107 Best Places to Shop in London, England

Tucked away in a residential mews, this uncluttered shop in a former Victorian dairy is the brainchild of Maureen Doherty, once Issey Miyake's assistant who still shares his relaxed but cutting-edge aesthetic. More than half the minimalist, unstructured styles for men and women—in natural luxury fabrics such as silk, cashmere, antique cotton, or even felted Tibetan yak wool—are handmade. Garments may be casually hung on hooks or folded on wooden tables, but the price tags are anything but unassuming. The clientele includes the likes of Donna Karan and former British PM Theresa May. One-of-a-kind ceramics, scarves, blankets, bags, and jewelry are also on display.

What did Queen Victoria, Mary Shelley, and Marilyn Monroe have in common? They all used products from Floris, one of the most beautiful shops in London, with gleaming glass–and–Spanish mahogany showcases salvaged from the Great Exhibition of 1851. In addition to scents for both men and women (including the late Queen Elizabeth II), Floris has been making its own shaving products---plus combs, brushes, and fragrances---since 1730 (and is still owned by the same family, nine generations later), reflecting its origins as a barbershop. Other gift possibilities include a famous rose-scented mouthwash and beautifully packaged soaps and bath essences.

The oldest jewelry house in the world, Garrard has been in business since 1735. Between 1843 and 2007, the company was responsible for the upkeep of the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London and for creating several royal crowns (you can see some on display in the Tower). Today the focus is on precious gems in simple, classic settings, along with silver accessories. Although some collections are definitely contemporary (with items like minimalist hoop earrings or two-finger rings), many of the designs are traditional and impressive—which will be handy should you be in the market for an old-school diamond tiara.

Open since 1979, this is London's leading gay and lesbian bookshop. Thousands of titles, from literature and thoughtful nonfiction to erotica and prodiversity children's books, fill the shelves. The shop is a well-loved fixture on the scene (it features prominently in the 2014 movie Pride) and often hosts discussion groups, readings, and other events.

One of the grand men's tailoring houses of Savile Row, this company made its name outfitting British royals who served as officers in the armed forces. The company still supplies custom-made military uniforms, as well as beautifully tailored formal and civilian wear for clients who have included Winston Churchill and Ian Fleming. Prices for a bespoke suit start around £5,000 and made to measure at £1,150, but you can find ready-made versions from around £900 (separates from £200), while a new line of casual wear has several items under £200. Custom-made shoes are also available.

There are approximately 100 dealers here, specializing in everything from Bakelite items to Mughal art. The majority focus on jewelry, ranging from contemporary to antique. Bargains are not out of the question, and proper pedigrees are guaranteed. Be sure to go on a weekday as the store is closed weekends.

Established as a fruit-and-vegetable market in 1700, the covered market now offers around 120 mixed stalls of art and crafts on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and weekends, and vintage antiques on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. You can buy food on each day, although the offerings are usually best on weekends. Shopping for handicrafts is a pleasure here, as in most cases you're buying directly from the artist.

London's largest collection of 17th to early 20th-century prints focuses on views of London and its architecture and denizens, as well as royal, sporting, and decorative motifs. From master printmaker William Hogarth to English political printmaker and caricaturist James Gillray, the delightfully higgledy-piggledy selection is hugely eclectic, with prices ranging from £20 into the thousands. Staff will happily ship globally; just note that it's closed on weekends.

If Ralph Lauren isn't preppy enough for you, try Hackett, with additional branches in St. James's, Covent Garden, The City, Battersea, Savile Row, and Canary Wharf. Originally a posh thrift shop recycling cricket flannels, hunting pinks, Oxford brogues, and other staples of a British gentleman's wardrobe, Hackett now creates its own line and has become a genuine—and very good—men's outfitter. The look is traditional, and classic best buys include polo shirts, corduroys, and striped scarves. There's also a boys' line for the junior man-about-town, a made-to-measure service, and an in-house men's grooming facility.

When children visit London, this institution—the oldest toy store in the world—is at the top of their agenda. Its six floors hold 50,000 lines of the latest dolls, soft toys, video games, and technological devices, as well as old-fashioned items like train sets, Subbuteo soccer games, drum kits, and magic tricks, plus every must-have on the preteen shopping list (some parents may find the offerings to be overly commercialized, as they're heavy on movie and TV tie-ins). Hamleys is a bit of a madhouse at Christmas time, but Santa's Grotto is one of the best in town.

While visiting tourists flock to Harrods, local fashionistas shop at Harvey Nichols, aka "Harvey Nicks." The womenswear and accessories departments are outstanding if pricey, featuring top designers like Tom Ford, Loewe, Bottega Veneta, Prada, Victoria Beckham, and just about every fashionable name you can imagine. The furniture and housewares are equally gorgeous and expensive, although they become somewhat more affordable during the biannual sales in January and July. The Fifth Floor bar is the place to see and be seen, but if you're in search of food, the same floor also has an all-day modern European café, a branch of Burger & Lobster, the carnivore-friendly Zelman Meats, and Kenyan-Punjabi fusion from Madhu's Brasserie. To keep you looking as box-fresh as your purchases, the Beauty Lounge features a menu of treatments from brands such as La Prairie, Charlotte Tilbury, Fenty, and La Mer, plus makeovers, LED facials, cryotherapy, thermotherapy, laser treatments, injectables, and blow-dry, nail, and brow bars.

The first London store from Marant, a favorite of French fashion editors, this airy skylit space is full of her signature slim-cut pants, slouchy knits, wedge sneakers, and rock-chick miniskirts, all exuding Left Bank boho cool. There is a separate stand-alone store in South Kensington.

This atmospheric warren that crams some 25,000 titles into three 18th-century shops off King's Road is the antithesis of a soulless chain bookstore, so it's no surprise it has attracted equally idiosyncratic customers like Tom Stoppard and Keith Richards. Staff members are wonderfully knowledgeable (don't try to figure out how the stock is organized without their help), and there are a lot of them per customer—if a book isn't in stock, they will try to find it for you, even if it is out of print.

Chosen by top chefs Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal for their restaurants, L'Artisan raises chocolate to an art form, like a necklace made of chocolate-filled "pearls." "Couture" chocolates are infused with fruits, nuts, and spices (including such exotic flavorings as Szechuan pepper and tobacco). This is one of the few chocolate shops in the world that makes liquid salted caramels. There is another branch in Selfridges.

Although mundane items like colanders and clothespins may not sound like ideal souvenirs, this shop (something of a hipster heaven selling both new and vintage items) will make you reconsider. The owners are on a mission to revive retro, functional British household goods, such as enamel kitchenware, genuine feather dusters, bread bins, bottle brushes, and traditional Welsh blankets.

The idea behind this stylish store is to help readers discover new and forgotten books, providing an alternative to the unimaginative suggestions turned up by the algorithm of a certain online bookseller. To this end, titles are arranged thematically on the floor-to-ceiling shelves, with no distinction made between fiction and non-fiction. Curated shelves by authors like Bernardine Evaristo provide further inspiration. Check the website for author events, screenings, book clubs, and more.

Long established in England's Midlands and a provider of boots to the British armed forces in both world wars, this family-run firm specializes in classic handcrafted men's shoes. Whether you're after brogues, loafers, or deck shoes, the staff will take the time to ensure you have the right fit. In terms of quality and service, Loake represents real value for money, though they definitely aren't inexpensive. There are several other branches in London including three in The City and one by Old Spitalfields Market while just across the street at No. 83 is the flagship store.

Originally opened in 1885 as Britain's first safe deposit building, this extraordinary space five floors beneath ground level has been converted into 29 small specialist shops (or "vaults" as they're called) that house silver dealers, the majority of which are family businesses. Products range from early-1600s items to contemporary pieces (with everything in between), and from the spectacularly over-the-top costing thousands to smaller items—like teaspoons, candlesticks, or a Victorian serving tray—at £30.

Blink and you'll miss the discreet sign that marks fashionista footwear central. Blahnik, the man who single-handedly managed to revive the sexy stiletto, has been trading out of this small shop on a Chelsea side street since 1973. It's a must for shoe lovers with generous budgets. If you decide to wear your new Manolos, hop on Bus No. 11 or 22 or grab a cab—the nearest Tube station is about a 20-minute totter away. There's another boutique in Mayfair and concessions in Selfridges and Harrods.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a Brit who doesn't have something in the closet from Marks & Spencer (or M&S, as it's popularly known). This major chain is famed for its classic dependable clothing for men, women, and children—affordable cashmere and lamb's wool sweaters are particularly good buys—and occasionally scores a fashion hit. The food department at M&S is consistently good, especially for frozen food, and a great place to pick up a sandwich or premade salad on the go (look for M&S Simply Food stores all over town). The flagship branch at Marble Arch and the Pantheon location at 173 Oxford Street have extensive fashion departments.

If you don't want to leave London without buying something for your pet, Mungo & Maud has something for your furry friend. Pick up a well-designed coat, leash, harness, bowl, toy, or comfortable bed that will make your dog the snazziest pooch in town (some collars are hand-stitched), or select from collars, beds, blankets, and toys for your cat. Owners themselves will enjoy browsing the luxurious blankets and quilts (soon to be covered in pet hair), pet-theme jewelry, and leather "poop bag" pouches.

This London institution (there are other branches, dealing in clothing and books too, in Notting Hill) carries a remarkable range of secondhand vinyl records, with everything from bargain 25-pence records to treasured first editions costing more than £1,000.

This store is a music collector's treasure trove, with a constantly changing stock refreshed by customers selling and exchanging as well as buying. The ground floor focuses on rock, pop, indie, and punk, both mainstream and obscure, in a variety of formats ranging from vinyl to CD, cassette, and even minidisk. Don't miss the classical music in the basement and the soul and dance section on the first floor. If you like movies, there's a wide variety of Blu-ray and DVD box sets, as well as bargain classic and cult films. Keep an eye out for rarities—including first pressings and one-offs—in all departments. Similar exchanges for comics (No. 32) and books (No. 30) are on nearby Pembridge Road (also a destination for vintage clothing for men [No. 28] and women [No. 20]). Just keep in mind that stock depends on what customers bring in to exchange, so you’ll surely find many more DVDs with European (PAL) formatting than the North American--friendly NTSC format, but the store does get the latter occasionally.

The artisans creating fashion, jewelry, home accessories, textiles, prints and photographs, furniture, and other design items have to pass rigorous selection procedures to set up shop in these prime riverside studios, where they make, display, and sell their work. The OXO Tower Restaurant & Brasserie on the top floor is expensive, but with its fantastic view of London, it's worth popping up for a drink. There's also a public terrace where you can take in the view.

The dapper menswear by Ozwald Boateng (pronounced bwa-teng) combines contemporary funky style with traditional Savile Row quality. His made-to-measure suits have been worn by the dandyish likes of Jamie Foxx, Mick Jagger, and Laurence Fishburne, who appreciate the sharp cuts, luxurious fabrics, and occasionally vibrant colors (even the more conservative choices have jacket linings in bright silk).

This small shop is full of well-made yet fun footwear, ranging from wedding shoes and school shoes to sneakers in baby size 16 and kids' size 45. Your budding influencer will love the boots, Mary Janes, and ballerina pumps in leopard print or metallics. The store also sells socks and tights, plus a small range of hats, gloves, and hair accessories. There's another branch on King's Road near Parsons Green.

Specializing in traditional English style for boys and girls, Riley's luxurious, vintage-inspired collection includes classics like duffel coats and hand-smocked floral dresses. Mothers who love the Riley look (including the Duchess of Cambridge, who has put her royal offspring in Riley clothes) can pick up 1950s-inspired coordinating outfits for themselves here or at the Marylebone High Street location.

Open since 1984, Soho's longest-standing secondhand vinyl store has seen the reign of cassette tapes, CDs, Napster, and Spotify, and arguably has massively helped contribute to vinyl's recent revival. Come here to leaf through the racks for rare vinyl finds and classic albums, spanning everything from rock and roll and New Wave to electro, heavy metal, and drum and bass. If the shop front itself looks familiar, that's because it was featured on the cover of Oasis's 1995 hit album (What's the Story) Morning Glory?

With an in-house design team whose experience includes stints at Gucci and Calvin Klein and customers like Beyoncé and Catherine, Princess of Wales, who wore a Reiss dress for her official engagement picture, this reliable chain brings luxury standards of tailoring and details to mass-market womens- and menswear. The sleek and contemporary style doesn't come cheap, but does offer value for money. There are branches in Knightsbridge, The City, Covent Garden, Chelsea, Hampstead, Islington, Soho, Kensington, and basically all over London.

Now in the modernist landmark known as the Trellick Tower and favored by the likes of Kate Moss, Rellik began as a stall in Portobello Road Market. Vintage hunters looking to splurge can find a selection of YSL, Dior, Vivienne Westwood, and Ossie Clark as well as items from lesser-known designers.