Spend time Shopping

Bond Street is home to designer shops that are among the best in the world. In this very exclusive London street you can find jewellers such as Asprey & Gerrard, Tiffany & Co at 25 Old Bond Street and Cartier, as well as antique shops, (such as Bond Street Antique Centre) and the world famous auction house, Sotheby's. Nearest Tube / London Underground Station: Bond Street. Covent Garden  is somewhere you shouldn't miss even if all you have to spend, is time. Visit the Piazza with its large variety of colourful shops, stalls, restaurants and free street theatre and take the time to wander around the surrounding area where you will find art and design shops, fashion chains and Neal Street with its numerous shoe shops. Nearest Tube / London Underground Station: Covent Garden. Knightsbridge in London is synonymous with luxury shopping and has plenty of big name designer stores to tempt you if you have money to spend.. All around this area you will find some of the world's best-known designer boutiques (such as Emporio Armani, Issey Miyake) - while Pandora at 16 Cheval Place, sells secondhand designer clothes. Brompton Road is home to Harrod's where you may be tempted to spend time in the store's 300 departments, which include the world famous food-hall. The Scotch House, is also on Brompton Road, while, Harvey Nicholls can be found at 109-125 Knightsbridge.  Nearest Nearest Tube / London Underground Station: Knightsbridge.  Harrods, London opening times The main store is open, Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 8pm, and, on Sunday, from 12 noon to 6pm. Selected food halls and restaurants are open, Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 9pm, and, on Sunday, from 12 noon to 6pm. The nearest stop on the London Underground is the Knightsbridge station on the Piccadilly line. The Brompton Road exit from the underground delivers a traveller to the sidewalk right outside Harrods. The #123 bus stops outside Harrods. Oxford Street boasts more than 300 shops and is London's busiest street. Here you will find an extensive array of affordable, High Street fashion labels in the numerous department stores, (Marks & Spencer, Selfridges, Gap at 23-235 Oxford St and  John Lewis are among the many stores represented here) as well  the new Primark store at 499-517 Oxford Street, which offers fashion clothing at very cheap and competitive prices. There are many cafe's and restaurants to tempt you when you need time out from all that retail therapy.  The quieter side streets, (such as St. Christopher's Place) leading off Oxford Street contain many different shops and as some of the area is pedestrianised, it will give you the chance to take your time and browse at a more relaxed pace. Nearest Underground Station  ( Tube ) : Marble Arch, Bond Street. Primark, London opening times Monday - Friday 9.00-9.00 Saturday 9.00-8.00 Sunday 12.00-6.00 (Trading hours may vary subject to local market conditions.) Regent Street is home to some very exclusive and expensive shops but it is a good place to spend time if you have a child in tow because the world's largest toy shop, Hamley's, is here. Liberty's, with it's mock Tudor facade is always worth a visit even if you are not tempted to spend - take time to find inspiration from their world-famous fabrics. Among other stores represented in and around Regent Street are: Mappin & Web, Aquascutum, Austin Reed, The Scotch House, Dickins & Jones, Agent Provocateur, Laura Ashley, Shelly's and the Disney Store. Nearest London Underground Station, ( Tube ) : Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus.     Opening times of shops in Central London Many Department Store tend to have longer opening times than the other shops in central London (most shops open from 10 am until around 6 Mon-Sat) with Oxford Street department stores staying open until 7 or 8 pm on Thursdays and Fridays. Most of the bigger stores are open on a Sunday from 12 noon.   See London Travel  for getting around London on public transport See London Areas for London locations

London discount & secondhand Shops

There are plenty of designer bargains to be had in London. Some are from a designer's previous collections or original finds from London charity shops and shops that sell second-hand big name labels. Annie's Vintage Clothes - this vintage range includes dresses from the 1920's and 1930's in beautiful condition. 12 Camden Passage, London N1. Nearest Tube / London Underground Station: Angel Browns Labels for Less - an outlet store, carrying designer wear for both men and women at discounted prices (often half-price) in this London shop 23 - 27 South Molten Street, W1 (Nearest London Underground tube station - Bond Street)   Burberry Factory Shop - this shop is very popular with London tourists looking for a Burberry bargain among the 300 lines in stock. 29 Chatham Place, E9.  (Buses 22A, 22B, 48, 55, 253 will take you there) Discount Dressing - clothes from European designers at a greatly reduced price 58 Baker Street, W1 (Nearest London Underground tube station - Baker Street)   The Charity Shop - well known labels are donated by well-off London local residents And are on sale at a bargain price. 211 Brompton Road, SW3 (Nearest London Underground tube station - South Kensington)   Designer Second Hand Shop - designer clothes in good condition are re-sold here. 24 Hampstead High Street, NW3. (Nearest London Underground tube station - Hampstead) Loft (The) - Discounted New and Second-hand Designer clothes, shoes, bags and accessories for men and women. Suppliers include celebrities who buy and sell their clothes in this store - brands on sale can include: Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Westwood, Calvin Klein, Issey Miyake, Katharine Hamnett, John Rocha, Ghost, Versace, Moschino, Paul Smith, Chanel, Comme des Garcon. 35 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden, London WC2 H9DD. (Nearest London Underground tube station: Covent Garden or Leicester Square.   Rokit - Two floors of vintage and men and women's second-hand clothing for every occasion. 225 Camden High Street, NW1. Nearest Tube / London Underground Station: Camden Town) T K Maxx - is the largest off-price retailer in the world - designer and high street brand fashion and homewares discounted up to 60%. 26-40 Kensington High Street, W8 4PF (Nearest London Underground tube station - Kensington High Street Opening Hours: Mon - Fri: 9am-8pm, Sat: 9am-7pm, Sun: 11am-5pm

London Markets

Borough Market  -   Historically, Borough Market is a wholesale market in the Borough in Southwark, South London but in recent times it has become a tourist attraction in its own right. The wholesale market operates on all weekday mornings but it is the retail market selling a vast array of British and international gourmet foods on Fridays and Saturdays that attracts both Londoners and visitors to its numerous, colourful stalls. People now come to trade at the market from all different parts of the U.K bringing with them top-quality cheeses, organic meat, fish, vegetables, bread, cakes and patisseries, making the market a fashionable place to buy food. Some stalls sell speciality foods, imported from abroad. Open: Fri 12.00-18.00,  Sat 09.00-16.00 Brick Lane Market (E1) is known locally as "The Lane" and is located at the northern end of Brick Lane and along Cheshire Street in East London. It sells fruit and veg, general bric-a-brac, books, bicycles, furniture, trainers and clothes. Open: Sunday 08.00-14.00. Nearest tube - London Underground Station: Shoreditch.   Camden Market is located in Camden Town, North West London. This busy market deals in fashion, jewelry, new and second-hand fashion bargains, music, wholefoods and collectibles. Open: 09.00-17.30 Thur-Sun. Nearest tube - London Underground Station: Camden Town. Camden Passage is a major Islington tourist attraction because of the antiques market which takes place here on Wednesday mornings and Saturdays. Chapel Market nearby, is a traditional flea market which operates between Tuesday and Sunday. Nearest tube - London Underground Station: Angel. Columbia Road Market is the place to go for cut flowers, plants, shrubs, seedlings, pots and containers which all sell at remarkable bargain prices. Open: Sun. 8 am - 2 pm. Nearest tube - London Underground Station: Shoreditch, Old Street.  Covent Garden Jubilee and Apple Markets - very popular with tourists - these markets are located in the heart of Covent Garden and offer Antiques on Mondays, Crafts on Saturday and Sunday and souvenirs, clothes and gifts on other days of the week. Open: every day 10.00-17.00. Nearest tube - London Underground Station: Covent Garden. Greenwich Market is located in Greenwich , South East London and  deals in antiques, second-hand books, Art Deco furniture, and crafts, bric-a brac and clothing by young designers. Open: 09.30-17.00 Fri-Sun. (click on link for details of how to get there.) Leather Lane Market EC1 you can find cut-price high street clothes, jewellery, shoes and bags in this very ancient area of London. Open Mon-Fri 10.30 am-2 pm.Nearest tube - London Underground Station: Farringdon, Chancery Lane. Petticoat Lane Market (E1) is located on Wentworth Street and Middlesex Street in East London, and sells leather goods, watches, toys, clothing, bric-a-brac and more. Open: Sunday 09.00-14.00. Nearest tube - London Underground Station: Liverpool Street, Aldgate, Aldgate East. Portobello Road Market is really three markets rolled into one. This is one of London's best loved and busiest markets and sells antiques, bric-a-brac and new and second-hand clothing from its many original and interesting stalls. If you want an inexpensive designer creation; you could be in luck because many young fashion designers start here. It is located in the Notting Hill area of West London. Open: Saturday, 7am-6pm. Nearest tube - London Underground Station:  Notting Hill Gate.

Police and lost property auctions

Auctions can be a great way to pick up a bargain in London - many auction houses deal with the dispersal of goods on behalf of  H.M.Revenue & Customs, Bailiff  (repossessions), Liquidators, factory returns,  Lost Property, Airline Operators (unclaimed lost property), London Regional Transport lost property, Police (Auctions) Authorities (seized goods) and Government Surplus. The range of goods offered at these auctions is extensive and may include: computers, LCD televisions, bicycles, laptops, ipods, high street furniture brands, sports equipment, mobile phones, gardening equipment and furniture, clothing, luggage, toys .... Please note - It is advisable to telephone the auction house to find auction and viewing dates, terms of bidding and where to obtain a catalogue of the the lots for sale. If you are new to auctions, take your time to familiarise yourself with the auction bidding process to save yourself from costly mistakes. General Auctions Limited 63 - 65 Garratt Lane, Wandsworth,London, SW18 4AA (Telephone: 020 8870 3909) Auction items may come from these sources: H.M.Revenue & Customs, County Courts, Independent Bailiffs, Liquidators & Loss Adjusters Empire Auctions 27 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AF (Tel: 020 7419 5059) Electronic goods, computer equipment, power tools, factory returns, office supplies. Frank G. Bowen Limited 73 Sceptre Road, London, E2 0JU (Tel: 020 7790 7272) The auction items may come from various sources: Insolvency, Lost Property. Plaistow Auctions Unit 1, 62-70 Fowler Road/Hainault Business Park, Ilford, Greater London, IG6 3UT (Tel:  020 8 500 5110)    General household items and furniture, Trade Stocks, Cars etc, County Courts and Bailiff repossession, Dowell, Lloyd and Co. 188 Putney Bridge Road, Garrett Lane, London SW152NQ (Tel: 020 8870 3909) Police Disposal Auctions Greasby R.F  211 Longley Road, Tooting, London SW17 9TG  (Tel:  020-8672-2972) Antique and Modern furniture and effects, auction items may come from the following sources: Local Authorities, London Regional Transport, Airline Operators, Department of Customs & Excise, Collector of Taxes.

More London shops

Astrology - , The Astrology Shop (Covent Garden, London) for calendars, videos, astrology related gifts, books and more... The Astrology Shop On-Line - Nearest Underground Station (tube) : Covent Garden Bears - teddy bears for adults and children alike - and a chance to make your own bear - Bear Factory, 188-189 Regent St, London, W1B 5BT Books -  Cecil Court in London is a charming late Victorian pedestrianised area linking Charing Cross Road and St Martin's Lane. Specialist book-sellers deal in rare and antiquarian books, maps and prints and every kind of related printed material you can think of. Cecil Court featured in the film "Miss Potter" Nearest Underground Station (tube) : Leicester Square Clothes - jeans and all forms of fashionable casual dress - Abercrombie & Fitch, 7 Burlington Gardens, Westminster,  London,  W1S .Telephone: 020 7297 9400  Nearest Underground Station (tube/s) : Green Park, Piccadilly Circus Coffee - this shop stocks the finest speciality coffees from around the world. With a choice of over 80 coffee varieties and numerous blends of tea, this 120 year old shop has become very famous - you can order a very inexpensive Espresso, Cappuccino or Latte here. 52 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4PB, Tel: 020 7437 2480 Cheese - Near to Spitafield's Market - A Gold doesn't just stock fine cheeses like Cheddar and Stilton but also traditional foods from around the UK. Favourites such as pear drops and fudge are on offer as well as hams, pickles and pork pies in this Georgian shop. 42 Brushfield Street, London E1 6AG. Tel: (00 44) (0) 20 7 247 2487. Closed Saturdays.  Nearest Underground Station (tube) : Liverpool Street Discount Brand-name Furniture -  high quality ex display discounted furniture ( most of the stock is Marks & Spencer or John Lewis but they also order direct from factories)  30,000sq ft of showroom furniture is mostly always in stock for taking away the same day. Bucks Furniture Warehouse, 125 Evelyn Street, Deptford, London, SE8 5RJ. Telephone: 020 8692 4447 Gifts from Artymoss - For a unique memento of your time in London, why not consider having a beautiful, ceramic, personalised, hand-painted mug or plate made to your own requirements? If you are planning a wedding, christening or party, this firm can supply you with a personalised, kiln fired Signature plate - just get your guests to sign and you will have a permanent memento of your special day.artymoss for personalised pottery