An iconic night view of London from the Thames River
Everything in London is about the experience. The sights, the sounds, and even the actual lack of English you hear will make your heart race every time you step out on the street, on the bus, or into the tube. English shopping does not fall short of that, either.
As opposed to trekking to your nearest air conditioned shopping mall, the British shopping experience includes walking outdoors and into buildings whose architecture dates back to a century, or down winding roads of stalls upon stalls of cashmere, leather, silver and fresh produce to make your mouth water. Almost like being transported back in time, it’s hard not to fall in love with the English city scenery, or spend your money just to say, “I bought this in London.”
The world renowned - and busy - Oxford Street by day
In England, or even Europe for that matter, Oxford Street is the busiest and most dense shopping area, boasting five hundred forty eight stores across two and a half kilometers. Here you’ll find Selfridges and Co., one of London’s oldest department stores for all sorts of designer goods, and which has been sitting pretty on Oxford St. for a century. Much larger than Harrod’s, Selfridge’s has everything from Chanel to Smythson notebooks and Pierre Hermé macarons to Bvlgari shampoo. The shoe gallery on the second floor will make your head spin, as every known designer has at least a shelf of his own stocked with the latest designs. Thursday evenings are always a feast, with either free cupcakes being given away by the escalators, or even some complimentary champagne for trying on a pair of shoes you’d never buy. The atmosphere of the store alone is always such an experience, and seeing their famous window displays (this year, the theme is 12 days of Christmas) is something every tourist must do.
(Ready for a trip to London? EYP connects you to travel agencies.)
Aside from Selfridges, Oxford Street is also home to five H&M stores, all three floors high, the flagship Topshop and Topman which are so large there are actually restrooms and a cafeteria inside, Debenhams, Marks and Spencer, two Zaras, three Uniqlos, American Apparel, Urban Outfitters, and the infamous Primark. For all things cheap, Primark is a haven for clothes that are not only cute, but affordable. Setting foot inside is like a battlefield though, as there is no day when the entire expanse of the store isn't packed with people throwing things onto the floor or queuing for half an hour at the till.
Perpendicular to Oxford are also a number of smaller streets that boast many more places to deplete your wallet: Regent Street with Hamley’s Toy store, Carnaby Street with Liberty of London (the department store that looks like a gingerbread house) and Bond Street for more designer goods. Nevertheless, the expanse of Oxford, with all its waffle stands, cookie stalls and never-ending shops under a blanket of faerie lights is an experience on its own- just be careful not to get too jostled by the crowd!
Europe's most famous shopping street all lit up
Apart from mass-produced shopping, the London markets provide another kind of experience that is a must see. If you want to deviate from the overpopulated Oxford, taking the tube a little further away from the city center will find you in street markets like Portobello Road, Dover Street, Spitalfield, Camden, or Borough Market. These places are home to one of a kind goods, more often that not, handmade. You can find silver and lapis lazuli next to AC/DC shirts, shisha pipes and Estonian strawberries. From food, to artifacts, vintage everything to tattoo parlors, London street markets are the place to be. Most concessionaires here are either farmers selling their own produce or artisans who make their own jewelry.
Cool street shopping at Camden Town
Borough Market, which is world-renowned for its food, is open from Thursdays to Saturdays. Buy your raclette, foie gras, truffles or choose from the rainbow colored selection of fruits and vegetables from the concessionaires here. Not in the mood to do your groceries? Head on over to Monmouth for a cup of freshly brewed coffee flown from as far away as India and Peru. More recently recognized as London’s number one coffee shop, Monmouth can also be found (albeit amongst the throngs of people lining up for a machiatto) in the other shopping district of Covent Garden. Much smaller than Oxford, the quaint Covent which lies just off Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus has almost all the same big stores, with many performers on the street doing their musical and performance displays to keep your entertained while shopping.
(Ready for your trip? See a list of airline companies.)
Head to London's Borough Market for amazing food finds
Whatever London has to offer, the shopping experience is more than just spending money. There are far too many things to see and appreciate- most especially in a city as beautiful as this. After all, it’s always better to pay for the experience.
RELATED LINKS
Business Showcases
MY-RAM Travel and Tours
Pan-Euro Travel
Manila International Travel and Tours
There are no comments yet