If money is no object, London's shopping can be the best in the world. From world-famous department stores such as Harrods and Fortnum and Mason to lowly-but-lively street markets, you'll discover a kaleidoscope of possibilities. Antique hounds and book lovers, in particular, will find the city a veritable paradise.
Shopping hours
Generally Monday-Saturday 9 am-7 pm, with some Oxford Street department stores now remaining open until 8 pm. Stores in busy shopping or tourist areas are likely to be open Sunday. Thursday night is late-night shopping (until 8 pm) in the West End.
Antique stores
Antiquarius—This shop is a favorite of Londoners. Monday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm. 131-141 King's Rd., SW3. Phone 7351-5353.
Bond Street Antiques Centre—A great place to stop in and browse for deals. Monday-Saturday 9 am-4:45 pm. 124 New Bond St., W1. Phone 7351-5353.
Grays—"The World's Best Antique Market" is their bold promise. More than 250 dealers offer assorted memorabilia and quality antiques. Monday-Friday 9 am-6 pm. 58 Davies St., W1. Phone 7629-7034.
Hampstead Antiques Market—If you're in the Hampstead area, this is a place not to miss. Tuesday-Friday 10:30 am-5 pm, Saturday 10 am-6 pm, Sunday noon-5:30 pm. 12 Heath St., NW3. Phone 7794-3297.
Bookstores
On Charing Cross Road, between the Leicester Square and Tottenham Court Road tube stations, you'll find dozens of bookshops—new, secondhand and antiquarian. You'll also find good bookstores quite close to the University of London campus on Gower Street.
French's—Specializes in books about the theater and carries many play scripts. Monday-Friday 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Saturday 11 am-5 pm. 52 Fitzroy St., W1. Phone 7387-9373.
Hatchard's—Multiple floors to browse through. Selections range from current bestsellers to rare treasures. Monday and Wednesday-Friday 9 am-6 pm, Tuesday and Saturday 9:30 am-6 pm, Sunday noon-6 pm. 187 Piccadilly, W1. Phone 7439-9921.
P. J. Hilton—This shop is a haven for the antiquarian sleuth. Monday-Friday 10:30 am-6 pm, Saturday 11 am-5 pm. 12 Cecil Court, WC2. Phone 7379-9825.
The Travel Bookshop—Guidebooks, travel literature, adventure tales, coffee-table books with elegant photographs, biographies of famous travelers and all sorts of historical and sociological works pertaining to other nations. Monday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm. 13-15 Blenheim Crescent, Notting Hill, W11. Phone 7229-5620.
Waterstone's—The flagship branch on Piccadilly is particularly impressive. Check out the views of London from its rooftop cafe. Monday-Saturday 9:30 am-8 pm, Sunday noon-6 pm. 203 Piccadilly, W1. Phone 7851-2400.
Zwemmer—An excellent range of specialist art and media books, especially photographic books. Monday-Friday 10 am-6:30 pm, Saturday 10 am-6 pm. 80 Charing Cross Rd., W1. Phone 7240-4157.
Department stores
Fenwick—An up-market store with a flair for high fashion. The restaurants are excellent as well. Monday-Saturday 10 am-6:30 pm (Thursday to 8 pm). 63 New Bond St., W1. Phone 7629-9161.
Fortnum and Mason—This prestigious purveyor of quality goods has customers at home and abroad. Wander in from the street and savor the rich aromas of the exotic coffee department. Designer fashions, gifts and household goods can be found on the floors above. Monday-Saturday 10 am-6:30 pm. 181 Piccadilly, W1. Phone 7734-8040. This store is my personal favorite!
Harrods—The London landmark has more than 60 departments for fashion alone. The marble-floored food hall, crammed with provisions, is worth a look just for the experience. In fact, Diana’s shrine alone is worth it!
Monday-Saturday 10 am-7 pm. 87-135 Brompton Rd., SW1. Phone 7730-1234.
Harvey Nichols—Sells stylish international clothing, home furnishings and household goods. The food market on the fifth floor encompasses a cocktail bar, sushi bar, cafe and restaurant. Monday-Saturday 10 am-7 pm (Wednesday to 8 pm), Sunday noon-6 pm. 109 Knightsbridge, SW1. Phone 7235-5000.
Liberty—World famous for its distinctive fabrics and prints, including an impressive selection of original ties and scarves. Monday-Wednesday 10 am-6:30 pm, Thursday 9:30 am-8 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am-7 pm, Sunday noon-6 pm. 210 Regent St., W1. Phone 7734-1234.
Factory outlets
Burberry Outlet—Shop for the famous-name raincoats and accessories at its discount outlet. Monday-Friday 11 am-6 pm, Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 11 am-5 pm. Nearest tube station is Bethnal Green. 29 Chatham Place, Hackney, E9. Phone 8985-3344.
Malls and shopping areas
Bond Street—This shopping strip attracts the big spenders, with such designer venues as DKNY and Joseph and Viyella. New Bond Street runs south of Oxford Street; it becomes Old Bond Street—where prices are even higher—just north of Piccadilly.
Covent Garden—There are lots of good shops in and around Covent Garden. A former fruit and vegetable market centered on the first planned piazza in London, this revitalized hot spot has attractions of every sort, including imaginative street entertainment, various bars and pubs, exotic eateries and arcades of craft and jewelry shops, boutiques and market stalls. Also: many, many tourists.
Kensington High Street—Along this street you'll find a range of national chain stores, together with more specialized boutiques and shops.
King's Road—In Chelsea, it's still a place for the hip to be seen, browsing boutiques or dining in cafes.
Saville Row—One of London's most famous and exclusive streets, it's full of bespoke tailors like Anderson and Shepherd and Kilgour French Stanbury.
Westbourne Grove—The Notting Hill Gate end of this west London street offers an ever-increasing range of designer furniture, clothing and jewelry shops. Exclusive, expensive and very, very chic.
Whitelys—London's first department store is now a collection of high-end shops, with a few bars and restaurants as well. Fashion shows often take place in the interior courtyard. Shops are open Monday-Saturday 10 am-8 pm, Sunday noon-6 pm. The building is open daily until midnight. Queensway, W2. Phone 7229-8844.
Markets
Brick Lane—A lively Bengali market takes place on Sunday 6 am-1 pm. A huge variety of clothing and exotic foods are the main enticements. Spitalfields, E1.
Chapel Market—An intriguing collection of antiques, crafts and bric-a-brac. It's a quirky street market. Saturday and Sunday 8 am-5 pm. Chapel Market, N1.
Columbia Road—Fantastic early-morning flower market. Go even if you're not interested in buying. Sunday 6 am-2 pm. Columbia Road, E2.
Portobello Road—Saturday is when the famous antique market takes place, but there's something going on every day. General goods Monday-Saturday and a flea market Friday-Sunday. Daily 7 am-5 pm, except Thursday 9 am-1 pm. Portobello Road, Golborne Road and Colville Terrace, Notting Hill, W10 and W11.
Spitalfields—Excellent range of handmade crafts, clothing, housewares and jewelry, including original designs and collectables. Sunday is the busiest day. Monday-Friday 11 am-3 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am-5 pm. Brushfield Street, E1.
Specialty stores
Bentley's—A wonderful selection of luggage items including old Louis Vuitton trunks—all at suitably extravagant Knightsbridge prices. But it's a great place to browse. Monday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm. 190 Walton St., SW3. Phone 7584-7770.
Unique or unusual
Asprey and Garrard—An eclectic assortment of fine jewelry, leather goods, antiques, fine books and other high-end gifts. Jade Jagger designs exclusively for the label. Monday-Friday 9:30 am-5:30 pm. 165-169 Bond St., W1. Phone 7493-6767.
Charbonnel & Walker—Established more than 120 years ago, this shop sells traditional chocolates and exquisite novelty confections. Monday-Saturday 9 am-6 pm. The Royal Arcade, 28 Old Bond St., W1. Phone 7491-0939.
Lulu Guinness—A stunning range of hand-made handbags featuring delicate beadwork and embroidery. Monday-Friday 10 am-5:30 pm, Saturday 11 am-6 pm. 66 Ledbury Rd., W11. Phone 7221-9686.
Peter Rabbit and Friends—For fans of Beatrix Potter, a stop at this shop is a must. The emporium is brimming with books, clothes, collectible china and figurines, stationery, toys and videos. Paddington Bear items are also available. Monday-Saturday 10 am-5:30 pm. The Market, Covent Garden, WC2. Phone 7497-1777.
Royal Doulton—The purveyor of fine china's main store on Regent Street is filled with wonderful gifts for people of all ages. Monday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm, Sunday 11 am-5 pm. 154 Regent St., W1. Phone 7734-3184.
Smythson's of Bond Street—Renowned producers of fine stationery and accessories. The hand-bound leather books are beautifully crafted. Monday-Friday 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Saturday 10 am-5:30 pm. 40 Bond St., W1. Phone 7629-8558.
Steinberg & Tolkein—A veritable treasure trove of vintage clothing and accessories from 1900 onward, piled high over two floors. Monday-Saturday 11 am-7 pm, Sunday noon-6 pm. 193 Kings Rd., SW3. Phone 7376-3660.
Swaine, Adeney and Brigg—One of the finest umbrella shops in the city, and the prices are a true reflection of that reputation. Monday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm. 10 Old Bond St., W1. Phone 7409-7277.
Whittard of Chelsea—Fantastic assortment of teas and accessories. You'll find traditional blends alongside an eclectic range of herbal brews (try the refreshing "hangover teabags"). Monday-Saturday 10 am-7 pm, Sunday noon-6 pm. 43 Carnaby Street, W1. Phone 7437-1107.
