Shopping could be described as being an obsession of sorts something that is popular with visitors and locals alike. It is a shopping haven where you will find everything ranging from the biggest fashion labels to antiques and souvenirs. And London is renowned for its iconic departmental stores, vintage boutiques, markets and shopping streets.
To make the most of your trip you need to find a accommodation in the city centre like the hotels near Lancaster Gate. It makes it very convenient to travel to the top shopping areas spread across Central London.
In terms of price as well as location the Park Grand London Lancaster Gate is the perfect place to stay on a trip. It is well connected to the best shopping spots in the city as well as the major attractions in the areas around.
Department stores: When it comes to department stores the city is home to some of the most famous names in the world. Of these probably, Harrods is the most renowned of the city’s department stores that is also a favourite with celebrities. It is the perfect place to find traditional English gifts and it’s well-stocked food market is a major draw with visitors to the store. There are Selfridges and Harvey Nichols that are primarily fashion and beauty products based which should also be on your shopping list. Of these Selfridges is a preferred choice of Londoners. And if you need any assistance for shopping there is a personal shopper service at these department stores. There also are a number of other department stores to be found in or around the West End that stay open till late and also are good options to shop at.
Covent Garden: Covent Garden has long been well known for its shopping options (however it can be overcrowded) and has numerous lifestyle stores and independent fashion stores, all of which can be found in and around the Covent Garden Market. Within the market you will find a plethora to choose from hand crafted items like jewellery, soaps, toys, fresh food and a diverse variety of gifts. One of the best times to visit the place is during the festive period before Christmas, as it is well known for its stunning decorations and eclectic choice of unique gifts to select from. And if you are interested in organic food the market has a slew of fine vegetarian restaurants to dine at.
Toy shops: If you are on holiday with the kids and even if not, there is something magical about visiting the world famous toy stores of London. These range from the biggest toy store in the world Hamleys (spread on seven floors) to independent shops that include the Science Museum Store, Puppet Planet, International Magic and Benjamin Pollock’s Toyshop that sell a wide variety of toys ranging from traditional to the latest, there is plenty to choose from. You can visit Hamleys that is located on Regent Street.
Food shopping: All of the top department stores house their own food markets of which Fortnum & Mason is considered the finest as they are official purveyors of food to the Queen. And there are lots of specialist stores, with many having their origins as small shops during medieval times. Now these have attained international acclaim of being the best in their marketing domain. One such place is Twinings Tea Shop located near the Strand that is a historical retailer. The store houses a museum, which delineates the history of tea in England through the ages and is the best place to shop for this most popular of traditional English beverages. When it comes to dining, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes with a wide range of eateries to explore. And if you are food lover then a visit to Borough Market is highly recommended for their excellent specialist items and unique artisan breads among an assortment of other delicacies.
Jewellery: Do you plan to but a sparkler for your loved one or just want to indulge yourself to something fancy, London is destination to find the best jewellers and fine watch sellers. Prominent among them is Garrard (the world’s oldest jeweller) is located on Albermarle Street. They were appointed as the official Crown Jeweller by Queen Victoria and have designed and made some of the greatest jewellery of the monarchy. Another option is Hatton Garden in Farringdon, which is known as the city’s jewellery quarter on the outskirts of London near Holborn and Clerkenwell. You will find an array of shops that sell the best quality of jewellery, ranging from the traditional to the contemporary in this area.
High Street fashion: London is home to the best high street fashion shops in the country. To find the famous and familiar high street shops in abundance take a tour of Oxford Street. It along with Bond Street is renowned for its numerous flagship stores like Marks & Spencer, Topshop, H&M and Debenhams among other famous names. Of these quite a few of them keep limited editions and designer wear that cannot be found at any regional store. The time to score the best deals and bargains is during the January and Mid Summer sales, although you will have to be willing to contend with the crowds.
Antique and vintage: London occupies a prominent place in the world when it comes to shopping for vintage and antiques. Of the many places the biggest outlet is Alfies Antique Market that is located in St John’s Wood. There are more than 200 dealers and an amazing 5 floors to explore, where you can literally spend an entire afternoon rummaging for and haggling for bargains on some of the best antiques. To shop for vintage items albeit on a more limited scale, a visit to Covent Garden, Carnaby Street and Portobello Road market (on Sundays) is recommended.
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