John Smedley
John Smedley was founded in 1784 at Lea Mills, in Derbyshire's Derwent Valley, and the company calls the mill the world's oldest continuously operating manufacturing factory. From 1825 to 1875, under John Smedley II, it was known for fine merino underwear, and the Long John is said to be named after him. In the same period, it says, it installed Britain's first fully fashioned knitting machines. It moved into menswear and outerwear in the 1890s and introduced its Sea Island Cotton polo shirt in 1932. A Royal Warrant came in 2013 and was renewed in 2024, and the eighth-generation family director, Ian Maclean, was recognised in the 2020 Birthday Honours.
The clothing
Shown here: the Adrian Sea Island cotton polo shirt, the Lorca Sea Island cotton T-shirt and the Blenheim extra fine merino V-neck jumper, all made at John Smedley's Lea Mills factory in Derbyshire. John Smedley's merino yarn is spun in Italy, then knitted in Derbyshire.
£150–£299
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£150–£299
View product ↗
£150–£299
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Where they're made
Lea Mills, Derbyshire
Made in Britain at Lea Mills, John Smedley's mill in Derbyshire's Derwent Valley, where it has made knitwear since 1784. Its merino yarn is spun in Italy, then knitted in Derbyshire.
Made in Britain — how we know
John Smedley's About page says it has made knitwear at its Derwent Valley mill since 1784 and that its merino is spun in Italy before knitting in Derbyshire. Its men's collections page says its garments are all made at Lea Mills. Checked October 2026.
- Maker’s about page
Checked 5 October 2026About Us — John Smedley ↗ - Maker’s range page
Checked 5 October 2026Men's collections — John Smedley ↗
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