Published on: 20th November 2022
Calling all shoppers! If you love to check out some of the biggest as well as some of the most unknown brands around, then London is the place for you. Not only is it home to some of the most high-end retail stores, but it also has a wide range of charity shops where you can save your pennies while grabbing a great deal.
However, there are so many different districts in London, and finding the best place with the shops that suit your needs can be challenging. Luckily, we’ve had this thought for you and compiled a guide showing you twelve of the best areas and stores where you can shop until you drop.
Oxford Street
If you’re an avid shopper, then you’ve most definitely heard of Oxford Street. It is one of London’s most well-known streets, famously known for the over 300 shops piled down it. There is everything you could possibly need, from designer outlets to your more popular chains. Basically, if you need anything, you’ll be able to find it on this street.
One of the highlights of Oxford Street includes LUSH, a vegan-friendly beauty and wellness store that sells natural bath bombs, shampoos, and soaps. You’ll also be able to find big names such as Primark and Zara for your clothing needs and John Lewis and House of Fraser for home decor.
Regent Street
As you stroll down Regent Street, not only will you be able to find a wide range of fantastic stores to check out, but you’ll enjoy the aesthetics of the location as well. Many of the buildings were designed by renowned architect Sir John Nash in the 19th century, and they have kept much of their essence today.
Most of the fashion stores are reasonably priced, and you can also get your hands on gifts for loved ones in the form of tech or something a bit more unique. Whether you want to visit The Apple Store for a new phone or pick up an item of elegance at Liberty London, there is something for every occasion.
Westfield
Not all shopping locations in London are streets, and if you want to visit a shopping centre with over 250 shops, then you can head to Westfield. There are two major centres to choose from; White City and Stratford, and each have everything you could need for a spectacular shopping trip.
If you want something new to wear, you can check out Next or House of Fraser. If you want to spend a little extra cash on a designer brand, then you can pick up something from Louis Vuitton or Jimmy Choo. And if you want something to eat to gain more energy for the rest of the trip, you can choose from one of the 80 restaurants and cafes.
Carnaby Street
Many of the shopping streets in London have stores that you can find all over the country, but Carnaby Street is home to various independent boutiques with unique items that you won’t be able to get your hands on anywhere else. While there are still some known brands, you will have a shopping experience like no other.
As you walk under the iconic Carnaby arch, you’ll be exposed to a wide range of fantastic stores, such as Irregular Choice and its huge collection of shoes. You may also want to check out The Kooples and add some French fashion to your wardrobe.
Covent Garden Market
There are many markets around London, each open on various days of the week, but one of the biggest ones is the Covent Garden Market. If you’re just visiting London for a little bit, it’s a great place to find a little souvenir to remind you of your trip or to take home as a gift for one of your friends or family members.
Covent Garden Market is especially great if you want to find something homemade and unique. There are tons of stores to choose from where you can find bespoke jewellery, arts and crafts, and vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics. Make sure you stock up because you won’t find these items anywhere else.
King’s Road
Looking for something a bit more trendy? If the answer is yes, then King’s Road is where you want to shop. Offering a great mix of boutiques and high-end fashion stores, you can have a mooch around and find something that fits in with your wardrobe for the season. And to top things off, there are some beautifully decorated cafes you can take a break in.
When at King’s Road, you may want to look out for stores such as Peter Jones, which the locals love. It offers everything from clothing to homewares, and you may find yourself buying more than you expected. Other notable stores include Duke of York Square, Designers Guild, and Trotters.
Bond Street
Want to bump into Hugh Grant or a One Direction member while shopping in London? Well, if this is the case, then your best bet will be Bond Street, an area loved by local celebrities. Of course, since it is such a high-end shopping location, it is a bit more pricey, but it is an experience in itself to just browse the stores.
You can treat yourself to something from one of the designer stores, such as Burberry or Louis Vuitton, or you can window shop and add more items to your wishlist. Even the scenery alone is beautiful, and it is no surprise that some of the biggest British names frequent Bond Street for their shopping.
Selfridges
This isn’t necessarily a location in London where you can go shopping, but Selfridges is one of the most popular stores you have to browse when you’re in the city. You will find four of these stores in United Kingdown, and the one in London is located on Oxford Street and has been open since 1909.
Selfridges is a massive department store with six floors for you to explore. It is beloved by all shopaholics and has anything you could ever dream of. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gown for your wedding, trying to find a high-quality laptop to use at home or a nice piece of jewellery as a gift, you will be able to find it in this store.
Harrods
If you like Selfridges and want to take it up a notch by adding an extra layer of elegance, then you’ll want to visit Harrods. This large luxury department store is home to over 5,000 brands and has everything you need in terms of fashion, jewellery and homewares, but for a higher price than your standard shop.
It is a fun and exciting experience entering Harrods, as it isn’t just a shopping trip but also an experience. Once you’ve found what you’ve been looking for, you can take a break by hitting one of the many restaurants available in the building.
Notting Hill
Notting Hill isn’t only known for its carnival or the blockbuster film of the same name; it’s also a great place to go shopping in London. This area is also especially known for providing people with a wide range of Boho Chic stores, where you can find unique pieces of fashion and accessories to fall in love with.
Whether you want to hit a number of small boutiques that offer vintage and handmade pieces or you want something a little more high-end, there are loads of options available in Notting Hill. Some popular stores you can check out include Dolly Diamond, Odabash, and The Merchants.
Knightsbridge
If the main goal of your London shopping spree is purely fashion and finding the trendiest new outfit, then you can’t miss out on visiting Knightsbridge. Set up, particularly for people who have a passion for fashion, there are a number of boutiques and department stores you can browse through to find your new favourite piece.
There are some of the biggest names in fashion in Knightsbridge, including Topshop and Harvey Nichols, but you can also find the already-mentioned luxury department store, Harrods. Whether you want to find a bargain in one of the sales or a new designer piece to your collection, there is no doubt you’ll find it.
Camden Market
Alongside Covent Garden Market, Camden Market is the place to be when you want to find bespoke, handmade, and unique items while shopping in London. And you don’t have to only look for physical items you can take home with you, as there are also a variety of highly rated food stalls and restaurants you can check out.
Camden Market is different from all the others because it is actually open every day of the week. However, you may find that some of the best stalls are open on the weekend, so that is your best time to visit. So try to hit this location when it is most busy to make the most out of it.
Final thoughts
It is impossible to check out every store in London, so you must find the area that best suits your shopping needs. Whether you want a little bit of everything on Oxford Street, some unique and handmade items at Camden Market, or something a bit more upmarket at Harrods, you’ll need to make the decision before you start splashing the cash.
