Gifts and Toiletries

Mrs Lawrence, wife of the chemist from 1884, used to bottle her famous Lavender Water in the upstairs rooms of the Oldest Chemist Shop. We still sell Lavender Water today along with a great range of other toiletries, soaps and gifts. Browse along our shelves to find the perfect gift or momento of your visit to Knaresborough.

Lavender Water
Bath Oils
Novelty Soaps
Lotions
Herbal Remedies
Creams

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.

A huge stone flagon stands easy to see,
a pestle and mortar and bottle tree.
A bleeding couch and a leech jar there-
bygone infections thought to repair.

Reviving bath herbs attractive to mothers
uplifting for golfers and also for lovers.
Aromatherapy products they keep-
give drowsy charm to conjure up sleep.

With lavender water, enchantment assumes
to spray or lay sachets in house-keepers rooms.
Bath oils with flowers floating within,
boxes of toiletries or soap in a tin.

Yorkshire pickle with chilli, aubergine,
cucumber, tomatoes and peppers green.
Jams there with ginger, all fruits preserved,
apricot, blackcurrant and lemon curd.

Zam-buck aseptic cream old as the nation,
unequalled as yet as an embrocation.
Red Devil, Snowfire and Fiery jack
for muscular pains and Babes Cradlecap

Soothache, Toothache gel, liptrex and balm,
Jack Frost vapour rub – a night to sleep calm.
Corn pads stop limps and give you protection,
and sprays for bites to stop the infection. 

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.