Favorite thing you brought back from London
 

Just trying to get some ideas for souvenirs.

Depends if it's for yourself or gifts, but here's a few ideas...<BR>* pub tea towels -- kind of kitschy<BR>* tote bags from Harrod's <BR>* VERY IMPORTANT: Hob Nob cookies (rather, "biscuits", as they say there) -- oh, to die for! (can find these in some specialty stores in the US)

On Saturday morning one store in the Portobello Market area had really nice framed "oil" paintings, about 4X6, very inexpensive, like a cat sitting on a cushion with large ruffled collar or toparies, wish I had bought more of them.

Paddington Bear.<BR>Tea.<BR>Marmalade from F&M.

There is a chain of stores called<BR>Accessories. There is one on the same side of the street as Harrods, between Harrods and the Knightsbridge tube stop, but there are other locations that I noticed.<BR>They carry inexpensive, seasonal accessories like summer straw hand bags, cotton or silk-like scarves/wraps, hair do dads, flip flop sandals with flowers on them, etc. All very colorful. I wish I'd bought more of the bags and scarf/shawls, most were under 20 pounds, a few were more.<BR>The flip flops and some sunglasses came in kids' sizes too.<BR>

An antique print of the Tower of London, as seen from the river, in a storm, looking really scary and spooky.<BR><BR>A fistful of pencils, from all the places I went to. Every time I grab one out of my pencil cup, there I am at the Tower or Aquarium, or British Library, or whatever, again. They cost little, take up virtually no space, and are self-storing and self-limiting.<BR><BR>My mom loved the tiny collapsible umbrella I got her at Liberty of London in one of their pretty fabrics.

There are bears dressed up like Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters) in Harrods. My daughter loved it.<BR>Ties or scarves at Liberty

Tea from Whittard of Chelsea<BR>London Underground souvenirs<BR>Harrods bears and tote bags<BR>All relatively inexpensive!<BR>

Non-perishables from a Tesco Metro (small grocery store chain) like Colman's mustard, oatcakes, things in neat packages that you won't see in the states. Bath bombs & hand-made soap from Lush (in Covent Garden). Wagamamma T-shirts (real conversation-starter). Not from London, but a favorite: CD of the bells, organ, & choir at Yorkminster. (Westminster probably has the same thing).

No contest. Rosetta Stone mousepad from the British Musuem. Not too expensive, easy to pack, no security hassles, non breakable, and most importantly, everyone who got one loved it.

I'm with Elaine, Accessorize is a great store. Not only is there one near Harrod's but also in Covent Garden and other places throughout London. I was just there last week and bought a fun purse and belt. I also like the Christmas ornaments at the major sites of the palace guards, beef eaters, and bobby's. Tea tins are always a good idea, whether from Harrods, Fortum and Mason, Twinings shop on the Strand or Whittards.

Be sure to visit the Reject China Shop, just up the road from Harrods. You can complete your dinner service or start a new one and they have some great prices. Best yet, they ship to the US and have great service, arrives fast, intact, etc. They also have some china from France, Italy, etc. as well as the most popular English patterns.

No one mentioned LUSH yet...<BR><BR>;)<BR><BR>Hey do you think I could get a job as a LUSH evangelist??<BR><BR>Go butterballs go!!!

oops<BR>missed martha's post...<BR>:(

Chart (bought in the Tower of London gift shop) of the Royal Family's "tree". It's the only way to keep all those Jameses and Charleses straight.<BR><BR>Wooden spoon from Hampton Court's Kitchen shop.<BR><BR>Giant jigsaw puzzle of Harrod's<BR><BR>Harrod's tote bag - had this one for three years, carry it every day, just now the handles are starting to fray<BR><BR>Odd spices from Harvey Nich's - the little tins are very cool<BR><BR>The very best, though, are the hot-off-the-presses books by favorite British authors like Ruth Rendell, P.D. James, etc. The books are published in Britain first, so I've already read the latest by the time the books hit U.S. stores.<BR><BR>

Those of you recommending food gifts: Don't know when you last flew out of London, but about a month ago, I was pulled out of line. Randomly, I would hope, since I'm don't look particularly dangerous. The bag which I was planning to check was inspected so thoroughly that every jar/tin of preserves, mustard, tea etc that I had purchased for gifts was opened. Every box of perfume, candy, etc. was as well. <BR><BR>Probably just my own bad luck, but you should know that it's a you may not arrive home with your gifts intact.

8 cans of bitter;<BR>1 Harrod's wine opener;<BR>2 bottles Fairy liquid; <BR>2 boxes Hob Nobs.<BR>

Does anyone know where you can get artwork of street scenes of London, or other parts of Britain reasonably priced?

For myself, a Wedgewood brooch from Harrods as well as a vinyl tote bag that appears to be indestructible. For others, keyrings, Christmas ornaments, mugs, etc. from Harrods' basement and food items from the groceries.

A husband.<BR><BR>Love at first sight!<BR><BR>Have a great day everyone = )

Penny--i brought some lovely little watercolors of the Houses of Parliment, Westminister and other London street scenes from a street artist with a Covent Garden stall. Very inexpensive. I love to buy art from street artists whenever I travel, I have lovely pictures of Florence from an artist who was painting and selling by the Ponti Vecchio; pictures of Venice purchased from an artist near St. Mark's. All very inexpensive. When I have them framed, they look wonderful.

Black velvet jacket I bought at Maribou in Notting Hill. Read about it in Cheap Eats (or Sleeps? ) in London.

Cadburry Time Out Bars! Yummm! There make a variety of gift packs.

"Favorite thing you brought back from London"--that would be my girlfriend. Sorry couldn't resist, I know she's not a thing.

<BR><BR>To Penny...<BR><BR>Try this site... I got my aunt a picture of the White Horse in Hedgerley for her birthday (she used to live there). Lovely pictures and I think reasonably priced...<BR><BR>http://www.badgers-heritage.co.uk/index.html

For others ...anything rom Haod's<BR>For 'others"...anything fron harrods<BR><BR>For myself, early 19th cen silver or watercolors or engravings...if you look you can find it..but it is a thing you must love to do!!! nn matter what period you like , it's the hunt that's fun!<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

Mind the Gap t-shirt<BR><BR>certificate of my sponsoring a brick in the courtyard at the Globe<BR><BR>Plain chocolate (as opposed to milk choc) Digestives and Hob Nobs<BR><BR>Specialty teas from Fortnum & Mason<BR><BR>program from each play/concert<BR><BR>Halcyon Days enamel boxes <BR><BR>Beefeater Teddy from Harrods<BR><BR>large Paddington with rubber wellies<BR><BR>Cocktail menu from the OXO tower<BR><BR>Books, books, books, books (and maps)<BR>

China cups and saucers from the seconds shops, tea, and, my favorite - a print of a watercolor that Prince Charles did of Winsor. I wish I would have bought more of the cards or prints that he had painted. If anyone knows where I could get them over the web I would appreciate it. Also, I saved all of the bags I had bought things in from the various places such as the palaces, and Harrods, and use them for lunch sacks or whatever here at home.

Well, I didn't intend for it to be my favorite thing (and it's not a souvenir), but my favorite thing brought back from London is...<BR><BR>Socks.<BR><BR>I bought them in a store which is called socks-somethingrather (I know socks is in the name, but if anyone knows, please refresh my memory. It was in a major shopping area, off oxford tube stop I think. I want to go get more this year when I go back). They fit perfectly, don't ride down, and still are in great shape. I never can find good socks in the U.S. (but I don't go on sock-quests or anything).<BR><BR>I bought three pairs. My dryer ate two of them, leaving me very sad indeed!

<BR>Shelia<BR><BR>Watercolour Prints - Probably costs big bucks...<BR>http://www.art-connection.com/new/results.asp?gallery=Belgravia+Gallery&branch=Londo n&group=hrh<BR><BR>Has a set of greeting cards for 9.99 pounds (however doesn't have Windsor i'm afraid).<BR>http://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/<BR>

al - why Fairy liquid?????? I've bought many souvenirs but never a bottle of dishwashing liquid. Please explain!!

Mina<BR><BR>Was it "Sock Shop"? They are all over the place in the UK, usually found on the high streets and in airports and stations.

Cross stitch kits of Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, and Houses of Parliament I bought at the Westminster Abbey gift shop. They were small and didn't take long to finish and are now hanging in my living room as permanent trip reminders.<BR><BR>My Mind the Gap and antique London map mugs.<BR><BR>My daughter's favorite is her Marks and Spencer panties, very comfy!<BR><BR>

I collect Christmas tree ornaments from the places I've visited. At Harrod's, I purchased a felt double-decker London bus ornament. <BR><BR>I also have had lots of comments on the "Tube" (subway) map t-shirt I bought!<BR><BR>Marsha

Karen, yes, I believe that was it. I knew that is was a simple name regarding socks...I'm just to lame to remember something simple!<BR><BR>I do recall seeing a few of the Sock Shops in London...thanks for refreshing my memory. Now my one lone pair can get some new buddies....

Royal Stratford "Staffordshire" dogs from Harrods, they look wonderful on my dining room mantle. Beautiful napkins from Victoria & Albert museum store. Fabulous victorian looking Christmas ornaments from Harrods and V&A museum store. Lush bath bombs, English lavender shower gel. Last but not least, porcelain dresser jar from Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1953 and brand new porcelain jar for Her Golden Jubilee. I love seeing them side by side on my dressing table.

Cuban cigars, and the memory of shopping for them at Davidoff.<BR><BR>Not very British, but I enjoyed every puff.

I’m aware that this isn’t really news, but years ago I went through what another poster described, having everything I’d bought as gifts and souvenirs opened. Since then I’ve brought back NOTHING, I mail it. Airmail from England can be quite expensive, but sending by sea is cheap. They always warn you at the Royal Post that it could take months, but the longest any package has ever taken was three weeks, (Coleman’s mustard in a tube, a whole box. Yes, the box had been opened by customs, then resealed. No hassles.)<BR><BR>Last trip I sent a pair of shoes home via sea route and it arrived before I did and before any of the other packages sent by air.<BR><BR>Over the years I’ve sent home stuffed bears, cookies, Cadbury stuff, mustard, tea, etc. some opened by customs, most not. Cheap and no problems, plus I wasn’t lugging that stuff around with me and wasn’t worried about something being confiscated at an airport by some over-zealous “security” person.<BR>

Three things:<BR><BR>1. Biscuits and sweets from Harrod's.(Got so hooked I used to order from the Internet until they closed it)<BR>2. A set of Crown Jewel Christmas ornaments (numbered and very expensive) from the Tower of London.<BR>and <BR>3. a "Mind the Gap" refrigerator magnet. Smile everytime I open the Fridge.<BR><BR>From the same trip to Paris:<BR><BR>A lead crystal Eiffel Tower. Also very expensive.

The underground office in Victoria Station sells the cutest little changebank shaped like a British postbox. I keep it on my desk at work to save up for my next trip. And I got a great WWII intelligence poster at the Cabinet War Rooms that depicts a lovely woman surrounded by oogling officers with the reminder, "Keep Mum...she's not so dumb!"