LONDON SHOPPING GUIDE
Read our guide to get the most out of your shopping trip to London.
Read our guide to get the most out of your shopping trip to London.
Shopping in London isn’t just a pastime, it’s an obsession. Discover real luxury at Harrods, experience the finest tailoring at Savile Row or get lost in the world’s biggest shoe department at Selfridges.
Our department stores are recognised the world over for their quality and excellence. Famous stores like Liberty and Harvey Nichols are tourist attractions in their own right, as well as luxury shopping havens. High street stores, like Top Shop, are the place for cool fashions at great prices. And if you’re on a budget London is home to every kind of market, from antiques and vintage fashions along Portobello Road to tasty free nibbles at Borough food market. Wherever you choose, you can be sure you’ll find a shopping experience for every taste and budget.
Possibly the most famous department store in the world and certainly one of most varied, Harrods is a must-see for any trip to London. Even if it's just to browse the five floors of exquisite and surprising goods. The Harrods' motto is Omnia Omnibus Ubique - All Things for All People, and you can easily see why with everything from fashion to food having a home. Make sure you stop by the toy kingdom – this multi-sensory experience is for all ages too.
Located on Oxford Street, the busiest shopping street in Europe, Selfridges was named the best department store in the world 2010. It's the second-largest department store in the UK, home to hundreds of famous brands and in-store 'shopping experiences' including a Champagne bar, a personal shopper service and a hair and beauty salon.
Portobello Road buzzes with boutique shops, art galleries and quirky arcades six days a week, and on Saturday's opens to the world’s largest antiques market. Portobello Road is also home to the Grade II listed Electric Cinema – one of Britain's oldest movie theatres. It has been a popular movie backdrop, featuring in films such as Notting Hill and Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
One of the world’s largest toy shops, Hamleys features seven floors of pure play. Famous for its wonderful window displays, it’s impossible to walk past without being drawn inside – even if you don't have children accompanying you. And once inside, you’ll have an astonishing 40,000 toys and games to discover in what is more ‘funfair’ than ‘shop’. So, go wild and let your inner child out.
Famous for its world-class street performers and vibrant piazza, Covent Garden is shopping, dining, sightseeing, nightlife and entertainment all rolled into one. No trip to London is complete without a visit to this iconic shopping district where you’ll be able to browse everything from high street favourites and high-end designers to quirky boutiques and market stalls.
See London’s famous attractions from a double-decker bus. The hop on hop off bus gives you the freedom to see as much or as little as you like. Sit up top and admire the sights of London, whilst listening to the knowledgeable tour guide.
Admire the breathtaking views from one of the 32 high-tech glass capsules of the EDF Energy London Eye. Each 30-minute flight allows you to see some of London’s most famous attractions. See Big Ben towering above the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.
Madame Tussauds combines glitz and glamour with history. Walk down the red carpet and strike a pose with the Beckham’s, before challenging your favourite sporting star. Experience an audience with the Queen and plant a kiss on Prince William’s cheek.
Discover more and pay less with a London sightseeing pass. It gives you access to over 55 top attractions, including the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, Windsor Castle and Westminster Abbey – the chosen wedding venue of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Within the ancient Fortress, the Tower of London, visitors can gaze up at the massive White Tower, tiptoe through a king’s medieval bedchamber and marvel at the priceless Crown Jewels.