Shopping in London

One of Napoleon’s most famous remarks when talking about England was that it was ‘L’Angleterre est une nation de boutiquiers’, a nation of shopkeepers.

Whilst he uttered these words more than 200 years ago, and his intent was to be insulting about the country, in fact, he couldn’t have been more right.

London is still one of the best destinations in the world to go if you want a truly amazing shopping experience and is full of diverse shopping opportunities.  From the recognisable department stores such as Selfridges and Harvey Nichols to the boutique stores tucked down cobbled alleys; London is a delightful place to visit if you want to indulge in a shopping spree.

London has a number of distinct shopping districts, which each offer their own collective theme.  The most famous of these is probably Oxford Street, although each district is well known within its own right.  Many are also tourist attractions all on their own, especially the larger stores such as Hamleys toy shop.

If you are planning a shopping trip to London, then here is the lowdown on the various districts and what they have to offer:-

Oxford Street
This is the bustling heart of London’s shopping districts and is home to more than 300 shops.  Here you will find a heady mixture of high street brands such as H&M and Next nestled alongside luxury designer outlets.  It is also the place to go if you want to visit Selfridges or John Lewis.  Be warned, however, this is also the busiest shopping area in London and if you want to avoid the crowds then you would do better to avoid heading there on a weekend.

If you want to get ahead of the crowds then look to stay in a Marble Arch hotel; towards this end of Oxford Street it tends to be quieter although it is also home to the gigantic Primark store which can sometimes be so busy, you can’t get past the crowds to get in.  Opting to stay in a Marble Arch hotel however, will put you so close to the store that you will have the perfect opportunity to get there the minute the doors open.

Bond Street
This is London’s most exclusive shopping district and is set in the middle of historic Mayfair.  It is renowned for its designer stores such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel as well as being the place to go if you are in the market for some fine art or antiques.  If you don’t have the sort of money required to shop here then don’t despair; you can still engage in some window shopping and it is also a great place to go celebrity spotting!

You will also find some of the city’s most prestigious hotels on Bond Street including The Ritz and Claridge’s as well as the world renowned auction house Sotheby’s.

Carnaby Street

Walk under the iconic arch of Carnaby Street and you will be entering one of the capital’s most unique shopping areas.  Made up of 13 streets, this district was the birthplace of the fashion revolution during the ‘Swinging’ 60’s and it is known internationally for its distinctive shops which represent more than 150 brands.

Just a short distance away is the Newburgh Quarter where you can find independent boutiques as well as a wealth of restaurants and cafes which serve cuisines from all over the world.

Covent Garden

This lovely shopping destination is to be found in London’s West End and is just a short distance away from the River Thames and Trafalgar Square.  Here you will discover unique handmade jewellery alongside modern fashion boutiques.  There are also a number of diverse and interesting arts and crafts to be discovered at Covent Garden Market.

Westfield London

The Westfield Shopping Centre is the largest of its kind in Europe and if you are looking to get some serious shopping done all under one roof then this should be your first port of call.  You will find everything you can think of here from High Street stores such as Marks and Spencer and Debenhams to more luxury brands such as All Saints and Louis Vuitton.  Not only there but there are numerous restaurants, a cinema and a gym.  Westfield London also has a sister shopping mall on the East side of London, Westfield Stratford City.

Regent Street

Head to Regent Street if you want to discover the likes of Hamleys and Liberty alongside more middle of the range fashion shops.  Recently the world’s largest Burberry store opened here in one of the street’s many historic buildings.  Nearby is Jermyn Street which is known for its bespoke tailoring shops and is the ideal place to head for men’s clothing.  Interestingly, you can purchase a Regent Street gift card which can be used at over 130 shops, restaurants and bars in the area.  You can even have your purchases delivered direct to your home or hotel; this is known as their ‘hands-free shopping experience’.

Other Areas

The above is just a small insight into the varied and diverse shopping districts which make up London.  You could spend whole days just discovering the hidden gems which the capital city has to offer.  Alternate areas also include Notting Hill, Knightsbridge, Savile Row and Boxpark as well as the numerous well known markets like Portobello Road.

If you are looking to visit London in the near future then it might interest you to know that there are now various apps you can download which are specific to each shopping district of London and can aid you in discovering some of the more off the beaten track stores as well as the big brands and names.