Leeds and London Visit - Cigar Shops

[Philc2001]

As a stroke of luck, my daughter will be attending the University of Leeds starting in the fall, so I will be making a trek across the pond in a few months. I don't know if I'll be stopping long enough in London to shop around, but hopefully I can find some local cigar shops around Leeds where I can find some decent stock. I haven't been to the UK before, so I don't know what to expect in terms of supply and pricing, but would love to have some feedback from you all on the places to visit, shop and eat in and around Leeds. On the off chance I can spend a couple of days in London, I would appreciate some pointers relative to London also. 

Thanks.

[wabashcr]

I will be in London for a week starting this Friday.  Hoping to have time to at least visit JJ Fox and Davidoff on St James's.  I'd like to visit some of the hotel cigar terraces I've seen mentioned here, but doubt I'll have much time to do so.

[NSXCIGAR]

There once was a man from Leeds...

[NSXCIGAR]

Gauntley's is about 50 miles south of Leeds in Nottingham and they used to have some interesting stock a few years ago, but I doubt much is left these days as they do conduct some mail order online biz. I'd think you'd have a much better chance at snagging something cool in person, though. You never know where a box of Punch Ninfas or 2000 Mag 46 could be tucked away...

[99call]

As im from Manchester (a short hop from Leeds) I would forget about picking up cigars in the North of England, and save your cash to buy aged stock in London. Manchester has Ashtons. Which has a little very expensive aged stock. But yes, save your money. Get to Pall Mall. If your going to get your pants pulled down, at least they do it with silk gloves on!!

[99call]

As a side topic, forget about cigars for a second. Visit the old Victorian arcades in Leeds. Its a fabulous place. The north has some great tiled Victorian Architecture. With the bonus of not being surrounded by London W**kers!

[Philc2001]

Hopefully this all comes together in the next month or two. I have to get up to UF next week for my daughter's graduation, and then the paper chase begins. Ironically, although my daughter is double majoring at UF, and she's on the dean's list with a 3.8GPA, the dicks at UF turned her down for a Masters degree because she could not find a professor to fund her Masters program. They're making it impossible for kids to get an education here.

I can't confirm if I will be able to spend any time in London, if we even stop there at all. We will have a busy schedule getting my daughter moved into an apartment and settled before her classes start in September. If we stop in London it would probably only be to change planes as I don't think we will drive to Leeds. But if I can get some additional time off and keep the budget manageable I would love to visit London too. A lot depends on whether our EU paperwork is done in time and whether U Leeds cooperates on accepting her status as an EU citizen. If they don't accept my daughter's EU credentials then it will cost me 3 times as much for her tuition, and I'll be broke, so I won't have any cigar spending money, much less money to spend a few days in London.

[99call]

If you went through Heathrow, and were allowed out of the Airport, I guess your nearest point of call, (for a quick fix) would be the Casa Del Habano in Teddinton with Ajay Patel. Never bought from him, but based on you tube, he has a stockpile of aged and interesting stock, It would just depend on price and whether or not he wants to let stuff go. Plus also, as it's not in central London, I'm guessing his rent is not similar to that of Pall Mall, and maybe his prices are better?

Best of luck, 

[Shaunster]

Cigar shops are not that common in the UK, outside of the big affluent cities they are mostly non existent...  Pricing wise, very high. If your used to the prices on the 24:24 sales on here, then it will be a big shock. However, you can pick up some gems that are sort after on here. 

Im not familiar with the area, but about 70miles from leeds is http://www.mysmokingshop.co.uk example they have boxes of des dieux from 2013, however price is £370 or $475.

Prices when you buy in person in the shop are also higher than advertised on the website, so you can always ask for online prices, some shops will agree, others wont.

 

[canadianbeaver]

Not that many years ago, perhaps 10, my first trip overseas was to London. Had a wonderful time at Davidoffs. I don't think we knew about J.J. Fox back then .

 

[CaptainQuintero]

Leeds has a well stocked cigar and pipe store in the arcade called Greens, well worth a visit. The boss is great to talk to of you can get there when he's in.