The sheer choice can be overwhelming, so save time with our guide to London shopping by area. The concierge will be happy to provide specific addresses and telephone numbers.
SHOREDITCH | Spitalfields Market
Famous for its markets, the Spitalfields Estate is now a seven-days-a week destination. Resplendent under a Fosters & Partners-designed glass canopy, Spitalfields Traders market, Spitalfields Arts Market and the Market Street Shop offer cutting edge fashion and interiors, original artworks as well as food.
The Spitalfields market is surrounded by independent shops, cafes, bars and award-winning restaurants including Brother Marcus, Ottolenghi and Galvin La Chapelle.
ST PAUL’S | One New Change
One New Change is the City of London’s most stylish shopping destination. Within a 15-minute walk of the hotel, it’s sleek, chic and full of period character, offering a wide range of High Street shops as well as the world’s top brands.
You’ll also find restaurants such as Brigadiers, The Trading House and Gordon Ramsay’s, Bread Street Kitchen.
A panoramic lift in the middle of the building gives direct access to the top, the sixth level, where you can enjoy breathtaking views over the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral and the City of London.
STRATFORD | Westfield
Westfield Stratford City shopping centre is one of the largest covered shopping centres in Europe and has 336 shops as well as a state-of-the-art Vue Cinema, bowling, and Aspers, the UK’s first 24-hour super casino.
CANARY WHARF | Canary Wharf Shopping Centre
Over 200 shops, bars, cafes and restaurants can be found at Canary Wharf in the four shopping malls, as well as stunning riverside locations. Luxury brands such as Tiffany Co., Jo Malone, Jaeger London and Montblanc sit side by side with high street names such as Mango, Reiss, Whistles and Zara. There is also a selection of quintessentially British brands such as Aquascutum, Aspinal of London and Hackett, as well as smaller independent shops and designer boutiques.
Of the four malls, Canada Place alone houses the flagship Waitrose Food Home store, Hawsmoor, The Ivy in the Park and Dishoom to name a few of Canary Wharf’s dining offerings, with impeccable views and buzzing atmosphere, and a Third Space – the largest health club in Europe.
OXFORD STREET
Often described as a chain store heaven, Oxford Street is the ultimate high street. The legendary Selfridges department store is the best starting point. Other highlights include the Marks and Spencer flagship store, John Lewis, Top Shop, H&M, Zara and Nike Town.
REGENT STREET
The famous crescent that is Regent Street is home to a fine group of London retail landmarks. Liberty, housed in a beautiful Tudor style building, is best known for its beautiful fabrics, but in recent years it has expanded to include one of London’s most progressive selections of international designer fashions for men and women.
Hamleys, one of the biggest and best toy shops in the world, is a Regent Street institution, and you’ll also find the Apple Store here, as well as Zara, Burberry, Wedgewood and Habitat.
PICCADILLY & ST JAMES’S
Piccadilly
Piccadilly is one of London’s busiest and most famous arteries, and separates Mayfair from St. James. Stroll along Piccadilly and you’ll want to shop at Fortnum & Mason, a veritable paradise for the food lover and picnic connoisseur. Don’t miss the elegant 19th century Burlington Arcade, which connects Piccadilly to Jermyn Street on the south side.
Jermyn Street
Jermyn Street is one of London’s most refined shopping streets. There are probably more traders here to hold the Royal Warrant as suppliers to the Royal Family than any other London street. Pop into Floris, the internationally renowned perfumery, Czech and Speake, known the world over for classic Edwardian bathroom fittings, and George Trumper for masculine preparations, soaps and shaving accessories. Choose from the vast array of shirt makers including Turnbull & Asser, Hilditch & Key, Harvie Hudson and Thomas Pink. Also worth a look are John Lobb, world renowned cobblers, and Lock & Co. Hatters, both located just around the corner on St James’ Street.
SOHO & COVENT GARDEN
One of the most vibrant shopping areas in London, the Covent Garden/Soho area is home to some of London’s best restaurants, bars, cafes, clubs, and shops.
Soho
Best seen at night-time for its numerous side-walk cafés, restaurants, bars, and clubs. Try Café Boheme, Café Nero and the Dome all on Old Compton Street, or wander up and down Frith, Dean and Greek Streets and take your pick. Whatever you do, don’t miss the legendary Bar Italia on Frith Street (near the corner of Compton Street). Its open all night for the best espresso in town. For the best shopping, head west to Great Newport and Carnaby Streets. Check out the jeweller Jess James and the many quirky boutiques in Kingly Court. Liberty is great for fashion, beauty, and interiors.
Floral Street and Long Acre
These streets run parallel. In these and the many adjacent side streets, you will find some of London’s most fashionable clothing stores. In Floral Street, there is the Paul Smith flagship store, Nicole Fahri and Agnes b. On Long Acre, there is French Connection, Gap, Zara, and Jigsaw.
Neal Street
Neal Street is a narrow, cobbled street connecting Long Acre with Shaftesbury Avenue at Monmouth Street. This bustling pedestrianised street is lined with lots of small speciality shops and cafés. A few to watch out for include The Kite Shop, The Astrology Shop and The Hat Shop, as well as the hip fashion stores Duffer of St George, Diesel and Mango.
Covent Garden Piazza.
This area is alive with outdoor entertainment, shops, markets, and cafés all week long. Watch out for Crabtree & Evelyn, and Hamley’s Toy Shop, as well as Laura Ashley, Hobbs, and the world’s only Dr Marten Department Store.
Charing Cross Road
This London Street is famous for its bookstores. Some specialise in the arts; photography, cookery, music or antiquarian books. You could easily spend hours browsing through one of the many larger stores, such as Waterstones or Foyles.
KNIGHTSBRIDGE
Synonymous with London icon Harrods, one of the world’s most luxurious department stores, Knightsbridge is also home to a range of international designer boutiques, as well as landmark store Harvey Nichols. The best shops are situated along the Brompton Road and Sloane Street.
Harrods
A tourist attraction, London landmark and vast department store rolled into one, you won’t want to miss Harrods, known for its guarantee that you will always find what you’re looking for.
Harvey Nichols
London’s smartest fashion department store. Choose from the best selection of international designer collections for men and women. There’s a great Home section on the 4th floor, and fabulous Food Hall on the 5th floor.
MAYFAIR
London’s undisputed luxury quarter. Stroll the length of Bond Street and New Bond Street from Oxford Street to Piccadilly, and you’ll find exclusive international brands including Georgio Armani, Chanel, Prada, Nicole Fahri, Gucci, DKNY, Versace, Joseph, Hermes, Alexander McQueen, Ralph Lauren and Luis Vuitton, as well as jewellers Asprey, Garrards, Cartier and Tiffany.
Also check out Conduit Street (Burberry is on the corner) for Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, Connolly, Berluti, Krizia, Mandarin Duck and Vivienne Westwood.
Don’t miss nearby South Molton Street, still home to international designer store Browns and Browns Focus. Brook Street is for Penhaligon’s, Jo Malone and John Smedley. Saville Row is home to world famous bespoke tailors, including Gieves and Hawkes, Kilgour and Richard James. Abercrombie & Fitch occupies a vast store on the corner of Burlington Gardens.
NOTTING HILL
One of London’s most distinctive shopping districts, with two separate areas to investigate.
Portobello Road
Home of the world-famous antiques market. Saturday is the time to visit. This is when you’ll find hundreds of small stalls sitting alongside the more established antique stores. Get there early for the best buys. Also wander the adjacent side streets to discover such unique shops as Books for Cooks, Graham & Greene and The Travel Bookshop.
Ledbury Road and Westbourne Park Grove
Well-heeled and ever more popular, here you’ll find a younger, more innovative mix of shops. Wander the streets around the intersection to find shops specialising in the latest in modern interior design, as well as traditional antique stores, hip boutiques and groovy cafés. The ones to watch out for are Ghost, Aime, J&M Davidson, Agnes b, Space NK, Matches, Joseph, Paul & Joe, Bill Amberg and Heidi Klein for the best in beachwear.
STORE OPENING HOURS
Shops in the City of London generally open from 10am to 7pm Monday to Saturday and from 12pm to 6pm on Sunday. For the opening times of specific stores, just ask the concierge.
BICESTER VILLAGE
The luxury outlet shopping destination in the UK, Bicester Village sets hearts racing for high-end shoppers with an eye for value. Wander boulevards lined with the boutiques of world-famous brands, each with savings of up to 60% on the recommended retail price. From Balenciaga to Burberry and Versace to Vivienne Westwood, fashion aficionados couldn’t ask for more – and it’s all just 46 minutes by train from London Marylebone station – easily reached by tube via Baker Street from Moorgate or Liverpool Street stations.