London is a shopper’s paradise, and some of its shopping streets are famous across the globe – Bond Street boutiques, Oxford Street clothes shops, Saville Row tailors, Carnaby Street fashion shops, Sloane Street designer stores, Petticoat Lane bric-a-brac, Portobello Road antique dealers and the Borough fruit and vegetable market.
Fashion
You could spend all day in some of London’s incredible department stores. The most famous in the world is Harrod’s of Knightbridge, which sells all sorts of fancy goods and clothes and has a great food hall. Other unique department stores are Fortnum and Mason, Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty and Harvey Nichols.
If you’re looking for high-class designer fashion, head over to the exquisite designer stores on Sloane Street where you’ll find all the big names such as Chanel, Dior, Gucci and Prada. For bespoke men’s tailoring that’ll set you back a bob or two, pop over to Saville Row, where the country’s best tailors are located. Great designer fashions that won’t break the bank can be found along Carnaby Street, made famous by the creative fashion designers of the swinging Sixties such as Mary Quant.
Antiques and Art
Portobello Road is the best place to go if you’re looking for antiques, art and collectibles. The street is dotted with antique and bric-a-brac shops, and there’s a bustling market every Saturday.
Markets
If you love to rummage and haggle for a bargain, you’ll love London’s markets. They’re at the heart of London life and you’ll find all sorts of specialist markets all over the city. Here are some of the best and well known ones:
·Petticoat Lane – a four hundred year-old bric-a-brac and flea market in Whitechapel, a real slice of East End life
·Leadenhall– a food market in a beautiful old Victorian building just off Gracechurch Street, next to Lloyd’s of London and not far from the Bank of England
·Camden– you’ll find all sorts in this young, hip and trendy part of town, from arts, crafts and antiques to music, books and clothes.
·Spitalfields– a large fruit and vegetable market on Bishopsgate, opposite Liverpool Street Station
·Borough – another good market for fresh produce
·Covent Garden – a chic and fashionable square filled with upmarket bars, restaurants and boutiques
