220 Best Places to Shop in England

Staying true to its rural Somerset roots, this luxury goods company epitomizes le style anglais, a sophisticated take on the earth tones and practicality of English country style. Best known for highly desirable luxury handbags—such as the Lily, Chiltern, and Bayswater models—the company also produces gorgeous leather accessories, from wallets to luggage, as well as shoes and clothing for men and women. Aside from the New Bond Street flagship, there are branches in Knightsbridge, Covent Garden, Stanstead airport, and the Westfield centers, along with Mulberry concessions in most of the major upscale department stores. The small store on St. Christopher's Place in Marylebone stocks accessories only.

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-themed jewelry, and leather "poop bag" pouches.

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, jazz, house, techno, reggae, and more upstairs. 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 [Nos. 16 and 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.

This London institution (there are other branches 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 company stocks all the best equipment for mountaineering and for rock and ice climbing. They also provide information about local climbing and fell running clubs.

Open Monday to Saturday, the city's main outdoor market has been the heart of the city's commerce for 900 years. Almost two hundred vendors sell everything from jewelry to clothing and food.

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).

The oldest bookshop in the country (in business since 1729), P&G Wells has numerous books by and about Jane Austen, who had an account here and, in 1817, died almost next door. It also has the region's largest selection of children's books.

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 silver glitter. 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.

In business for more than 200 years, this venerable and aromatic London shop stocks hundreds of the world's greatest artisan cheeses, particularly British and French varieties (a homesick General de Gaulle shopped here during World War II). The cheeses are laid on straw on refrigerated shelves, with tasting samples set out on a marble-top counter. You can pick up some ham, pâté, condiments, preserves, wine, or port, as well as cheese-related accessories like boards or knives. There's another branch in Chelsea.

This delightfully old-fashioned "British Fragrance and Cosmetic House" mixes and matches ingredients to suit your perfume wishes.

Penrith's weekly market takes place every Tuesday in the Great Dockray parking lot, but on the third Tuesday of the month, it moves to the market square. Here you can buy local produce and original crafts, and many of the award-winning farmers are happy to talk about what they've grown and raised.

This family-run woodcraft workshop, between Kendal and Windermere, sells bespoke furniture and finely honed boxes and bowls, among other items.

Still considered the best all-around market in town by many fans, and certainly the most famous, Portobello Market stretches almost 2 miles, from fashionable Notting Hill to the lively cultural melting pot of North Kensington, changing character as it goes. The southern end, starting at Chepstow Villas and going to Elgin Crescent, is lined with shops and stalls, and, on Saturday, arcades selling antiques, silver, and bric-a-brac. The middle, from Elgin Crescent to Talbot, is devoted to fruit and vegetables, interspersed with excellent hot food stalls. On Friday and Saturday, the area between Talbot Road and the elevated highway (called the Westway) becomes more of a flea market, specializing in new household and mass-produced goods sold at a discount. North of the Westway up to Goldborne Road are more stalls selling even cheaper secondhand household goods and bric-a-brac. Scattered throughout but mostly concentrated under the Westway are clothing stalls selling vintage pieces and items from emerging designers, custom T-shirts, and supercool baby clothes, plus jewelry. New and established designers are also found in the boutiques of the Portobello Green Arcade.

Some say Portobello Road has become a tourist trap, but if you acknowledge that it's a circus and get into the spirit, it's a lot of fun. Perhaps you won't find many bargains, but this is such a fascinating part of town that just hanging out is a good enough excuse to come. There are some food and flower stalls throughout the week (try the Hummingbird Bakery for delicious cupcakes), but Saturday is when the market in full swing. Serious shoppers avoid the crowds and go on Friday morning. Bring cash—several vendors don't take credit cards—but also be sure to keep an eye on it.

A treasure trove for military buffs, Q and C Militaria offers badges and medals, breastplates, helmets, coats of arms, and books. It's run by ex-soldiers.

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.

Rebecca Callis is a Cumbrian ceramicist specializing in hand-thrown porcelain. She produces a beautiful range of glazed bowls, beakers, and dishes which are sold at exhibitions and in this shop.

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.

Many of London's most affluent women find their luxury lingerie (plus shape and swimwear) here because the quality is excellent and the service impeccably knowledgeable—and perhaps because it was Queen Elizabeth II's favored underwear supplier and has provided bras to Catherine, Princess of Wales. Despite the upscale clientele, it's much friendlier than you might expect. Brands include PrimaDonna and Marie Jo as well as R&P's own line, and if the right fit eludes you, there's a made-to-measure service that starts at around £300. There are also branches in Mayfair, Chelsea, and St. John's Wood.

The ever-changing stock at these two premises along Brick Lane ranges from handbags and ball gowns to jeans, military garb, and Western wear. You'll find delights spanning the 1930s to the 1990s. There are also branches in Camden and Covent Garden.

Although many London record stores are struggling, this veteran indie-music specialist in The Truman Brewery seems to have gotten the formula right. The spacious surroundings are as much a hangout as a shop, complete with a stage for live gigs and a café-bar. There are other branches in Notting Hill and Soho.

Next door to the Royal Pavilion, this little shop sells well-designed toys, trinkets, books, and cards, all with a loose Regency theme. There are also high-quality fabrics, wallpapers, and ceramics based on material in the pavilion itself.

Designed in London and made in Italy, Sanderson's elegant shoes have been a huge hit in fashion circles with their lavish ornamentation on heels and flats alike. Red-carpet-ready high heels—worn by celebs, including Claire Danes, Nicole Kidman, and Sandra Bullock—come in gorgeous colors and prints; peep toes are signature elements. The high prices reflect the impeccable craftsmanship.

Need a straw boater? This shop is the official outlet for Cambridge University products, from hoodies to ties to cuff links.

Cards, stationery, handmade paper, and leather-bound journals can be purchased here, alongside marvelously arcane stuff you didn't know you needed—like quills, sealing wax, and even Venetian masks.

This traditional tailor specializes in university gowns, ties, and scarves.

No hostess of any standing would consider having a leather-bound guest book made by anyone besides this elegant stationer, and the shop's social stationery and distinctive diaries with their pale-blue pages are the epitome of British good taste. These, along with other made-in-Britain leather goods, including a small line of handbags, backpacks, and luggage tags, can be personalized. There are branches in Chelsea, Notting Hill, and Heathrow, plus concessions in leading department stores.

Touring London requires a lot of walking, so if your feet are crying out for mercy, stop in at this long-established boutique that specializes in shoes, sandals, and boots for men and women that hit the sweet spot between comfy and stylish. Brands include Audley, Arche, and Chie Mihara, as well as the store's own Spice line.