Must-see shopping in London

  •  Harrods store at night

    Harrods

    Kensington & Hyde Park

    Garish and stylish in equal measure, perennially crowded Harrods is an obligatory stop for visitors, from the cash-strapped to the big spenders. The stock…

  • John Sandoe Books

    Kensington & Hyde Park

    Steeped in literary charm and a perfect antidote to impersonal book superstores, this three-storey bookshop in an 18th-century premises inhabits its own…

  • Sunday Upmarket

    Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields

    The Sunday Upmarket (also open on Saturday) sprawls among the beautiful brick buildings of the Old Truman Brewery, on both sides of Brick Lane between…

  • Libreria

    Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields

    Mismatched vintage reading lamps spotlight the floor-to-ceiling canary-yellow shelves at this delightful indie bookshop, where titles are arranged…

  • Stables Market

    North London

    Connected to the Camden Lock Market, the Stables overflows with antiques, Asian artefacts, rugs, retro furniture and street clothing. As the name suggests…

  • Japan House

    Notting Hill & West London

    A cultural outpost of Japan in London, Japan House presents and celebrates Japanese art, design, culture, technology, craftsmanship and gastronomy in a…

  • Fortnum & Mason

    The West End

    With its classic eau-de-Nil (pale green) colour scheme, the 'Queen's grocery store' (established in 1707) refuses to yield to modern times. Its staff –…

  • Stanfords

    The West End

    Trading since 1853, this grandaddy of travel bookshops and seasoned seller of maps, guides and globes is a destination in its own right. Polar explorer…

  • Artwords

    East London

    Imbibe beauty from the page at this atmospheric bookseller specialising in visual arts publications from the UK, Europe, North America and Australia. In…

  • Aida

    Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields

    Brick walls, minimalist wood and metal fixtures, and pops of green from potted plants make this concept shop a delight to peruse. Indie brands abound in…

  • Broadway Market

    East London

    There’s been a market down here since the late 19th century, but the focus these days is artisanal food, handmade gifts and unique clothing. Cafes along…

  • Foyles

    The West End

    London's most legendary bookshop, where you can find even the most obscure titles. Once synonymous with chaos, Foyles got its act together and now this…

  • Forbidden Planet

    The West End

    Forbidden Planet is a trove of comics, sci-fi, horror and fantasy literature, as well as action figures and toys, spread over two floors. It's an absolute…

  • Some of the stalls on a quiet day in Old Spitalfields Market

    Old Spitalfields Market

    Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields

    Traders have been hawking their wares here since 1638, and it's still one of London's best markets. Sundays are the biggest days, but Thursdays are good…

  • Camden Passage Market

    North London

    Not to be confused with Camden Market, Camden Passage is a pretty cobbled lane in Islington lined with antique stores, vintage-clothing boutiques and…

  • Pylones

    Kensington & Hyde Park

    A burst of colour and Gallic creative exuberance, Pylones is always such a breath of fresh air, despite the location in a mall up the escalators at the…

  • Conran Shop

    Kensington & Hyde Park

    The original design store (going strong since 1987), the Conran Shop is a treasure trove of beautiful things – from radios to sunglasses, kitchenware to…

  • London Review Bookshop

    The West End

    The flagship bookshop of the London Review of Books fortnightly literary journal doesn’t put faith in towering piles of books and slabs on shelves, but…

  • Vivienne Westwood

    The West End

    The fashion doyenne of the punk and new-wave aesthetic, Westwood has always had a reputation for being controversial and political. She continues to…

  • Camden Lock Market

    North London

    Right next to the canal lock, this section of Camden Market is the the place to go for diverse food stalls in the West Yard, as well as for several nice…

  • Sounds of the Universe

    The West End

    Outlet of the Soul Jazz Records label: explorers of wild, wonderful and often forgotten corners of black music who bring back gems for their legendary…

  • Daunt Books

    The West End

    An original Edwardian bookshop, with oak panels, galleries and gorgeous skylights, Daunt is one of London’s loveliest bookshops. There are several Daunt…

  • Annie’s Vintage Costume & Textiles

    North London

    One of London’s most enchanting vintage shops, this high-end boutique has costumes to make you look like Greta Garbo. Many a famous designer has come here…

  • Looking down Argyll Street to Liberty Department Store, West End.

    Liberty

    The West End

    One of London's most recognisable shops, Liberty department store has a white-and-wood-beam Tudor Revival facade that lures shoppers in to browse luxury…

  • Hamleys

    The West End

    The biggest and oldest toy emporium in the world, Hamleys houses six floors of fun for kids of all ages, from the basement's Star Wars and Harry Potter…

  • Grant & Cutler

    The West End

    The UK’s largest foreign-language bookseller with titles representing more than 100 languages is located on the 4th floor of Foyles.

  • The central seating area of Boxpark in Croydon

    Boxpark

    London

    Hoping to replicate the success of its Shoreditch counterpart, Boxpark Croydon provides a much-needed cultural hub just a stone’s throw from East Croydon…

  • The frontage of Tooting Market, a South London shopping institution

    Tooting Market

    Brixton, Peckham & South London

    Despite facing potential demolition, this 90-year stalwart of the South London shopping scene continues to expand, most recently with a new area called…

  • Pickett

    Kensington & Hyde Park

    Walking into Pickett as an adult is a bit like walking into a sweet shop as a child: the exquisite leather goods are all so colourful and beautiful that…

  • Tatty devine jewellery shop.

    Tatty Devine

    Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields

    Harriet Vine and Rosie Wolfenden design the witty laser-cut acrylic jewellery on sale in this small space. Their original creations feature flora- and…

  • The Notting Hill Book Shop was made famous by the Hugh Grant film Notting Hill

    Notting Hill Bookshop

    Notting Hill & West London

    This fine, rather small, general bookshop – the inspiration behind the bookshop in Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts' monster rom-com Notting Hill – still sees…

  • The outside of Magma, a popular book shop in London

    Magma

    Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields

    This much-loved shop sells a quirky collection of coffee-table books, magazines, card games and stationery, most on the themes of typography, graphic…

  • Entrance to Milroy's of Soho.

    Milroy’s of Soho

    The West End

    A whiskey shop that has achieved iconic status over the half century it’s been around. Every bottle is handpicked by the passionate staff, with prices…

  • The exterior of We Built This City

    We Built This City

    The West End

    Taking a commendable stand against tacky souvenirs, We Built This City sells locally themed merchandise that the recipient might actually want – most of…

  • The entrance to Rough Trade East, a record shop on Brick Lane

    Rough Trade East

    Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields

    It's no longer directly associated with the legendary record label (home to the Smiths, the Libertines and the Strokes, among others), but this huge…

  • The exterior of Books for Cooks in Notting Hill

    Books for Cooks

    Notting Hill & West London

    All the recipe books from celeb and nonceleb chefs you can imagine are sold here – perfect for more adventurous cooks or for those looking for ‘exotic’…

  • Quirky Battersea Flower Station borders the railway tracks

    Battersea Flower Station

    Brixton, Peckham & South London

    With its punning name you might think this charming garden centre, squeezed into a sliver of land alongside some railway tracks, would be happy to rest on…

  • The facade of Tales on Moon Lane

    Tales on Moon Lane

    Brixton, Peckham & South London

    Tales on Moon Lane feels like it belongs in a fairy tale itself. Impeccably decorated inside and out, this multi-award-winning children’s bookshop has a…

  • The shop front of Hedonism Wines, a fine wine and spirit boutique in Mayfair

    Hedonism Wines

    The West End

    The price tags might make you more dizzy than the alcohol content in this aptly-named fine wines and spirits boutique in Mayfair: its two floors are…

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    Provenance

    Notting Hill & West London

    This Notting Hill butcher shop, run by a Kiwi couple, prides itself on its quality, free-range meat – the beef is grass-fed and the lamb comes from the…

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