London is a major centre for entertainment, shopping and dining. There are thousands of shops and many markets in London.
Oxford Street and Regents Street
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus
Both streets are London's busiest shopping areas. Many of their smaller shops sell tourist souvenirs, but there are may other shops too. They have lots of departments stores and clothes shops. There are big music shops, bookshops too.
Oxford Street and Regents Street are decorated with Christmas lights each year. The lights are turned on with a special ceremony in mid-November.
Knightsbridge Nearest Tube: Knightsbridge
The Knightsbridge area of London is home to the biggest department store not only in the city but in the whole of Britain. This is Harrods, which has about 330 departments. Its domed, terracotta building is lit up spectacularly at night.
Covent Garden Nearest Tube: Covent Garden
Overflowing with street markets, curbside entertainment, trendy cafes, English pubs, and small boutiques. A must visit for all tourists to London.
Charing Cross Road
Charing Cross Road is where book worms go. Mainstream bookshops, such as Foyles, Borders and Blackwells, line the street but perhaps the most unique feature about this road are its rare, second-hand and specialist shops. Foyles is famous for five floors containing thousands of titles.
Tottenham Court Road
The best place for electronics shops and furniture stores.
Luxury Shops
Liberty is famous for selling beautiful fabrics. The shop looks like a Tudor house and has an elaborate clock outside.
Selfridges Nearest Tube: Marble Arch
This store has an extensive designer section for both men, women and children, constantly updated by the arrival of international labels.
Hamleys. Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus
Hamleys, in Regent Street, is London's largest toy shop. It has six floors filled with all kinds of toys, from dolls and teddy bears to models, electronic toys and robots.
Markets
London markets sell all kinds of things, from fruit and vegetables to antiques, crafts and clothes.
Greenwich Market is the place to buy new and second hand clothes, gifts, crafts and jewellery.
Opening Hours: Weekend from around 09:00-17:00.
Nearest Tube: Cutty Shark
Leadenhall Market is a Victorian covered market. It sells traditional game, poultry, fish and meat. The best time to visit is early lunchtime.
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday from 07:00-16:00
Nearest Tube: Bank / Monument
Berwick Street Market is a lively market in the heart of Soho. It is central London's only surviving fruit and vegetable market. The market has the freshest and cheapest produce for miles around. There are fish, bread, cheese, herbs and spices stalls, and also sells fabrics and cheap household goods.
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 09:00-17:00
Petticoat Lane Market is a great place for bargain clothes and shoes.
Opening Hours: Sundays 09:00-14:00
Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street
Old Spitalfields Market has lots of small shops and stalls. It sells clothes, arts and crafts. There are also cafes selling food from around the world.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday - 11am to 3.30pm and Sunday 10am - 3pm
Nearest tube: Shoreditch
Portobello Market a place to buy antiques, clothes, shoes, bric-a-brac and organic fruit and vegetables all in one place. Takes place every Saturday from 08:00-18:00 although there are stalls from Monday-Friday, too. On Saturday, it's huge, with over 2,000 stalls.
Nearest Tube: Notting Hill Gate / Ladbroke Grove
Camden Market has become one of London's top attractions. You can find hippie cloths, traditional craft stalls, 70's nostalgia and vegetarian food.
Opening Hours: Open all day Saturday and Sunday
Nearest Tube: Camden Town / Chalk Farm
