Cross the threshold of this unassuming South-East London shop and you’ll catch a whiff of the old-fashioned herbal remedies that made it London’s leading apothecary in its Victorian heyday.
And whilst they no longer peddle bottles of the extremely popular Touch & Go (for “Warts, Corns and Hard Skin”), you can still purchase a refreshing pint of Sarsaparilla for 30p.
In 1969, G Baldwin and Co moved from 77 Walworth Road to its present location at number 171, but the shop retains much of its charm and original features including a long counter, apothecary wooden drawers and glass jars.
Today the family business is divided into two stores: an excellent health food shop on one side, and the traditional herbalist next door. I was given a sneak-peek behind the scenes, and discovered the fragrant oils room where all of the bottling is done on-site, as well as a thriving mail-order business.
Part of the attraction of Baldwin’s these days is its affordable range of essential oils, natural products and aromatherapy products. I swear by their organic Rosehip Oil, a total steal at £7.99, which I use as an inexpensive glow-giving face serum at night. Rosehip oil can be found as an ingredient in many major beauty brands' more expensive anti-ageing products, due to its high levels of anti-oxidants and collagen-boosting Vitamin A. It's also excellent for healing blemishes and acne scars.
I also love their range of old-fashioned amber bottles and jars, which come in a variety of sizes that would look gorgeous lined up on your bathroom shelf (in manner of Aesop chic). In fact, Baldwin’s is an excellent source for all sorts of crafty DIY beauty ingredients, including bulk packages of dead sea bath salts and silicone soap-making moulds.
Each visit reveals interesting new finds (Stuff in a Tub icecream; English honey cappings; Dr Bronner's soap) and budget buys (luxury handmade soap for £2.89) – making Baldwin's one of London’s true hidden shopping gems.
G Baldwin & Co
171/173 Walworth Road
London SE17 1RW
Tel. 020 7703 5550
Nearest tube/rail: Elephant & Castle
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday 9am – 5.30pm
What a great history, it's nice to see family businesses still going strong all these years later and the interior looks fantastic. I love the old signage in the pics.
Posted by: Delicious Industries | March 16, 2009 at 11:01 AM
What a find! This place looks fantastic!
Posted by: Fionnuala | March 16, 2009 at 03:57 PM
Wow, I love shops with a bit of history!
Posted by: Sally | March 16, 2009 at 04:19 PM
Great one there. Will go look for the place one of these days. Cheers!
C K
Posted by: A Singaporean in London | March 16, 2009 at 06:12 PM
wow, it's very near from our flat... I must pop in soon!
Posted by: picolin | March 16, 2009 at 06:24 PM
Hey, what a neat place! Reminds me of the pharmacy in the Science Museum, but wow, this one's still in action. Would be worth pottering down just for the novelty of having sarsparilla.
Posted by: Char | March 16, 2009 at 06:54 PM
I need to go here - what heaven!
Posted by: Make Do Style | March 16, 2009 at 08:17 PM
Checking back again. Thanks very much for the link. Cheers!
C K
Posted by: A Singaporean in London | March 18, 2009 at 04:30 PM
Love the shelves and drawers in old "medicine halls"! Always thought they'd look great against a wall in the living room, if we're lucky to find some affordable originals. xx
Posted by: the likkle girl who wurves pwetty things | March 20, 2009 at 05:25 AM
Rebecca, you must let us know next time you visit Baldwins - we're hidden away just over the road! x
Posted by: Emma B | March 20, 2009 at 06:02 PM