Shop

Oxford Street has one of the highest concentrations of large shops in the world. More than 300 shops sell thousands of lines of goods from inexpensive gifts to haute couture. The most famous shops include Debenhams, John Lewis, Selfridges, Marks & Spencer and Topshop.

Top tip: Visit Oxford Street at Christmas to see the beautiful Christmas lights stretched across the high street.

Fun fact: Oxford Street was at one time a Roman highway.

London’s Bond Street is known around the globe for being the hub of many of the world’s most luxurious retailers including Jimmy Choo, Burberry, Chanel, Tiffany & Co and Dolce Gabbana.

Top tip: If you are travelling to Bond Street from Oxford Street, head towards Zara, opposite Debenhams, to find all the designer stores.

Fun fact: Bond Street has been the home of London’s most prestigious stores for over 300 years.

Fortnum & Mason is a London department store, which was opened in 1707 by William Fortum and Hugh Mason as a grocery store, sells luxury hampers, food and gifts.

Top tip: Visit Fortnum & Mason’s Tea Shop for beautifully made sweet treats and a huge range of speciality teas.

Fun fact: Fortnum & Mason opened over 300 years ago and now has stores worldwide.

Liberty is a department store in London, known for its graphic prints and being at the forefront of fashion design. The store sells a range of luxury goods including women’s, men’s and children’s fashion, fragrances, jewellery, accessories, furniture, stationery and gifts.

Top tip: Experience the whole of Liberty London by using the complimentary personal shopping service Liberty offer with no obligation to buy.

Fun fact: Arthur Liberty opened the original store in 1875 with a £2,000 loan. Within 18 months of opening, Liberty had repaid the loan and expanded the store.

Harvey Nichols is known internationally for the luxury items it sells. It is home to the world’s most prestigious brands in womenswear, menswear, accessories, beauty, food and home. The store has a total of eight floors, with one floor dedicated completely to food and restaurants.

Top tip: To avoid the crowds, visit during the week or first thing in the morning on a Saturday.

Fun fact: The London location is the Harvey Nichols flagship store and was opened in 1880.

Harrods is perhaps London’s most famous department store named after Charles Henry Harrods, who opened a family grocer’s shop on the site in 1849. The shop has grown to become a haven for expensive and glamorous shopping.

The eye-catching seven-storey building contains over 300 departments selling luxury items, from furniture and ladies fashion to polo mallets and wax coats for dogs. For those on a tighter budget, there is a Harrods gift shop, selling assorted souvenirs such as pencils and teddy bears.

Top tip: On an average day Harrod’s can be visited by 100,000 people. To avoid crowds, visit mid-week during the day.

Fun fact: The store’s slogan is “Omnia Omnibus Ubique”, which translated from Latin means “all things for all people, everywhere”.