London is not just famous for its iconic attractions and entertainment hot spots, it is also equally well known for its fabulous shopping venues and markets. In terms of shopping it vies with New York, Paris and Tokyo as being one of the most popular shopping destinations for visitors and tourists from all over the world. And apart from its more prominent shopping districts and streets it has numerous secret spots, which are shopping havens in their own right.
If you plan a trip to the city finding budget accommodation in London is never a problem. However, you need to be careful to select a location to stay that offers good connectivity to all parts of the city, which will facilitate travel.
A good option to stay would be the Park Grand Hotel in Lancaster Gate London that offers premium facilities and luxury at an affordable price. And being in central London it has excellent transport links to every area of the city. Some of the best secret gems to visit and shop when in London include…
Formosa Street: A short distance from Warwick Avenue in Maida Vale is charming Formosa Street, which is well known for its neighborhood restaurants, shops and pubs. While there do not miss a visit to Amoul’s Hideaway, a very popular Lebanese restaurant in the area. Then there is a fabulous Victorian pub viz. Prince Alfred that is equally popular for its famed Formosa Dining Room. If you are on the lookout for home wares Hand Made Interiors is the place to shop. Move further down past the stunning colonnaded houses and you will find the Waterway pub another great place to have a drink.
Marylebone Lane: Most visitors to the area of Marylebone tend to skip Marylebone Lane while being drawn to the bright lights of Marylebone High Street. A great place to enjoy a sumptuous meal when in the area is the Ivy Cafe that has an outlet here. Marylebone Lane is a quaint narrow street that is home to a number of indie shops, with a bohemian feel to it. There is Kj’s Laundry that offers a fine collection of the latest Parisian chic with names like Vanessa Bruno Athe, along with fine jewellery from Laura Lee and Alex Monroe. Other notable places to shop at include Paul Rothe – a Victorian age shop famous for its condiments and jams, Rouleaux for haberdashery and ribbons etc.
Camden Passage: A great place to shop in the area of Islington is the cobblestone street market of Camden Passage, which is home to a wide variety of stalls. Here you will find a treasure trove of vintage clothes, antiques along with numerous cafes and small shops. If you have a thing for bespoke vests then drop in at the African Waistcoat Company.
Marylebone High Street: Apart from is lesser known sister Marylebone Lane, Marylebone High Street is a fabulous place to shop from a variety of retailers. Shop for fine antiques at Gallery 1930, a wide variety of books at Daunt Books and some of the trendiest home ware at Skandium among numerous other places! It is also home to The Button Queen, which is the city’s sole retail shop for buttons.
Broadway Market: One of the coolest places to shop at when in Hackney is its Broadway Market, which on Saturdays accommodates more than a hundred stalls that sell everything under the sun ranging from fresh produce to vintage clothing. On weekdays it is good place to browse at boutiques like 69B women’s clothing, the Lock 7 bicycle shop and William Cheshire for jewellery etc. And if you build up an appetite then a visit to The Dove pub is recommended.
Neal’s Yard: A visit to Neal’s Yard at Seven Dials is something not to miss! It is well known for its wide range of cosmetics and cheese! You will find some of the finest varieties of British farm cheese at Neal’s Yard Dairy. And while there also check out their famous line of organic skincare products along with a variety of skin treatments marketed under Neal’s Yard Remedies. In fact the Seven Dials area is known to regularly host a number of shopping events with some unbelievable discounts.
Greenwich Market: Greenwich is very popular with tourists for its exceptional maritime attractions and of course the Prime Meridian. As a result most visitors tend to neglect the fantastic shopping opportunities that are to be found in this part of the city. The primary attraction is of course Greenwich Market that operates from Tuesday to Sunday. Here you will find a diverse variety of brasseries and shops that cater to all types of budgets and tastes.
Bermondsey Street: While the London Bridge area has undergone a major transformation in the past few years, Bermondsey Street also has been totally revolutionised. From its famous Design Museum that has a fantastic variety of home ware and gifts, to the children’s Tin Lid for toys and clothes, there are a host of other boutiques and accessory shops to explore in the area.
Redchurch Street: Located in the trendy Shoreditch area, Redchurch Street is the places to shop and be seen at! If you are looking for great accessories for your home Caravan and Labour & Wait are the places to visit. If the hottest menswear is what you want to shop for then visit Hostem, Sunspel or Aubin & Wills for sartorial elegance. And also do not miss a visit to Brick Lane that lies nearby, and is popular for its classic retro-fashion shops and of course its famous curry restaurants.
Gabriel’s Wharf: You will find Gabriel’s Wharf cosily concealed behind the city’s South Bank and is a place to find an eclectic mix of bars, indie shops and bars in the wharf area. While in the area places to visit include Wagumi’s for Japanese products, for unique Indian styled home ware visit Ganesha, Southbank Printmakers for contemporary art and of course check out the fabulous galleries and shops at Oxo Tower.
