London's Top Ten Shops

Discover what makes London style so special with a trip to one of the capital's top ten shops. Let LondonTown.com be your guide to the biggest and best shops around one of the world's fashion capitals.

Fortnum & Mason

181 Piccadilly W1
One of the oldest and most famous stores in Piccadilly, this fine food emporium was opened by Messrs Fortnum and Mason in 1705. Much patronised by the aristocracy over the years, and still purveyor of food and wine to the Royal Family, Fortnum's is a must-see for anyone visiting London. It's pre-war gentility, gilded furnishings and exquisitely wrapped produce will have you reaching for your purse in no time. Famous for its fantastic food hall piled high with gastronomic delights, it also stocks womenswear, furniture and homeware.

Hamleys

188-196 Regent Street W1B 5BT
Living up to its reputation as the 'finest toyshop in the world' is no mean feat. Hamleys still draws the crowds and boasts an astonishing array of more than 40,000 toys and games over its seven floors. The window displays capture the imaginations of children young and old and the atmosphere inside is reminiscent of a funfair. Staff eagerly demonstrate toys on the ground floor and there are frequent events and product launches. Your only problem will be knowing where to start. A childhood visit to Hamleys wil be remembered for years to come.

Hamleys - Information

Harrods

87-135 Brompton Road, London, SW3 1RT
Britain's most famous store and possibly the most famous store in the world, Harrods features on many tourist 'must-see' lists - and with good reason. Its humble beginnings date back to 1849, when Henry Charles Harrod opened a small grocery shop that emphasised impeccable service over value. Today, it occupies a vast site in London's fashionable Knightsbridge and boasts a phenomenal range of products from pianos and cooking pans to pets and perfumery with a large Hair and Beauty department its crowning glory on the top floor. The Food Hall is ostentatious to the core and mouth-wateringly exotic, and the store as a whole is well served with restaurants. At Christmas time, Harrods boasts an enchanting Santa's Grotto for the kids and an extensive range of festive decorations. The summer and winter sales are calendar events in the shopping year, and although both sales are extremely crowded there are some great bargains on offer.

More info: Harrods Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Harvey Nichols

109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ
"Harvey Nicks" is the younger, more fashionable cousin of Harrods in Knightsbridge. While Harrods offers huge variety accross a massive range of products, Harvey Nichols offers designer clothes, furnishing and food of a quality far superior to anything you would find down the road. Its sleek, streamlined interiors and clean and minimalist design allow the products to do the selling. And with great effect. All your favourite designer labels are here, including ultra-hip Alexander McQueen, Comme des Garcons and Versace. Plus some beautiful homeware, essential cosmetics and the Fifth Floor cafe with its spectacular views across West London. Harvey Nichols is a fantastic spot for an afternoon of shopping, eating and celebrity spotting. Expensive but beautiful.

More info: Harvey Nichols Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Liberty

210-220 Regent Street W1
Since it opened in 1875, Liberty has captured the hearts of shoppers around the world and even spawned its own line in fabrics, which found fame and popularity with designers like Mary Quant and Jean Muir in the 1960s. Housed in a striking timber-framed building on Regent Street, Liberty's dedication to innovative design and Eastern influences reflects its founder's fascination with Japan following the International Exhibition of 1862. Not content with merely following trends, Liberty regularly showcases and sponsors new designers. Peruse designer womenswear, ogle the arts and crafts antiques or savour the tantalising colours and textures of numerous fabrics.

Heal's

196 Tottenham Court Road, W1T 7LQ
Beautifully crafted, contemporary and often cutting-edge design can be found at this 200 year old furniture store. Renowned for its attention to detail and craftsmanship, the Heal's trademark has become synonymous with quality. Such quality is, needless to say, reflected in the price tags but some pieces are worth paying that little bit extra for! The store also features rugs, beds, fabrics and home accessories - everything you need to create the dream home. If you're looking for inspiration, take advantage of the interior design service.

More info: Heal's Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Selfridges

400 Oxford Street, W1U 1AT
Selfridges is the biggest draw on Oxford Street, but despite being massively popular, interior design manages to create a feeling of calm and space despite the hundreds of customers on each floor. Selfridges has a superb food hall, scores of excellent clothes retailers, and a number of first class restaurants all under one roof. The store operates a large number of concession areas so you will find mini boutiques offering the very best British and International designers spread over many floors. There is a huge range of choice and the store itself is light, airy and comfortable. For committed shoppers, this is the ultimate spending experience.

Current events at Selfridges

The Big British Bang event running until Friday 31st August 2012
TIMES 1st May 2012 to 31st August 2012
The Big British Bang windows at Selfridges, one of London's best known department stores, give a hint of wha... More about this event

The Big British Shop event running until Friday 31st August 2012
TIMES 1st May 2012 to 31st August 2012 PRICING Free
Embracing all things British, Selfridges is hosting The Big British Shop More about this event

All events at Selfridges

Carluccio's

Garrick Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 9BH
Wonderful Italian delicacies from the TV chef, Antonio, are available at this flagship store of Carluccio's, the chain that sets the standard for good quality high street Italian food in London. Edible goodies such as oils and funghi imported from Italy line the shelves - antipasti and breads made on the premises are delicious. Housed in a 19th century building, this Covent Garden store comprises two floors of good, fresh food. In addition to the restaurant there's also a deli selling wonderful produce, two cafe areas with menus offering a taste of superior Italian cooking. Carluccio's many outlets cater for an upmarket crowd - it's a rather expensive place for a coffee (or to pick up groceries for that matter) but worth every penny for the authentic, delicious Carluccio produce. The mission to wake England up to the joys of Italian cookery continues apace, with pizza and pasta of course, but also roasted sardines, veal tonnatto and adventurous meat dishes on the set menu, and some mouth-watering Italian breakfast options.

More info: Carluccio's Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Marks & Spencer Flagship Store

458 Oxford Street, W1C 1AP
This enduring retail partnership began back in 1894 in a small shop in Manchester, but Marks & Spencer (M & S) now boasts more than 300 stores in the UK and 400 stores worldwide. M & S is one of Britain's most reliable and trusted stores, famed for selling high quality food, clothing and lingerie and household goods. Its ready meals, cakes, and desserts are some of the best on the market. The sandwiches, fruit and vegetables are of a consistently high standard, though not exceptionally cheap. The clothing line, including Per Una, Limited Collection and Autograph ranges (not carried by all stores), is high quality and fairly priced. But best of all is the underwear, every English girl has at least one pair of M & S pants in their knicker drawer (even Jeremy Paxman waded in on the issue) and the range at this flagship Oxford Street store is quite staggering. In addition, you'll find homeware, children's clothes and toys, delicious food and beauty products. The company prides itself on the virtues of quality, service, innovation and trust. It very rarely fails to deliver. A fine British shopping institution.

More info: Marks & Spencer Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Topshop

36-38 Great Castle Street, W1W 8LG
Topshop is a byword for High Street Fashion in England, known for their inexpensive plain tops, basic collections and a good range of accessories. The vast emporium on Oxford Street is not just the largest Topshop in the country - it is a tourist attraction in its own right. There are literally thousands of tops and dresses for sale here (Topman is on the same corner) and it is quite a scene on a Saturday. It can be hard to track down a must-have item among the massive crowds, but anybody visiting Oxford Street should pop in to check out the mayhem. Truly, when it gets busy, this place is remarkable.

More info: Topshop Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube