NEWS

20 Best Places for Shopping in London For You Shopaholics

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    shops at london

    If you’ve prescribed yourself a touch of retail therapy, then you’ll want to head to an exciting shopping destination with a wide array of shops. 

    Whether it’s a designer spree or a high street clothes haul, London has something for everybody, making it an unbeatable shopping experience.

    Different parts of London offer their own theme and personality, so whatever you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it in the UK capital. Read on for our guide to the best places for shopping in London.

    Best Places for Shopping in London

    1. The Best Area for Fashionistas and True Shopaholics – Oxford Street

    busy Oxford street

    London has some of the best shopping for clothes, but if you’re looking for one place to pick up the latest trends, go straight to Oxford Street. With 300 stores, it’s an iconic destination and one of the best shopping streets in London; if shopping is your goal, you simply can’t come to the capital without visiting Oxford Street. Some must-shop stores include both Selfridges, John Lewis and Zara. 

    Our pick: Look out for the purple clock on Oxford Street that points to a hidden alleyway leading to quirky St. Christopher’s Place. With an eclectic array of both premium boutiques and eateries, this social hub perfectly reflects the unique nature of London. 

    Where to eat: Try an award-winning traditional fish and chips from The Mayfair Chippy, a stone’s throw from Oxford Circus. Don’t forget the mushy peas…

    Where to stay: For a comfortable stay that provides some much needed relief from the rush of one of London’s busiest shopping streets, try Sanctum’s Serviced Apartments in Maida Vale. Just 1.5 miles away, it provides some home comforts as well as a spacious base to store your new fashionable purchases!

    Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus, Bond Street, Marble Arch and Tottenham Court Road

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    2. Designer Shopping – Bond Street

    For high-end shopping in London, head to Bond Street. This iconic Mayfair road offers the very best of luxury brands from famous fashion houses, such as Louis Vuitton, to world class jewellery stores like Cartier. 

    Our top spot: If you only head to one store on Bond Street (unlikely, we know!) then make it Chanel. Set over 12,600 sq ft and designed by Peter Marino, it’s the best of luxury shopping with VIP changing rooms and hand-blown Murano glass sculptures, it’s certainly not to be missed.

    Where to eat: Now isn’t the time to grab a Starbucks Latte with a side of muffin, fully immerse yourself in the opulent vibes of Mayfair and head to Cecconi’s for a bowl of truffle pasta.  

    Nearest tube: Bond Street or Green Park

    3. Best Spot for Bookworms – Charing Cross Road

    daunt book shop

    London has a great selection of bookshops where you can whittle away the hours perusing shelves that are home to literary greats. Charing Cross Road is known for its specialist and second-hand bookshops, as well as being home to Foyles, which has four floors and over 200,000 titles for you to add to your book pile. 

    Other Top Spots: There are some other well-known bookstores worth visiting across London including: 

    • Daunt: There are several branches of this bookstore, but we recommend visiting the original, which is known for its stunning setting with Edwardian details. Arranged by their country of origin, as opposed to genre or author, you can get lost in the words of your favourite books for hours in this shop. 
    • Lutyens & Rubinstein: Located in Notting Hill, you could be forgiven for thinking we would be recommending the one from the film of the same title, but this store has a broader selection of literature for shoppers. They hold regular talks with authors and all of their stores are brimming with great reads guaranteed to suit all tastes. 
    • Bookbar: A small but mighty independent bookstore tucked away in North London, Bookbar comes with the added perk of a wine bar on-site. It’s open until late most nights, so you can pop down at your leisure and take in the community feel that this store has to offer. 

    4. Perfect Shopping for Beauty Lovers – Covent Garden

    covent garden

    In recent years, Covent Garden has become something of a beauty hub for London. This popular part of the capital is home to some of the best stores in London for beauty, including: Charlotte Tilbury, The Ordinary and Jo Malone. All within one square mile of each other, there really is no better part of town to refresh your makeup bag.

    Our top pick: Located on King Street, just across from the Plaza, Glossier is a must-visit for beauty fans. Residing in one of the oldest buildings in Covent Garden, it features a stunning wall-to-ceiling marble décor, illuminated mirrors and a conveyor belt to collect your haul at the end of your shop.

    Where to eat: Situated in Covent Garden, Balthazar offers Parisian-style dining with its classic, French brasserie cuisine. 

    Nearest Tube: Covent Garden or Holborn

    5. The Ideal Shopping Destination for Jewellery ‘Magpies’ – Hatton Garden

    jewelry store in hatton garden

    Known as the jewellery capital of the UK, Hatton Garden is the best shopping district in London to purchase fine jewellery. It has a strong history of independent jewellery stores and diamond traders, as well as being a destination for high-end, luxury watches.

    Our top pick: Pop into the award-winning jewellers, Queensmith, an independent business with gemologists and craftsmen that make bespoke, handmade rings and jewellery. They specialise in engagement and wedding rings (so give your other half a nudge…) and you can even take a tour of the in-store workshop to see diamond jewellery being produced.

    Where to eat: Pop to Prufrock on Leather Lane, for a specialty coffee and classic brunch dishes. From artisan sourdough to orange and pistachio muffins, everyone is well-catered for at this café. 

    Where to stay:  Less than 5 miles away, book a stay at the Sanctum Serviced Apartments on Belsize Road. Beautifully decorated, modern lodgings will provide accommodation to match the glitz and glamour of your Hatton Garden spree. 

    Nearest Tube: Chancery Lane or Farringdon

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    6. Looking for Antiques? – Portobello Market

    antiques stores in portobello market

    If you’re an antique enthusiast, you’ll want to head to Portobello Market to hunt down the best that London’s antique markets offer.

    With over 1,000 dealers trading every weekend on Portobello Road, it’s the perfect place to sniff out antiques, vintage fashion, jewellery and other quirky collectibles.

    Arrive early to get the best deals (between 7.30-8am) as it can get very crowded later in the day, and most antique dealers are already packing up by midday.  

    Where to eat: Bargain hunting can be thirsty work, so why not stop in at Bluebelles of Portobello for a cup of tea? We’d highly recommend their Bluebelles Mess pancake stack for the ultimate, indulgent treat. 

    Where to stay: Just a 12-minute drive away is the Sanctum Serviced Apartments in Maida Vale that offers far more space than a hotel (perfect to store all your shopping) and offers guests greater privacy than a hotel would allow for.

    With a 24-hour concierge and complementary maid service, as standard, it offers easy access to the capital’s tourist attractions and shopping destinations. 

    Nearest Tube: Ladbroke Grove or Notting Hill Gate

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    7. Best Spot for Indie Shoppers – Camden Passage & others…

    camden passage for indie shoppers

    Once you’ve explored the more well-known London shopping destinations, why not try the vast array of diverse and creative independent stores on offer? Our favourite indie spots include:

    • Camden Passage: Near Upper Street in Islington, there’s plenty to browse here from the market stalls selling antiques, clothing and unique home décor.
    • Bermondsey Street: Located near London Bridge, Bermondsey Street is home to a wealth of independent stores, such as Bermondsey Fayre, where you can find hand crafted-items that would make great gifts for both holidays and birthdays, alike.
    • Marylebone High Street: Marylebone village has a wide range of independent retailers. If you’re a stationery fan, then head to Fabriano Boutique; you won’t want to miss out on one of their Italian, leather-bound journals. 

    8. The Best Street Markets to Visit – Brick Lane & others…

    shops at brick lane

    It’s no secret that Londoners love a market, and the capital has an abundance of them! Clothes, food, antiques and crafts are just a few things you can expect to find across the capital’s street markets.

    Brick Lane Market, held on Sundays, is always a popular spot. Located in the trendy east of London, if hunting for a bargain is your thing, then this is most definitely the place for you. 

    Where to eat: The Breakfast Club has become something of a cult café in London, with its neon lights and all-day breakfasts, so be prepared to queue – but it is worth the wait! 

    Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street (National Rail services also available)

    9. Looking to Shop for Interior Décor Inspiration? – King’s Road (Chelsea)

    interior decor shops at king's road

    For interior accessories, wallpaper, crockery and furniture, head to the King’s Road in Chelsea, where you’ll find an abundance of choice. Luxury interior designers (like William Yeoward) have set up shop on this trendy road but you’ll also find premium brands, such as Anthropologie, that offer unique home items. 

    Where to eat: A celebrity hotspot, head to Bluebird on the King’s Road. Famous for its café and courtyard, you can grab a light lunch and enjoy a bit of “people watching” on one of West London’s most famous roads.  

    Nearest tube: Sloane Square

    10. Best for Indoor Shopping- Westfield Shopping complexes

    westfield shopping complex

    We’ll admit it, London isn’t renowned for being a sunshine break… For days when the weather isn’t so bright, try one of the capital’s indoor shopping destinations? There are plenty to choose from, but the Westfield shopping complexes in both Shepherd’s Bush and Stratford are known for being amongst the best shopping centres in London.

    For designer goodies, the Shepherd’s Bush location is ideal but for the very best of high street stores, then make your way east to Stratford. Once your shopping is complete, both centres offer entertainment and a plentiful supply of eateries.As an alternative, you might want to consider the newly-opened Battersea Power Station which has been transformed into a contemporary shopping destination, with brands such as Zara and Nike both making an appearance.

    11. Toy Shops for the Kids- Hamleys

    toy shops at hamleys

    For younger shoppers, no shopping spree can be classed as complete without a trip to Hamleys. The oldest toy store in London, it has a staggering seven floors of stock.

    The experience starts from the outside, on its Regent Street home, with characters, bubbles and wonderful window displays with the magic continuing inside with shelves packed full of toys.

    If this doesn’t fill your toy quota – although we’d be surprised if it didn’t! – then head further down the road to Leicester Square where you’ll find the Lego store

    Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus

    12. Department Store Destinations- Harrods and more…

    harrods department store

    London has dozens of department stores that offer the best of fashion, homeware, food, cosmetics (and more) all under one roof. So, if you don’t know where to go shopping in London, then you can’t go far wrong with one of its fantastic department stores.

    Some of our favourite London department stores include:

    • Dover Street Market: Located in Mayfair, this store stocks cult designer brands such as Balenciaga, Supreme, and Maison Margiela that have more of an urban feel.
    • Harrods: With more than 300 departments, Harrods is one of the best stores in London for luxury. It sells high-end designer goods, bespoke perfume, the latest technology and some incredible world foods. 
    • Selfridges: You can’t undertake a London shopping trip without picking up one of the Selfridges iconic yellow shopping bags. Another haven for high-end fashion and beauty, as well as a popular food hall, this store is full of tempting treats to indulge yourself with. 
    • Liberty: With its iconic, mock-Tudor exterior, Liberty London is Instantly recognisable on Regent Street. It offers exquisite leather goods, jewellery, beauty items and more, as well as having a haberdashery department stocked with its famed Liberty fabric. 
    • Fortnum & Mason: Offering the best in traditional British goods, head to Fortnum & Mason to pick up some of its fine food offerings. Our top tip is to make sure that you pick up a jar of honey; this is crafted on the building’s roof where they house bees.  

    13. Shopping for Vintage Lovers – Beyond Retro

    vintage clothing shop at beyond retro

    Head to Beyond Retro in Dalston for a well-curated range of vintage clothing. This popular destination is a lesser-known place to shop in London. Vintage fans will be lost in racks of statement pieces that have been handpicked by experts.  

    Of course, you could always then consider heading to one of the street markets to continue your vintage spree.

    Nearest tube: Rectory Road (London Overground)

    14. Best Spot for People Wanting Outlet Shopping- Icon at the O2

    outlet shopping at Icon at the O2

    Shop big brands at a huge discount at the Icon Outlet based inside the O2. It’s a great retail destination for clothes shopping in London with a difference. Brands include Adidas and Calvin Klein. This is definitely a great place to pick up a bargain. 

    Where to eat: The O2 has a great mix of restaurants to suit all tastes, including Gaucho, Wasabi and Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK)

    Nearest tube: North Greenwich

    15. The Perfect Destination for Men’s Tailoring- Saville Row

    tailoring shop at saville row

    Head to the renowned Saville Row to get measured up by some of the UK’s top tailors. Stores here offer both bespoke and off-the-rack tailoring that captures the best of British sartorial elegance.

    Our pick: Anderson & Shepherd is a heritage tailoring brand loved by both The Duke of Windsor and Fred Astaire, and has also gone on to inspire other major fashion brands like Giorgio Armani. It’s known for its soft shapes and laid-back style. 

    Nearest tube: Oxford Circus, Green Park and Leicester Square

    16. Our Favourite Spot for Music Lovers- Brixton

    shops for music lovers at brixton

    Brixton is an incredibly diverse and expressive part of South London, and one that offers a treasure trove of music shops across its arcades. It’s one of London’s lesser-known shopping places, but it’s known for its impressive music venues, so when you aren’t at a gig, then you can get your music fix via one of the many music stores in the area. 

    Our pick: Visit Lion Vibes which specialises in reggae music, selling new and vintage Jamaican records. It’s a vinyl-only store, so no CDs, but we feel that this only adds to its charm.

    Nearest Tube: Brixton

    17. Shopping for Pop Culture Entertainment Enthusiasts- Forbidden Planet

    forbidden planet for pop culture enthusiasts

    Nestled between Covent Garden and Tottenham Court Road, sci-fi and cult entertainment fans flock to Forbidden Planet where you can find merchandise from movies and shows such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Pokémon as well as anime and comic books. 

    Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road

    18. Snack Shopping for Gourmands- Borough Market

    snack shopping at borough market

    Steeped in history, a visit to Borough Market won’t leave you disappointed. Housing a broad assortment of food vendors, you’ll be able to pick up a bite to eat on the go whilst also picking up some snacks for your trip home, too.

    With more than 100 stalls, you’ll be spoilt for choice, but you can’t leave without some sensational English cheeses from the Borough Cheese Company. Borough Market truly is a food lover’s paradise!

    Where to eat: You won’t need to venture far to find a bite to eat as everything is in one place in Borough Market. Try Berenjak Borough for a taste of Persian cuisine via their sharing dishes, stews, kababs and mazeh plates. 

    Where to stay: Think about a stay at the Sanctum Serviced Apartments on Belsize Road. With a fully equipped kitchen, you’ll be able to take your scrumptious goodies back and rustle up a treat. 

    Nearest tube: London Bridge (national rail services also available), Borough and Southwark

    19. Best Shopping for Unique Gifts and Souvenirs- Camden Market

    unique gifts and souvenirs at camden market

    With over 1000 shops to visit, Camden Market is the perfect stop off for souvenirs and gifts. Make sure to browse the stalls at Camden Lock Market where you will find beautifully-crafted, handmade items but that’s not where it ends.

    Head to Camden High Street where you will find novelty t-shirts, the finest London souvenirs, and plenty of other unique gifts to take home, too!

    Where to stay: Sanctum Regents Park is perfectly located for a trip to Camden and gives you a taste of 5-star luxury at the end of a busy day. Drop down on the sumptuous beds for a much-needed sleep when you’ve been busy shopping all day.

    Where to eat: Check out Pitta Bun over in Hawley Wharf (Camden Market) where you will find delicious, handcrafted Greek street food. 

    Nearest tube: Camden Town

    Looking to stay in Regents Park?


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    20. The Best Spot for Boutique Shopping- Carnaby Street

    boutique shopping at carnaby street

    If you are looking for one-off stores, pop ups, independent retailers, heritage labels, and desirable beauty brands, then head to Carnaby Street. This famous London street is completely pedestrianised which makes shopping a dream, and you’ll be sure to find some more unusual items here.

    Where to eat: Head to Kingly Court, a multi-storey courtyard that has both indoor and outdoor dining venues. With three floors from which to choose, there’s no chance you’ll go hungry.

    Nearest tube: Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus

    Final Thoughts

    London is known for having some of the best shopping streets in the UK, and there really is something for everyone in this city. Don’t just head to the usual big-name stores, check out the city’s eclectic independent stores and unusual markets to find some real hidden gems. Wherever you go, though, make sure you book great accommodation to stay in after!