'Best shop in UK' award for Harrogate's oldest and most iconic business
One of Harrogate's most historic shops which still wraps up purchases in brown paper and string has been recognised as one of the UK’s 50 best independent shops.
The iconic Woods Fine Linen is still owned by the same family who founded it in Harrogate in 1895 – and retains the same high standards it’s had for more than two centuries.
This week has seen the famous shop receive yet another accolade – a place in House & Garden’s @houseandgardenuk’s 50 best independent shops awards.
After learning Woods had won the Specialist Shop of the Year 2025 award, Nicholas Richardson, a director at Woods Fine Linen, said: "We are thrilled to be recognised of course in our push to encourage customers to ‘buy British’ wherever possible.
"We accept the award on behalf of our fabulous team throughout the business that work very hard to maintain exceptional standard."
Located in the Grade II Prince Albert Row on Station Parade, such is the reputation both nationally and internationally, Woods is respected by royalty with HRH The Princess Royal visiting the store in person in 2023.
House & Garden praised the Harrogate store for its commitment not only to the highest quality but also offering an old-fashioned experience, saying:
“The Woods family have been producers and suppliers of fine linen since 1733, first opening a shop in 1895.
“This shop, set over several floors and now run by William Woods, the founder's grandson, is a treasure trove of the finest table and bed linen from the very best European names and mills as well as those exclusive to Woods.
“There are also towels of every colour and description and all sorts of specialist household cleaning cloths, many made for Woods, from linen window cleaning scrims - for the perfect smear-free result - to the chicest of dusters imaginable in a blue and red check twill.
"Purchases are wrapped in brown paper and string to complete the step-back-in-time experience.”
Woods' long association with the royal family goes back to 1927 when Princess Mary was a regular visitor.
For more information, visit: https://woodsfinelinens.com/ or: https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/gallery/independent-shop-awards-2025