Guide to the best places for shopping in London

If you are a shopping enthusiast and want to visit a resilient culture, you should schedule a visit to London because few cities in Europe have managed to remain financial epicenters like this city has done. And thanks to its culture rooted in markets, many bargain hunters know about the endless places for shopping in London. For that reason, it has become more popular as a key destination for finding the house's specialty: offers on luxury products.

So, if you have now discovered this ideal place to shop, or you already book your trip around the city, you can use this London Travel Guide with a bunch of tips, points of interest, and other valuable information for shopping destinations in London that you cannot miss if you want to get the most out of your trip to the UK.

Discover the different types of locations to shop in London

If we take into account all the history that the territory has, you will find a large number of styles such as casual, classical, oversized, romantic, vintage, sports, minimalist, punk, etc. Suitable to all types of tastes and personalities.

Therefore, we have compiled some places that you should book to go shopping in London, if you want to get to know the local culture:

High Street Shopping

If you're looking to get immersed in London, a walk around the city is a must to discover unique corners and get in touch with the locals. In fact, this is the proper way to go shopping and don't miss any spot.

Oxford Street is, undoubtedly, the main shopping venue of the city, not only for fashion lovers, but also for those looking to admire its stunning decorations in both showcases and streets, that change depending on the festivity and the moment of the year, making it an ideal destination to understand the art of shopping on the streets as a tourist attraction.

Luxury Shopping

On the other hand, for those tourists looking for luxury and exclusivity Bond Street needs to be on your bucket list. With a total of 800m, Bond Street hosts luxury brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Prada or Tiffany & Co.

If you are looking for a hotel near the most luxurious spot in London, our nhow London Hotel will not disappoint you. Get ready for an exclusive experience after a long shopping day by relaxing in your room and taking advantage of its services in our pet friendly hotel.

Where to find unique shopping experiences in the UK?

However, if you are looking for unique shopping experiences in the UK, department stores are, by far, a must-see. Either you are looking for high street brands or for a more personalized and luxurious experience, department stores are the best places for shopping in London. They usually offer a 360º experience for visitors, with very unique, colorful and striking decorations, characteristic aromas that combine with the theme of the decoration and music that transports you to a world created exclusively for the occasion.

Discover Covent Garden's unique shops and boutiques

So, from that premise where anything is possible, we have Covent Garden as an authentic London destination. This area is well known for its industrial aesthetic, and its market has an amazing architecture where artisanal products are combined with unique fashion items. That's why this should be one of you main destinations if you want to explore any trends of this culture.

In addition to visiting all the store, cafes and restaurants in Covent Garden, you should visit other popular places in the area such as Neal's Yard, a very picturesque neighborhood for shopping, and the new shopping center St Martin's Courtyard, which has iconic brands such as Banana Republic, Cos, Jaeger London and Pretty Ballerinas.

Check all the vintage stores that you can find in Camden Market

If you are looking for a vintage aesthetic in appliances, clothing, accessories or decorations, Camden Market is the ideal place to go shopping in London, where you can find products that suit you lifestyle. This area is filled with second-hand stores, the paradise for bargain lovers. Also, more alternative brands such as Urban Outfitter have spots in Camden Market.

In addition to shopping, another must of visiting Camden Market is to walk around its street food stalls and taste delicious culinary recipes from different places around the world.

Be surprised with the delights of Portobello Road Market

However, if your style is towards classic antiques, or you are a hunter of valuable objects, you should go to Portobello Road Market. This is one of the most famous street markets in England and it's located in the iconic Notting Hill neighborhood. There you can find anything you can think of second-hand products, including decorations, furniture and even books, within a cosmopolitan environment that offers a very picturesque landscape: architecture from the late Vatican era with a modern style and many colors.

Additionally, every Saturday the streets are filled with vendors selling an impressing variety of items, from collectibles to local and imported gourmet products.

Iconic streets and the best places to shop in London

So, if you are already in love with London shopping culture, discover the must to explore shopping streets in the city:

● Oxford Street: This is London's busiest shopping street, and is an ideal plan for energetic shoppers as the street has more than 300 stores along 1.5 miles. You will find many local stores such as Selfridges and international ones like Harrods. To get there, you get to Oxford Circus station, between Oxford Street and Regent Street, by taking the Piccadilly tube line. 

● Regent Street: It’s a street that you have to visit in London no matter what because of its impressive Georgian architecture. This place has more than 70 renowned stores such as Apple, Lotus, Hamleys, among others. It offers restaurants, cafes, and pubs to have a complete quiet and elegant experience in the city center. 

● Carnaby Street: This street in the heart of Soho has been famous since the 60s, when it was considered the “Capital of Coolness”, and a place that had a considerable influence on fashion as it was the house of fashion icons such as Vivienne Westwood. This location housed a lot of cultural movements such as hippie culture, punk, and others and it maintains an atmosphere of innovation, with interesting proposals for shopping.

Famous department stores for shopping in London

One of the most popular ways to shop in London is in department stores. But wait a second, these are not the ordinary stores that you're imagining as the city knows how to integrate their British design into every single thing, making ordinary experiences become something special and distinctive to create the best places for shopping in London.

Here we list the 3 luxury department stores that you should visit on you next vacation in London:

● Harrods: By far the most renowned department store around the world. Its London location shares a very elegant building located in the Knightsbridge district that offers a unique shopping experience, not only for finding luxury items at the best price, but because here you will see the building itself as an attraction. In fact, it is a place popular for locals who are looking for daily bakeries and gastronomic proposals. 

● Selfridges: Founded in 1909, this spot is located on Oxford Street. It is famous for offering fashion, beauty, and home products from the world's best brands such as Louis Vuitton, Off-White, Heron Preston, etc. A trick for your trip is to go during discount seasons, just to make sure that you are getting the best deal. 

● Liberty: It is a luxury department store founded in 1875 in a building with Tudor-style architecture, which makes it stand out among other stores. It is usually recognized for its wide range of high-quality artisan products that allow them to promote the concept of exclusivity and unique items in an increasingly globalized world.

Shopping advice for bargain hunters in London

If your trips are about hunting for bargains and finding out about the best offers, you have to know that London is the ideal place for you. London is a thrift store paradise and whether you go straight to Camden Market or decide to explore the city, you will find both vintage and more contemporary unique pieces.

Also take into account that sales season such as Black Friday are especially intense in big cities like London that also offer unique bargain occasions like Boxing Day.

How to get around London to hunt for shopping deals

First, define your shopping route and use public transportation to get to each place as parking in London is not an easy task. This is highly recommended because the subway system can get you to the best shopping venues really quickly. You just need to check the maps and how they work to plan your shopping routes in the city.

Other transport that you can use in London are rented bicycles and scooters. It is a very fun alternative, especially if you want to reach areas between Shoreditch and Soho.

Best times to visit shopping destinations in London

Another advice for shopping in London is to do it at a suitable time to have a good experience. That is: consider going out when the city is a little calmer, not at midday or after work. Because you run the risk of finding the stores full of shoppers, and the seller's treatment would not be the most personalized.

The preferred time for local bargain hunters is during the morning of any weekday. Since there are no long lines, you can explore the stores more calmly. Also, you can find significant discounts on luxury items during the Black Friday season and January and July.

Peak hours and sales seasons for shopping in London

To make the most of your shopping experience in London, it is advisable to avoid shopping on weekends. Yes, it may sound crazy, but in popular areas like Oxford Street, you're going to find crowds that may kill your patience. Especially during summer sales seasons (June-July), winter sales (January), Black Friday (November) or Boxing Day (December 26).

Budget-Friendly options for a London shopping Experience

But if you're trying to take care of your budget, London also has cheaper options without sacrificing quality. There are very famous second-hand stores such as Oxfam and Charity Shops, that offer high-quality clothing at lower prices. Or you can look for outlets such as the London Designer Outlet in Wembley, which offers designer products at unbeatable prices.

However, if you need household items or other products, you can go to Primark and TK Maxx discount stores. Or visit Westfield London shopping center in White City, one of the locals preferred places for shopping in London, especially during discount season.

Conclusions on why London is a top shopping destination for any budget

Finally, we hope you have been able to write down our tips for shopping in one of the best cities in the world. Remember, London reaffirms every day it is a top shopping destination, where you can find everything like luxury boutiques with great discounts, second-hand stores, local markets, and emblematic stores.

Popular questions about the best places for shopping in London

What is the most famous store in London?

One of the most famous shopping destinations in London is Harrods in Knightsbridge. Foremost, the building is impressive, and all the stores emphasize high-fashion with the exclusivity of their products.

What is the most famous shopping street in London?

Oxford Street is the most famous shopping street in London. Although it is not the only street dedicated to shopping, it’s the one with the most shops in the heart of the city.

Is London cheap for shopping?

Let's clarify something, London is not a cheap destination. However, as most of the products are authentic, it is the perfect place to find special offers and prices.

What street in London has luxury stores?

If you are looking for an area with only luxury shops, you should go to Bond Street in Mayfair. Here you will only find boutiques of prestigious brands such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, among others.

What is the main shopping center in London?

The main shopping center in London is Westfield London, located in White City. In fact, it’s one of the favorite places for shopping in London for locals and tourists during sales season, or when they are looking for a product that is sold out on the internet.