Arthur Beale have been equipping Voyager, wayfarers, Vagabonds and pioneers for over 500 years. They have provided ropes and chandlery equipment for Polar exploration and early Everest expedition for Ernest Shackleton, Gino Watkins and many more. Priding themselves on their passion and dedication for high quality kit for every kind of adventure.
Grace’s Guide to British Industry says that Arthur Beale was established as a rope maker called John Buckinghams circa 1500. Our Sign says “Established 400 years” but the sign is 60 years old! We have never moved from our current spot but in those days the Parish of St Giles area was surrounded by fields, possibly growing the flax we used to make our rope. The Church of St Giles in the Fields still stands across the road.
John Buckingham not only made rope and twine but sacks and mats too. The town of London gradually encroached on St Giles and the company needed more space to meet the demand so they set up other rope walks in Islington and also on the banks of the Fleet in Kentish Town.
In 1864 the Alpine Club of Great Britain being distressed by various climbing rope failures decided to set up a committee to carry out strength tests. Out of all the ropes they tested only three met their standards. All three were made by Buckingham and Sons of Broad Street, St Giles.
The Alpine Club Rope grew in popularity and was used throughout the world. It was ordered for all the early Everest Expeditions as well as by Shackleton (see image above) for his polar exploits. In fact, we also supplied Shackleton’s Ice Axes and specialist pulleys. Our archives have many letters from famous explorers together with signed order forms from Ernest Shackleton.
Moving closer to present day and since the closure of their shop following the pandemic they have managed to move from strength to strength, developing and expanding their successful clothing ranges as well as introducing a new Gin!!!! Their warehouse in Buckinghamshire allows them the space to experiment & develop new products.
Oiled wool pullovers, submariner jumpers, sailors roll necks come under many names, but they haven’t changed much through the centuries. Oiled wool pullovers have been an essential piece of kit for adventurers. All of their pullovers are 100% British wool and made in the UK. The Knitting patterns are based on traditional pullover styles drawn from their 500 year old archive.
