What would you buy in London that you could not get in the US?
Jul 19th, 2006, 10:52 AM
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What would you buy in London that you could not get in the US?
Whenever I travel I always bring something back that I could not get here in the US and something that will be a memento of my trip. When can I buy in London that I could not get in the US? It could be expensive or inexpensive. What would you bring back for family.
You fodorites gave me great ideas when we went to Greece, Turkey and Paris.
You fodorites gave me great ideas when we went to Greece, Turkey and Paris.
Jul 19th, 2006, 11:16 AM
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Here is a link to a recent thread about gifts to buy that are quintessential London:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34826295
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34826295
Jul 19th, 2006, 01:53 PM
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This thread (also) is "filed" correctly under the "topic" of United Kingdom (as is another thread that you started - - ehere I have added this same message).
Not sure this is the subject of your question in http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34839016 - - but this one is correctly in the UK "forum" (a virtual forum, at best, as others have explained to you).
Best wishes,
Rex
Not sure this is the subject of your question in http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34839016 - - but this one is correctly in the UK "forum" (a virtual forum, at best, as others have explained to you).
Best wishes,
Rex
Jul 19th, 2006, 03:11 PM
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Not that you can't get any of this in the US thanks to the internet shopping, etc. but I started an expensive hobby of getting antique sterling serving pieces. My favorite is a stuffing spoon from the first Lord Manners followed on other trips by silver milk jugs, etc. A piece each year.
With the dollar so weak, my fall-back souvenirs are Spode cups & saucers & other pieces. I bring back a ton of my favorite teas & last year found a Harrod's bear I couldn't resist holding tulips.
I find lots of books I enjoy as well and I hit charity shops to discover odd bits & pieces. The museum shops often have interesting souvenirs too.
And I'm always stocking up at Boots pharmacy on all kinds of inexpensive stuff.
With the dollar so weak, my fall-back souvenirs are Spode cups & saucers & other pieces. I bring back a ton of my favorite teas & last year found a Harrod's bear I couldn't resist holding tulips.
I find lots of books I enjoy as well and I hit charity shops to discover odd bits & pieces. The museum shops often have interesting souvenirs too.
And I'm always stocking up at Boots pharmacy on all kinds of inexpensive stuff.
Jul 20th, 2006, 03:31 AM
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OK...so some will say they are "tacky" but Hard Rock Cafe London and Harley-Davidson London T-shirts.
No, I bought that tea at Fortnum's, too, AND any of those Prince Charles food products (great gifts) sold there.
No, I bought that tea at Fortnum's, too, AND any of those Prince Charles food products (great gifts) sold there.
Jul 20th, 2006, 03:55 AM
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"any of those Prince Charles food products"
I'm about as far from being Charles' No 1 fan as it's possible to be (closer to no 6 billion). But the stuff marketed by his company (full details at www.duchyoriginals.com) is universally ace. Profits go to some exceptionally deserving charities, as well as one or two of his quirkier ones.
You don't have to go to Fortnum's: practically every supermarket in Britain stocks some of the range. Though the Tesco near his country gaff devotes practically an entire wall to the range.
Clearly the Tesco MD is trying for his peerage. And is too mean to get it the way honest men do: by lending the Labour Party a few million.
I'm about as far from being Charles' No 1 fan as it's possible to be (closer to no 6 billion). But the stuff marketed by his company (full details at www.duchyoriginals.com) is universally ace. Profits go to some exceptionally deserving charities, as well as one or two of his quirkier ones.
You don't have to go to Fortnum's: practically every supermarket in Britain stocks some of the range. Though the Tesco near his country gaff devotes practically an entire wall to the range.
Clearly the Tesco MD is trying for his peerage. And is too mean to get it the way honest men do: by lending the Labour Party a few million.
Jul 20th, 2006, 05:54 AM
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We always bring back some cheese (crumbly Lancashire is one we can't find at home). There's usually some English sweets in our suitcase too. Now that Jo Malone has a duty free shop at Heathrow we might pick up some cologne.
Jul 20th, 2006, 07:02 AM
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I always buy black currant jam or jelly. I love it and I have never seen it here at home. I brought back some for a friend who is a avid gardener and the taste convinced her to plant black currant bushes. This year she will be making black currant jam and I get one of the first jars.
Jul 20th, 2006, 08:45 AM
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cheap and funky clothes from Topman/ Topshop on Oxford Street. Its famous for styling London (and the nation on the whole) by probably having the quickest copies of designer trends and lots of 'streetwear'. Some stuff is not for the faint hearted - teens will love it - cool britannia et al.
Jul 20th, 2006, 10:22 AM
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<< I always buy black currant jam or jelly. I love it and I have never seen it here at home. >>
It's good, but doesn't seem to be that hard to find, to me. Hero brand is carried by gourmet food shops all over the place, and a quick look on Yahoo shopping listed sources for imported Duerr's or Tiptree. Made-in-America offerings can also be found - - www.jollygrub.com - - for example, in New Hampshire.
It's good, but doesn't seem to be that hard to find, to me. Hero brand is carried by gourmet food shops all over the place, and a quick look on Yahoo shopping listed sources for imported Duerr's or Tiptree. Made-in-America offerings can also be found - - www.jollygrub.com - - for example, in New Hampshire.
Jul 20th, 2006, 10:32 AM
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I got some blood orange marmalade at Fortnum and Mason that was just wonderful!!! I almost cried when I used the last bit. I know I could probably get on line but haven't. Someone had said to try Trader Joes but I haven't looked there yet. It would be another brand I'm guessing so don't know if it would be as good. I will say, that the jars were certainly heavy in my suitcase. I thought the poor cab driver would have a hernia when he unloaded my suitcase at Waterloo. LOL
Jul 20th, 2006, 10:48 AM
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Harrod's tea or Fortnum& Mason's--Harrod's No. 14 is great and unavailable here (but you can buy it at Heathrow) and F&M St. James restaurant blend or "Afternoon Blend". Also, Liberty of London makes beautiful print items--cosmetic bags, glasses cases, journals, scarves, etc. My kids liked the various items that said "Mind the Gap" and the sweatshirts or teeshirts from Oxford. The soccer jerseys ("England" team) and other player things were popular too. HAve fun!
