English Laundry’s 2013 fragrance: citrus and pepper over jasmine, cedar, sandalwood and musk.
At a glance
Notting Hill is a 2013 fragrance from English Laundry: bright bergamot, lemon and lime, a peppery jasmine heart, and a base of sandalwood, cedar, amber and musk.
Reviewers on Parfumo often describe it as a budget take on Ralph Lauren’s Safari for Men.
Creation and context
English Laundry is a clothing label created by Manchester-born designer Christopher Wicks and launched in 2009. Its fragrance line began in 2010 with Arrogant, and its scents are produced and marketed by 3B International, which both Parfumo and the official English Laundry shop name as the company behind the line.
The official shop, Fragrantica and Parfumo all date Notting Hill to 2013. None of them names a perfumer. The brand calls it “the ultimate in culture and elegance” and names it, like most of the line, after an English place: the West London district. The official shop also sells a separate Notting Hill Femme; this post covers the fragrance in the gold bottle.
The composition
English Laundry has not published a formula. The structure below uses only the materials that the official shop, Fragrantica and Parfumo all list.
The official shop and Parfumo list many more notes, including cassis, geranium, lavender, rosemary, patchouli, oakmoss and tonka bean. Fragrantica classifies Notting Hill as a woody floral musk; Parfumo’s community calls it citrusy-spicy, woody and fresh.
Why it matters
Notting Hill shows how reviewers read English Laundry’s range: against familiar designer references, under English names and crests. Several Parfumo reviewers compare it to Ralph Lauren’s Safari for Men, which Parfumo also lists as its closest match, and one describes it as an homage to the transitional fragrances between the 1980s powerhouses and later fresh scents. Others on Parfumo note that the drydown drifts toward Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce.
Opinions differ: one Parfumo reviewer calls it “the best English Laundry,” while another finds it too close to Safari and Fierce to be a real alternative while those are still sold.
Reformulation and editions
Parfumo reviewers and retail listings describe Notting Hill as an eau de parfum; the official shop sells it in full bottles and as a 2 ml vial on card. One Parfumo user reports that a formula change around 2020 made it weaker; this is not confirmed elsewhere. When Fragrance Help first listed it, distribution was limited.
Wearing it today
Expect a sharp citrus and pepper opening that settles into warm woods and musk within the first hour. Parfumo users rate its longevity and sillage as moderate.
It is versatile enough for the office and for most seasons. If you like Safari for Men but want something lighter and cheaper for everyday use, test Notting Hill on skin.