Best streets and districts to go shopping in London

It’s easy to be spoilt for choice when you’re shopping in London. After all, the capital is home to famous department stores and fashion shops such as Harrods and Selfridges.Wondering where to start? Slip into some comfy shoes and hit up these districts and shopping streets in London for a spot of retail therapy!  Prefer markets to malls? Hop over to our best recommendations for London markets! 

Shopping Streets in London

Oxford Street

This shopping street in London is said to be the world’s biggest high street, with more than 90 flagship stores retailing stunning fashion buys, tech must-haves, homeware and more. Tucked away in West End London, Oxford Street stretches from Tottenham Court Road to Marble Arch via Oxford Circus. The street isn’t just home to some of the world’s best high street brands, it also has more than 500 restaurants within walking distance of some of the world’s best luxury hotels. Here are two spots to check out while wandering down Oxford Street.

When the fashion-savvy want to go shopping in London, Selfridges is the ultimate one-stop shop. At over 50,000 sqm, its flagship store is one of the largest in the world. When the shoe galleries at Selfridges opened in 2010, it was billed as the world’s largest shoe department, with more than 5,000 pairs of shoes on display.   Nearby, the flagship store of popular chain John Lewis started in 1864 selling haberdashery. Today, you’ll find half a million products spread over seven floors, making it a great spot for shopping in London. While here, stop for a photo at the Winged Figure, the artwork by British sculptor Barbara Hepworth on the corner of the building at Holles Street.  

Regent Street

A major shopping street in London, Regent Street is named after George, the Prince Regent, and was the
original spot for shopping in London. Now, Regent Street is known for its flagship designer shops and a popular event programme that includes London’s iconic Christmas lights that usually go up in November.

Opened in the 1920s, many come to see Liberty London’s Tudor-style building’s timber frontage, which is salvaged from two ships. The wood panelling and smaller rooms inside also give an intimate feel, making you feel like you’re in a luxurious home rather than a store. And while it may look traditional, it actually sells cutting-edge designs made with fine craftsmanship. Enjoy the famous Liberty prints in the textiles department and the gorgeous oriental rugs too.

Piccadilly

Leading from Hyde Park to Piccadilly Circus within the City of Westminster, this shopping street in London is trendy and a constant feature in books, movies and more. And while Piccadilly is small, it’s also a promising spot for shopping in London and home to some of the capital’s best attractions. If you’re in Piccadilly, then pencil in a visit to the following spot.

Quintessentially English, Fortnum & Mason has been on Piccadilly since 1707. Tea is the most popular item sold here and many make this their stop for afternoon tea. The doorman still wears a top hat and the ornate clock on the front of the building has miniature figures of Mr Fortnum and Mr Mason who appear on the hour to bow to each other. Did you know that there are five beehives on Fortnum’s roof? The honey is harvested once a year in September, and there’s a waiting list for these highly prized jars.

Shopping Districts in London

Covent Garden

A thriving shopping district in London, Covent Garden sits on the eastern fringes of the West End. Nine different shopping streets and one historic Piazza come together to house independent shops, historical architecture, entertainment spaces and more. The shops that flank the northern corner are a combination of high-end and small business stalls that sell unique jewellery, clothes, art, and sublime antiques.

If you’re there before the year ends, you get to witness the London Fashion Week and the Winter Warmer Festival. If you get hungry while shopping, head to Covent Garden Market. This food market is open daily and serves up a plethora of food and services. Other highlights include a weekly local farmers’ market and your pick of cultural festivals and events.

Knightsbridge

A residential and shopping district in London, Knightsbridge has its fill of international fashion houses, banking institutions, chic bars and clubs and the popular Bonhams auction house. Spend the afternoon wandering around Harrods (above). Its world-famous reputation might make you think that Harrods is too expensive to set foot in, but with more than 300 departments across seven floors, it’s easy to find something to suit any budget.

This shopping spot in London also makes for a great photo opportunity, as roughly 12,000 light bulbs illuminate the store’s famous façade. Look out for the store’s original features in certain areas plus additions like the Egyptian escalator. Don’t be fooled by Harvey Nichols nondescript signage. Inside, this Knightsbridge department store is all about expensive glamour. Named “Harvey Nicks” by the BBC comedy Ab Fab, Harvey Nichols contains eight floors of fashion, beauty and home collections, with the fifth floor dedicated to food and restaurants. The emphasis here is on designer women’s fashion for well-heeled fashionistas who aren’t in the habit of checking price tags while shopping in London.

Mayfair

This glam shopping district in London has long been synonymous with fashion, style and art. Mayfair offers shoppers a bold clash of classic British heritage and current trends, and you’ll find tons of well-known thoroughfares and hidden lanes filled with undiscovered gems. Popular shopping streets at Mayfair include Savile Row and Bond Street. Savile Row got its start in 1846, when Henry Poole, the creator of the dinner jacket or tuxedo for men, first set up shop here. Today, Savile Row houses bespoke men’s suits by brands like Richard James, Ozwald Boateng, and Timothy Everest. The styles have evolved to fit cutting-edge modern fashion trends and are a part of the ‘New Bespoke Movement’. The Beatles set up their recording label in one of the houses here before shutting down in 1975. Additionally, some of the architecture has even been listed on the National Heritage List of England.

Set in the heart of the Mayfair shopping district, Bond Street is where London’s wealthiest come to play. This shopping street in London is where you’ll find several revered international brands – think Bulgari, Hermès, Jimmy Choo, Chanel and Asprey. If you’re in the mood for an insider’s look into luxury shopping in London, sign up for a custom shopping tour with a savvy specialist who’ll share expert advice and insider knowledge about Bond Street’s intriguing history and heritage.

Want to stay on the doorstep of these shopping attractions so that you can easily retreat to your apartment when it all gets too much? Our properties in London offer fuss-free access to these famous department stores and districts, and will make you feel right at home in the heart of London.