Shopping in London - From Downtown Cool to Uptown Chic

A Bird's Eye View of London

Ye old London, England—home to Buckingham Palace, London Bridge, Sherlock Homes, warm ale and mushy peas. While these are all quintessential to London's identity, so is the shopping. Even those not interested in consumerist endeavours will enjoy visiting London's popular shopping districts by experiencing each area's different history, appearance and ambience. To ensure that no area is left unexplored, take a self-guided circular tour visiting all the main districts:

• 	Click for a Larger Shopping Tour Map

  High Street Kensington
• Chelsea
• Knightsbridge
• Piccadilly Circus
• Regent Street
• Carnaby Street
• Soho
• Covent Garden
• Charing Cross Road
• Oxford Street
• Bond Street

High Street Kensington
High Street Kensington tube stop on the Circle and District line.

Serious shoppers will swoon at the sight of shops chock-a-block on both sides of the street. This is a great place to start any shopping excursion as it has all the fashion of any shopping district in London but without the crowds or pretension; this despite that it is located in one of London's most prestigious neighbourhoods. At the north bend is the magnificent and lush Kensington Gardens—home to Kensington Palace. While shoppers are unlikely to bump elbows with Royalty, there may be some celebrity spotting. But what is guaranteed is a good gawk at Britain's fashion. Popular main chain shops are here—from Benetton to Kookai—with all the day's latest must-haves in fashion, but other shops are more innovative offering tomorrow's trends. Hype Designer Forum (Hype DF) is eye-catching with a glass façade leading to even more eye-catching contents: the latest creations by London's up-and-coming designers.

Yesterday's fashions are now retro-chic and can be found cramped on three floors at Kensington Market. Albeit hot and claustrophobic, it's also a great place to snoop for bargain second-hand fashions, clubber and street cred wear, accessories and much more.

Europe is known for putting their best foot forward in terms of fashion and London is no different with a plethora of shoe shops around almost every corner. High Street Kensington has shoe shops ranging from reasonably priced Barratts to fashionable and funky Shelly's.

The street is complete with some of Britain's most reliable and quintessential department stores: Marks & Spencer, Barkers and H&M.

Chelsea
From High Street Kensington tube stop, take the Circle and District line to Sloane Square.

One of the most desirable districts in London for hundreds of years, Chelsea has an interesting history. On the north bank of the river Thames, it was originally a small fishing settlement, but it was already a desirable residential district to Britain's aristocracy by the 16th Century allocating the moniker 'Village of Palaces'.

In the 17th Century, King Charles II allegedly built a house for his mistress, Nell Gwyn, here and he would travel from Hampton Court Palace via farm road to see her. Later, this became his own private road-hence the name King's Road.

By the middle of the 19th Century, the route became a commercial road lined with many shops. But, it wasn't until the 1970s that King's Road acquired its notorious reputation for outrageous fashion with the opening of Let it Rock, owned by style guru, Vivienne Westwood, and the infamous designer and manager of the Sex Pistols, Malcolm McLaren. The shop started as a 50s rock revival but the name and fashion changed many times over the years producing shocking results such as the punk-look that many youth still don today.

Vivienne Westwood, with shops worldwide, has her flagship store—Vivienne Westwood London—in King's Road presenting her famous fashions. Once wild, her clothes remain cutting-edge but are runway haute couture rather than back alley shock value.

Other shops in the area also reflect quixotic high fashion with many high-end boutiques, but as with other shopping districts, more sedate chain shops may be found, providing the latest styles. The area is also known for its array of fabulous interior design shops offering trends for the home; however, Chelsea isn't just known for its contemporary fashions. The Chelsea Antiques Market, open daily except Sunday, is one of London's most popular spots for finding traditional and bizarre antiques.

Knightsbridge
Walk north along Sloane Street and turn at Brompton Road, or take the tube to Knightsbridge on the Piccadilly line.

	Harrods of Knightsbridge

The district of Buckingham Palace, Knightsbridge is rather posh. It is also home to another palace of sorts, a shopper's palace: Harrods of Knightsbridge. Starting off as a simple grocery in 1849 by Henry Charles Harrod, the store met with great success leading to the Harrods that is known today. His store philosophy-Everything for Everybody, Everywhere-became core to the shop's success and remains the store's motto today. The variety of merchandise could be the world's largest with 28 departments, 22 restaurants, and 52 services making up 1.2 million goods.

Further down the road is much less populated Harvey Nichols. The store's existence dates back to the 1820s, however, the building that stands in Knightsbridge today was built in the 1880s. Standing prominently and proud, the interior is a stark contrast to its exterior. Inside has all the class of the historical building, but with all the style of today. Minimalist and sleek, all the exalted names in fashion—from Dolce&Gabbana and Gucci to Mui Mui and Yohji Yamamoto—are elegantly displayed. And Harvey Nichols is not as busy as its neighbour, Harrods, leaving serious shoppers to get down to business.

Piccadilly Circus
Board the Piccadilly line and stop at Piccadilly Circus.

Piccadilly Circus

Disembarking from the station at Piccadilly Circus, visitors will find themselves among hundreds of others that flock to one of London's most popular tourist destination. The area was likely named after a 17th Century dressmaker who lived in the area after becoming successful selling frilly collars named 'picadils'.

The magnificent architecture, designed by John Nash in the 1800s, is comprised of Georgian buildings that face inward to form a triangular space. Giant advertisements litter the area adding to the busy and eclectic ambience. This is also home to Eros—the famous large aluminium cast statue representing charity. Today, it is a popular meeting spot and place to sit and people watch.

Piccadilly Circus is at the crux of several main roads: Shaftesbury Avenue, Regent Street and Piccadilly and is thus surrounded by an array of restaurants, clubs, cafes and, of course, shops. Fortnum & Masons is perhaps the most regal department store in London as it is appointed by the Royal Family to be the official suppliers of certain goods to the palace. Its image reflects this majestic affiliation. The interior is rich and majestic with opulent red carpets, shimmering chandeliers, elegant displays and walls and ceilings laden with remarkable pictures and murals. Four floors offers classic fashions in clothes, shoes, accessories, jewellery, and beauty products. Stationery, gifts, luggage, linens, toys and many more quality goods are also available. Do not miss the legendary Food Hall, which focuses on providing the finest and most rare of gourmet goods. Outside Fortnum & Mason's doors is a magnificent clock, weighing 4.3 tonnes. Every hour, two solid bronze male figures bow to each other and turn as a tune plays.

Regent Street
From Piccadilly Circus, walk north to reach Regent Street.

	Regent Street

Adjacent to Piccadilly Street is Regent Street. The avenue is wide, the architecture magnificent, the atmosphere vibrant, and the shopping to die for. The street—also designed by John Nash in the 1800s as a border between Soho's ruffians and Mayfair's affluent—today displays the classic fashions of Hugo Boss, Austin Reed, and Liz Claiborne. Hamley's, possibly the world's largest toy store, is jam-packed with toys that encompass seven floors.

Christmas shopping in this area is an absolute delight. It all begins with an official ceremony each November when a celebrity switches on a wonderful display of Christmas lights that illuminate the length of the street. Past personalities have included Joan Collins, Dame Edna and Sir Anthony Hopkins.

At the end of Regent Street, heading toward Oxford Street, is Liberty—a department store in a striking Tudor building. Famous for its luxury line of fabrics, Liberty also has a wide array of merchandise that will enchant and surprise. Clothing, linens, art, and more range from the classic to the swanky and everything in between spread over 35 different departments. The small rooms that link together, along with the creaking wooden floors, add to the boutique-feel creating a charming shopping experience.

Carnaby Street
Walk east of Regent Street, between Great Marlborough Street and Beak Street.

In the fifties, Carnaby Street was an uninteresting neighbourhood that was home to tailor sweatshops, but by the sixties, many of these transformed into trendy boutiques creating the mode of the day: mod suits, flat caps, and floral patterns. In fact, it was after this area that Time Magazine coined the term "Swinging London".

In recent decades, Carnaby Street went from hip and high fashion to incense and silver rings. Today, however, Carnaby Street is undergoing a revival. Catering to the young and oh-so-cool, the glut of boutiques focuses on providing trendy street cred gear: from trainers to hoodies, with brands such as Diesel, Triple Five Soul, and High Jinks. Some of the original shops from the sixties are still here, but Carnaby isn't strictly for the mods. Footie fans, as well as other sport enthusiasts, will enjoy popular sport shops this area offers.

From Carnaby Street, walk east down Broadwick to Berwick Street. Here is a great market particularly for finding food bargains. Locals go for the fruit and veg, while travellers can indulge in some inexpensive but divine cheeses that, with a bit of bread, makes a tasty lunch for those on the go. Aside from other market goods, this street has an eclectic array of shops. There is a sausage shop with many variations on the same theme and a record shop featuring various electronica. Other Electronic music shops are found around the corner on D'arblay Street.

Soho
Walk south on Berwick Street.

At the south end of Berwick Street is a short pedestrian tunnel that, covered in tacky flashing lights and advertisements for the strip club above it, is the perfect introduction to Soho. But the area wasn't always renowned for its seedy status. In the 16th Century, Soho was part of the grounds attached to Westminster abbey and was used for hunting, hence the name 'SoHo'—a hunter's cry to call in the hounds. Many immigrants settled here in the 17th Century, but by the 18th Century, the sex trade thrived. However, the area has always been more bohemian than sleazy to its eminent residents such as William Blake, John Dryden, Karl Marx and Casanova. The 50s brought jazz to London by way of Ronnie Scott's, which is still found on Frith Street, and the 60s and 70s brought regular performances by the Rolling Stones, The Kinks, David Bowie and The Who.

Today, while there is still a neon pink sign displaying "Girls Girls Girls", call girls standing in vacant doorways, and a plethora of exotic dancing clubs, Soho is as eclectic and trendy as ever. There are a few interesting shops about, such as Janet Fitch—for designer jewellery—and Vintage Magazine—a movie poster shop with almost every headshot of every star ever to have existed. The wine bars and restaurants are the fashionable places to be seen in London today and are definitely worth exploring. At the south end of Soho is Chinatown with many interesting Chinese restaurants, markets and shops worth perusing. Leicester Square, famous for its large piazza surrounded by mega movie cinemas and restaurants, is found on the other side.

Charing Cross
Walk eastward from Soho on Old Compton Street to Charing Cross Road.

Many Books at Charing Cross

From Soho, follow the maze of streets eastward toward Charing Cross Road—the Mecca for book enthusiasts. Bookshop after bookshop, the variety in character and selection seems endless. The eminent Blackwell's sits prominently with a magnitude of books that are impeccably organized. Its neighbour, Foyles, has recently lost its title as London's largest bookshop, but is still perhaps the most charming with an organizational plan that is a bit of a mystery. Speaking of mystery, Murder One is a bookshop solely dedicated to the mystery genre. Silver Moon Women's Shop offers a good selection of women's topical books.

Covent Garden
Walk south on Charing Cross road to Leicester Square tube station and then walk east on Long Acre, or travel on the tube one stop to Covent Garden.

Covent Garden was home to a major produce market until 1974. Today, it is one of London's premier tourist attractions offering art, museums, historic sites, the Royal Opera House, pubs, restaurants, cafes, markets, and many shops. Designed in the 1630s by Inigo Jones, the main area comprises a piazza that is the city's oldest planned square.

The main arcade is a type of mini-mall with many higher end boutiques filled with china, souvenirs, toiletries, jewellery, toys, clothes and much more. Built in a square, there is a restaurant in the lower middle floor as a courtyard where shoppers may stop for tea, or just enjoy the live violinist or quartet that plays there. The music emanates throughout the arcade for a serene shopping experience despite the crowds. Across from this arcade is the Jubilee Market. Shoppers hankering for a bargain may find what they are looking for here, from fine arts and crafts to souvenir tea towels.

To the right of Jubilee Market is the London's Transport Museum. Visitors do not have to pay for admission to visit the Transport Shop. Anything and everything related to London transportation is here such as tube map boxer shorts and playing cards, to popular mugs and vintage prints.

From this square, head northwest up James Street which then turns into Neal Street. The best way to explore Convent Garden, though, is to just wander the maze of streets and get lost in the crowds and the plethora of shops. Buskers sway the crowds with their didgeridoos while the smell of incense and foods from a variety of restaurants permeate throughout the streets. Visitors following their noses may be lead to Neal's Yard off Neal Street. At the entrance of the yard is Neal's Yard Dairy with an amazing array of cheese from small farms from around England. Shoppers are encouraged to sample cheese before they purchase. Around the corner from this shop is a courtyard that is somewhat hidden and thus serves as a quiet and new age oasis in the hustle and bustle of the area. A bakery, a vegetarian café and other shops surround a crafty centre complete with a hand painted picnic table creating a bohemian ambience.

Everything else in Covent Garden ranges from high-end fashion, to cutting edge street gear. Some of Britain's most popular chain shops have outlets here, but there are good independent boutiques as well including fabulous shoe shops.

Oxford Street
Return to the Covent Garden tube stop and travel south bound on the Piccadilly line one stop to Leicester Square, and then change to the Northern line and travel north one stop to Tottenham Court Road.

	Crowds on Oxford Street

Get prepared for even more crowds on the ever-so-popular Oxford Street where saying that this street is busy is a very serious understatement. Bright lights, streets too crowded to make a proper stride, and thick traffic define the character of this gregarious and hectic street. In the heart of London, this strip attracts locals and tourists alike with more than 300 shops from inexpensive warehouse shops to high-end designer boutiques employing up to 60,000 people. About 200 million people shop here each year with nine million foreign visitors providing about 20 percent of the income.

At Oxford Circus tube stop—where the smell of roasting chestnuts, candied peanuts and grilling hotdogs from various vendors permeate the air-there are several mega stores catering to sports, fashions and music such as HMV, the world's oldest record shop and multimedia marvel.

Oxford Street began as a shopping district early in the 1900s with the establishment of several department stores that still exist. Today, the street has many of Britain's top department stores all offering superb window displays.

Selfridges & Co department store, built in 1909, is found at the end of the street just west of Marble Arch tube stop. Once rivals with Harrods, Selfridges underwent a major overhaul in the last few years. Millions of pounds later, Selfridges now market themselves to those who belong to Cool Britannia. The renovations continue as Selfridges reinvent themselves to remain on the cutting edge with six floors of fashion, from prestigious perfumes to fabulous food.

Bond Street
Off of Oxford Street, east of Selfridges, south of Bond Street tube stop on the Jubilee or Central line.

Leave the consumer frenzy of Oxford Street to the quieter fashion oasis that is Bond Street. There is high fashion, and then there is haute couture. Bond Street offers the latter with fashion icons such as Prada, Chanel, Versace, Armani, Ralph Lauren, Mulberry, and Burberry. Accessorize at Cartier and Tiffany & Co. also in the street.