Whether it’s in a shiny modern mall, a famous traditional department store, a distinctive independent shop or a lively street market, shopping in London is an exciting experience. It is one of the world’s great commercial cities, with thousands of stores selling everything anyone in the family could want. Although luxury items are expensive here, dedicated hunters can find bargains in year-round sales, street markets and cut-price shops.
Department stores and shopping malls
The UK’s biggest shop will wow children and adults alike. It sells high-end clothes, beauty products, electronic goods, sports equipment, toys and has a fabulous food hall.
Playtime in the Toy Kingdom area of the enormous Harrods department store in Knightsbridge
Selfridges
One of London’s most popular stores, Selfridges opened in 1909 in the Oxford Street building it still occupies today. It was founded by American magnate Harry Gordon Selfridge, who wanted to transform shopping from a chore into something fun. More recently it has become known for its bold window displays, which are almost as much of an attraction as the award-winning store itself. It has an excellent range of adult and kids’ fashion, a superb food hall and a new toy department.
John Lewis
“Never knowingly undersold” is the motto of the John Lewis Partnership, which has a chain of practical, upmarket department stores in the UK, including Peter Jones. Its Oxford Street branch, opened in 1864 as a draper’s shop, is the flagship store. It still has a particularly good range of fabrics, and holds a Royal Warrant as a supplier of haberdashery and household goods to the Queen. You’ll also find everything you could possibly need for a baby, from rattles to a pushchair. Shoppers love the store’s no-quibble returns policy and two-year guarantee on electrical goods.
Westfield
This West London shopping mall, which opened in 2008, is so huge that it could comfortably hold 30 football pitches. It has plenty to occupy families who are happy to shop till they drop, with more than 250 shops over several levels, 50 restaurants and cafés, a “soft” play space and a multiplex cinema. Among the most child-oriented shops are the Early Learning Centre, Mamas & Papas, LEGO, Build-A-Bear Workshop and the Disney Store. “The Village” is an area devoted to the most sought-after designers, including Versace, Miu Miu and Tiffany & Co.
Clothing
Rachel Riley
Located in the heart of Marylebone, this stylishly decorated shop offers smart clothes for babies, children and ladies – all made in-house from beautiful fabrics. Launched in 1998, designer Rachel Riley’s creations have become so popular that she has opened a store in New York. She designs custom-made outfits for special occasions on request. Also loved are her hand-made slippers, which are produced in France.
La Stupenderia
If you’re looking for something special for your children to wear, try the Italian label La Stupenderia, which has a swanky Knightsbridge store. The collection caters for boys and girls from newborn to 12 years old. The superb quality of the fabrics is typically Italian, and the look is classic and elegant: tweed jackets combined with shorts and waistcoats for boys; full skirts and dresses for girls. There are also plenty of well-cut casual styles, though even these come with a high price tag.
Oh Baby London
New Zealand-born designer Hannah McHalick was so uninspired by the choice of dull, pastel-coloured baby clothes on the market when she was pregnant, that she started creating her own fun, original designs. She sells her cool clothes for kids aged 0–8, including T-shirts and playsuits with clever captions, from her shop in buzzing, fashionable Brick Lane.
Books
Golden Treasury
London’s largest independent children’s bookshop has an excellent selection of books that should whet the appetite of even the most reluctant reader, but, the best thing about the shop is the helpful staff and their recommendations and advice. The shop also stocks cookery and childcare books, hand-picked adult titles and book-character toys like the Hungry Caterpillar.
The Lion and Unicorn
So enticing are the window displays of this specialist Richmond bookshop that it’s almost impossible not to go inside. Hidden down a lane off the green, it is full of appealing titles and has a friendly atmosphere. The enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff are always happy to offer guidance, and they encourage their young customers to browse.
Toys and games
Benjamin Pollock’s toyshop
If you think toys were better in the past than they are today, this is the place to confirm your belief. Pollock’s sells all kinds of traditional toys, from spinning tops and music boxes to rag dolls and tiny tea sets. The original shop in Shoreditch was run by Benjamin Pollock, who produced toy theatres. The Covent Garden shop still stocks a wonderful array of these, along with puppets – finger, glove and on strings.
Davenport’s magic shop
Tucked away in an arcade, this shop is a must for all aspiring members of the Magic Circle. It was established in 1898 by Lewis Davenport, a magician and music hall entertainer, and is the oldest family-run magic shop in the world. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, it’s a treasure trove of ingenious tricks and illusions, some simple, others sophisticated. There are cards, books, DVDs and accessories, including handkerchiefs, miracle rings, balls and beakers.
Disney store
For children besotted with Jack Sparrow or Hannah Montana, this US import will be a hit. The Covent Garden store is one of two in central London. Kids might be tempted by a Toy Story Zurg’s Blaster or 3-D puzzle, a pair of pink cowboy boots just like Hannah Montana’s or an iconic Mickey Mouse T-shirt.
Early learning centre
A British chain specializing in toys for very young children, the Early Learning Centre has six London stores, with the most central in
Kensington High Street. Colourful and well-made, the indoor and outdoor toys are designed not only for play, but also to encourage mental and physical development. Tough, hard-wearing materials range from wood to plastic, and toys include puzzles and activity centres. The stores are child friendly, with toys to try out.
Early Learning Centre
Westfield Shopping Centre,
W12 7GB;
02087460885;
www.elc.co.uk
This is the kind of shop that Santa Claus shops at – floor after floor of every type of toy and game.
A member of staff welcoming customers to the jam-packed Hamleys toy store
Mystical Fairies
A dream-come-true for little girls, this pink, fairy-themed shop has everything with glitter and sparkle. There are clothes, fancy-dress costumes, bags, jewellery and accessories, as well as craft kits, games, stationery and a host of other affordable toys guaranteed to enchant your little ones. The fairy dust only completes the magical experience. There is also a wizard section for the boys who may feel left out.
Playlounge
A little shop with big ideas, Playlounge is crammed with arty, design-conscious toys that appeal to both children and grown-ups. Refreshingly different, it shuns bland, mainstream toys and only stocks creative, stimulating ones. It has a remarkable collection of vinyl figures, including some imaginative Tim Burton characters and Moomins for nostalgic parents. Soft toys, books, stationery, games and T-shirts are packed in too.
Markets
Open Thursday to Saturday, Borough Market is foodie heaven, with top-quality (and top-dollar) global treats as well as the best of British produce.
Camden lock market
This rambling weekend market has a fun mix of junk and wonderful finds, including antiques, books, music, crafts and new and second-hand street fashion. It started in a small way in 1974, since when it has spread along Chalk Farm Road. With a hippy-punk vibe, the main market is down beside Regent’s Canal and makes a great family outing on a Saturday; Sundays can be a crush.
Petticoat lane
An East End institution, this Sunday street market spills over from Petticoat Lane (whose real location is Middlesex Street) into the maze of roads that surrounds it, and is where you might catch traders chatting in Cockney rhyming slang. If your children are extremely early risers, come with the serious bargain hunters at 4am. The more touristy part isn’t in full swing till 9am, although it gets very crowded by 11am. Bargains are likely to be elusive, but there’s an impressive range of leather goods, clothes, jewellery and toys, plus fast food.
Portobello road
Follow the Saturday crowd from Notting Hill Gate Tube station swarming to this vibrant street, lined with stalls, arcades and funky shops. Several markets rolled into one, it has more than 1,000 stalls, from upmarket antiques, jewellery and silverware as it heads north, to bric-a-brac, crafts, food, clothes and music. Dodge into Portobello Green covered market, just north of the Westway, for original youth fashion.
