Tourist Tat in the UK
 

It appears to me that the volume of tourist tat available in the UK is greatly diminished. The T-shirt choices are limited; caps are hard to find; the shops that sold minature buildings has vanished. Even in Harrod's Arcade and souvenir shop the variety of branded items was reduced -- no baby bibs, few T-shirts. Am I mistaken? Have you noticed this anywhere else? If I'm right is this a good thing or a bad thing?.

You're barking. Go to Trafalgar Square.

Or Shaftsbury, or Charing Cross Rd, or just about anywhere.

I didn't see any reduction in Harrods range in May. There were some different things than in the past - but not any fewer that I noticed.

The Royal Mile :(

Drumnadrochit.

Blackpool

CW
I've been to Trafalgaar Square --and Picadilly Circus and Westminster Bridge. I'll see what Brighton has to offer besides politicians.

What has Shaftesbury (a small town in Dorset, famous for the Gold Hill used in the Hovis ads) got to do with tourist tat?

Janis, you boast of your knowledge of England, do remember to name places correctly.

Are you walking around with your eyes shut. There are more stalls flogging teddy bears dressed as beefeaters, big ben paperweights, phone box money boxes and panties saying "mind the gap" than ever before.

Virginia, you are obviously moving into more stylish and elegant circles than most of us residents! If you're going to Brighton, look for seaside rock: no doubt there are several places, but IIRC on the pier is a large emporium selling the customary "false teeth", "eggs and bacon" and (times being what they are) no doubt more adult sculptures in hard peppermint candy.

While it's on my mind:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvNh40ZIRa0

Shaftsbury <B><blue><u><i>AVENUE</B></blue></u></i> - OK?

Since the OP was obviously talking about London. If you ask directions at Piccadilly Circus they will say "just up Shaftsbury" and not fear they are sending one to Dorset . . . .

Been to the Dorsetshire one many times.

The problem with Patrick's link, is that I followed the related to this http://preview.tinyurl.com/2kkdam
and that was the best part of 30 minutes wasted looking at other UOGB videos.

"If you ask directions at Piccadilly Circus they will say "just up Shaftsbury"

I have never, ever heard an Englishperson (or any resident foreigner) refer to Shaftesbury Avenue as anything other than "Shaftesbury Avenue".

"Just up Shaftesbury" means something quite different, not suitable for discussion on a family website

"Up Shaftsbury" is a horrid thing to say. Sounds like someone who was let out of quarantine prematurely!

How bloody brilliant are these?

http://www.johnlewis.com/230654611/Product.aspx

I'm going to buy some.

And I'm not even a tourist. I live here.

And in extreme close up!

http://www.biscuiteers.com/london-tin

Admittedly, Big Ben looks a bit iffy.....

Aww, cute. Though Big Ben does look a bit odd. But there are only 9 biscuits! That's pretty pricey...

The biscuits are super cute- I love the little Eye.

I'd like a whole tin of the tube sign ones!

Just to be picky on two points.

The original poster did not refer to London, but to the U.K. There was a mention of Horrids, but nothing else specifically about London. If you say "Shaftesbury" in Britain, you mean the place in Dorset. Similarly, "Liverpool" is a city of renown on the west coast, while "Liverpool Street" is a railway station in London. Confusing them means going to the wrong place.

"Dorsetshire" is not a colloquial British word. Many counties have the word "shire" as part of their name, but Dorset seldom does. Kent and Sussex never do.

Always happy to help.