The Lavender Rooms, Knaresborough, above the Oldest Chemist Shop in England

About Us

The Oldest Chemist Shop first opened its doors as a pharmacy in 1720 during the reign of King George I, when John Beckwith was the apothecary. However, the listed building complete with oak beams and quaint rooms dates back even further to medieval times. Situated in the market square, it is right in the heart of the town.

The most well known Chemists were W P Lawrence and his son Edmund who between them ran the pharmacy from 1884 until 1965. Mrs Lawrence, wife of W P Lawrence used to bottle her Lavender Water in the upstairs rooms.

In 2001 these rooms were converted into unique tea rooms, appropriately called The Lavender Rooms where we now serve delicious teas, coffees, cakes and lunches.

We use Lavender in some of our cake and scone recipes and you can even get Lavender infused Earl Grey tea. All of our fresh ingredients are from local Yorkshire suppliers including the lavender.

We are featured in the Tip-top TEASHOP guide which highlights good quality and interesting places where you can enjoy a wide range of teas and tasty home-made food. The booklet and some teas from around the world can be purchased in the restaurant.

An excerpt from

by Sylvia Tweedy

The oldest chymist shoppe on the English map
stands in our Knaresborough, we’re proud of that.
Folk see the adverts so the chymist they seek
and are quite astonished to find it unique.

In the market it stands. By the door on a rack
there’s photos of Knaresborough all neatly stacked,
then with a frown, they take the card down,
buy one of the chymist and two of the town.

Once they go in they’ll soon be aware
a hint of the past is still waiting there.
All is so quaint, the magic it brings,
the memory goes back with historical things.

With its low slung beams and wooden floors,
and an old set of apothecary’s drawers
they hold the relics of heritage wealth
while original bottles still perch on the shelf.

If you need a break for refreshments to take
their Lavender Tea Rooms have food all home-made
Morning coffee, light lunches, a cream tea variety
or scones – their lemon and lavender speciality.

Fruit juices organic your choice of today
or a cup of hot tea – lavender infused Earl Grey.
Farrah’s own coffee beans – a nice Cappuccino
in a good atmosphere, you must try to go to.

The Queen came to Farrah’s to see the selection,
impressed by the standard of care and perfection.
Toffee and chocolates all Farrah’s making
to weigh at the counter or wrapped for the taking.

Treat yourself to perfume in bottle.
Yorkshire Punch to take home for a topple.
Candles to glow for when you retreat,
bag filled to the brim, your journey’s complete.