Truefitt & Hill

Key Takeaways

• Truefitt and Hill was founded in 1805 in Mayfair, London, making it the oldest barbershop in the world.
• The house has held Royal Warrants across nine consecutive reigns of British monarchs, including a Royal Warrant to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
• Charles Dickens and William Thackeray are among the historical figures associated with the establishment, reflecting its deep roots in British cultural life.
• The modern Truefitt and Hill was formed in 1935 with the acquisition of Edwin S. Hill and Co., bringing together two grooming legacies under one name.
• Two centuries of heritage, still in practice today.

Step back to 1805. Nelson had just won at Trafalgar. King George III was on the throne. William Pitt the Younger was Prime Minister. And in the heart of fashionable Mayfair, London, a grooming establishment opened its doors that would still be standing more than two hundred years later. That establishment is Truefitt and Hill, the oldest barbershop in the world.

Crafting Elegance for London's Gentry

From its earliest days, Truefitt and Hill catered to London's elite with a standard of service that was unmatched anywhere in the world. In an age where grooming was a genuine mark of social standing, the house built a reputation around both its products and its craft. A distinguished range of formulations, legendary barbering services and an unwavering commitment to quality laid the foundation for everything that followed.

A Living History

The names of Charles Dickens and William Thackeray are part of Truefitt's story, appearing in the literature of the era as a symbol of style and service. Stepping into the establishment has always felt like stepping into something larger than a simple grooming appointment: a tradition, a ritual, a connection to the way things were done when craftsmanship was taken seriously as a matter of course.

By Royal Appointment

Truefitt and Hill holds a distinction that very few institutions can claim. The house has served the monarchs of Great Britain across nine consecutive reigns, earning multiple Royal Warrants along the way, including a Royal Warrant to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The title By Royal Appointment is not handed out lightly. It is a recognition of enduring quality sustained across generations.

The Modern Truefitt and Hill

In 1935, Truefitt acquired the hairdressing business of Edwin S. Hill and Co., bringing together two celebrated grooming legacies and forming the modern Truefitt and Hill as it is known today. The establishment continues to offer the full range of treatments and services it has always been known for, updated for contemporary life without losing the character that has defined it since the beginning.