines in stock too, all the best brands I've mentioned in other posts on here, plus a massive selection of flies, mostly Fulling Mill, reels, clothing, you name it, they've got it. I really liked the Fishpond stuff they had in, and the Simms waders caught my eye too, though I've decided to order those online rather than carry them round London all day.
Upstairs there's a Patagonia shop within the shop selling a big range of stuff and across the other side is all the clothing and country clothing. Back downstairs there's more fishing gear, Simms waders, jackets, and Farlows' own branded jackets too. They've also got loads of great bags in there, and a good range of Yeti gear as well.
If you're into fly fishing or fishing generally and you're ever in London, I'd highly recommend popping in. If you can't make it in person, their website covers the same ground.
Sign up to Farlows Rewards before you buy anything, their loyalty scheme gives 5 to 8% back on every purchase, with bigger rewards unlocking the more you spend. Doesn't cost anything to join, and it's easy to miss if you don't know to look for it.
A Quick Brand Check at Farlows
Rods and reels: Hardy, Sage, Scott, Abel, Waterworks Lamson, Guideline, Orvis
Lines and leaders: RIO, Scientific Anglers, Airflo, Cortland
Flies and tying: Fulling Mill, Semperfli, Partridge, Veniards, Ahrex
Waders and clothing: Simms, Patagonia, Snowbee, Vision
Country and shooting wear: Barbour, Schoffel, Harkila, Seeland, Laksen, Le Chameau, Dubarry
Bags, storage and outdoor gear: Fishpond, YETI, Richard Wheatley, Tacky
Their own line: Farlows themselves make a solid chunk of the fieldwear range too, all made in Britain
That's just a taste, they carry over 100 brands in total, so if you're after something specific, worth checking their full A-Z brand list directly.
What I Bought at Farlows Pall Mall
Kept it simple in the shop itself, just a small box of mixed flies, recommended by one of the staff. Every member I spoke to actually knew what they were talking about, no bullshit, no stupid answers, they clearly fish themselves.
I've also ordered from Farlows online before this trip:
Cling Mag Grab Mini: £16.99
Cling Mag Grab Rod Rack: £34.99
Two fantastic products which I find very useful. Came with free postage and arrived fast.
Fly box withe selection of flies with descriptions A Great selection of Fly fishing lines and tippets My Selection of flies i brought in Farlows My cling grab Mag that i brought online from Farlows My Mag Grab that i brought online from Farlows London Great bags from Fishpond on display
Where We Stopped for an Early Dinner Before Heading Home
After Farlows we headed over to Covent Garden for a few beers at The Cross Keys, a lovely old school traditional pub, really nice inside and not over priced either, exactly the kind of place you'd want to duck into for a pint before heading on somewhere for food.
Went to Roti King, just by Euston station, somewhere I'd always wanted to try but the queues are normally far too long to bother. They've got a couple of newer locations around London now too, and this time the wait was only about 15 minutes, so we went for it.
We ordered a roti canai with chicken kari, two mutton roti canai, char kuey teow noddles,and a kari laksa, plus extra sambal on the side and two soft drinks. All of it was bang on, nice and spicy, seriously good food. Came to £82 for the lot. Very good value.
They don't sell alcohol, so don't go expecting a beer with it. The tables are also packed in pretty close together, more of a quick, functional setup than somewhere to chill, but given the food is so good its worth it.
The Verdict
Great shop, great staff. From the moment I walked in it felt well looked after, well laid out, easy to find your way round, and not once did anyone try to push me toward something I didn't need. Losing £20 on the floor and getting it handed straight back tells you plenty about the kind of place it is too.
Whether it's the fly fishing side, the waders and clothing, or just having a browse through everything Fishpond and Simms had in, there's enough here to justify the trip on its own, before you even factor in the history behind the shop or the fact my own grandad's gear likely came from the same place decades ago.
If you're into this kind of thing, get down there. And if you can't make it in person, have a look online instead.
Related Reading
Understanding Fly Fishing Lines: What to Know Before You Buy What actually matters when choosing a fly line, the sink rates, the tapers, and the brands I actually run myself.
The Best Fly Fishing Flies, Lures, Tippets & Leaders What's actually in the fly box, the flies, tippets and leaders that earn their place rather than sitting there unused.
Pike Fishing Season UK: When It Starts and Why I'm Ready for It How I actually got into pike fishing, what's behind the season dates, and the kit I'm taking out once I'm back on the water.
Llyn Clywedog Trout Fly Fishing in Wales One of the best places to fly fishing in the UK. The senery is unbelivable.
Thanks James | Fishing Field Fork
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