London Car Rental  London Hotel Discounts  London Flight Discounts

London Shopping
(London, England)



London is without doubt the centre for shopping in the United Kingdom and the numerous districts provide a shopper's paradise. Whether you are looking for London fashion, antiques, furniture or home accessories, rest assured that London will provide you with a huge choice.

Most shops are open seven days a week and London transport is never far away, so shopping in different areas is both quick and easy.




Shopping Districts - London, England

• Knightsbridge and South Kensington - The home of world-famous Harrods (pictured right), Harvey Nichols and many big-name fashion designers.
• King's Road and Sloane Square - A very trendy place to shop for all fashion and decorating items. The Designers' Guild, Vivienne Westwood, Heals and Lacoste are in here in this fashionable shopping district.
• New Bond Street - Full of every possible designer label, this street really is the home of the British fashion industry. Famous names include Versace, Prada, Hermes, DKNY, Escada, Calvin Klein, Miu Miu, Bally and Armani, to name but a few.
• Oxford Street - This is two miles of wall to wall shops, full of almost everything that you might ever need and includes names such as John Lewis and Selfridges (see below). At Christmas, Oxford and Regent Street are renowned for their seasonal light displays.
• Carnaby Street - Offering shoppers a range of many designer stores and boutiques, Carnaby Street is famous for being the heart of fashion in the 1960s.

Auction Houses - London, England

• Christie's - 85 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 - Tel: +44 (0) 20 75817611
• Bonhams - 65-69 Lots Road, London, SW10 and Montpelier Street, London, SW7 - Tel: +44 (0) 20 7393 3900
• Sotheby's - 34-35 New Bond Street, London, W1 - Tel: +44 (0) 20 7293 5000

Shops

Burberry
Enjoying worldwide recognition, this store was founded in 1856 by Thomas Burberry, when he was just 21 years old. The Burberry check has appeared on everything, from scarves to bikinis. Burberry is known for its high-profile fashion shoots with supermodels. The new flagship store in New Bond Street has very stylish surroundings and provides everything for the fashion conscious shopper.
21-23 New Bond Street - Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 5222
165 Regent Street - Tel: +44 (0)20 7734 4060

Fortnum and Mason - 181 Piccadilly, London
Tel: +44 (0)20 7734 8040
In 1705, Messrs. Fortnum and Mason decided to set up shop together and that is how Piccadilly's most famous store began. Over the years this high street legend has been patronised by the aristocracy and still supplies the royal family with food and wine. Stocking womenswear, furniture and homeware, the store is famous for its Food Hall.

Hamleys - 188-196 Regent Street, London
Tel: +44 (0)20 7494 2000
With a huge range of more than 40,000 toys and games on seven floors, Hamley's lives up to its reputation as the finest toy shop in the world. The window displays are exceptional and the exciting atmosphere inside the shop is a little like a fun fair, with staff demonstrating toys, and there are frequent events.

Harrods - 87-135 Brompton Road, London
Tel: +44 (0)20 7730 1234
Possibly the most famous store in the world, Harrods is a popular store and also a top tourist attraction. Impeccable service and standards have always been emphasised and it boasts an enormous range of high-quality goods, including furniture, clothes and an impressive food hall. With over 230 departments, Harrods simply has 'everything, for everyone, everywhere'.

Harvey Nichols - 109-125 Knightsbridge, London
Tel: +44 (0)20 7235 5000
Affectionately referred to as 'Harvey Nicks', this glamorous store is considered the home of fashion by many. With six floors, famous designer labels, homeware and cosmetics, the modern, minimalist interior allows the goods to sell themselves. The 5th floor café features spectacular views across west London.

Heals - 196 Tottenham Court Road, London
Tel: +44 (0)20 7636 1666
This 200-year-old furniture store is best known for its craftsmanship, attention to detail and contemporary design - often considered somewhat cutting-edge. Heals also sells rugs, beds, fabrics, many other home accessories and offers an interior design service.

John Lewis - 278-306 Oxford Street, London
Tel: +44 (0)20 7629 7711
This established name is one of the most affordable department stores in London and has an enormous amount to offer, including fashion, fabrics, furniture, electrical goods and kitchenware.

Liberty - 210-220 Regent Street, London
Tel: +44 (0)20 7734 1234
Opened in 1875, this store is one of the best for fabrics from around the world. The timber-framed building is striking and Liberty regularly sponsors and showcases new designers, setting trends. The store also sells designer womenswear, arts and crafts, antiques, as well as an enormous range of fabrics, in many different colours, patterns and textures.

Marks and Spencer - 458 Oxford Street, London (largest London store)
Tel: +44 (0)20 7935 7954
With more than 400 stores worldwide, Marks and Spencer began in 1894, as a small shop in Manchester. From that small shop the name has now become an institution for shopping in Britain. Famous for quality lingerie, the store has many other departments, including menswear, womenswear, children's clothes and toys, furniture, home accessories and a very large food hall with an extensive selection of salads and sandwiches. The company prides itself on quality and service.

Paul Smith - 40-44 Floral Street, London
Tel: +44 (0)20 7379 7133
In 1976 Paul Smith debuted his first menswear collection in the fashion industry and he now owns hundreds of shops throughout the world. The suits and shirts have an impeccable finish and he is now branching out into more ranges, including shoes and home collections.

Selfridges - 400 Oxford Street, London
Tel: +44 (0)20 7935 7954
This giant store has everything from food, fashion, decorating, jewellery and cosmetics - to mention but a few. Since it opened in 1809, Oxford Street gained a reputation as one of the best shopping centres in the city. The stylish store is modern and still offers 'something for everyone'. There are also cafés and restaurants dispersed throughout the store and the wonderful window displays at Christmas time always draw large crowds.

 
LONDON TRAVEL GUIDE...