SHOP

SHOPPING

No bias here (honest), but London does have the best shopping in the world. The sheer originality, style and value of high street fashion can’t be matched anywhere in the world – brilliant catwalk copies are in the stores within weeks. No-one can spend a day in Oxford Street, High Street Kensington or Covent Garden and come away empty-handed. If you want cheap electronic goods, then go to Hong Kong, but if you’re looking for clothes then you’ve come to the right place. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed by all the things you can spend your money on in London.

Expensive

Top quality designer goods can be found in cosy boutiques near Sloane Street and in Knightsbridge. Choose from Armani, Joseph, Jean Paul Gautier, Katharine Hamnett, Paul Smith and Vivienne Westwood. So as to feel at ease, you might want to dress smartly before wandering in to browse.
The more respectable you look, the less attention you will attract, and so the more peace you will enjoy.
If you are fortunate enough to have the money to splash out, you are unlikely to make a bad choice. Most of the outfits are as classy as they claim and will stand the test of time.

Middle of the range

Oxford Street runs through the centre of London and serves as the backbone of High Street fashion. Shops such as TopShop & TopMan, Jeffrey Rogers, Morgan, Burtons and Miss Selfridge sell similar clothes to Stuttafords and Queenspark.
Monsoon, Gap, Oasis, Blazer, Next and Principles sell clothes more on line with Edgars and Truworths. Mark One, C&A, and Primark offer cheap and cheerful outfits with price tags comparable to Mr Price.
Depending on which stretch of the street you want to explore, get off at Tottenham Court Rd, Oxford Circus, Bond St or Marble Arch tube stations.

The eastern side boasts the cheaper shops while the western end is more expensive and exclusive.
Oxford Street is also home to some smaller family-owned shops which can offer bargains in specialised goods. Keep an eye out for the tiny fashion warehouse discount outlets, Italian shoe stores and reject homeware hubs. If you want to shop undisturbed, visit during the week.
Saturday and Sunday are busy, frenetic - but exciting. For those hardy enough to join the buzz of London life join the thousands as they bustle in and out of the shops, on and off the buses and up and down the Underground stairs.
High Steet Kensington offers a classier alternative to Oxford St, and may prove more convenient to those travellers bunking in Earl's Court. Check out the Kensington Market for cheap bargains. Catch the tube to High St Kensington. Turn right for the high street stores the market.
Covent Garden is home to a lot of trendier shops and stalls, many of them down Neal Street and at Seven Dials, where you can buy pricey but wonderfully fresh flowers.
There's also a market every day except Sunday down on the Piazza; it's primarily arts and craft stalls, plus a lot of tourist tack on most days, but is arguably best on Mondays when the goods on offer are an eclectic mix of antiques and other second-hand odds and sods.
If you are missing your surf clothes, this is also the place to come. Branches of Quicksilver and Mambo should satisfy the homesick. Like Oxford St, Covent Garden can get very busy, and is probably best avoided on Saturdays, when the sheer volume of visitors makes it nigh on impossible to shop in comfort.

CHARITY SHOPS

A favourite with students, the unemployed and the just plain poor, charity shops are popular in the UK and a good place to hunt for funky fashions and old records. But that's all part of the fun. Isn't it?
Choose from Oxfam, Imperial Cancer Research, Save The Children and Help The Aged who all have branches around town - check the phone book for the nearest store.
Humana (128 Uxbridge Rd; Shepherd's Bush tube) and the Salvation Army (9 Princes St, W1; Oxford Circus tube) are another couple worth looking out for.
Each offers a mixture of clothes, books, records and other odds and ends at low prices. All proceeds go to the relevant charity, and you can often pick up a few gems once you've filtered through the junk. When it is time to leave little England, off load any spare possessions to such stores to help restock their shelves. If you're feeling particularly benevolent, volunteer your services. Most shops are in constant need of counter assistance. Not only will a few hours a week make you feel good about yourself, but you'll also get first call on the new stock as it arrives in the shop.

SECOND-HAND SHOPS

Price-wise, second-hand shops tend to be a notch above charity shops and a notch below high street stores. There are plenty of them around London, offering a wide range of goods. If it's records, books or tapes you're after, then look no further than Notting Hill.
The numerous Record & Tape Exchange stores in the area around the tube stock everything from latest releases for £9 to vinyl goodies at 10p. London is also a great place to pick up vintage and retro gear, old designer clothes and shop 'seconds'. With a bit of patience your pennies could snap up quality labels.

MARKETS

Berwick Street
(W1;Oxford Circus/Tottenham Ct Rd tube; Mon-Sat 9am-5am). Mainly fruit and veg. Go late Saturdays for last minute bargains. Those nifty with a needle and thread should browse along the collection of textile stalls.

Billingsgate Market
(E14; DLR: Poplar/West India Quay; Tues-Sat 5am-8.30am). London's fish market may have a distinctive odour, but for something that happens so early in the morning it sure hustles like crazy. Under 16's are not admitted, and you'll have to gad up in a protective hat and coat but it'll be an experience.

Borough Market (SE10). An excellent covered food market (held on Fridays and Saturdays) that's been in existence for over nine hundred years. It sells everything edible you could possibly want - fruit, vegetables, herbs, funghi, fish, meat, cheeses, breads, sausages, chocolates, olives, beers and coffee - all made or grown by small specialist producers. You can also buy flowers. View www.londonslarder.org.uk.

Brick Lane
(E1; Aldgate East tube; Sundays 5am-2pm). Second-hand goodies and trash galore. More bargains than you could dream of.

Brixton
(SW9; Brixton tube; Mon-Tues & Thur-Sat 9am-5.30pm, Wed 9am-1pm, Sun 10am-5pm). In the heart of London's largest African and Caribbean community lies one of the most exciting and vibrant markets. On Sundays there is an art and crafts market.

Camden Market
(Camden Lock NW1; Camden Town tube; Sat-Sun 8am-6pm; selected stalls open weekdays). Camden Market (Camden Town or Chalk Farm tube) is touristy, trashy, crowded and noisy but, as one of London's best-visited tourist attractions, there's no doubt about it, it has pulling power. Hundreds of stalls sell clothing, antiques, crafts, records and food. The area has a wide choice of bars and restaurants to relax in and if the pace becomes too frenetic you can always go for a wander along the litter strewn but strangely alluring canal. Note that on Sundays the market gets so busy that Camden Town station is exit only. Use Chalk Farm or Mornington Crescent. For opening hours visit www.camdenlock.net.

Camden Passage
(N1; Angel tube; Wed, Sat 9am-5pm). It's not, oddly, in Camden, but in Islington. It's the best place for antique bargains in London. For tips on the trade, tune into the Antiques Roadshow on BBC 1 every Sunday - a £2 bargain could render a huge profit! You can also pick up silver, books and prints.

Greenwich Market
(SE10; Greenwich BR/DLR/Cutty Sark; Sun 9am-5pm). For an interesting market in South East London, go to Greenwich, where there is an outdoor and a covered market, the latter particularly good for arts and crafts, handmade jumpers, and junk. For a great day out combine a visit to the market with a tour around the Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory in Greenwich or the London Dome. A little bit of everything, from records and clothes to furnishings and jewellery. It's got the added advantage of being situated in one of London's most beautiful areas. Visit www.gmt2000.co.uk.

Kensington Market
(W8; High St Kensington tube; Mon-Sat 10am-6pm). Ken Market, to some, is a place to get cool clothes at cool prices. Others see it as a sub-standard tourist trip. See what you think.

Leather Lane
(EC1; Chancery Lane tube; Mon-Fri 10am-3pm). Tucked away in the City, Leather Lane has the flavour of an East End Market, complete with shouting stall-holders and loud demonstrations.

Petticoat Lane
(E1; Liverpool St/Aldgate tube; Sun 8am-2pm). Traditional East End market. Cheap'n'cheerful clothes: be prepared to haggle.

Portobello Rd
(W10; Ladbroke Grove/Notting Hill Gate tube; Sat 8am-5pm; some stalls open weekdays). Portobello Market - one of the most famous in London, and located in the now very fashionable area of Notting Hill - is best known for funky second-hand clothes and furniture, fresh cut flowers, antiques, bricabrac, clothing, silver, and jewellery. A great place to wander and people watch if you don't really want to spend any money. There are lots of pubs and cafes nearby. View www.portobelloroad.co.uk.

Spitalfields
(E1; Liverpool St/Aldgate East tube; Sun-Fri 10am-3pm). An odd mix of organic foods, funky clothes, rare records and second-hand junk. A politically correct version of Brick Lane market.

THE BIG STORES
(Telephone code 0207 unless otherwise stated)

Harrods
(87 Brompton Road, SW1; 730 1234; Knightsbridge tube). Wander through the 60 fashion departments, the gorgeous crystal or kitchenware floors, or the food hall, where more than 450 different cheeses are on offer. It's a good idea to note the dress code imposed by London's most famous store. Tattoos must be covered up, no singlets, no ripped jeans, no short shorts, and day packs must be carried by hand.

Harvey Nichols
(109 Knightsbridge; SW1; 235 5000; Knightsbridge Tube). Like Harrods, Harvey Nichols is far from cheap. Rating as one of the biggest and best stockists in designer fashions, it is the place to come and dream of owning the perfect outfit. Wander around, but keep your grubby hands away from the fine linen.

Selfridges
(400 Oxford St, W1; 629 1234; Bond St tube). Another department store, housing the cream of the crop of high street stores under one roof. Look out for the good value seconds dotted around the store. Hop up to the good value restaurant on the second floor to relieve your aching feet and rumbling stomach.

Liberty
(210-220 Regent St; 734 1234; Oxford Circus tube). A beautiful store boasting fashion and furnishing fabrics, luggage, ties, scarves and accessories. Look out for the end-of-season sales.

John Lewis
(278 Oxford St, W1; 6297711 Oxford Circus tube). Similar to Selfridges, this is another good value, top quality department store. Although the goods are not cheap, you pay for what you get, and so all that you buy is sure to stand the test of time. Have a look around.

Marks and Spencer
(Branches throughout London). The equivalent of Woolworths back home, sturdy and dependable. Marks & Spencer (M&S) offers a range of goods for all ages. Buy clothes, home furnishings and food under one roof.

Fortnum & Mason
(181 Piccadilly, W1 ; 734 8040; Green Park/Piccadilly Circus tube). Not your average food store by any means. Suppliers to Buckingham Palace, F&M specialise in some of the most luxuriant fodder imaginable. Asking for a cheeseburger and large fries is not recommended.

Hamley's
(188-196 Regent St, W1; 73403161; Piccadilly Circus Oxford/Circus tube). Six floors of toys, excellent! Hamley's stocks everything from the latest Playstation and N64 products to teddy bears and old-fashioned dolls' houses. Avoid the school holidays when you are likely to bombarded by hordes of screaming kids.

Lillywhite's
(24-36 Regent St, SW1; 930 3181; Piccadilly Circus tube). Lillywhite's should be the first port of call for any sports freak. Established in 1863, it's Britain's largest sports store. It stocks everything sporty you can imagine, from football boots to high-tech fishing gear.

Dr Martens
(1-4 King St, WC2; 497 1460; Covent Garden tube). A multi-story shrine to the godfather of boots. Every kind of Doc is available at a considerably cheaper price than back home.

Shelly's Shoes
Visit their stores on Oxford Street and Covent Garden. Possibly England's best fashion shoe store. Buy old style 60s platforms, slinky strappy sandals or hefty Caterpillar and DM boots. Very hip for treading the streets.

Shopping in London by area

You've packed the credit card, arranged the overdraft and slipped on your most comfortable shoes. It's time for some retail therapy! Forget Paris, Rome, Singapore and New York - London is the world's greatest shopping paradise. Undoubtedly expensive (if you don't know where to look), definitely crowded and often difficult to navigate, but if it exists and you want it badly, you'll find it here.

Bond Street

Bond Street is primarily renowned for its fashion. However, it's also renowned for its prices. All the top designers have their flagship stores here, including favourites such as Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan and Salvatore Ferragamo. Slightly more affordable stores can be found (Jigsaw and Nicole Farhi, for example) but for the most part we suggest you just window shop and dream!

Knightsbridge/Sloane Street

Shops in Knightsbridge and Sloane Street are no more affordable, with most of the retail outlets (such as Prada) stocking the kind of clothes featured in Vogue. However, two of London's premier department stores are in Knightsbridge and are well worth a visit. The world famous Harrods is outstanding for fashion and for its lavishly and exotically stocked food hall, while the incredibly stylish and expensive Harvey Nichols is wonderful for designer names, accessories and cosmetics.

Oxford Street

Oxford Street is for the more budget minded shopper. This incredibly busy shopping centre is where many renowned department stores are found, such as the totally repackaged Selfridges (best for cosmetics, fashion and food), Debenhams, and John Lewis, as well as the usual high street shops including Gap, Next, Kookai, Oasis and Monsoon. For the keenest prices try New Look, H&M and Top Shop where turnover is fast and prices are really low - great for finding up to the minute fashion that won't break the bank. But for shops that are just a bit different (such as Whistles and Mulberry), with prices to match, try St Christopher's Place (near Bond Street tube station), a really attractive little shopping enclave where there are also good cafes, bars and restaurants. If you really don't like crowds, steer well clear of Oxford Street, especially in the run up to Christmas.

Megastores

Oxford Street is also good for music megastores. Both HMV's and Virgin's main branches are here, selling CD's, DVD's, videos, computer games and books.

Regent's Street

Running at right angles to Oxford Street is Regent's Street. Here you'll find Liberty's - a really upmarket department store with beautiful if expensive designer fashions and accessories, plus fabulous home furnishings. Dickens & Jones, a good and venerable fashion department store, is also here. Just behind these two stores is Carnaby Street - well known for being ultra-trendy during the Sixties, but now a mere shadow of its former gloriously innovative self. There are, however, a few unique retail outlets in the little lanes leading off Carnaby Street, including fun places such as Lush - with great bowlfuls and slabs of funky, fruity-smelling hand-made soaps, shampoos and bath bombs.

King's Road

The King's Road in Chelsea is another good shopping street, which first came to prominence in the Sixties, was then the stamping ground for the punk movement, and is still a good place for clothes shopping and people watching. It used to be home to a unique selection of boutiques but now, sadly, there are mainly the usual high street names, with just enough one-off retail outlets to make it worth a visit. King's Road highlights include Steinberg & Tolkein and the Antiquarius arcade for antique clothes or costume jewellery, Peter Jones for household items, and Heals and Habitat for beautifully designed furniture and home accessories. Definitely worth a visit is the Bluebird building, converted out of a thirties garage, with food stalls, a magnificent deli and a restaurant - a great place to eat and drink.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden is one of central London's most popular shopping centres. The covered market is packed with stalls selling arts & crafts, hand knitted jumpers, clothes, jewellery and accessories. Many well known names are also found here, including Hobbs, French Connection, The Body Shop and Accessorize. Nearby in Long Acre, Floral Street and Earlham Street there are lots of small retail outlets for clothes and shoes. Also close by is the quiet and peaceful Neals Yard, with a cafe selling healthy snacks and wholefoods. If the pace has worn you out pop into Neal's therapy rooms, where you can have a massage or a reviving session of reflexology.

Charing Cross Road - Book Shops

Not far from Covent Garden, Charing Cross Road is one of the best places in London to buy books. Here you'll find most of the larger chains (Books Etc, Blackwells and Foyles) together with some smaller, specialist shops like Zwemmer's for art books, Silver Moon for feminist/lesbian literature, and Stanfords for travel books and maps, plus a whole variety of second-hand bookshops. For truly specialist bookshops, try Cecil Court (between Charing Cross Road and St Martin's Lane).

Specialist Shops

London is packed with them. For sports goods try Lilywhites in Piccadilly Circus. For stereos, cameras, computers and electrical equipment you'd do best to look in Tottenham Court Road, where there are many shops selling electrical goods; the competition is keen and prices are low. For really glamorous women's underwear, check out Agent Provocateur in Broadwick Street, W1 - lots of well-known names buy their undies here.

Notting Hill/Westbourne Grove

The hip Notting Hill/Westbourne Grove/Holland Park area of London is a great place to wander and find different and really unusual shops. Our favourites are Cath Kidston, for fifties-inspired and original fifties clothes, fabrics, and household items, Souled Out for ethnic inspired clothing, Planet Organic (in Westbourne Grove) for healthy wholefoods, a great juice bar, and a good selection of breads, meats, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and wines (all organic), Lidgates (Holland Park Avenue) for some of the best organic meat in London and Rough Trade (Talbot Road, W11) for the best selection of independent releases and non-mainstream music.

Brompton Cross

Another super-smart area for shopping, Brompton Cross is home to some of the most chic fashion in London. Nearby, along the Fulham Road there are lots of tempting shops including Agnes B (for reasonably priced French clothes), Jerry's Home Store (for stylish home accessories), Butler and Wilson (for wonderful costume jewellery), and Voyage (Madonna's favourite clothes shop). When the credit card's exhausted drop into The Collection for a drink - it has one of the most wonderful entrance halls in London, and is guaranteed to make you feel like a celebrity.

Shoes

For shoes - the Natural Shoe Store in Neal Street has a wide range of clumpy, sensible footwear made without cruelty to animals; for less utilitarian shoes, try Emma Hope in Sloane Square or French Sole in Ellis Street, SW1. R Soles (yes, really), in the King's Road, sells authentic cowboy boots, and there is a branch of R M Williams in Regent's Street for anyone missing their favourite antipodean outdoor clothing retailer.

Kensington

The Kensington High Street and Kensington Church Street areas contain a good mix of well-known High Street names together with a sprinkling of one-off, funkier retailers. Urban Outfitters, for example, sells clothes and home accessories with a difference and at reasonable prices. Good if you want to find something special. Sadly, the days when boutiques like Biba flourished here are long gone, but this shopping centre is good to remember if you don't feel like battling along Oxford Street. Best of all, it's in between two parks - Holland Park and Hyde Park - which are nice to collapse in after you've spent your hard earned cash.

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