Interesting Souveniers???
 

Hello fellow Fodorites!

I am going to London next week (just booked tix last night - completely last minute!) Does anybody have any ideas for interesting souveniers? I am sure I will pick up miniature statues of Tower of London or something similar, but just looking for something a little different/interesting! For example, a friend of mine went to Turkey and got some Turkish shawls and tea seats. Another friend went to Iran and got an ornate hanging lamp, etc. Just something different.

Thanks, in advance, for your advice and help! Thanks, also to everybody who posted all these trip reports and answered questions. Great info here!

When you see the prices in London you may change your mind about purchasing a lot of souveniers! We were at Harrod's in January, and I almost fell over when I looked at the prices -- and the very poor dollar exchange rate made it even worse! You can probably buy a lot of the items here in the U.S. at a much better price...

Hmmm. Hard to provide a more precise answer not knowing what you would consider "unique" or budgets, but let me try...

Some silver (or other types of) antique items. Halcyon Days has small enamel boxes. Gray's antiques or London Silver Vaults. Bone china from Royal Crown Derby. Feiler towels. Textile from Liberty. Neil's Yard aromatherapy essence oils. Bendick's mint chocolate or choc-covred candied ginger. Chocolate from Rococo Choco or Paul A Young. Diaries from Smythson. Scented candles from Jo Malone. Lemon curd or Damson preserve from Tiptree.

Buying souvenirs at Harrods... one would find it expensive as it is one of the most expensive shops in London, but I suppose it is the only place to get the teddy-bear with a Harrods t-shirt, if that is what you want.

There have been a number of posts about things to buy... I guess it depends on what you are looking for. There are some great unusual consumables you can get here - tea, chocolate, cheese, cosmetics etc. that you can't get elsewhere. Alternatively, there are some other things you could get from various places around London - scarfs, umbrellas, shoes, pottery, antiques, silver, jewellry, etc. The list is endless. What I have always found is that you will see something and know when you've found it. Portobello market, Covent Garden, Camden market, Fortnum and Mason, Museum shops etc. might be places to look.

Excellent suggestions and ideas - exactly what I needed! Thanks!

I personally won't bother about Harrod's. and you can always pick up their logo-ed merchandise including teddy bears and plastic-coated shopping bags at Heathrow.

Go to the street markets, like Camden Market or in Convent Gardens and find something you like, jewelry, handmade purse, etc. I bought a pendant made from recycled stain glass from churches at the market in Convent Gardens. It was made by a local artist. Not expensive, but special to me.

As weak as our US dollar is, you may find some great things at the Portobello Road market and many dealers will negotiate price. We found antique prints for framing, drawer knobs/pulls, and various hard to find items. Fortnum&Mason jams are great but we bought some great marmalade and jellies at Tesco for way less. Have fun!

There is a China Reject shop on Brompton Road not far from Harrods. I bought a bone china (microwave safe) coffee mug there that has classic books standing library style all around it. I love it--use it every day, as I don't like to drink from thick cups. They have lots of pretty things, and they are not all seconds.

You will find Lilliput Lane miniature buildings like St. Paul's, Big Ben, etc., at the souvenir shops.

As for food, I always pay a visit to Sainsbury's to get a stash of Cadbury Fruit & Nut bars (my favorite--they have lots of kinds) and jaffa cakes. Chocolate abroad has a higher butterfat content and is MUCH better than in the U.S. There are also Paul patisseries in London now. Try the macarons, and you will be hooked. I brought a box of them home to my husband, and they stayed quite fresh.

Have a great time in my favorite city!

Don't know if it has reopened but the shop in the Cyypt at St Martin in the Fields has some unique items among which are reproductions of bosses containing stone removed from the cathedrals during restoration. One of my favorites is Samson and the Lion from the Exeter Cathedral Choir. It was carved in 1307 by William Montacute from Somerset for the sum of 5 shillings. It cost 16 GBP a few years ago.

Another lasting souvenir would be antique prints, maps or books. There are a number of dealers on Museum St. opposite the British Museum. We have bought a few items fom Ulysses at #40.

Try the shop at the Transport Museum in Covent Garden: relatively inexpensive things themed in London Transport designs.

Likewise the shop at the Museum of London (a bit pricier, but some London themes).

Took back several lovely little tin boxes containing baking powder; at less than a pound each they were a useful bargain and look nice on kitchen shelves

i 2nd pat's London Transport Museum Shop in Covent Garden (Museum proper there is still closed for much needed renovation) - tiny shop is in the Covent Garden market

get Tube wall maps, mousepads, replicas of tube trains, etc.

and i collect beer coasters from pubs - lots of variety of those

The Transport Museum shop reopened in mid June on two floors. At least double the size of the old shop. Great selection of posters, repros of those from the 1900s to current issues.

I second Carolyn's idea-I stumbled across this china shop when I was looking for something else and it was terrific. You might also find the store at the Globe theatre has some terrific Shakespeare stuff-my gang liked the bags with quotes on them.

Carolyn, that particular Reject China Shop is closing & might be closed by now. It's where I always picked up a piece of Spode. There are other Reject China shops around, though.

Manisha, check out the museum gift shops too & also the shops at places like Kensington Palace & the Tower. They have some really nice things & what you spend helps support the site.

I like to pick up Christmas ornaments for myself and for Christmas gifts. My favorite is a little Anne Boleyn - each Christmas when I hang it up it reminds me of that trip to London.

Refrigerator magnets - like "Mind the Gap" or a London Bus or Phone Booth. They're cheap and tacky...but fun!

I also stock up on Greeting Cards. It is nice to give birthday card that is a little different than a Hallmark.

Postcards of London scenes. You can pick up an inexpensive frame to put it in to put on a desk or something.

Chocolate of course.

Some great ideas.
I leave for London in 2 weeks and am also interested in this thread.
Donna

Stamps. When they issued the Diana stamps I bought sheets of them, tore them into horizontal strips of 5 or 6, had them laminated and gave them out as bookmarks to all my Diana fan friends.

At Portobello flea market I bought a really unusual 1950's pin of a ship going under the open Tower Bridge. That always reminds me of that trip.

i second the markets idea. covent garden on a monday has an antique jewellery market (costume jewellery) with lovely retro and victorian pieces. try to haggle.
Carnaby street has a lot of cheap souvenir tatt- but i love those london underground map socks!

Deeply though it pains me to publicise them:

London's biggest embarrassment, Harrods, opened its Christmas shop this week. They claim American tourists like to pick up a Horrids Christmas decoration to take home with them.

Well, I suppose someone has to keep them going.

Daughter-in-Law's idea, she is buying a table setting from her favorite EU cities! She plans to host 'international' lunches.How many major brands are there?

Carrybean, do you know the location of other Reject China shops? I'm pretty sure I will get to go back to London in October. TA DA!

There used to be a really big one on Regent St. When you get there, call. I don't know if the Brompton Rd. shop was closing because of what appears to be a group that is taking over many of the spots in that area or whether that store just wasn't profitable.

Thanks!

Thanks, everyone, for your wonderful suggestions! I'll definitely check out these places and report back on what I find :)

Hello everyone!
Am back from London and was able to get some fabulous souveniers, thanks to all of you!

I went to the London Transport Museum shop and found the coolest stuff! I landed up getting some Tube coasters. My friend got a double decker backpack and London Underground Lunch boxes for his nephews - adorable!

When I got out of the shop, I noticed a market (Jubilee Market). I remembered all your suggestions for checking out the local markets and I found this gorgeous stylish leather handbag. Not only did it look cool (it is in an oval shape) but each bag had a photograph of Londoners doing things or of famous British celebrities (Audrey Hepburn, Heidi Klun). Very clever and stylish!

I also got the usual souveniers like refrigerator magnets, and postcards. I went into Whittard of Chelsea and found these most amazing mugs with funny caricatures of Londoners - Policeman in front of post box, Guard, etc. I got an adorable teapot for my MIL. Very cool.

Thanks everyone again!

At Liberty of London, one year, I bought a oil cloth shopping bag in a paisley design. I use it at the farmers'markets or to tote wine and.. when invited to dinner.