Walk of the week: London’s Shopping Districts
Published on Tuesday 3rd May, 9.14am, Written by Kelly Pentland
Explore some of the best shopping districts in the world by foot and shop ’til you drop with our easy-to-follow walk of the week.
1. Take the Hyde Park exit from Marble Arch Underground and turn left onto Oxford Street. Home to a whole range of high street giants, Oxford Street is alive with tourists and locals alike and is the ideal place to pick up a brand new outfit or two.
Girls on town.
2. Take a minute to look around and get your bearings before making your way along the bustling street, stopping off at all your favourite shops.
3. With Marks and Spencer on your left cross Orchard Street where you will see Selfridges, one of the city’s most renowned stores. Founded in 1909 by Henry Gordon Selfridge, the shop is guarded by the Queen of Time clock which looms over the entrance and was the first place John Logie Bard (inventor of the television) demonstrated his creation in public.
4. Continue along Oxford Street past Bond Street Station before turning right onto South Molton Street — once home to the famous poet, painter and printmaker William Blake. Lined with beautiful Georgian houses, the street is for pedestrians only and leads through the prestigious Mayfair district. With a whole range of fashionable shops and cafés it is a great place to explore.
5. Turn left at Brook Street and at the end of the road turn right onto New Bond Street, a fashionable shopping street since the 18th century. One of the most up-market areas in central London, New Bond Street is well-known for its top-end art dealers, antique shops, boutiques and jewellers.
6. Continue down New Bond Street before reaching Old Bond Street where you will find a whole selection of designer stores including Tiffany & Co, Gucci and DKNY. A wonderful place to splash some cash, you will come across some of the most famous labels in the world.
7. Cross the road and turn right along Piccadilly until you reach The Ritz which opened in 1906 and has since become one of the most famous and prestigious hotels in the world.
8. Head back along Piccadilly until you reach the world-famous Fortnum & Mason store on your right. Retailers of luxury food and drink, including divine hampers and exquisite gift sets, Fortnum & Mason is an absolute delight. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon tea or even purchase some of F&M’s very own chocolate — a real indulgence.
If you are feeling peckish, why not dine at one of F&M’s five luxurious restaurants? Enjoy a mouthwatering meal in St James’s Restaurant located on the fourth floor of the store or treat yourself to a range of delicious ice creams at The Parlour Restaurant located on the first floor. A wonderful world for food lovers, the store is truly remarkable.
Relax with a luxurious cream tea
9. When you are ready, turn left out of Fortnum & Mason and left again through the Princes Arcade, where you will find a whole array of boutiques and independent retailers selling a variety of goods. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the arcade is also home to Presat, one of London’s oldest chocolate shops. Established in 1902 (though not at its current location), the shop was awarded a Royal Warrant as Purveyors of Chocolates to Her Majesty The Queen in 1975 and is a great place to buy a scrumptious treat.
10. Goodies in tow, continue through to Jermyn Street, world-famous for its shirt makers. A great place for men to buy high-quality attire, the street also sells spectacular clothes for women as well as a whole range of jewellery.
11. Window shop or pick up a brand new suit, before making your way toward St James’s Church, passing the Princes Arcade on your left.
Designed and built by Christopher Wren, St James’s Church is a sight to behold and is said to have been Wren’s favourite design. William Blake was baptised at the church in 1757 and war poet Robert Graves married Nancy Nicholson there in 1918.
12. Head past the church and turn left back to Piccadilly. Cross the road and continue forward a few steps before coming across Burlington House on your right, home to the Royal Academy of Arts. The house dates back to 1664 and the courtyard is open to the public during the day, so why not enter its magnificent gateway and enjoy a stroll around? Look out for the statue of Sir Joshua Reynolds, one of the founding members of the academy and admire the only surviving mansion of Piccadilly.
13. Continue past the house and turn right along the wonderfully historic Burlington Arcade, Britain’s very first shopping centre which first opened in 1819. The longest covered shopping street in England, the arcade is home to numerous shops and specialist staff sell high quality products from jewelry to leather goods.
Enjoy a romantic day out
14. At the end of the arcade turn right and make your way through Burlington Gardens, a bustling street running through the heart of Mayfair. Make a left onto the prestigious Savile Row, often referred to as the “golden mile of tailoring” and check out the fine attire on offer. Frequented by Winston Churchill and Lord Nelson, Savile Row has a reputation for quality and is a great place for a stroll.
15. Turn right onto New Burlington Street and left onto Regent Street where on your right you will see Hamleys, the largest toy shop in the world. With seven floors each dedicated to a specific category of toy, the store is one of the most-visited attractions in the city. Covering 54,000 square feet, Hamleys is home to a remarkable range of children’s toys, games and stuffed toys — including life-sized giraffes and elephants! The Regent Street store was bombed five times during World War II but has remained a great success receiving two Royal warrants, one in 1938 and another in 1955 as a Toys and Sports Merchant.
16. When you are finished checking out Hamleys, turn right along Foubert’s Place towards Carnaby Street. Highly prominent in the cultural revolution of the 60s, Carnaby Street is alive with exciting fashion trends and is home to everything from urban and street clothing to unique shoes and designer boutiques.
17. At the end of Carnaby Street, turn left, then left again into Great Marlborough Street, where you will find Liberty of London. Another one of the city’s most renowned stores, Liberty boasts a great range of women and men’s wear including designer labels and an extensive range of accessories. Dating back to the 1920s, the Tudor-style building was actually constructed using timbers from two ships and radiates elegance and charm.
18. Laden with goods from your route around London’s best shopping district, turn right back along Regent Street toward Oxford Circus Underground.
Enjoy a great walk through the heart of the city and discover some of the most wonderful places to shop in London.
