East London Markets and other London, United Kingdom Shopping Tips

Name of Shop: East London Markets

If you are into markets, or just want to get a feel for East London life, take a trip East on a Sunday morning and check out some of the markets in this colourful area of London.

Spitalfields Market is a large covered market, specialising in organic food, arts & crafts and some antiques. It can get really busy here, so best to arrive early....we went one Sunday afternoon and it was so crowded it was impossible to stop and look at any of the stalls. Opening hours are Mon-Fri: 11am-3pm, Sun: 10am-5pm. Organic Market only on Fri & Sun.

Another Market in the area is Brick Lane Market, which is a real East End experience, kind of dirty and smelly....with stalls selling everything from fresh produce, to household goods, second hand clothing and bicycles. Make sure you stop by the famous Bagel shop - 'Beigel Bake' for a snack while you are in the area. Market open on Sunday till 2pm.

Petticoat Lane is a another market, this one specialising in clothing, including leather goods. It is usually pretty crowded, particularly so on Sundays. It is open Mon-Fri: 10am-2pm & Sun: 9am-2pm

For address details and nearest Tubes, refer to the web link. Happy shopping!


What To Pay: Prices vary market to market - at some markets you can even practice your haggling!

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Theme: Other
Directions: East London - refer to web link for address details and nearest tubes
Website: http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/shopping.php

Name of Shop: Portobello Road Markets

Portobello Road markets are famous markets located in Notting Hill, West London.

They are a must see for many tourists, and although they are open during the week, the big day is Saturdays when the stalls seem to go on forever.

The markets stalls are grouped in sections, with a large amount of antique stalls and shops at the Notting Hill end, moving then onto fruit and veg stalls.

Closer to Ladbroke Grove you have lots of new and second hand clothing, jewellery and some retro bric-a-brac.

Further on you get into less interesting stalls, but there is always a bargain to be found!

The shops that line Portobello Road are also interesting, and there are plenty of cafes and coffee shops to help keep your energy up for shopping!

We have been twice - in winter when it was freeeeeeezing, and summer which was much nicer for a wander.

Saturdays get VERY busy, so GET THERE EARLY!

What To Buy: Antiques, second hand clothing, funky old home wares and furniture.


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Theme: Antiques
Address: Portobello Road, London W11
Directions: Nearest Tube: Notting Hill Gate or Ladbroke Grove
Website: http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/EnvironmentalServices/StreetTrading/portobello.asp

Name of Shop: Covent Garden Markets

Covent Garden markets would have to be the most famous markets in London - not many tourists would go home without having at least a quick wander around here.

In this under cover market, there are plenty of stalls selling good quality handicrafts, clothing and souvenirs.

There are also retail shops, restaurants and bars.

Another draw card are the numerous street entertainers, always there to keep the kids (and adults) amused.

What To Buy: Minature paintings of London icons, funky t-shirts.

What To Pay: Not as cheap as some markets, but what do you expect from such a major tourist attraction.

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Theme: Local Craft
Address: Covent Garden
Directions: Nearest Tube: Covent Garden (surprisingly!!)
Website: www.coventgardenmarket.co.uk

Name of Shop: Oxford Street Shopping

If you are looking to dress in the latest fashions hit the High Street! Most boroughs in London have a high street (main road) filled with shops selling reasonably priced fashionable clothing and accessories. The biggest high street of them all is Oxford Street in London's West End.

Oxford Street is said to be the busiest street in Europe. The shopping strip runs for a mile & a half, and is particularly hectic on a Saturday afternoon.

Oxford Street is home to the huge Top Shop flagship store, frequented by lots of celebrities - so shop here and do some star spotting at the same time! You can also browse in other large chain stores such as GAP, Zara and H&M.

There are several large department stores to check out. My favourite is the stunning Selfridges, with its designer clothes and gourmet food hall.

Hidden just off Oxford Street, close to Selfridges, is the lovely St Christopher's Place. Home to several cafes, it is the perfect spot for a mid-shop break.

What To Buy: clothes, clothes, oh and why not a handbag....hmmmm....and matching shoes...

What To Pay: what ever the limit is on your credit card...
: )

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Theme: Women's Clothes
Address: Oxford Street
Directions: Nearest Tubes:
Oxford Circus, Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road
Website: http://www.streetsensation.co.uk/oxford/os_intro.htm

Name of Shop: Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods is a huge, gourmet food supermarket located in the gorgeous old Barkers building on Kensington High Street. Laid out over three floors, this is a foodie's heaven.

The 'Market Hall' is on the lower ground floor, and here you can browse amongst the displays of beautifully arranged fruit and veg; make up your own muesli; buy a slab of mouth-watering looking air-dried beef; purchase the ingredients for that seafood platter; and stock up on those grocery items that you can't seem to find anywhere else.

What To Buy: On the ground floor is the 'Provision Hall', where you enter to the smell of freshly baked bread, pastries and cakes. Continue on, and the smell will be replaced by the odour from the large cheese section - follow this scent and you will come across the charcuterie, and more importantly the wine bar where you can sample some meats and cheese and a glass/bottle of some of the large range of wines on offer in the store. On this level you will also find around 28 checkouts, which were nice and queue-free when we visited.

On the first floor is a posh food hall, where you can eat food that you have purchased on the lower floors, or sit at one of the food bars and enjoy a meal. We had some very tasty sushi at Genji Express, though are already talking about returning to try out the oyster bar, or one of the other tempting options.

I have to confess that I loved Whole Foods. Ok, it isn't cheap, but for someone like me who would much rather browse in a supermarket than a clothing store, this is about as good as it gets.

What To Pay: Not cheap - bring the credit card

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Theme: Food and Drink
Phone: 0207 368 4500
Address: 63–97 Kensington High Street, London W8 5SE
Directions: Nearest Tube: High Street Kensington is two minutes walk
Website: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/UK/kensington/index.html

Name of Shop: High Street Kensington

If you don't fancy going into the West End for your shopping, why not go to High Street Kensington.

High Street Kensington is a small version of Oxford Street, but still has most of the main high street shops and is a fashionable place to be seen.

What To Buy: There are plenty of women and mens clothes stores here, and a number of cafes for that must needed mid-shop coffee fix.


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Theme: Women's Clothes
Address: Kensington High Street
Directions: Nearest Tube: High Street Kensington
Website: www.streetsensation.co.uk/kensing/ken_intro.htm

Name of Shop: Kings Road Chelsea

Kings Road Chelsea is one of the streets in London where the beautiful people shop.

It is an upmarket high street - with some of the regular high street stores in amongst designer shops.

There are some interesting giftware shops too.

Great place for a window shop...


What To Pay: Bring hubbie's credit card!

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Theme: Other
Address: Kings Road, Chelsea
Directions: Nearest Tube: Sloane Square
Website: www.streetsensation.co.uk/kingsrd/kr_intro.htm

Name of Shop: Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason is a posh old department store, in a prime location on Piccadilly.

It's main draw card is it's ground floor food hall, with delicacies from around the world.

It is a great place to buy an edible souvenir to take back home to family and friends. It is a very popular place for christmas and easter gifts, and can get very crowded!

There are 3 floor of general items - clothing, stationary etc etc, but everything sold here is top quality.

Better bring your (husbands!) credit card.

After an exhausting shop, why not pop up to the 4th floor for a traditional afternoon tea (see my must see/food tip for more info).

What To Buy: Their chocolates and biscuits are very popular.

What To Pay: more expensive than average

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Theme: Department Store
Phone: 020 77348040
Address: 181 Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER
Directions: Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus or Green Park
Website: www.fortnumandmason.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Fortnums

Name of Shop: Jermyn Street

For the classic Saville Row experience, take a stroll along Jermyn Street with its gentlemens outfitters and cigar shops.

(Not to be confused with Saville Row, the street near Bond Street, for bespoke gentleman's tailoring).

Have your driver pull up whilst you pop into Thomas Pink, T.M.Lewin, Harvie & Hudson or Charles Tyrwhitt, to pick up a few of their latest shirts and cufflinks.

After shopping, pop into Taylor of Old Bond Street (still on Jermyn Street), for an old fashion shave, before moving onto Davidoff to re-stock the cigar humidor.

What To Buy: As much as will fit in the boot of the Bentley darling.

What To Pay: You have to pay for quality...

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Theme: Men's Clothes
Address: Jermyn Street, London SW1
Directions: Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus or Green Park

Runs parallel to Piccadilly, one block back.
Website: www.streetsensation.co.uk/stjames/jer_sth1.htm

Name of Shop: Various

Girls, if you are looking to dress in the latest fashions hit the High Street!

Most boroughs/suburbs in London have a high street (main road) filled with chain stores selling reasonably priced fashionable clothing and accessories.

A couple of nice ones that I have visited are Kensington High Street and Kings Road in Chelsea......better borrow hubbie's credit card!



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Theme: Women's Clothes
Address: any High Street near you