London - City of Shops and Markets
Camden Lock, Covent Garden, Jermyn Street, Fortnum's or Selfridges?
Aug 2, 2007
Why is London so good for Shopping?
London, Paris, Rome and New York are all good shopping destinations, but what makes London so special? With five international airports, an extensive bus and subway system, over 40,000 shops and dozens of street markets London is a shopaholic’s paradise.
By Appointment...
For really exclusive shopping look for shields displaying a royal coat of arms with the words “By Appointment to…” The plaque tells you that the trader supplies goods to members of the Royal Family. The Warrants signify outstanding quality and are highly prized. Many of London’s famous stores, including Selfridges, Fortnum and Mason and many smaller stores, display the warrant.
Some of London's Shops
Selfridges can be found on Oxford Street, London’s most well-known shopping street. This frantically busy bustling store is one of London's most popular with more than 17 million visitors every year. Selfridges' food hall is famous the world over.
Fortnum and Mason, on Piccadilly, celebrates its tercentenary in 2007. It is the complete opposite of Selfridges with its quiet atmosphere disturbed only by sales advisers gently aiding the rapid emptying of your wallet! Like Selfridges the Fortnum's Food Hall is known world-wide and offers some delicacies unique only to Fortnum’s.
If you prefer smaller stores then try Savile Row. Savile Row is renowned for exclusive made-to-measure suits. This area, sometimes called the “Golden Mile” of tailoring includes Cork Street, Old Burlington Street and, of course, Savile Row. Gieves & Hawkes, at No. 1 Savile Row claim to have served the Royal Family for more than two hundred years. Some of their early clients included Wellington and Nelson.
Prince Andrew is said to shop at Dege & Skinner at No. 10 Savile Row and Napoleon, Dickens, Churchill and de Gaulle all had suits made by Henry Poole & Co at No. 15.
Jermyn Street is famous for shirts and shoes. David Bowie is said to buy shirts at Turnbull & Asser and Tricker’s, a family business for five generations, offers a made-to-measure services. Nearby, Paxton and Whitfield provide a huge variety of fine cheeses supported by expert knowledge. Their celebration cakes are quite tasty too!
The Royal Bra!
Rigby & Peller, corsetieres based in Knightsbridge was established in 1939. They were granted the Royal Warrant by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II in 1960 and were also corsetieres to H.M. Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. A made-to-measure bra or corset from R & P. is a real treat.
Some of London's Markets
Portobello Road Market is about as far removed from the “By Appointments” as you can get. Fruit and veg stalls compete with second-hand goods and antiques. More than 2,000 stalls offer antiques, jewellery, coins, medals, silverware, painting and collectibles. Don’t expect any bargains - the stallholders are experts!
Covent Garden is home to numerous shops and stalls selling antiques, arts and crafts, jewellery, decorative items, designer clothes, handbags and books. The atmosphere is always changing and exciting as some of London’s best street entertainers show off their skills. The standard is always very high.
Camden Lock Market is a uniquely cosmopolitan shopping experience where you can buy everything from clothes and accessories to arts and crafts or from food and drink to pine and oak furniture. The Market complex includes the Stables Market, Canal Market, Inverness Street Market, and Buck Street Market.
