Beautiful shops, markets, and arcades
In this section I highlight some of the best places for shopping in London, from Victorian arcades to vibrant markets, historic department stores and instagrammable shops.
Liberty
Liberty is a luxury department store which dates back to the Victorian period. The current building was built in the 1920s when the Tudor revival style was popular. The mock-Tudor entrance includes the Liberty Clock - a mechanical clock that was completed in 1925.
Inside, the wooden staircase, balconies, and individual rooms give the shop a really cosy feel. You can find everything from women’s clothing to beauty products, homeware, jewellery, fabrics and gifts. There is an excellent and very popular Christmas section too which tends to open quite early (sometimes as early as August!) - highlights include beautiful Christmas tree baubles.
Location: Central London. The shop is on Regents Street in the West End.
Nearest station: Oxford Circus tube
More information: https://www.libertylondon.com/
Leadenhall Market
The covered Leadenhall Market is located in the heart of the City of London. With shops, restaurants and bars, it’s a really buzzy and popular spot for local office workers, many of whom bring their clients here for lunchtime meetings. Highlights include the cheesmongers Cheese at Leadenhall and the French pastry shop Aux Merveilleux de Fred with its tiny meringue treats.
A market has existed on this site since the 14th century, when it was originally full of stalls selling meat and poultry. The current building, with its ornate glass and wrought iron ceilings and central dome, dates back to the Victorian period. On some of the shops you can spot iron hooks where produce used to hang.
It’s a good place to come at Christmas, when there is an impressive Christmas tree in the centre.
Location: Central London. The market is on Gracechurch Street in the City.
Nearest station: Liverpool Street tube/rail
More information: https://leadenhallmarket.co.uk/
Hays Galleria
Hays Galleria is close to the River Thames and has a variety of shops, cafes and food stalls. It was originally a warehouse used to store tea from incoming ships in the 19th century, and was once known as the ‘Larder of London’.
Redeveloped in the 1980s as part of the regeneration of the London Southbank and docklands area, it was enclosed under a glass roof. One of the main features of the redeveloped site is the large sculpture of a ship, evoking the history of the area.
There are often seasonal displays, making it a great photo spot.
Location: Central London. The arcade is on Tooley Street, not far from the Southbank.
Nearest station: London Bridge tube/rail
Fortnum and Mason
Fortnum and Mason is a beautiful department store dating back to 1707. It’s famous for its Fortnum Tea, but there are many sweet and savoury treats here in the food hall, from chocolates to turkish delight, jams and preserves, and fine wine.
Although the shop has now developed into a more general department store, with beauty products and perfumes for sale, the highlight of the shop is still the food hall. As well as treating yourself to some of the lavish produce, you can also get afternoon tea here.
Christmas is the ideal time to visit, when the outside of the shop is lit up, and the inside is full of Christmas treats and decorations.
Location: Central London. The shop is located at 181 Piccadilly in the West End.
Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus tube or Green Park tube
More information: https://www.fortnumandmason.com/
Daunt Books
There are two Daunt Books in London - one in Holland Park and one in Marlebone, but of the two, I would recommend visiting the Marylebone branch.
Dating back to the Edwardian period, this classic shop has wooden galleries and beautiful skylights, and it’s a really inviting place to spend some time browsing a great collection of books. There are also regular talks and events.
Location: Central London. The shop is located at 83-84 Marylebone High Street in Marylebone.
Nearest station: Baker Street
More information: https://dauntbooks.co.uk/shops/marylebone/
Royal Arcade
The beautiful Victorian Royal Arcade is home to some of the city’s most exclusive shops, and it’s a really atmospheric place to spend some time.
Created in 1879 as London’s first purpose-built shopping arcade, the Royal Arcade has changed very little over the years and still has its original features. The highlight is the stunning arched roof.
If you’re in the area, I recommend checking out the nearby Burlington Arcade which is also lovely (see below!).
Location: Central London. The arcade is between Old Bond Street and Albermarle Street.
Nearest station: Green Park tube
More information: https://royalarcade.london/
Burlington Arcade
Burlington Arcade is a covered arcade, not far from the Royal Arcade (mentioned above). Opened in 1819, it was intended to be a fashionable shopping destination, with many independent luxury boutiques. It’s said that the arcade was built here so that Lady Burlington (who lived in neighbouring Burlington House) could shop away from the dirty streets of the city.
Still one of the longest shopping arcades in the country, there are now around 50 exclusive shops here. Popular attractions here are the shoe-shine service, and the resident Beadles - a small police force who enforce arcade rules, such as no whistling or cycling through the arcade!
It’s a great place to visit during special occasions such as Valentines’ Day, or at Christmas.
Location: Central London (West End). The arcade is between Piccadilly and Burlington Gardens.
Nearest station: Green Park tube
More information: https://www.burlingtonarcade.com/
Alice’s
Alice’s is a charming antique shop, with a bright red facade. Much-photographed, it can often be spotted on Instagram. Owned by the same family for four generations, it was established in the late 19th century.
The shop is full of interesting items, many of which spill out onto the street outside. From furniture to pottery, toys and curiosities, this is the perfect place to pick up an unusual gift.
Location: West London (Notting Hill). The shop is at 86 Portobello Road.
Nearest station: Notting Hill Gate
Sister Ray
If you like music, then I recommend Sister Ray for record shopping. You can often find some great bargains here, and I always stop by when I’m in the area.
In the 1990s, Sister Ray (named after a song by the band Velvet Underground) was one of many record shops on Soho’s Berwick Street. Sadly, many of those shops are no longer around, but Sister Ray is still going strong. Although many people listen to music online now, there has recently been an increasing appetite for vinyl records, and this is predominantly what you can buy here.
Location: Central London (Soho). The shop is located at 75 Berwick Street.
Nearest station: Tottenham Court Road tube
More information: https://sisterray.co.uk/
Borough Market
Borough Market is a vibrant food and drink market, with a long history dating back a thousand years. Run by a charitable trust, the market has a focus on sustainability, and is a fantastic place to explore - though it can get quite crowded!
There are several stalls and small shops across three main sections. It can feel like a bit of a maze when you’re inside, but there is a lot of choice - you can buy food to eat there (everything from falafel wraps to mac n cheese, quiches and cakes) or you can purchase high quality produce to take away (there’s fresh fish, cured meat, cheese, bread, and spices).It’s also a great place to pick up a gift - there are fudge and chocolate stalls, and a lovely florist selling plants and ornaments.
My personal favourites are the award -winning Pieminister (you can eat their delicious hot pies there and then, or take them home to heat up later) and the ever-popular Humble Crumble where you can choose from different fruit fillings, toppings and accompaniments (rhubarb crumble with custard is my choice!). I also recommend Bread Ahead which has a couple of stalls on the site, selling donuts, freshly baked bread, and pastries.
Location: Central London (London Bridge). The market is located at 8 Southwark Street. It’s closed on Mondays.
Nearest station: London Bridge tube/rail
More information: https://boroughmarket.org.uk/
Spitalfields Market
Located just a short walk from Liverpool Street Station, the covered Old Spitalfields Market is a great place for shopping. One of London’s oldest markets, it has stalls selling everything from clothing to artwork, records, and jewellery.
Although the market is open seven days a week, it tends to be busier at weekends when more stallholders open up. Saturday is the best day to go if you’re interested in fashion, but Sunday is probably the best day overall, when around 100 stalls are open. I’ve been during the week too, when there is still plenty to see.
As well as market stalls, there are also many independent boutiques, shops and places to eat.
Location: East London (Spitalfields). The market is located at 65 Brushfield Street.
Nearest station: Liverpool Street tube/rail
More information: https://www.spitalfields.co.uk/
Eataly
Founded in Italy in 2005, Eataly was designed to be a place where people can buy good quality Italian food at affordable prices. After opening stores in the US and Europe, the business recently opened a location in London, and it’s huge.
In the main market and retail area, you can buy everything from cured meat and cheese to homemade bread, fresh fish, vegetables, dried pasta, sauces and oils, cakes and sweets. There is also the UK’s largest selection of Italian wines to choose from.
There are restaurants and bars on site too where you can enjoy wood-fired pizza, fresh pasta and aperol spritz, amongst many other things. If you’re interested in creating some of these treats at home, there are public cooking classes where you can learn to make pasta or pizza.
Location: East London (Spitalfields). The market can be found at 135 Bishopsgate.
Nearest station: Liverpool Street tube/rail
More information: www.eataly.co.uk
Covent Garden market
Although there has been a market in Covent Garden since 1674, the neo-classical market building you see today was built in the 19th century as a way of making what was then a fruit and vegetable market into something a bit more attractive. As the market continued to grow in size, it eventually relocated to Battersea. The original building was then renovated in the 1970s and reopened to the public.
The historic Covent Garden Market building is situated in a pedestrianised piazza, surrounded by shops and restaurants. It’s a must-see place to visit at Christmas, as one of London’s biggest Christmas trees is here, but it’s a lovely place to visit year-round.
Within the building there are two markets - the Apple Market which is a great place to buy gifts, with stalls selling handmade crafts, artwork and clothing, and the East Colonnade Market which has jewellery, homeware, soaps, and sweet treats. Nearby there is also the Jubilee Market which has antiques and arts and crafts.
Location: Central London (West End). The market is at Covent Garden piazza.
Nearest station: Covent Garden tube
More information: https://www.coventgarden.london/shop/markets/
7 Dials Market
7 Dials Market opened in 2019, and is a great place to have a relaxed meal. There are a variety of different independent food stalls and communal tables where you can people-watch while eating delicious food. Originally a banana warehouse, the building has been transformed into a vibrant food court, with stylish decor and a lovely glass ceiling.
In terms of the food on offer, you’ll find everything from burgers to pizza, jollof rice and dumplings, spicy fried chicken, steamed buns, and decadent sweet treats such as donut bread and butter pudding, and soft serve ice cream sundaes. There’s also a stall with a cheese conveyer belt, and two bars.
The market is run by KERB which has a focus on supporting street food traders and serving food and drink in a sustainable way.
Location: Central (West End). The market is on Earlham Street.
Nearest station: Covent Garden
More information: https://www.sevendialsmarket.com/
Twinnings
The Twinings Flagship store on the Strand is the oldest tea shop in London. Serving tea over 300 years, this shop has a variety of tea as well as tea accessories, gifts, and biscuits.
Inside the shop there is a sampling bar where you can taste some of loose leaf teas.
Location: 216 The Strand
Nearest station: Temple tube
More information: https://twinings.co.uk/pages/twinings-flagship-store-216-strand