Tips 1 - 8 of 8 London Shopping
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The Old Curiosity Shop: Investigate This Shop With the Famous Name
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Name of Shop: The Old Curiosity Shop
Being a Charles Dickens's fan, as well as a VERY distant relative of his, I found it imperative to at least investigate The Old Curiosity Shop, which is mentioned in his works.
Much to my delight, I discovered that there really is a second-hand clothes shop that claims to sell "antique & modern art" on the very site of Dickens's Old Curiosity Shop. It was supposedly built in 1567 and was Dickens's model for the birthplace for Little Nell.
From the looks of it, "ancient" certainly fits its description.
It's location leaves much to be desired. But this shop's weirdness is somehow attractive. If you have breathing problems, you'll surely have trouble with the mustiness and the dust. But, just think, it's stood here in Portsmouth Street for over 400 years!
What To Buy: If you like resale shops, this is for you...with its bric-a-brac, clothing, shoes, and hats, it's a blast to peruse and to buy unusual items.
What To Pay: The prices vary from less than a pound to several hundred pounds.
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Theme: Antiques
Directions: Portsmouth Street
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St. James's Street: Top of the Line Shopping in London in...
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Name of Shop: St. James's Street
For a pleasant shopping or "window shopping" experience, try St. James's Street in the West End of London.
St. James's Street is a wide avenue that runs from the Ritz Hotel in Piccadilly to Pall Mall and St. James's Place.
These are great shops that have been around, it seems, forever. On the East side at the bottom end of St. James's Street, we found a darling small square with No. 3, No. 6, and No. 9 shops .
No. 3 is called Berry Bros and Rudd Ltd., Wine Merhants. It's been around since the end of the 18th Century. All the most famous politicians, writers, and nobility were clients here. They came here to buy wonderful clarets. Their cellars are huge with thousands of bottles of the finest of wines stored in them. These cellars are under St. James's Street and Pickering Place all the way to Pall Mall! Besides wines, they also sell brandy and port.
N. 6 Lock & Co. was established in 1676 as a hatter's shop. It's still a hat shop that supplies all matter of head gear today. It's an interesting shop to peruse to see the famed bowler" hats, "Cocked" hats, and "Riding" hats. It is the oldest family-owned shop in England!
What To Buy: These are the highest quality wines and the highest quality hats you can imagine.
What To Pay: The prices are steep, but the quality is unsurpassed.
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Theme: Other
Phone: 020 7930 8874
Directions: 3 St James's Street 6 St. James's Street
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No. 9 John Lobb, Bootmaker Shop: If You're In The Market For Quality Shoes....
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Name of Shop: No. 9 John Lobb, Bootmaker Shop
No. 9 John Lobb, Bootmaker is a place to go if you are in the market for hand made shoes. First, a fitter makes a detailed tracing of each of my feet to give to the last maker.
Then, the last-maker fashions (from woods such as Maple, Hornbeam, or Beech), a complete model of my feet. The selection of leather and the cutting of it is done by a clicker. When he is done, he gives the cut leather to a closer who stitches the leather for the upper portion of the shoes.
Then, the maker fits the uppers to the soles, which are made of English tanned oak-bark leather. The last step involves the buffing of the shoes aby the polisher. This six-step process, of course, costs a great deal, but after all this painstaking work, it's worth it.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you that John Lobb is the Royal Family's shoemaker.
What To Buy: You can have flats, loafers, boots, tie-ups, or heels made. I had loafers made in brown leather, and I still have them.
What To Pay: This was a few years ago, and the shoes cost more than 125 pounds. I imagine with the weak dollar today, it will be double that.
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Theme: Shoes
Phone: 020-7930 3664
Address: 9 St. James's St SW1
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Name of Shop: Selfridges
Selfridges has been around since 1909 when Harry Gordon Selfridge (originally from Chicago) opened his store in Oxford Street. It was really a marvel of a store, especially for the times!
Most famous were the American Soda Fountain, the rooftop with a golf range, a dance floor, and an ice-rink! The store itself was magnificent, and the window displays were the pride of London. But, most magnificent were the Art-Deco lifts
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Alas, today Selfridges has no American Soda Fountain, no Art-Deco Lifts (only fast, efficient modern elevators), and no basement demonstrators (salesmen demonstrating kitchen gadgets).
The Window Displays are, fortunately, still wonderful (I was there during the Christmas Holidays). The original facade is still glorious, and the store still has many fine departments.
Of special interest is the food hall where I purchased some special food items, chocolates, and breads. Just make sure that you set aside a good deal of time to explore its many floors.
Even though it's a terrific Department Store, I sure do wish I could have seen it during its "heyday" when there was an American Soda Fountain!
What To Buy: This is a huge store which sells clothing for men, women, children; hats, scarves, shoes, jewelry; foods, chocolates, breads. Most anything you need, you will find here.
What To Pay: The prices here are moderate
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Theme: Department Store
Phone: 020 7318 3937
Address: 400 Oxford St., W1 [B1/2]
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Books: On Local Recommendation.....
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Name of Shop: Hatchard's in Piccadilly
Everywhere that I travel, I make sure to visit at least one bookstore. That's impossible in London because there are books for sale everywhere! But, the locals declare that the oldest bookstore is the best, Hatchard's in Piccadilly.
I visited it and found, to my delight, that they had whatever I wanted, and the staff was so in the "know" about most every book. Even if a book is out of print, they usually find it and quickly!
I was looking for Mythology books for the classroom, and they found them for me, even ones that were out of print and that I could not find anywhere else.
What To Buy: Hatchard's was founded in 1797 by John Hatchard. It soon became the bookstore to the "rich and royal". Today, you do not have to be wealthy or of royalty to shop or browse at Hatchard's.
It was so exciting to purchase my hard-to-find books in a shop where Byron, Kipling, Thackery, and George Shaw had also purchased books!
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Theme: Books
Phone: 020 7439 9921
Address: 187 Piccadilly W1
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Harrod's: The Most Famous of London's Department Stores
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Name of Shop: Harrod's
Harrod's is, indeed, a landmark in London. It's also one of the largest department stores in the world!
In addition, it is home to 20 restaurants and bars. There are 300 departments and over 4,000 people on staff!
Jill and I shopped there during the January sales--quite an experience. I loved the food hall which has some of the most beautiful fresh produce.
Most of the merchandise sold is of the highest quality, but you pay for that quality.
I was astounded to discover that unless you purchase something in Harrod's (or are pregnant or have a child in tow), you have to pay one pound to use the toilets!
What To Buy: Clothing, shoes, jewelry, hats, scarves, perfume, linens, and the list goes on...almost anything can be purchased here.
What To Pay: This is upscale so you will pay a good deal for great quality.
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Theme: Department Store
Phone: 020 7730 1234
Address: Knightsbridge, SW1[c1]
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StumpTim Mon Jun 29, 2009 18:58 UTC
great review of London - a great city - I love the Covent gardin comment about My Fair Lady = what a memory maker that was! thx for sharing | misterrabbit Mon Jun 29, 2009 18:48 UTC
This is a Very comprehensive account of your time in London. Very informative and helpful. I liked all the personal touches, too. | Tijavi Thu Jun 4, 2009 14:26 UTC
1991 may seem so long ago, but these tips on London classics are timeless. Still have to make it there - these tips should prove handy someday. Thanks for sharing. | jillzi Mon May 11, 2009 19:10 UTC
I've heard that there are now lots of great places to eat in London; most of them foreign restaurants!Sure brings back memories..seems like yesterday. Great insights. |
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