Each year the publication brings together a curated edit of brands shaping the tastes of a global audience, from storied heritage houses to modern innovators. To stand alongside friends from the sporting world, as well as some of the most respected names in British luxury, is both a privilege and a reminder of the values we share: authenticity, quality without compromise, and products made to last a lifetime.
Below you’ll find the article as it appears in the 2026 edition.
"It’s an exciting time at Westley Richards, as the company now has a new owner. This represents a big opportunity for the brand and has given rise to a lot of forward thinking about its future direction. We are focused on expanding the leather goods and safari clothing business, as this is where we have a significant edge.
Westley Richards is known as a gunmaker: we have been making the best quality shotguns and rifles in Birmingham since 1812. They are magnificent, beautiful objects finished to the highest possible standards. We only make 25 guns a year, with a waiting list of four years for new orders. Our priority for this side of the business is to improve the arrival times for our guns.
The leather goods are all made in house, side by side with the guns, here in Birmingham. There are very few leather workshops in Britain that have the calibre of Westley Richards’ operation. Our leather goods have a timeless rugged style that owes much to their origins in the field, in contrast to the more refined look of many of our competitors.
At the moment, our leather goods are handmade by a single artisan, with delivery times between four and six weeks. This is a considerable barrier to increased capacity now and in the future. We are therefore restructuring our leather-working teams to complement their skills with new machinery, all in pursuit of raising quality standards further, reducing waste and saving time.
"We are focused on expanding the leather goods and safari clothing business, as we have a significan't edge."Our bestselling bag is the Bishop bag in buffalo hide, named after William Bishop, Westley Richards’ legendary London agent. It is a smart, practical crossbody bag made from the highest grade bark-tanned leather and finished with a canvas strap and brass fittings, inspired by our heritage in gunmaking. We’ve recently introduced the Bishop Hill bag, a larger capacity version – for time out on the hill – with the Bishop rucksack soon to launch.
We’ve recently updated the design of our small leather accessories collection, the Aston, which takes its name from our current home in Birmingham. Gifting is a huge opportunity for us. Nonetheless, we intend to stay true to our origins as gunmakers: the trophies remain on the showroom walls and in our latest winter catalogue, the models are shown shooting, smoking cigars and striding in tweeds across open moorland."
To view the entire annual online or purchase your copy of Great British Brands 2026 head to: countryandtownhouse.com/great-british-brands/
Westley Richards has been outfitting its clients for with fine leather goods as long as it has been building custom rifles and bespoke guns for them. Whether you are on safari in the African bush, in Paris for the weekend, or in New York on business, our heirloom quality leather luggage strikes the perfect balance between functionality, durability and timeless elegance. Made in our leather factory in Birmingham side by side with the gunmaking, the company offers a range of luxury travel bags made from leather and canvas, including holdalls, briefcases, backpacks, messenger bags and weekend bags. The perfect partner to our high quality safari wear and country clothing.
