As you may know, the term “Old Lady” is banned from my blog. There’s no such thing as Old Lady perfume. You can say classic, or heritage or Grande Dame. It was with delight, therefore, that I discovered from the lovely woman on the Yardley stand at The Barnes Fragrance Fair, that The Youth are seeking out florals again. (You only have to look at The Chelsea Flower Show guests in the media. They’re getting younger every year!) Yes, plain, no caramel, no cupcake florals. In my opinion, nobody does soliflores (single note florals) quite like Yardley. It’s time to shake off the myth that this is “OLP”.

Several years ago, I made a point of taking my son Fred to London for the day. It’s the GOAT of cities, and you could visit a thousand times and see a different side to London on every visit. I lived there for five years in my twenties and I still feel like me and London have unfinished explorations. On a very hot, thirty degrees sort of day, my son and I queued to see the crown jewels. The only thing that saved me from the heat was the small bottle of Yardley English Rose in my handbag. From that day on, I declared it a heatwave hero. It also brings back a lovely memory of that mother and son day.

Such a refreshing eau de toilette when sprayed on! It sidesteps any of the cloying, rich depths of more sophisticated rose fragrances (which most definitely merit a place on your shelf) . If we want to get technical, which we don’t, the notes listed on Fragrantica are rose, geranium, white flowers, musk, woodsy notes and spices. However, my impression is that Yardley gathered the morning dew from the pink petals of roses and bottled them in a refreshing eau de toilette spray whose lightness becomes a strength when you need to cool down. It feels as if you showered in rose petals and washed your clothes in a fictional “Airy Rose” fabric conditioner. Roses can be almost astringently light when done this way. In case you need further persuasion, Yardley English Rose is pocket money priced, vegan and cruelty free. What’s not to love?

I have reviewed nearly 2000 fragrances. Take it from me, you need Yardley. I’m never without my English Rose, my April Violets, and since The Barnes Fragrance Fair, my English Daffodil (should be Welsh Daffodil, but I’ll let that one go). Dive in, nose first! Summer 2026 is all about the flowers.

Where to buy it

You can buy Yardley English Rose from just about anywhere from Boots to Sainsburys, and endless online retailers. Prices start at £5.99 for 50ml and increase for the 125ml bottle. The most expensive I’ve seen it is £18.99, and the cheapest I’ve seen is £9.95. Shop around.

Disclosure

I was sent a bottle of Yardley English Rose by Yardley, for which many thanks. I already had a bottle (nearly empty) and was already a fan. Thank you for reminding me how much I love it just days before a heatwave struck Wales! My opinion and my decision to review it are both my own. Yardley also co-sponsored The Barnes Fragrance Fair and had a stall there. Proceeds from the stall went to Breast Cancer Research.