The West End
With its classic eau-de-Nil (pale green) colour scheme, the 'Queen's grocery store' (established in 1707) refuses to yield to modern times. Its staff –…
Must-see shopping in The West End
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The West End
Trading since 1853, this grandaddy of travel bookshops and seasoned seller of maps, guides and globes is a destination in its own right. Polar explorer…
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The West End
London's most legendary bookshop, where you can find even the most obscure titles. Once synonymous with chaos, Foyles got its act together and now this…
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The West End
Forbidden Planet is a trove of comics, sci-fi, horror and fantasy literature, as well as action figures and toys, spread over two floors. It's an absolute…
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The West End
The flagship bookshop of the London Review of Books fortnightly literary journal doesn’t put faith in towering piles of books and slabs on shelves, but…
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The West End
The fashion doyenne of the punk and new-wave aesthetic, Westwood has always had a reputation for being controversial and political. She continues to…
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The West End
Outlet of the Soul Jazz Records label: explorers of wild, wonderful and often forgotten corners of black music who bring back gems for their legendary…
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The West End
An original Edwardian bookshop, with oak panels, galleries and gorgeous skylights, Daunt is one of London’s loveliest bookshops. There are several Daunt…
The West End
One of London's most recognisable shops, Liberty department store has a white-and-wood-beam Tudor Revival facade that lures shoppers in to browse luxury…
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The West End
The biggest and oldest toy emporium in the world, Hamleys houses six floors of fun for kids of all ages, from the basement's Star Wars and Harry Potter…
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The West End
The UK’s largest foreign-language bookseller with titles representing more than 100 languages is located on the 4th floor of Foyles.
The West End
A whiskey shop that has achieved iconic status over the half century it’s been around. Every bottle is handpicked by the passionate staff, with prices…
The West End
Taking a commendable stand against tacky souvenirs, We Built This City sells locally themed merchandise that the recipient might actually want – most of…
The West End
The price tags might make you more dizzy than the alcohol content in this aptly-named fine wines and spirits boutique in Mayfair: its two floors are…
The West End
Specialising in lesser-known literature by mostly women writers from the mid-20th century, Persephone Books has carved out an interesting and valuable…
The West End
Make a beeline to this place for all your fastening needs. It’s been in business for more than 60 years and is creaking under the weight of an absurd…
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The West End
Follow your nose through the historic Burlington Arcade to this classic British perfumery. Attendants enquire about your favourite smells, take you on an…
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The West End
Set in a grandiose column-flanked Grade II–listed structure, Selfridges has been innovating since its doors opened in 1909. Its wacky, ever-changing…
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The West End
Made in England with rare, exotic ingredients from around the globe, fabulously fragrant natural-beauty brand Molton Brown is the toiletries choice for…
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The West End
A stone’s throw from the British Museum, this bookshop has been running for almost a century and specialises in the occult. The shop stocks a variety of…
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The West End
Some 200 specialist stallholders selling antique jewellery, costumes, military collectables, Oriental works and much more can be found in two buildings,…
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The West End
Fab Four guitar picks, Abbey Road fridge magnets, Ringo T-shirts, mop-top mugs, Magical Mystery Tour bags, Yellow Submarine Christmas lights, Help!…
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The West End
A fabulous, fragrant cheese house that would fit in somewhere in rural England, this place is proof that Britain can produce top-quality cheeses in most…
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The West End
More books than you can shake a dreamcatcher at on subjects as wide-ranging as the afterlife, tarot, the Kabbalah, shamanism, spirituality, astrology,…
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The West End
Stella McCartney is known for her sharp tailoring, floaty designs, accessible style and ethical approach to fashion (no leather, fur or modern slavery)…
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The West End
Nobody makes and stocks such elegant umbrellas (not to mention walking sticks and canes) as this place. It's been fighting the British weather from the…
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The West End
Named after a court case in Charles Dickens' Bleak House, this antiquarian bookshop is opposite the British Museum in a building dating from the early…
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The West End
This small independent record store has hardly changed since it opened in 1984. Even this far into the 21st century, Reckless is still stuffed with people…
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The West End
Beyond the quality of leather and fabrics and gorgeously chic styling, a frequent motif of these beautifully made and elegant British couture women's…
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The West End
If you know your longjing from your pu'er, or your Nokcha from your Lotus Lake Green – or wish to know the differences – Postcard Teas could be, well,…
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The West End
This specialist stationary shop stocks just about every wooden-handled rubber stamp you care to imagine: from London icons like phone boxes and the Houses…
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The West End
Opened by Thomas Twining in 1706 and recently refurbished, the 'golden lion' tea shop is the oldest company in the capital still trading on the same site…
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The West End
Prowler’s flagship Soho store is a gay shopping mecca selling books, magazines, clothes and ‘lifestyle accessories’ (with or without batteries). There’s…
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The West End
The chain’s megastore is the largest bookshop in Europe, with helpful, knowledgeable staff and regular author readings, signings and discussions. The…
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The West End
For women’s lingerie designed to be worn and seen, and certainly not hidden, pull up to wonderful Agent Provocateur, started by Joseph Corré, son of…
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The West End
The one-time Glasgow-based tailor shop has grown into a superb brand of clothing for both men and women. Ted’s forte is its formal wear, with beautiful…
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The West End
This delightful Italian delicatessen in the heart of Soho, here since 1944, is so gorgeous in its cream and pastel green that you could almost imagine…
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The West End
With modest beginnings as an Aldwych stall in 1742 and purveying a dizzying range of fine cheeses, this black- and gold-fronted shop holds two royal…
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The West End
Run by connoisseurs who are more than happy to help with selections, this classy wee shop sells whiskies from Scotland, Ireland, America and around the…
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The West End
Fine purveyors of first editions and rare books, Peter Harrington is a delightful and extremely well-presented shop, devoid of clutter but stocking a…
