London is one of the world’s most vibrant shopping capitals. There is a rich tapestry of retail available that leaps from independent boutiques to flagship fashion houses in just a few short steps.
Visitors to this huge city can often find it difficult to know where to start, so we’ve pulled together this guide of some of the best shopping locations in London to help you plan where to go and what to see.
Seek and you shall find as we present a guide to the very best shopping areas in London, and take you through what you can expect to see in each of them.
Oxford Street
No shopping visit to London is complete without a trip to Oxford Street. With more than 300 stores to choose from, this famous street is a world-renowned shopping destination. Among the must-visits are upscale department store Selfridges, which offers clothing, homewares, electronics, beauty, jewellery, and much more from a range of luxury brands. This is also an incredible dining destination, as the store is home to an incredible selection of restaurants, offering everything from champagne and oysters to Japanese street food.
Another unmissable department store is John Lewis & Partners. This iconic British retailer offers an incredible range of products, with in-store services focusing on home design, personal styling, babycare, and more.
Keen to refresh your wardrobe with the latest fashion? Don’t miss the flagship Zara store on Oxford Street, which updates its collections weekly to ensure shoppers are right up to date with the latest trends.
Bond Street
In the heart of Mayfair, Bond Street remains one of the most prestigious shopping postcodes on the planet. The wonderfully designed storefronts of New Bond Street and the iconic architecture of Old Bond Street both offer an air of refined retail opportunity amongst art galleries and the finest restaurants. Fashion houses such as Cartier, Tiffany and Bulgari all have residences here that often find themselves hosting royalty, celebrities and the elite of the fashion world looking for exclusive pieces that will not be available anywhere else. With boutique jewellers, bespoke tailors and world-leading watchmakers to stroll into, this place has everything to fuse old world elegance with modern shopping requirements.
Sloane Street
Stretching from Knightsbridge to Sloane Square, this street takes some beating in any list of the greatest shopping area experiences in London. The proud Georgian and Victorian architecture of Sloane Street, and proximity to Hyde Park, that once drew residents in to make this a vibrant London location remain to provide the backdrop for global fashion giants. Prada, Dior and Chanel all offer a personalised appointment only service here that can guarantee their clients have the best opportunity to see all the must-see pieces first.
Carnaby Street
Pedestrianised Carnaby Street in London’s West End is the perfect spot to indulge in a little retail therapy. This area has an interesting history and was at the heart of Swinging London’s music scene in the 1960s. The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix, were all regular visitors to this part of the city. Its influence continued in the following decades, making it the place to be for mods, punks, rockers, goths, and fashion followers of all persuasions.
It retains a cool vibe today thanks to a mix of independent retailers, heritage brands, and pop-up shops, making every visit a little different. The Carnaby area is made up of 14 shopping streets with more than 100 stores, from brands including Barbour, Diesel, Fred Perry, Birkenstock, Dr Martens, The Kooples, and the UK flagships of Puma and Adidas Originals. When you’re all shopped out and in need of a bite to eat or something to drink, you won’t need to stroll far as there are around 60 cafes, bars, and restaurants in the vicinity too.
Camden Market
With its alternative, counter-culture spirit Camden is an amazing destination for unusual and unique souvenirs and gifts. Camden Market is made up of various smaller markets, and you can expect to find arts and crafts, clothing, food, and furniture. For sustainable shopping, head to Buck Street Market, where you’ll find over 80 environmentally-conscious stores selling fashion, custom-made jewellery, homewares, grooming products, loose-leaf teas, and more. This is also a great place to grab lunch with plenty of options to satisfy your tastebuds, like Latin American street food, burgers, and French pastries. It’s open seven days a week, although some stores and restaurants close on Monday.
Westfield
For a huge selection of well-known high street and luxury brands all in one place, look no further than the indoor Westfield shopping centres in Stratford and White City. With each offering around 250 stores and 80 restaurants, you’ll be spoiled for choice about where to shop and dine. Popular retailers include Marks and Spencer, Levi’s, Nike, Primark, Urban Outfitters, and Adidas. For luxury brands, you can choose from the likes of Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Kurt Geiger, Prada, Gucci, and Versace.
Both Westfield centres also offer entertainment, including bowling and cinema, so there is even more fun to be had once your shopping is complete. These centres are also ideal for all weather conditions, which can prove useful for when the unpredictable London weather takes a turn for the worse.
King’s Road
The historic King’s Road in Chelsea has a long association with leading the way in fashion, art, and culture. After all, this was the street where Vivienne Westwood created the template for punk fashion in the 1970s. Things have changed a bit since then, but visitors today will still find a Vivienne Westwood store on the street.
There are plenty of other high-end stores to explore too, from world-renowned designers to independent brands. For unique designer pieces try Ganni, Olivia von Halle, and Ba&sh. You will also find a good selection of designer clothing at much-loved department store Peter Jones. Shoppers will also find interiors, homeware, electronics and more across its seven floors. For antique furniture, the nearby Furniture Cave is a must-visit destination. It’s worth taking a detour to the Saatchi Gallery while you are in the area, as its shop offers an interesting selection of art pieces and coffee table books.
When it’s time to take a break, the King Road offers more than 40 cool cafes and restaurants to relax with a drink and a bite to eat. Sample contemporary British cuisine at The Ivy Chelsea Garden, or enjoy a hot cup of coffee at Charlotte’s Cloud.
We hope our selection of some of the best shopping areas in London has got you excited for your visit to the UK’s capital city. Don’t be afraid to stray from the busier streets to find your own hidden gems and uncover some of the secret shopping that the capital has in store too.
