Shopping in London
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Murder One
Crime fiction from the likes of Harlan Coben, Carl Hiaasen, Elmore Leonard and Alexander McCall Smith join true crime, Sherlock Holmes and romances (including Mills & Boons), with a (freaky) Sherlock mannequin greeting you from the shop window.
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Carhartt Outlet Store
You’ll find hoodies, sweats and jeans at this outlet of the street-wear label, as well as a small selection of similar brands. It’s tucked away on a residential street, under the railway arches just north of London Fields station. Ring the bell to get in.
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Ann Summers
This is one of Britain's most successful stores - so who says the Brits are a reserved lot? Just look at the racy lingerie (usually in flaming reds and fluffy lace), accompanied with furry handcuffs, breast enhancers, G-strings, leather whips, nurse uniforms and other playful accessories.
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Grays Antiques
Top-hatted doormen welcome you to this wonderful building full of specialist stallholders. Make sure you head to the basement where the Tyburn River still runs through a channel in the floor.
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Present
Everything for the hip gentleman, including designer gear, shoes, books and bike accessories. You can also grab a great cup of coffee here.
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Ray’s Jazz
Quiet and serene with friendly and helpful staff, this is one of the best jazz shops in London.
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Rigby & Peller
Mayfair; Knightsbridge; Chelsea; Westfield mall Get into some right royal knickers with a trip to the Queen's corsetière.
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Topshop Oxford Circus
Billed as the 'world's largest fashion store', the Topshop branch on Oxford Circus is a constant frenzy of shoppers searching for the latest look at reasonable prices. It's been given a shot of cool by being home to a range by London's favourite local supermodel rock chick, Kate Moss. Topman is upstairs.
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Waterstones
Piccadilly Bloomsbury Beautiful branches of the chain. Check out the 5th View bar in the Piccadilly store.
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Westfield
A new concept for London, this giant mall has 265 stores, restaurants and cinemas.
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Borough Market
Located here in some form or another since the 13th century, 'London's Larder' has enjoyed an astonishing renais-sance in the past decade. Always overflowing with food lovers, inveterate gastronomes, wide-eyed newcomers, guidebook-toting visitors and all types in between, this fantastic market has become firmly established as a sight in its own right.
Along with a section devoted to quality fresh fruit, exotic vegetables and organic meat, there's a fine-foods re-tail market, with the likes of home-grown honey and homemade bread plus loads of free samples. Throughout, takeaway stalls supply sizzling gourmet sausages, chorizo sandwiches and quality burgers in spades, filling…
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Broadway Market
There’s been a market down this pretty street since the late 19th century, the focus of which has these days become artisan food, arty knick-knacks, books, records and vintage clothing.
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Butler & Wilson
There’s a sybaritic 1920s Shanghai vibe to Butler & Wilson’s central branch, where costume jewellery, handbags, T-shirts and knick-knacks are sold beneath red Chinese lanterns.
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Konditor & Cook
London's best bakery chain, serving excellent cakes, pastries, bread and coffee.
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Old Spitalfields Market
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Petticoat Lane Market
The famous lane itself has been renamed Middlesex St. The market, however, soldiers on, selling cheap consumer items and clothes.
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Rigby & Peller
This old-fashioned place makes the Queen’s bras, but Rigby & Peller’s fitting and alteration service – open to us plebs – is equally legendary. Get yourself measured – many a customer has been surprised to discover they’ve been wearing the wrong size for years. Off-the-peg underwear and swimwear is also available.
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Rough Trade West
With its underground, alternative and vintage rarities, this home of the eponymous punk-music label remains a haven for vinyl junkies who get misty-eyed about the days before CDs (also on sale) and MP3 players.
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Rough Trade
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Sunday UpMarket
Market where young designers sell wonderful clothes, music and crafts, and the excellent food hall has worldwide grub, from Ethiopian vegie dishes to Japanese delicacies. If you've got the stamina, top it all off with a browse round Spitalfields.
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Waterstone’s
The chain’s megastore is the largest bookshop in Europe, boasting knowledgeable staff and regular author readings and signings. The store spreads across four floors, and there is a cafe in the basement and a fabulous rooftop bar–restaurant, 5th View.
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