London | The Shopping Spot

No London experience is complete without doing a spot of shopping. Tourists craving for retail therapy in London can find a number of popular areas that hold an entire range of shops, from high-street to elegant luxury. Whether they are shopping streets or world-renowned department stores with a tradition of decades or even centuries, each and every one of these carefully-picked London shopping destinations will appease even the most obsessive shopaholics.

Bond Street

Bond Street is internationally known and loved for the unique luxury it stands for.

Designer items and the finest luxury goods are available to wealthy travellers who shop here.

For centuries, the shops have historically represented the height of elegance for the richest, most eccentric and most outrageous socialites in London.

Burberry, Dolce Gabbana, Mulberry, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Ralph Lauren and Jimmy Choo are just a part of the brands you can enjoy and feast your eyes on.

Tip: Don’t miss The Ritz and Sotheby’s, the most famous auction house in the world, located on the same street.

General Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9am-8pm, Sunday: 12pm-6pm, some shops may vary.

Address: Bond Street, London, W1S 1SR

Nearest Stations: Oxford Circus, Green Park, Bond Street, Piccadilly Circus

Oxford Street

For the shoppers who want a bit of everything, Oxford Street offers a variety of shops which cover every budget and interest, including homewear, clothes and technology.

House of Fraser, River Island, Top Shop, John Lewis or Marks & Spencer all await you for the ultimately shopping experience.

Wherever you go, it’ll be hard to leave empty-handed after seeing their deals.

Tip: For the ultimate Oxford Street shopping experience, make sure to stop by and have a cocktail at Apres or dinner at St Christopher’s Palace.

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-8pm; Thursday 9am-9pm; Sunday 12pm-6pm; Some shops may vary.

Address: Oxford Street, London W1B 3AG

Nearest Stations: Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Bond Street, Marble Arch, Piccadilly Circus

Covent Garden

Every luxury clothes lover’s dream, Covent Garden is home to famous internationally-acclaimed designer brands like Burberry, Dior, Sandro, Burberry Brit, Paul Smith or Hackett.

Jo Malone, Miller Harris or Penhaligons are available for the beauty-oriented who are out to get a lavish thrill with a decadent bottle of perfume or an extravagant cream.

Tip: Covent Garden is not only a shopping destination, but also a cultural district, so don’t miss the events at the theatre quarter or Royal Opera House.

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm; Sunday 12pm-6pm; some shops may vary.

Address: The Market, London WC2E 8RF.

Nearest Stations: Covent Garden, Leicester Square Charing Cross.

Selfridges

Iconic London landmark and a veritable Mecca for lovers of shopping, Selfridges has been the go-to place for retail therapy for London ladies since 1909.

This massive department store covers six floors with a total of 10 acres of shopping space, offering everything you can dream of.

Bridal apparel, beauty, technology jewelry or luxury brands can all be found in this giant shopping centre.

Tip: Selfridges features the largest denim department in the world. It covers an area of 25,000 square feet and features almost 11,000 pairs of jeans, from the cheapest to the most extravagant and expensive items. So, if you’re a denim lover, this will definitely be heaven for you.

Opening Hours: Monday Saturday 9:30am-8pm; Thursday 9:30am-9pm; Sunday 11:30am-6:15pm.

Address: 400 Oxford Street, London W1H 6HB.

Nearest Stations: Bond Street, Marble Arch.

Harrods

When it comes to luxury, no other place in Britain beats or even comes close to the legendary Harrods.

Internationally famous for its excellent selection of merchandise, Harrods is the place to shop at in London.

Rows and rows of expensive shops, brands, products and the finest restaurants cover seven full floors and the department store even offers a personalized shopping experience with the help of a personal shopper, should you feel overwhelmed.

Tip: Harrods features a service called “By Appointment Personal Shopping” where a team of retail experts will assist you in fulfilling your wildest luxury shopping dreams.

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm; Sunday 11.30am-6pm

Address: 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7XL

Nearest Station: Knightsbridge

Carnaby Street

Concept store aficionados, as well as plain old lovers of fashion will find everything, they were looking for on Carnaby Street.

Unique shops, well-known brands and boutiques, but also a generous variety of pubs, cafes, restaurants and bars are housed on Carnaby Street.

Brands include Brandy Melville, Pretty Green, Lyle & Scott, Adidas Originals, Paul Smith Soho, Ben Sherman, Scotch & Soda, Barbour Heritage and SuperTrash.

Tip: Carnaby features over 50 restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes with a variety of over 15 types of international cuisines. Kingly Court is the ultimate destination for food lovers, with a series of 18 high-quality cafes, restaurants and bars spread across three stories. The beautiful courtyard is open during summertime.

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm; Sunday 10am-6pm; Note that some shops may vary.

Address: Carnaby Street, London W1F 9PS

Nearest Station: Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus

The Knightsbridge Estate

Standing between Harrods and Harvey Nichols, The Knightsbridge Estate holds its own fame among the greatest retail destinations in London since the beginning of the 1900s.

The Knightsbridge Estate is no stranger to exclusive luxury brands, the latest fashions and the most en-vogue styles.

Hugo Boss, Ted Baker, Tommy Hilfiger, Boodles and The Kooples are just a few of the 40 stores offering the ultimate high-end luxury.

Tip: The Knightsbridge Estate is home to Tommy Hilfiger’s flagship store in Europe, so make sure you include this legendary shop on your map.

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm; Sunday 12pm – 6pm.

Address: The Knightsbridge Estate, London SW3 1DB.

Nearest Station: Knightsbridge

Sloane Street

Very few places can boast the same array of high-level luxury brands as Sloane Street.

The likes of Valentino, Alberta Ferretti, Chloe, Roberto Cavalli, Gucci, Tom Ford, Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo, Rag & Bone and Marni all have flagship stores located on Sloane Street, offering the finest merchandise in London.

For excellent products that give an air of exclusivity and elegance to your wardrobe, look no further than Sloane Street for all of your luxury shopping needs.

Tip: Sloane Street is located in an upscale neighbourhood comprising Saatchi Gallery, Royal Court Theatre and Victoria & Albert Museum, so make sure you don’t miss them.

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm. Most shops are closed on Sundays, but some shops may open.

Address: Sloane Street, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea SW1X 9PJ.

Nearest Stations: Sloane Square, Knightsbridge.

Regent Street

The absolute best that the West End has to offer, in terms of shopping, is located on Regent Street.

Brands like Anthropologie, Liberty, Hamleys (the legendary toy store) or Apple are available, as well as many other internationally-renowned shops.

You can also find the finest restaurants, hotels, art galleries and even spas.

Mobile App: If you plan on shopping on Regent Street, make sure to download the official mobile apps, Regent Street Shopping and Walking Tour, which will provide you with a complete and useful guide of the new aesthetic in Regent Street, its new hotels, restaurants and of course, shops.

Gift Card: An interesting feature offered by Regent Street is its very own Gift Card. This can be used in more than 130 shopping venues, as well as bars and restaurants. In addition, you can now opt to make use of a service that delivers your bags to your home or hotel, in order to make your shopping experience better.

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday  12pm-6pm, Some shops may vary.

Address: Regent Street, London W1B 5TD.

Nearest Stations: Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus.

Piccadilly

Its prime location, at the center of London, provides Piccadilly with an endless array of visitors, tourists and, of course, avid shoppers.

A shop that cannot be missed or skipped is Fortnum & Mason, which is suited to various budgets, interests and tastes, much like Piccadilly itself, which is rich in luxury offerings, as well as high-street ones.

Moreover, visitors in the area are encouraged to also try the various restaurants and galleries.

Tip: In addition to shopping, Piccadilly has plenty more to offer, in terms of luxury. Whether it is high-class hotels, like the world-famous The Ritz, art that can be admired in the Royal Academy of Arts or the historical architecture that surrounds the entire area, Piccadilly is a prime destination for the lovers of quality, class, culture and aesthetics.

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm. Some shops may vary.

Address: St James, London W1D 7DH.

Nearest Stations: Piccadilly Circus

Westfield Stratford City

One of the newer additions to London’s shopping scene is Westfield Stratford City.

This shopping centre opened in September 2011 and it’s considered to be one of the largest in Europe.

It bears a retail floor area of 175,000 m2! The centre includes approximately 70 restaurants and 400 stores, the most notable being Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and John Lewis.

Tip: If you’re looking for the ultimate shopping experience, the centre has 2 hotels with 350 rooms and 267 rooms respectively. You can get accommodation right within the shopping centre so you can wake up to your favorite shops first thing in the morning.

Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-10pm, Saturday 9am-10pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm.

Address: 2 Stratford Place, Montfichet Road, Queen Elizabeth, Olympic Park, London E20 1EJ.

Nearest Stations: Stratford International, Stratford Regional, East Village, London Olympic Park.

Westfield London

Not to be confused with Westfield Stratford City, Westfield London is located in White City, the Hammersmith and Fulham borough.

It was opened in October 2008 and its retail floor area measures 150,000 m2.

You can spend your time inside the centre by strolling around 255 stores such as Debenhams, Mango, Apple, LEGO, River Island and many more.

It also features a 17-screen cinema called the Vue and it can accommodate 3,000 people.

Tip: Westfield London also features a high-class retail zone where the “bourgeois” can enjoy their favorite top-notch brands. This area is known as The Village and features names like Louis Vuitton, Versace, Burberry, Gucci, Tiffany & Co and Dior.

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday: 12pm-6pm

Address: Centre Management Suite, Unit 4006, Ariel Way, London W12 7GF

Nearest Stations: Wood Lane, Shepherd’s Bush Market, Shepherd’s Bush, White City.

One New Change

If you’re looking for an important retail development in the City of London, then look no further than One New Change.

This is actually the only major shopping centre in the area, so it won’t be difficult to find.

It is located nearby St. Paul’s Cathedral, so you can always add a visit to this amazing cathedral to your experience.

Inside One New Change, you will find 60 restaurants and shops, mostly high-street retailers.

Fine Dining Experience: Don’t miss Barbecoa, a butcher and barbecue restaurant owned by Adam Perry-Lang and Jamie Oliver. Another top-of-the-line restaurant that you must pay a visit to is Bread Street Kitchen. This one belongs to Gordon Ramsay. So, in both restaurants, you are guaranteed to have an excellent dining experience.

Opened Daily: The majority of shops in the City of London are closed during the weekends. This is not the case with One New Change, which is opened 7 days per week.

King’s Road

If you’re a shopping addict, then King’s Road is the ideal place for you.

Here, you will find anything you want, from high-street stores and designers shops to small and trendy boutiques.

Numerous restaurants and cafes have also found a welcoming home on King’s Road.

The area is also known for featuring top-notch interior design shops such as Habitat, Heal’s and Peter Jones.

Vivienne Westwood’s shop is also situated on this marvelous street.

Tip: Make sure you visit the nearby Chelsea Antiques Market, which is a gem for all the souvenir and antique buffs out there.

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10am-7pm, Sunday: 12pm-6pm. Some shops may vary.

Address: King’s Road, Chelsea, London, Greater London SW3 5XP.

Nearest Station: Sloane Square.

Camden Markets

At Camden Markets, you can find clothes, shows, accessories and souvenirs for all tastes and preferences.

The complex includes 6 markets: Inverness Street Market, Electric Ballroom, Buck Street Market, Camden Lock Village, Stables Market and Camden Lock Market.

They mainly sell clothing (new and second-hand), handmade crafts, shoes, books, jewelry, bags, furniture and food.

You won’t find any chain stores or high-street brands at Camden Markets.

Tip: The Electric Ballroom is actually a night club that operates in the area since the early 1950s. During the day it is a market, but at night it becomes a thrilling performance venue that you can visit after a tiring shopping session. It is only opened on weekends.

Opening Hours: Daily: 10am-6pm

Address: Camden High Street, London NW1 0JH.

Nearest Station: Camden Town, Chalk Farm Road.

Portobello Road Market

This is one of the most popular attractions for tourists.

With a long history, dating back to 1800s, Portobello Road Market has become famous in the 1950s, when it was converted into an antiques market.

However, nowadays it also sells music, clothes, bread, fruits and vegetables.

The market is organized on Fridays and Saturdays, but there are also smaller markets throughout the rest of the week, except Sunday.

Bring Cash: Most sellers cannot accept cards, so a wise move for you would be to bring cash while visiting Portobello Road Market. Also, keep in mind that there are quite few cashpoints.

Get there early: As you can imagine, this market can get extremely busy, so come as early as you can. Some of the vendors will even open their stalls at 7am. This doesn’t mean you have to be there at that hour, but getting there between 8:30am–9 am is sensible.

Opening hours: Monday-Wednesday 9am-6pm, Thursday 9am-1pm, Friday-Saturday 9am-7pm.

Address: Portobello Road, London, Greater London, W10 5TA.

Nearest Stations: Landbroke Grove, Notting Hill Gate.

Brick Lane Market

If you’re into flea markets, then Brick Lane Market will be your favorite destination in London.

It is one of the largest markets of its type in the British capital and it sells all kinds of items, from bric-a-brac to clothes and antiques.

Here, you can negotiate the prices and leave with a bargain.

Indulge in a shopping session in these 5 amazing markets (Vintage Market, Sunday UpMarket, Backyard Market, Tea Room and Boiler House Food Hall) and you’ll have one of the greatest shopping experiences in London.

Tip: Don’t miss the various curry restaurants behind the stalls, as they can offer you tasty dishes after a long shopping session.

Opening Hours: Saturdays & Sundays: 11am-6pm. Some markets may vary.

Address: Brick Lane, London E1 5HA.

Nearest Station: Aldgate East.

Brixton Market

For a vibrant local feel, visit the Brixton Market.

Ironical or not, it’s located on Electric Avenue and it sells home wear, food and other essential goods.

The Farmer’s Market is the most popular area in Brixton Market, even though it only started in September 2009.

An interesting aspect about this market is that it features plenty of Caribbean and African produce, including live African snails.

Tip: Brixton Markets sell free range meats and incredible biodynamic fruits from Akiki Organics and Brambletye Fruit Farm.

Opening Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu & Sat 8am-6pm, Wednesday 8am-3pm.

Address: Brixton Station Road, Brixton, London, SW9 8JR.

Nearest Station: Brixton.

Canary Wharf

This area is known for being the place where most leading businesses in the United Kingdom reside.

Still, Canary Wharf is also home to amazing shopping malls located around Canada Square.

They are opened 7 days per week and they cover over 200 shops, including designer stores and high-street brands.

Some of the famous names you will see here are Jo Malone, Myla, Zara and Oasis.

Tip: Avoid shopping in Canary Wharf at lunch hours because it can get incredibly busy and thus, annoying. The best times for a relaxing shopping session are in the morning.

Opening Hours: Monday-Wednesday 9am-7pm, Thursday-Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday 10am- 6pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm.

Address: One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AB.

Nearest Station: Canary Wharf.

Boxpark

If you’re looking for a “green” shopping experience, then Boxpark is your top destination.

This is a pop-up mall (the first in the world, as they market themselves) located in Shoreditch and it’s made of refitted and stripped shipping containers.

Basically, this means that it can be easily relocated in different places, so have a look on their website to stay updated with their possible next locations. This innovative pop-up mall was opened in 2011 and it features 60 fashion shops, restaurants and cafes.

Tip: Besides being a “mall”, Boxpark also hosts various events, such as concerts, workshops, small festivals and art shows, so make sure you don’t miss the complete Boxpark experience.

Opening Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri & Sat 11am-7pm; Tursday 11am-8pm; Sunday: 12pm-6pm.

Address: 2-4 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, London, E1 6GY.

Nearest Station: Old Street, Liverpool Street.