Explore the Craftsmanship, Fragrance and Heritage Behind Charles Farris Candles
In a world of fast production and short-lived trends, there’s enduring value in items made with purpose, skill and authenticity. Few home luxuries embody this better than a truly exceptional candle. While mass-market options are abundant, handcrafted British-made candles stand apart for their quality, beauty and longevity.
For 180 years, Charles Farris has upheld the art of British candle-making, combining traditional techniques with contemporary fragrance design. Here’s why investing in a Charles Farris candle is worth every penny.
British Craftsmanship Rooted in Heritage
Established in London in 1845, Charles Farris is one of Britain’s oldest candle makers. The company holds a Royal Warrant and has long been trusted by churches, households and interior designers. Every candle is hand-poured in England, using methods honed over generations to ensure exceptional consistency, clean burning, and refined finish.
This commitment to heritage and precision craftsmanship is what makes each Charles Farris candle a quality product – made to be enjoyed slowly and remembered fondly.
A Superior Wax Blend for a Clean, Even Burn
At the heart of every Charles Farris candle is a proprietary wax blend designed for a slow, even, smoke-free burn. Unlike synthetic waxes used in many mass-produced candles, this blend ensures that fragrance diffuses evenly and efficiently throughout the burn, leaving no wasted wax or messy residue.
The brand’s iconic pillar and dinner candles are especially prized for their drip-free performance – ideal for formal entertaining, tablescapes, and atmospheric settings.
Thoughtfully Composed Fragrance Profiles
Scent is at the core of every Charles Farris candle. Each fragrance is developed with master perfumers and inspired by the richness of the British landscape, its history, rituals, and seasons. Whether it’s the softness of rose gardens or the depth of an English forest, every scent is designed to transport and evoke.
Signature fragrances include:
Elizabeth – A refined floral that blends bergamot, orange, green fig, and blackcurrant, unfolding into a heart of orange blossom, jasmine, and rose, and finishing with soft cedar wood.
British Expedition – A rich and aromatic scent, evoking Victorian exploration. Combines clove, ginger, sweet tobacco, and mint tea, supported by layers of apple, eucalyptus, jasmine, and warm spice.
Portobello – A vibrant, contemporary scent with a nod to London’s famous street. Opens with pomegranate and rose, deepens into patchouli, raspberry, and oak, and settles on a base of amber, pink pepper, and vetiver.
These complex profiles unfold slowly as the candle burns, filling the room with rich, layered fragrance – not just for hours, but for days.
Designed with Sustainability in Mind
Charles Farris candles are handcrafted in Wiltshire, made in small batches, and packaged with care. Materials are responsibly sourced and selected not only for performance but also for environmental integrity. The result is a product that lasts longer, performs better, and is designed to be cherished – not replaced.
Supporting British manufacturing also means fewer transport miles, ethical production standards, and a lower environmental footprint overall.
A Luxury That Lasts
While mass-market candles can be tempting for their price tags, they often burn quickly, tunnel unevenly, and lack scent integrity. Charles Farris candles are made to endure – offering longer burn times, cleaner flames, and fragrances that are beautifully balanced from first light to final flicker.
For those who value substance over disposability, handcrafted British-made candles offer a richer, more meaningful experience – a daily ritual elevated by history, craftsmanship and style.