Agree that Selfridges is more cutting edge, and Harrods has nothing that rivals Harvey Nichols' 5th floor for lunch. However, when I visit London with my children (age 9 and 11) they always want to go to Harrods; for the clothes, toys (ok, not as much as Hamleys, but nice all the same), pet department, christmas dept. and food halls.

WHAT? They have "bathrooms" in Harrods? My, my, not just pay toilets, but even "bathrooms". I wonder what it must cost to take a bath or shower in the "bathroom" since it costs a pound to pee? I have paid my pound more than once but I saw no "bathrooms"...is this a recent addition to the store?

DietDoctor: re the Harrods photography policy. Years ago you could take photos - but several years ago they instituted a strict ban on all photography. This was even before the Diana/Dody memorial (total kitsch) was erected.

It got so you could barely walk through the food halls because there were so many non-shoppers trying to film the place.

And I totally agree w/ Ally Pally - Selfridges is probably the best day to day department store - but it is certainly not a tourist attraction like Harrods. I would also place Liberty in the tourist attraction category - mostly for the fabulous bldg.

janis: Thanks for the information about photography inside Harrods. I appreciate your taking the time to reply. Alas, I had suspected that was the case.

Cheers,

Ron

In 1996 they did not allow backpacks...don't know if that has changed...

When we were there you could use the restroom for free--provided you had spent at least 100 pounds prior to your need to go! Makes a pound seem like a bargain doesn't it?

If you like perfumes, walk up and down the aisles of that deparment and you're likely to be handed some really neat little samples.

I'm sure someone has already mentioned that they have special departs just for the tourists with canvas bags, Christmas ornaments, mugs etc.

P.S. I forgot to mention that Sloane Square is my favorite place to shop. Plus I got the best haircut I've ever had at the Toni & Guy next to the tube exit in SS. If you use the spa at Harrod's the restroom is free. The one pound restroom fee is still the best bargain there!

Last January you could take photos at the Diana memorial, but that was the only place. Don't know if thats still the case or not...

Where's a good place to buy cheap souvenirs in London by the way?

My recollection of shopping in Harrod's last year was that photography of the Dodi-Diana memorial was permitted although photography anywhere else was verboten.
What I love about shopping there is that I can go from department to department with my import card; choose all the gifts I want to send home and all the neat stuff I just can't resist for myself; then go down to the basement and settle up my account. I leave with no packages; Harrod's ships my stuff to arrive at my home the day after I get back from vacation, and the savings on the VAT just about pays for the shipping.
By the way, only once have I seen anyone turned away from Harrods. It was a tour group of students about 40 strong and marching eight abreast up to the doorway blocking everyone else. The doorman made short work of them.

Saw a young Brittney wannabe wearing almost nothing get the bums rush one afternoon . . a different time some loon in a tux top and shorts (and ugly) was picked up by the armpits and dumped on the curb.

Otherwise it is a neat place to see (once)

Rich

Rich

I love shopping in Harrods :) I go straight to the Food Halls and then on to the souvenir section where I buy certain sweet boys teddy bears and Harrods tea tins. Then on to the cashmere sweaters where I dream of having a closet full, but settle on touching as many as I can before leaving and going on to have tea in their cafe.
No one has ever said or done anything to make me notice any snobbery, although I admit I don't carry backpacks nor do I wear shorts and tee shirts to shop.
I seem to remember the ladies room needed a coin to unlock the door.
I was not overwhelmed by Camden Lock Market and would prefer Portobello if given a choice.

Visited Harrods in June and was asked to carry the backpack rather than wear it. No problem. I also didn't have to pay to use any restrooms.

The food halls are fabulous! I loved visiting the bakery area for snacks and also picked up some wonderful truffles from the chocolate area. I also brought back teas from there for family and friends. Try to go on a week day rather than a Saturday and then you might not have such a crowd.

It was fun to take the kids to the food halls. They are the best! Frankly, the rest of their merch, I could care less about. Nothing so sublime that you can't find it elsewhere and perhaps at a better price. I personally would not dream of wandering through in jeans and a tee, but that is just me. Never ever had to pay to use the facilities. Made 6 trips to the restrooms with two little girls in two hours. I think we only ended up in the same one twice. We left tips but were never required to actually pay. The store was pack full of "shoppers" on every level but the restrooms were very civilized. BTW no photos are permitted beyond the Egyptian monstrocity. They very kindly and respectfully requested that we not photograph the food displays. As silly as I thought that was, they did so in such a charming way, that I was quick to put the camera away and apologized for my ignorance.

Harrods is suppose to get a Krispy Kreme in October. I'd be hard pressed to call it snobby after that. Although the British have such style they will probably make it a lovely experience. :)

No problem with casual dress.

See the food court and get some baked goods. Yummy.

I was unimpressed with the rest of the regular dept. stores.

The Camden Market was "ok", but mostly junk. Worth a browse, but not much else IMO.

Harrods have so called "luxury bathrooms" which are posh and require you to pay 1 pound (although this is not always enforced). If you eat anywhere in the store you get a voucher for these toilets. These bathrooms are also free for account holders. There are other toilets throughout the store that are free. If you have children, check out the 'only for children' toilets on the 4th floor, in the children's clothing department.

Selfridges is not "the" place to be, the store has low ceilings and so many concessions that navigating it is akin to walking through a maze. The stock, particularly mens and womens fashions may seem wide and varied on first impressions, but really lacks variety, and wearibility - due to them not having the best buyers. Harrods and Harvey Nichols perform better in this department.

The Food Hall in Selfridges is small with low ceilings like the rest of the store. Its location on Oxford St. is convenient if nothing else - dirty, dusty, and crowded!

If you are really into fashion and want to browse collections from all the major designers and also much smaller ones with far more limited production, go to Browns in South Molton St. Some people find it a bit intimidating there, but if you don't let it get to you they really do have a well edited clothes.

But if you know what designer you want go to the boutiques/stores in Bond St. Also Jil Sander has a fantastic store with ultra high ceilings in the nearby Burlington Gardens.

Sloane St. also offers an excellent selection of designer shoppping.

Regent St. in high season can be a little difficult to walk along, but Liberty is worth seeing even though it is small with limited stock. However, they are one of the few stores stocking Vivienne Westwood for men.

If you only wish to spend one day shopping the Knightsbridge area as this has Harrods, and Harvey Nichols, and Sloane St. which should keep you and your wallet/purse content for hours!

We made our third shopping trip to Harrods in Jan. 2003. We were not charged to use the pay toilets at that time. We have been charged in past years though. Harrods is a real treat. The Food Hall is worth a visit alone! Don't miss it! Dress like you would on a shopping trip to any nice department store.

I found Harrods extremely nice to deal with. When I retired, knowing that I was spending my unused sick pay on a month-long trip to Great Britain, my company gave me a nice Harrods gift certificate as a retirement present.

It took two trips to the store before I could decide what to spend it on, but I finally decided on a Wedgwood pendant and brooch. I chose both of them in blue, and then when I got home I wished that I had gotten two different colors. Well, I went back the following year, receipts in hand, and told them my story. They very graciously let me make an exchange for a green pendant; and when it rang up at a little less in price, they gave me the change. I figure that's class!

One thing--when they very nicely ask you if you would rather have an item charged in U.S. dollars rather than pounds, you should decline. They get you on the exchange rate.