Top 5 luxury shopping destinations in London
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London is home to some of the most wealthy individuals in the world, making it the perfect place to find high-end and alternative shopping destinations. Whether your interested in world famous fashion brands or one of a kind home decor items, London will have something to meet your wishes.
1. Selfridges Oxford Street
Selfridges Oxford Street opened in 1909 as a departmental store for the rich and famous, and to this day not much has changed. The store is located in a Grade II listed building which matches the exclusive feel of the shops content, with mesmerising architecture at every turn. Despite having adopted a few techniques to attract London tourists, such as selling Selfridges branded pens and notebooks, the store is still the go to place for anyone looking to spend hours on end exploring high end fashion brands, luxury home furnishings, unique electronics and exclusive food items. With 50,000 square metres of floor space, you certainly wont run out of things to discover! Possibly one of the most famous aspects of the store is the Food Hall, filled with carefully selected products made by some of the most exclusive brands in the world, this department is a treat for the mouth as well as the eyes!
2. Sloane Street
Recognised across the world as one of the most exclusive shopping destinations in London, Sloane Street is home to some of the most high end stores and brands in the World. With shops such as Prada, Giorgio Armani and Chanel, this incredible lavish street will spark your imagination and give your credit card a workout! The tree lined street has a somewhat calm and sophisticated atmosphere to it, with gold and silver shop fronts at every turn. Along with shops, this street also features a number of restaurants and cafes, including Baku London – an Azerbaijan style restaurant serving delicacies such as Caviar, and The Rosebery in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel – which serves afternoon tea with bespoke tea blends and cocktails.
3. Covent Garden
Despite being somewhat of a tourist trap, and not being as luxurious as the other locations, Covent Garden still provides a truly special shopping experience. Unlike the other shopping districts in London, Covent garden has an ornamental feel due to the famous Covent Garden Piazza that started its life as a vegetable market. Inside the Piazza itself, you can find brands such as LOccitane and Links of London who all have cosy and historical stores, providing a personalised shopping experience. Venturing out of the main Piazza and Square itself, popular shops like Karen Millen, Michael Kors, Mulberry and Ted Baker dominated the streets that are also home to shops like Jack Wills and Monsoon. These areas are often very busy, but due to the large number of shops, no individual shop is usually busy at one time.
4. Liberty
Described as one of the most eclectic yet cutting-edge department stores in London, Liberty is much more than just a producer of famous floral prints. Situated in a Tudor building, this 5 floor treat for the eyes sells clothing, accessories, cosmetics and homeware, all beautifully placed inbetween the large amount of antiques that are also available for purchase. Unlike Selfridges and Harrods, Liberty very much focuses on selling alternative items such as moroccan rugs and one-of-a-kind clothing items that you would struggle to find anywhere else. Not a single item in the store looks out of place and all the product blend seamlessly together to create a mosaic of colour and pattern.
5. Fortnum and Mason
Quintessentially British is the only way this department store can be described. Walking around the ornate rooms of this shop, you feel as though you are walking through a stately home. With a subtle duck egg blue, cream and gold colour theme, this store really lets its products take centre stage. Brands such as Bamford and Charles Mallory Casablanca elegantly fill the shelves and really create a luxurious feel. Possibly the most famous aspect of the store is the afternoon tea, consisting of dainty sandwiches, cakes resembling works of art, and unique blends of tea, that are all available from the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon – one of Fortnum and Mason’s five restaurants and cafes. The shop itself even by Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen!
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Fortnum and Mason’s British honey is the best! Normally visit Fortnum and Mason and Selfridges at Christmas time as their displays are wonderful.
Ive never ventured to Sloane Street,but your great photo and write up for it,has encouraged be to venture there,when next in London
Wonderful article – thanks for the advice. I’ve never had the chance to visit Fortnum and Mason but I’ll make time to on my next trip. Time to start saving my pennies!
Very informative and great pictures which makes you want to visit immediately, browse and spend! Have never really spent time in Liberty’s but will do so when I go later this year. Thanks.