London is one of the finest cities in the world for shopping. From the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street to designer boutiques that outfit the royal family and affordable high street fashion, there's something for every budget and style. There only question is where to start. To help kick off your shopping adventures, here's our guide to the best shopping spots in London!
London and shopping go hand in hand, and we've gathered together all of our favorite streets and stores that you won't want to miss during your holiday. With these insider tips you'll find all the best spots, from London's iconic shopping destinations to the specialty boutiques only locals know about. Set off for a fun day of shopping in London!
This quintessential West London neighborhood boasts a bustling high street and a handful of boutique shops. Kensington High Street is a hit with teens thanks to brands such as Urban Outfitter, H&M and American Apparel. Grab a snack at Whole Foods before indulge in some retail therapy on beautiful Kensington Church Street. Get a taste for London fashion at L.K.Bennett and Reiss, two brands favored by the Duchess of Cambridge. Neal’s Yard Remedies is a good spot for finding organic health and beauty supplies, while Orsini Vintage is easily one of the best vintage fashion and jewelry outlets in the city.
Sprinkled among South Kensington’s world-class museums are a handful of designer boutiques, markets and stores for shoppers with refined tastes. Gather the ingredients for a gourmet meal and sample local treats at South Kensington Farmers’ Market, held each Saturday morning on Bute Street. Browse the latest Stella McCartney collection at her flagship store or luxury home goods at the Conran Shop. Better yet, take home a very special souvenir of your trip to London from Christies auction house, a South Kensington mainstay for over 40 years.
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This luxury shopper’s paradise is nestled below beautiful Hyde Park. The main shopping thoroughfare in Knightsbridge is Brompton Road, which is where you’ll find the city’s most iconic luxury department store, Harrods. A little further down the way, fashion-focused Harvey Nichols is the place to shop for high-end brands. Straying off the beaten path, head to beautiful Beauchamp Place to discover some of London’s most extravagant luxury boutiques and bespoke tailors.
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Get ready for a shopping experience like no other! Oxford Street is the granddaddy of all shopping streets in London. It stretches for nearly one and a half miles and features just about every major fashion brand name, including Addition, H&M, Mango, Reiss, Swarovski, Topshop, Uniqlo and so much more. Anchoring the center of the street is Selfridges, a landmark department store founded in 1909 by an American entrepreneur. The store features several floors of luxury fashion, home goods, electronics and jewelry. British department stores Debenhams, Marks and Spencer and John Lewis also have flagship stores along Oxford Street. For trendy fashion at a bargain, don’t miss Primark, a favorite with teens. To get away from the hustle and bustle, slip off to St. Christopher Place where you’ll find a handpicked selection of boutique shops and al fresco eateries.
Nicknamed the ‘Mile of Style,’ fashionable Regent Street acts as a border between elegant Mayfair and trendy Soho. This is where you’ll find luxury brand name stores, such as Michael Kors, Armani, Coach and Karl Lagerfeld. British labels are also well represented on Regent Street in the form of Burberry, Ted Baker and Superdry. Tucked away towards the center of the street is Liberty London, a marvelous one-of-a-kind department store specialising is beautiful fabrics, luxury fashion and home goods. Not far away, Hamleys toy shop if you are shopping for little ones. Pick up an iconic Paddington Bear doll or choose from any number of Hamleys’ own games and toys, all made to an exceptionally high standard.
Marylebone may only be a few blocks from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street, but it retains a quiet village feel. The affluent neighborhood is home to a wonderful shopping street in Marylebone High Street. Lined with shops features dapper storefronts, highlights include The White Company, Aspinal of London and Links of London. While in the area make it a point to visit Daunt Books, a beautiful Edwardian bookshop brimming with charm. If you’re on hunt for a special memento of your trip to London, stop by Emma Bridgewater and pick up a piece from her beautiful and bold earthenware collection, which is handmade in Stoke-on-Trent.
Nestled in leafy southwest London, chic Chelsea boasts a plethora of luxury brand names and boutique shops. The main shopping street here is King’s Road, which runs right through the heart of the neighborhood. Spend time exploring its side streets to discover hidden gems, including boutiques by Manolo Blahnik and Biondi Couture. At the end of King’s Road is Sloane Square, home to historic British department store Peter Jones, Tiffany & Co. and Hugo Boss just to name a few. Right next to Sloane Square, the Duke of York Square is a relatively new shopping area occupied by well-known fashion labels.
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Just moments from Sloane Square, Belgravia is a well-heeled neighborhood famous for its beautiful Regency architecture and wide range of boutique shops. Big international brands are hard to come by in the heart of the district, which is why shopping here feels so special. Start off on Elizabeth Street, home to luxury fragrance boutiques Jo Loves and Les Senteurs. Fashion lovers won’t want to miss out on a trip to Jenny Packham’s accessories boudoir. The London-based designer is the Duchess of Cambridge’s go-to choice for eveningwear. Deeper into Belgravia, spend an afternoon on Motcomb Street and shop for fine linens at L&B London and gourmet chocolates at Rococo Chocolates. If it’s well-known luxury labels you prefer, head towards Sloane Square along Sloane Street, where Chanel, Hermes, Prada and Jimmy Choo all have their flagship stores.
The birthplace of Queen Elizabeth II, Mayfair has enjoyed a long association with the royal family and London’s well to do. Starting at Piccadilly you can shop for luxury hampers, teas and other gourmet foods at Fortnum & Mason. Founded in 1707, it has provided the royal family with food and ingredients for hundreds of years. Peruse a wide selection of British publication at Hatchards, a Mayfair resident since 1797. Mayfair is also quite well known for its wide range of menswear shops. Try Jermyn Street for fine leather goods and luxury ready-to-wear collections or ultra exclusive Savile Row for handmade bespoke suits.
Situated opposite Mayfair, Soho revels in its rock’n’roll heritage. Take a trip to Berwick Street to choose from an eclectic mix of boutique alternative brands, record stores, independent pubs and bespoke tailors. Over on Carnaby Street, the epicenter London’s mod movement in the 1960s, you’ll find a plethora of fashion retailers. Shop European labels, such as Diesel, Puma and Hugo Boss, as well as UK-based brands including Barbour, Dr. Martens, Ben Sherman a Lyle & Scott.
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Filled with crooked cobblestone footpaths and a beautiful covered marketplace, Covent Garden is a joy to discover on foot. There’s something here for everyone, from designer labels and brands to historic shops. While every street is lined with stores, the main shopping street is Long Acre. It's here that you’ll find Stanfords, a legendary travel store once frequented by the great polar explorer Ernest Shackleton. For the ultimate shopping experience, look no further than Covent Garden Market. A collection of several markets and permanent shops, it specialises in crafts, antiques and other small goods. While you’re in the area don’t miss the opportunity to head over to colorful Neal’s Yard for luxury health and beauty products, as well as British farm cheeses.
Immortalized in the film Notting Hill, Notting Hill is a charming neighborhood brimming with candy colored buildings and cute coffee shops. However, Portobello Market is really the star of the show. To get the full Portobello experience, visit on a Saturday morning. This is when all the antique shops, stalls and arcades are fully open and it is the best time to purchase authentic vintage goods ranging from beautiful Victorian-era jewelry to retro mid-century modern household items. As you make your way up Portobello Road, past the antique market you’ll run into a delectable food market and a cutting edge fashion market.
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