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London's Top Ten Shops
 
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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. Address: 181 Piccadilly W1 Phone: 020 7734 8040 Travel: Green Park Tube Hamleys
188-196 Regent Street W1 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 & 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. Address: 188-196 Regent Street W1 Phone: 020 7494 2000 Travel: Piccadilly Circus Tube  Harrod's
87-135 Brompton Road SW1 Britain's most famous store, and possibly the most famous store in the world, Harrod's 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. 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. Address: 87-135 Brompton Road SW1 Phone: 020 7730 1234 Travel: Knighstbridge Tube Harvey Nichols
109-125 Knightsbridge SW1 "Harvey Nicks" is the younger, more fashionable cousin of Harrod's in Knightsbridge. While Harrod's offers huge variety accross a massive range of products, this shop 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. Address: 109-125 Knightsbridge SW1 Phone: 020 7235 5000 Travel: Knightsbridge 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. Address: 210-220 Regent Street W1 Phone: 020 7734 1234 Travel: Oxford Circus Tube Heals
196 Tottenham Court Road W1 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. Address: 196 Tottenham Court Road W1 Phone: 020 7636 1666 Travel: Tottenham Court Road Tube  Selfridges
400 Oxford Street W1 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. Address: 400 Oxford Street W1 Phone: 020 7629 1234 Travel: Oxford Circus Tube Carluccio's
28A Neal Street WC2H Wonderful Italian delicacies from the TV chef, goodies such as oils and funghi imported from Italy - antipasti and breads made on the premises are delicious. The Neal Street branch of this wonderful outlet also has a very pleasant café. 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. Address: 28A Neal Street WC2H Phone: 020 7240 1487 Travel: Covent Garden tube Marks & Spencer Flagship Store
458 Oxford Street W1 This enduring retail partnership began back in 1894 in a small shop in Manchester, but M & S now boasts more than 300 stores in the UK and 400 stores worldwide. Despite flagging sales in the face of stiff high street competition, M & S is on the way up again, having launched a hugely successful women's range (Per Una) late last year. It's rumoured that even the French, famous for their lingerie, prefer to wear M & S underwear and the store continues to be a stalwart supplier of basic items. 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. Address: 458 Oxford Street W1 Phone: 020 7935 7954 Travel: Oxford Circus Tube Top Shop
36 - 38 Great Castle Street W1 Top Shop is a byword for High Street Fashion in England, known for their inexpensive, plain tops, basic collections and a good range of accessories. This vast emporium on Oxford Street is not just the largest Top Shop in the country - it is a tourist attraction in its own right. There are literally thousands of tops and dresses for sale here (Top Man is on the same corner) and it is quite a scene on a Saturday. It can be hard to track down a dream item among the massive crowds, but anybody visiting Oxford Street should pop in here to check out the mayhem. Truly, when it gets busy, this place is remarkable. Address: 36 - 38 Great Castle Street W1 Phone: 020 7636 7700 Travel: Bond Street Tube LondonTown.com's snapshot guide to the best shops by area. So wherever you are, whatever y...
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