Howarth Of London

About

Howarth of London, established in 1948, is a specialist woodwind instrument maker and retailer. Known all over the world as makers of the finest oboes, oboes d’amore and cors anglais, their instruments are made in their dedicated manufacturing workshops in Worthing, West Sussex.

As seen in the ‘Marylebone on Display’ exhibition

“I bought my first bassoon at Howarth as a young student. It had always been a Mecca for double-reed players. I went on to study a performance degree round the corner at the Royal Academy of Music and even lived here in that time on Gloucester Place. I have now worked at Howarth for two decades. You can feel the music pulsing through Marylebone whether it’s here, or passing the piano shops around Wigmore Street, the string specialists, and the concert halls.

Chiltern Street has been our home for half a century, and before then on Blandford Street. Chiltern Street is really special for us with all of the independent retailers, artisanal creativity and craftsmanship. It makes Marylebone a truly special – a place where artistry and tradition meet with a modern, vibrant energy.”

– Stuart, Double Reed Seller (2025).