Where To Go For The Best Shopping In London

Shop and explore until you drop!

by Gavin Darvell

‘Everyone loves shopping, right? The bargain sales, a newly launched product, or picking up the latest fashion trend? Yes? No? Make no mistake shopping in London is a consumer’s utopia.

For instance, you have high-street and luxury brands, mixing it up with the independents. If, however, you don’t like shopping, fear not. There’s something for you to enjoy, even if it means being dragged around for a few hours!’ Shopping in London needn’t be a chore, so let’s make it a pleasure.

Where should you go? What can you buy? Shopping in London is an experience, not just shopping! Get that credit card ready, and let’s go… shopping!

 

Central London

London-shopping-Oxford-Street

Here we’re talking about the most famous of London’s shopping districts! Oxford, Regent and Bond Street. Three of London’s most recognized and visited streets. In fact Oxford Street remains London’s premier shopping street, so you’ll be joining the crowds.

High-street brands mingle with fast-food outlets, cafes and sushi bars. On Oxford Street, you have the famous Selfridges. Regent Street gives you Liberty and Hamleys. Meanwhile, Bond Street offers up Gucci and other top brands! Walk them from end to end and you’ll be sure to find something. There’s even London’s version of the Shibuya crossing at the junction of Oxford and Regents Street.

These are the shopping streets to suit all budgets and tastes. London’s most popular and well-known. Let’s call them the all-rounder.

The Markets

London-shopping-the-markets

Looking for a bargain? Something trendy? Or a little out there? Perhaps an antique or something from a pop-up store? London’s market scene is a hive for finding treasures. Camden Town, Portobello and Petticoat lane. Just three of the many options out there.

Camden Town is perhaps the most famous and popular of London’s top markets. There are over 1000 shops selling items from fashion, music, art and food, a haven for the counter-culture. Mix in the nightlife scene and you can see why Camden is so popular. Found next to Camden Lock, which itself adds another element to spending time here. You can happily sip on a cappuccino, shop and spend all day immersed in the Camden vibe.

Portobello Market is a very different experience, found in Notting Hill. It’s the world’s largest antique and collectibles market, and when you combine that with the famous Notting Hill district, spending a Saturday exploring the market stores is an enjoyable activity. Petticoat Lane market dates back to the 17th century and is a those looking for fashion and shoes. It’s open almost every day of the week, so pick your day and take a look.

Each offers its own atmosphere, each a hive of activity from which your next purchase could be something very special. These markets are the specialists and give you more than just a shopping experience. There is something for even the non-shoppers in these markets.

 

The Famous

London-shopping-Harrods

The London shopping scene wouldn’t be right without global brands. Those one-word places you instantly know what they represent, and what kind of products you can purchase. These are the kind of places where you can capture your Instagram selfie moments where you say. ‘I’ve been there!’

Harrods in Knightsbridge, Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly, and Selfridges in Oxford Street. Names that have stood the test of time. And test your bank balance! Visit them and they are again more than a shopping experience, their window displays are attractions in their own right. Each store has a variety of experiences from food to fashion. Head to Fortnum & Mason’s for example, and you can enjoy afternoon tea. You can’t get more, “British” than that! There’s even a cinema at Selfridges!

Shopping in London and these famous store names go together like, chalk and cheese! Yes, you’ll need a bigger wallet than the other shopping examples listed, but like the markets, you can visit them and enjoy, an experience, not just a trail around some shops.

The best of the rest

London shopping neals yard

Make no mistake, there are little pockets of places that are well worth seeking out as your shopping experience reaches beyond the obvious examples listed above. The following places are those that will perhaps give you the best memories. Neals Yard (beauty), Covent Garden (a bit of everything), and Borough Market (food) are examples of this.

Neals Yard is a hidden away place, small but worth seeking out. It’s close to Covent Garden and was named after the 17th-century developer. It’s a great little find, among the busy streets that surround it. Covent Garden itself is a shopping and entertainment hub. Close to London’s West End, so easy to access. Browse the shops, enjoy the street entertainers and visit the London Transport Museum. The Royal Opera House is also here, so it’s an all-rounder.

Borough Market is really a food market, but it could be classed as shopping, as you can buy independently-made food products. Grab your lunch, take away some produce and you’ll be more than sorted.

These places, much like the others,  each have their own unique sense of place. Each of them is worth a few moments of your time. You’ll also find on the outskirts of the city the large shopping malls of Westfield in Stratford and Shepherds Bush. That’s your shopping needs definitely catered for.

 

Be sure to save those pennies and make time for a shopping expedition during your stay in the capital. London has something to suit everyone’s purse. In fact most are attractions in themselves, so why not kill two birds with one stone? Shopping and sightseeing. The perfect combination. Enjoy!

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2 comments

Sarah Khan January 21, 2019 - 10:27 am

oh so pretty post..
my dream land

Reply
Gavin Darvell January 21, 2019 - 11:30 am

Thanks for the comment. London is certainly a dreamland, and a shoppers paradise. Hope you get the opportunity to explore it soon.

Reply

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