Must-see shopping in England

  •  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…

  • A close-up of Blackwell's entrance

    Blackwell’s

    Oxford

    The most famous bookshop in the most studenty of cities, Blackwell’s is, with its vast range of literature, treatises and guilty pleasures, a book-lover’s…

  • 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…

  • Ludlow Food Centre

    Shropshire

    More than 80% of the cheeses, meats, breads, fruit and vegetables are sourced from the surrounding region and tantalisingly displayed at this enormous…

  • 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…

  • Barter Books

    Northumberland Coast

    Coal fires, velvet ottomans, reading rooms and a cafe make this secondhand bookshop in Alnwick's Victorian former railway station wonderfully atmospheric…

  • Low Sizergh Barn

    The Lake District

    A prodigious selection of Lakeland goodies are available at this farm shop, just outside Kendal on the A590. There's also a farm trail and woodland walk…

  • 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 –…

  • Daylesford Organic

    The Cotswolds

    A country-chic temple to the Cotswolds' organic movement, 4 miles east of Stow, the sprawling Daylesford operation was kickstarted 40 years ago when a…

  • 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…

  • Ashmolean Shop

    Oxford

    Appropriately enough, the shop at the Ashmolean reflects the scope and variety of Oxford’s finest museum. William Morris would certainly approve –…

  • Malvern Hills Vintage

    The Midlands & the Marches

    A vast timber barn 1.5 miles northeast of Ledbury is packed to the rafters with retro, antique and industrial treasures – everything from Victorian lamps…

  • 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…

  • Atkinsons Coffee Roasters

    Northwest England

    Atkinsons is one of Britain's most prestigious coffee merchants, serving up all kinds of exotic beans and loose leaf teas since 1840. It has been at this…

  • Charter Market

    Northwest England

    Lancaster's historic market is one of the best in the northwest, a gathering place for local producers to sell their goodies. You'll find potted shrimp…

  • Camilla’s Bookshop

    East Sussex

    Literally packed to the rafters with over half a million musty volumes, this incredible secondhand-book repository, an interesting amble from the train…

  • George Fisher

    Keswick

    Quite possibly the most famous outdoors shop in the Lake District, founded in 1967 and still the place where discerning hikers go to buy their gear (even…

  • Country Cheeses

    Dartmoor National Park

    Ripe, cheesy aromas wash over you as you step into this award-winning shop. The counters are stacked with oozing, crumbling golden delights. Many are made…

  • Trenance Chocolate

    The Lizard

    Fancy bars and boxes of chocolate are sold in the shop at this premium Cornish choc maker. You can mix-and-match your own selection, or just go for one of…

  • 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…

  • Robson & Sons

    Northumberland Coast

    Four generations have operated this traditional fish smokers; loyal customers include the Royal Family. It's best known for its kippers, but also smokes…

  • 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…

  • W Harvey & Sons

    West Cornwall

    If it's fresh crab and lobster you're after, this wharf warehouse is the best place in Cornwall – you can buy unpicked whole hens and cocks or, if you'd…

  • 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…

  • Sarah Nelson's Gingerbread Shop

    The Lake District

    In business since 1854, this famous sweet shop next to the village church makes Grasmere's essential souvenir: traditional gingerbread with a half…

  • 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…

  • Cartmel Village Shop

    Cumbria & the Lakes

    This upmarket village shop developed the recipe for sticky toffee pudding – accept no substitute. You can buy it to cook at home and it also comes in…

  • 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…

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