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Originally from Wiltshire, Wakefield arrived in Horsham in the late nineteenth century with little money but a strong determination to establish himself as a watchmaker. According to the company’s history, he rode into town on a penny-farthing bicycle with just five pounds in his pocket, before securing work as an apprentice watchmaker on West Street.
His skill and reputation steadily grew, and in 1911 he opened his own jewellery and watchmaking business in the town.
The original shop opened at 13 West Street, before moving in 1935 to 11 West Street, where Wakefields still operates today. The building had previously been home to Boots the Chemist, and some of the original mahogany display cabinets from that era remain part of the store’s interior.
Today the business is run by Dominic and Melanie Wakefield, the fourth generation of the Wakefield family to guide the company.
More than a century after John Wakefield first opened his doors, the store continues to combine watchmaking heritage with contemporary jewellery retail.
Then and now: John Wakefield (back row, second from right) with the staff of Jury Cramp’s Jewellers in 1901, alongside fourth-generation owners Melanie and Dominic Wakefield
Wakefields has evolved into one of Sussex’s most respected independent jewellery and watch boutiques.
Located in the centre of Horsham, the boutique offers customers the opportunity to explore fine jewellery, engagement rings, bespoke designs and luxury watches within a refined showroom environment.
But what immediately sets Wakefields apart is the way the boutique itself has been designed.
Rather than a traditional jewellery counter layout, the store feels closer to a luxury lounge, where the focus is on creating a relaxed and welcoming experience for visitors.
At the front of the store sits a striking bar, one of the most distinctive features of the Wakefields showroom.
Guests are invited to enjoy a drink while browsing the collections or waiting to speak with a consultant, with a selection that includes hot beverages, soft drinks, wines, local gins and champagne. It’s a detail that instantly sets the tone for the visit, turning what might normally be a quick shopping trip into something more considered.
Beyond the bar, the boutique unfolds into a series of carefully designed spaces.
Lighting, materials and colour have all been thoughtfully considered to ensure jewellery and watches are presented at their best. Velvet seating, warm metallic accents and elegant cabinetry give the interior a refined yet comfortable atmosphere.
Across the showroom there are also private consultation areas, allowing customers to explore engagement rings, discuss bespoke commissions or consider watch purchases in a quieter setting away from the main showroom floor.
The result is a retail environment that feels luxurious without being intimidating — a balance that independent jewellers often strive to achieve but rarely execute so well.
Inside Wakefields: elegant private viewing spaces, fine jewellery displays and a dedicated Rolex showroom in the Horsham boutique
Watchmaking has always been central to the Wakefields story, reflecting the origins of the business as a watchmaker more than a century ago.
Today the boutique includes a dedicated Rolex showroom, where customers can explore the brand’s timepieces in a setting designed around Rolex’s recognisable aesthetic.
The space allows visitors to experience the craftsmanship of the watches in person while being guided by Wakefields’ knowledgeable team.
Alongside luxury watches, the store also offers watch servicing and repairs through its specialist team.
Alongside its bespoke creations, Wakefields presents a curated selection of internationally recognised jewellery houses.
Among them is FOPE, the Italian fine jewellery brand founded in Vicenza in 1929 and known for its innovative flexible gold designs.
The boutique also carries Brown & Newirth, the British bridal jewellery manufacturer established in Hatton Garden in 1967 and widely respected for its wedding and engagement rings.
Customers can also discover jewellery by Andrew Geoghegan, the British designer recognised for contemporary engagement rings and sculptural fine jewellery.
The selection continues with Shaun Leane, the celebrated British designer known for combining traditional craftsmanship with bold sculptural forms.
Completing the collection is Annamaria Cammilli, the Florentine jewellery house known for its distinctive gold finishes and sculptural Italian designs.
For clients searching for exceptional diamonds, Wakefields also offers its Diamond by Appointment service, allowing customers to explore loose stones and bespoke ring designs through private consultations.
Behind the showroom sits Wakefields’ on-site workshop, where experienced goldsmiths carry out a wide range of services including jewellery repairs, restorations, resizing and bespoke commissions.
Having this craftsmanship within the store allows Wakefields to offer customers a level of care and continuity that many jewellers now outsource. Pieces can be repaired, restored or redesigned by the same team that helped clients choose them in the first place.
At the heart of the workshop is Master Goldsmith Wlodek, who has worked at Wakefields for a number of years and brings more than four decades of experience to the craft.
“I have been a jeweller for over 40 years and it’s my life. Every job is new – from standard jewellery repairs to very intricate bespoke pieces. Each piece of jewellery I work on is individual and different. Every piece is special.”
Master Goldsmith - Wlodek
Wlodek’s expertise ranges from highly intricate design work to detailed engraving, with the meticulous attention to detail that only comes from decades spent at the jeweller’s bench.
For Wakefields clients, this in-house craftsmanship ensures that jewellery purchased in the boutique can continue to be cared for, repaired and reimagined for generations to come.
Master Goldsmith Wlodek at work in the Wakefields workshop, bringing more than 40 years of jewellery craftsmanship to each piece
Part of the appeal of visiting Wakefields is its location in Horsham, one of West Sussex’s most attractive historic market towns.
Just over an hour from London, Horsham combines traditional English character with a vibrant retail and dining scene.
At the centre of the town lies Carfax, the historic market square that still hosts regular markets and community events, surrounded by cafés, restaurants and independent boutiques.
The town’s pedestrian-friendly streets and relaxed atmosphere make it an appealing destination for a day out, whether exploring the shops, enjoying lunch in one of its many restaurants, or walking through nearby Horsham Park, a large green space just moments from the centre.
For visitors discovering Wakefields for the first time, the boutique becomes part of a wider experience — combining luxury jewellery shopping with the charm of a traditional Sussex market town.
Wakefields Jewellers on West Street in Horsham, a fourth-generation family jeweller serving the town since 1911
Independent jewellers like Wakefields play an important role in the jewellery industry, offering something that large chains and online retailers simply cannot replicate.
What makes Wakefields particularly special is the way it blends heritage, hospitality and craftsmanship.
From the moment guests are welcomed at the bar at the front of the store to the private consultation spaces deeper inside the boutique, every detail has been designed to make the experience feel personal and memorable.
More than a century after John Wakefield arrived in Horsham with five pounds and a penny-farthing, the family business continues to evolve — proving that great jewellery retail is as much about people and atmosphere as it is about the pieces themselves.
Wakefields’ passion for jewellery and watches extends beyond the showroom through Renowned, the boutique’s own lifestyle magazine. Published both online and in print, the magazine explores the stories behind fine jewellery, luxury timepieces, craftsmanship and the people who shape the Wakefields brand.
Each edition of Renowned blends editorial storytelling with insights from the Wakefields team. Features range from gemstone sourcing journeys and bespoke jewellery design to style inspiration and interviews with watchmakers and industry experts.
Recent stories explore everything from the process behind bespoke commissions to the sourcing of exceptional gemstones at events such as the Tucson Gem Show, giving readers a deeper understanding of the artistry behind the pieces displayed in the Horsham showroom.
The publication reflects Wakefields’ belief that jewellery is never simply about precious materials. Instead, it is about the stories, craftsmanship and milestones that each piece represents. Through Renowned, the Wakefield family shares these stories with customers, inviting them into the wider world of fine jewellery and watchmaking.
Visitors to the Horsham boutique can even pick up a complimentary printed copy of the latest edition or explore the stories online.
Read a copy online here
Wakefields Jewellers
11 West Street
Horsham, West Sussex
RH12 1PF
Telephone: 01403 264001
Email: info@wakefieldsjewellers.co.uk
Opening Hours
Monday – Saturday: 9:15am – 5:00pm
Sunday: Closed
Find out more about the Wakefields boutique experience:
wakefieldsjewellers.co.uk/our-experience
Discover more about the historic town of Horsham:
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