Shopping in Mayfair
Elegant, sophisticated and just a tad bit eccentric, this unique slice of the city remains one of its wealthiest neighbourhoods and boasts no shortage of big-name luxury labels, boutiques, antique shops and tailors.
Elegant, sophisticated and just a tad bit eccentric, this unique slice of the city remains one of its wealthiest neighbourhoods and boasts no shortage of big-name luxury labels, boutiques, antique shops and tailors.
Once home to the extravagant mansions of London’s most well to do, Mayfair is now and exclusive shopping destination. Piccadilly, a wide road that makes up the southern border of Mayfair, is home to fabulous historic shops such as Fortnum & Mason and Hatchards bookshop. Behind Piccadilly, Jermyn Street has a host of menswear stores offering everything from the latest fashion trends to classically styled suits. When it comes to bespoke suits however, look no further than the fine tailors occupying Savile Row in the heart of Mayfair. Other notable shops in Mayfair include Grays Antique Market, Browns, Dover Street Market and Louis Vuitton Maison.
Savile Row
This stylish Mayfair street has long been associated with beautiful bespoke suits. Former Savile Row customers include Horatio Nelson, Winston Churchill and Prince Charles, among others. The tailors along this fabled street still make made-to-measure suits by hand, with two-piece suits requiring 50 hours or more of hand labour. Choose from dozens of bespoke tailors, including Gieves & Hawkes, Kilgar, Richard James and Maurice Sedwell.
Fortnum & Mason
This illustrious grocery store has called Mayfair home for over 300 years. Everything about Fortnum & Mason, from its refined exterior to its extravagant interior, exudes a certain brand of luxury you can only experience in London. Among the endless varieties of gourmet food and ingredients, Fortnum & Mason is best known for its loose-leaf teas and hampers, which are filled with anything from biscuits and chocolates, to artisan cheese and champagne. Many of these sumptuous hampers can be shipped overseas, making them the perfect gift for someone special - or a delicious memento for yourself!
Hatchards
Eight generations of Londoners have had the pleasure of perusing the book selection at Hatchards. The historic bookshop on Piccadilly stocks an array of contemporary titles, including an impressive collection of signed and first edition book copies. Hatchards also sets itself apart from modern bookstores by offering worldwide delivery services and free signature gift-wrapping. The shop will also help you source rare books and has a catalogue of every British book in print available to order.
Cath Kidston
The brightly coloured prints of Cath Kidston have won the designer fans around the world. Featuring fun retro motifs that are timeless and unmistakably British, every home or wardrobe could use a little splash of Cath. The designer’s flagship store on Piccadilly stocks Kidston’s full product range, from floral dresses and aprons, to patterned mugs and polka dot parkas.
Arcades
The shopping arcades (covered shopping streets) branching off from Piccadilly are among the oldest and best preserved in the world. Together, Burlington Arcade, Royal Arcade and Piccadilly Arcade offer up a treasure trove of fine silverware shops, art deals, gourmet chocolate stores, tailors, luxury watch retailers and high end fashion boutiques.
Jermyn Street
Whether you pronounce it JER-min, JER-​​mən or the more obscure jer-​​MAIN, one this is certain: Jermyn Street has some of finest menswear shops in London. More accessible than exclusive Savile Row, on Jermyn Street you can pick up ready-to-wear and bespoke suits at Roderick Charles Ltd, fine leather shoes at Foster & Sons or Crockett & Jones and luxury shaving products at Floris London.
Top up your tank with a coffee from Coffee Republic. Located just off Oxford Street on nearby Molton Street, the cafe serves a variety of gourmet brews in addition to light snacks and sandwiches.
For a more filling lunch or dinner, head to Lamb & Flag on James Street. This gastropub is located in St. Christopher’s place and offers up traditional pub experience alongside delicious British fare and signature cocktails. Sunday shoppers won’t want to miss the Sunday Roast, a weekly British tradition.
While Oxford Street certainly offers enough shopping to keep you occupied for the day, you might want to take a detour onto Regent Street, which is home beautiful department store Liberty London and historic toyshop Hamleys. Just west of Regent Street are the luxury boutiques and bespoke tailors of marvelous Mayfair. To the east, an eclectic mix of independent shops await in Soho.
Oxford Street runs along the Central Line. Alight at either Oxford Circus (Central, Bakerloo and Victoria Lines) or Bond Street (Central and Jubilee Lines) and you’ll find yourself in the center of the action. Guests coming from West London can expect a 10 to 20-minute journey depending on the originating station. Double-decker red London buses also run up and down the length of Oxford Street and are a great way to get from one end to the other quickly.
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