Locate your credit card, break open the piggy bank and find out where to shop in London. Explore the capital's best shops that vary from brilliant bookshops to fabulous furniture stores – this is your guide on where to go shopping in London.
Best London bookshops
- An original Edwardian bookshop, Daunt Books has long oak galleries and arranges its books by country rather than alphabetically.
- A bibliophile’s paradise, Foyles’ flagship on Charing Cross Road has more than 200,000 books spread over five floors, with a stylish cafe at the top.
- Find travel books and maps at Stanfords' flagship Covent Garden store.
- Waterstone’s Piccadilly is Europe’s largest bookstore, with regular book signings and fabulous views from its 5th View Bar.
- Pick up children's books from inclusion-led shop Round Table Books, in Brixton.
- Search for rare and exquisite books at Shapero Rare Books in Mayfair.
- Scour through the wide range of books, playtexts and gifts and at the National Theatre bookshop.
Fabric shops
- Beautiful department store Liberty is famous for its classic Liberty print dressmaking and furnishing fabrics.
- Love to knit and crochet? Loop in Islington’s Camden Passage has a huge range of hand-dyed natural fibre yarns.
- Browse hundreds of African textiles at African Queen Fabrics which sells Vlisco Wax Hollandaise, fine cotton, laces and many more West African fabrics.
- As well as running sewing classes for all abilities, Ray-Stitch is chock-full of designer and organic fabrics for dressmaking, quilting, soft furnishings and craft.
- Rainbow Fabrics is a fabric shop in Kilburn that's stocked with ribbons, tassels and feathers, as well as viscose, Irish linen, Lycra and plenty of remnants.
Shoe shops
- Get cool kicks with the famous three stripes in the UK’s flagship Adidas store on Oxford Street. You can also pick up sports performance clothing in the huge store.
- For shoes that stand out from the crowd, head to Irregular Choice, where you’ll find a raft of fun and quirky footwear that feature everything from embellished heels to lavish fabrics.
- Discover the world’s largest shoe department at Selfridges, where 35,000 sq ft (3,252 sq m) is dedicated to footwear, with more than 5,000 pairs of shoes from 120 high-street and designer brands.
- Popular with celebrities, Kurt Geiger’s Covent Garden flagship stocks a huge range of shoes, from stiletto heels to comfortable loafers.
- For trainers galore, head to Size? in Carnaby. No matter what style you're looking for, find your fresh footwear and some cool clothing to match.
Musical instrument shops
- The brilliantly named Duke of Uke in Spitalfields sells ukuleles and banjos for all abilities.
- Open since 1948, Howarth of London is an independent woodwind music shop, globally known for being makers of the finest oboes and English horns.
- The impressive three-storey showroom at Yamaha Music London displays a wonderful range of Yamaha instruments, from drums to pianos.
- Go bonkers for brass at Phil Parker, a treasure-trove of trumpets, trombones and tubas.
- Folk and acoustic musical instrument specialists, Hobgoblin Music, sell everything from accordions to bagpipes, and xylophones to zithers.
Music shops in London
- Find specialist CDs, DVDs, books, blu-ray, headphones and more at Fopp in Seven Dials.
- Find the latest music, DVDs, blu-ray, technology and games releases at HMV in Westfield London.
- Famously featured on Oasis’ album cover (What’s The Story?) Morning Glory, Sister Ray has an eye-popping collection of records at its Berwick Street store.
- Rough Trade East offers a mix of vinyl releases, CDs, books and even cassette tapes. The store also homes a Monmouth Coffee bar and a stage for live music performances.
- Based in Notting Hill, old-school record shop Honest Jon’s has been selling soul, reggae, jazz and world music since 1974.
Vintage shops
- Browse for silk kaftans, 60s designer items and Chanel twinsets at Modes and More, a vintage lovers paradise in Pimlico.
- Beyond Retro in Brick Lane is stuffed full of handpicked vintage clothing, which makes it easier to find that perfect item.
- West London’s Rellik specialises in designer women’s clothes and accessories, including items by Vivienne Westwood and Pierre Cardin.
- House of Vintage is a small vintage boutique off Brick Lane that specialises in 1940s, 1950s and 1960s fashion, as well as catering to brides.
- Celebrities flock to One Of A Kind for its luxury vintage fashion selection, including Gaultier and Lagerfeld.
Best London toyshops
- London’s most famous toyshop, Hamleys in Regent Street, has seven floors of games, toys and gadgets.
- Established in 1856, the theatre-themed Benjamin Pollock’s Toyshop is bursting with paper toy theatres, globe puppets and marionettes.
- The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾ features a magical range of collectibles, including wands and time turners, as well as board games and mugs.
- Feel the magic when you step inside the Disney Store on Oxford Street. Great for kids and adults alike, don’t miss the 267ft-high Princess Castle with an animated clock.
- The only shop of its kind, the Sylvanian Families shop stocks more than 400 items, including discontinued lines.
Homeware and furniture shops
- Find everything for the home, including furniture and gardening accessories, in Heal’s, an elegant shop on Tottenham Court Road.
- For stylish interiors, head to one of five Habitat branches in London, where you’ll find funky lighting, furniture, crockery and more.
- Pick up Japanese-designed furniture alongside other items, ranging from tableware to technology, at Japan House London.
- Fall in love with the lampshades and tableware at Bespoke Binny, which uses colourful African textiles to make everyday items pop.
- Got cash to splash? The Conran Shop offers everything from iconic design classics to contemporary pieces from emerging designers.
Wedding dress shops
- Get the star treatment at The Mews Bridal in Notting Hill. Best for boho Parisian chic style, pick up designs from the likes of Delphine Manivet and Laure de Sagazan.
- David Fielden has a mix of innovative designer bridal and evening wear.
- Angelica Bridal stocks gowns by some of the world’s best designers, including Alice Temperley.
- Find the bridal dress at Phase Eight, St Christopher's Place's fabulous flagship which is home to their first ever wedding boutique with a dedicated styling lounge.
- Shop for spectacular wedding dresses at David’s Bridal in Westfield Stratford City.
Camera shops
- Selling digital cameras, digital SLRs and lenses, Park Cameras is one of London’s largest independent professional photography shops.
- Snap up cameras, equipment and accessories at Camera World.
- London Camera Exchange has an impressive array of new and second-hand cameras, lenses and photographic equipment.
- Love Nikon cameras? Grays of Westminster is a Nikon-only shop selling new and used cameras and equipment.
- For budding and professional photographers, Wex Photo Video London boasts an enormous range of photographic equipment, from cameras and lenses to studio lighting and video.
Dress shops
- Be wowed by intricately beaded and embroidered dresses at Temperley London, featuring creations by star designer Alice Temperley.
- For this season’s must-have dresses, visit the huge Zara’s Oxford Circus flagship store.
- Discover the array of shops at St Christopher's Place just off Oxford Street, including Georgia Hardinge, Lulu and Velvet by Graham & Spencer.
- Add some of Lisou's printed silk womenswear to your wardrobe – proceeds from one piece of each seasonal collection help to support young Africans with health and educational needs.
- Shop for party dresses at Lipsy London, which has branches in both Westfield shopping centres.
- Splash out on a voluminous dress at the Vivienne Westwood flagship store in Mayfair.
Men's clothing shops
- Paul Smith is the godfather of British menswear. Head to his Covent Garden flagship for a wide range of casual and formal pieces.
- Follow in the footsteps of celebrities, such as Eddie Redmayne and Benedict Cumberbatch, by buying a bespoke suit at Alexander McQueen’s only full menswear shop, located on Savile Row.
- Or pick up colourful and classy ready-to-wear tailoring at nearby Ozwald Boateng.
- Check out stylish takes on classic designs from London-born designer Charlie Casely-Hayford.
- Find the latest high-street fashion trends at the Next flagship on Oxford Circus.
- Iconic British brand Marks & Spencer is the go-to shop for classic items, such as smart suits and cashmere jumpers.
- For edgy, Shoreditch-style clobber, visit pop-up mall Boxpark.
Best shops for emerging designers
- Find cutting-edge threads from the next big things in fashion at Dover Street Market, including Londoners Wales Bonner and Martine Rose.
- Championing emerging stars from diverse backgrounds from as far back as the 1970s, Browns is the place to get ahead of the curve.
- From Pyer Moss to Puma, global and emerging brands sit side by side at 18Montrose in Coal Drops Yard.
- 50m in Belgravia's Eccleston Yards features up to 30 up-and-coming designers at any one time, from Roop to Ryan Lo, on its 50-metre-long rails.
- Discover eclectic designers at Marylebone's concept story Koibird, including Orange Culture, Brother Vellies, Aaks and more.
- Tucked away in Soho's Brewer Street, Machine-A showcases the latest styles from the likes of Kenneth Ize and Samuel Guì Yang.
Charity shops
- Do your bit for charity by purchasing a designer fashion item at Mary’s Living and Giving Shops for Save the Children.
- Label lovers should hotfoot it to Cancer Research UK’s branch on Marylebone High Street for bargains aplenty.
- Rummage for high-end clothing at the Oxfam Boutique King’s Road, donated by wealthy Chelsea residents.
- Find two floors of second-hand fashion at The Salvation Army Trading Company, just off Oxford Street.
Department stores
- Selfridges is one of the world’s finest department stores, spread across six floors with 11 places to eat. It even features the world’s biggest denim department and a three-screen cinema.
- Boasting the finest products in food, fashion, homeware and technology, Harrods is home to a whopping 330 departments and a vast range of restaurants.
- A favoured grocer with the royal family, Fortnum & Mason is renowned for being a purveyor of fine foods, hampers, teas and wine.
- Explore high-end accessories, homewares, fashion and beauty over six floors of Liberty London's mock-Tudor building.
- Fashionistas flock to Harvey Nichols for its high-end labels, including D&G, Space NK, Burberry and Jimmy Choo.
- Selling everything from buttons to beds, John Lewis’ Oxford Street store has a fabulous roof garden that opens during the summer months with pop-up restaurants and weekly yoga sessions.
- Step under the famous roof of The O2 and find more than 60 big-name brands with huge discounts at the Icon Outlet.
Best bike shops
- Brixton Cycles encompasses a bicycle shop and a workshop that'll set you up for life on two wheels.
- Choose from a wide variety of bikes at London Recumbents. The shop hires and sells bicycles for everyone, including accessible bikes for riders with special needs and family cycling.
- Cyclists are well catered for at Bermondsey-based Machine, which has a shop, cafe and an on-site bike doctor.
- Billing itself as a “bike shop cafe bar”, London Velo sells fixed gear, road bikes, hybrid bikes, folding bikes and much more, alongside a workshop and cafe.
- Find classic used bikes and bicycle parts at vintage bike shop Pedal Pedlar in east London.
London tattoo shops
- The Family Business in Exmouth Market is world renowned for its ink work.
- Great for oriental and tribal tattoos, Kate Moss and Boy George have both been inked at Good Times tattoo parlour, based in a fashionable studio in hip Shoreditch.
- The Sex Pistols and Pete Doherty have frequented Diamond Jacks, a Soho-based tattoo studio.
- World-famous tattoo artists often make a guest appearance at Frith Street Tattoo.
Cake shops
- Luxury cake shop chain Konditor is famous for its chocolate vanilla Curly Wurly cake, brownie bar and creamy cupcakes.
- Bea’s of Bloomsbury has scooped numerous accolades for its scrumptious cakes and afternoon teas.
- American-style bakery The Hummingbird Bakery offers whoopie pies, layer cakes, brownies, muffins and more.
- Treat yourself to beautifully decorated cakes and cupcakes baked from scratch at Bless Bakes in south London.
- Head to Cutter & Squidge for its speciality Biskie, that combines a biscuit, cake and cookie to create a taste sensation. The Soho cake shop also sells dream cakes, ice-cream sundaes and vegetarian marshmallows.
Art shops
- An art store for more than 115 years, Cass Art is the UK’s leading arts material supplier and can be found behind the National Gallery.
- The Paperchase flagship on Tottenham Court Road has an abundance of arts and crafts materials.
- Popular with hobbyists and professionals, Atlantis Art Materials offers a huge range of art materials for printmaking, modelling, fine craft and more.
- In London’s trendy East End, AP Fitzpatrick Fine Art Materials supplies top quality art materials to everyone from students to Turner Prize winners.
- The Southbank Art Company offers a bespoke framing service, as well as paints, brushes, paper, canvases and more.
Find out where all the top shopping destinations are in London for more retail therapy, from all the best late-night shopping spots to the best markets and top department stores.
London's shopping scene covers all sorts of specialist tastes, from where to find the best vintage fashion to the best bookshops.