The Magic of G Baldwin & Co: Our Visit to the Oldest Herbalist in London

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Harry Potter Would Have Felt Right at Home in Baldwin

We were looking for a glass tea pot (aff link) and that’s how we stumbled upon G Baldwin & Co.

It is difficult to explain about the look and feel of the place but the pics below will help. The dark wood, the old, big vases, jars and containers; the huge, iron pestle and mortar (guttered I didn’t take a picture of it), the apothecary’s draws… all looking like something out of a Harry Potter film set. 

Which we loved, of course.

Lynn and I visited C Baldwin & Co to get our lovely (and cheap!) glass tea pot to take back to Tenerife but in our hearts we knew we were going to fall in love with more things (which we bought).

The book section, for example, was a lot lighter by the time we left (and heavier on Lynn’s back). We bought every type of book; from a cookery book to a herb remedies for children book, beautifully illustrated books on recognising flowers and plants and books by Scott Cunningham (who we have totally fallen in love with because of his gentleness and respect for nature – watch him in action here). His books cover everything you need to know on potions, magical herb uses and embracing the power of herbs and plants. So, as you can see, all in all, Baldwin is a haven for Harry Potter and his chums.

Other things we purchased were Floradix Liquid Iron (with aff link), Herbatint hair dye (aff link, you’ll need to look for your particular colour), a glass thermometer for cooking (with aff link) which I’ll use for making our DIY skincare cosmetics, a tub of Dead Sea Spa Magik exfoliant [aff link](which Lynn loves) and non-fluoride Kingfisher baking soda toothpaste (aff link).

They also had a candle section; it was interesting because they were not your average scented candles but the proper, full on spiritual-magic-type Mexican style candles with meaning and purpose other than scent.

Above is the Floramax on display on the right hand side. Look at the beautiful old container at the top of the shelf inside the glass cabinet.

Above a neem oil soap with an interesting shape. It smelled glorious. Lynn liked it. Look at the way they’ve displayed its uses on the label…

Above: logo on the wall, the clock reminds Lynn of her school days in Devon, England, wonderful jars full with different herbs and pippetted old jars at the very top.

We must also add that members of staff were very helpful and knowledgable, which I believe is a must when it comes to herbal remedies.

Here’s a video that’ll show you more on their premises:

And here’s some interesting text I took from their About page:

London’s oldest and most established Herbalist. […] Now located on 173 Walworth Road, our store still captures the nostalgic atmosphere of its original store – wooden floors, high old fashioned counters and shelves stacked with herbs, oils and ointments.

Here’s the clear glass teapot we bought. You can buy it here. (aff link).

And here I am proudly standing by the storefront. Such a unique and magical old British herbalist establishment. What an incredible honour!