Hit the \u201chigh streets\u201d of London any given day of the week and you’d be right to reckon that shopping is a national pastime here. The Brits do shopping exceptionally well and with a bit of aplomb. Some of the biggest, glitziest and most celebrated department stores in the world call London home. Here’s a list of the best of the best, some of which are major tourist destinations in and of themselves.<\/p>\n
Fenwick of Bond Street<\/strong><\/a> One of Britain’s most historic department stores on the perennially fashionable Bond Street, Fenwick features five floors of womenswear, menswear, beauty and home accessories with services including personal shopping and a spa.<\/p>\n Fortnum & Mason<\/strong><\/a> Open since 1707, this luxury goods provider offers a historic setting for shopping in true British style. Originally a grocery, with food still one of its main focus points, Fortnum & Mason takes great pride is establishing direct connections with its many suppliers with fresh food being sourced from British growers or \u201cas close to these Isles as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Harrods<\/strong><\/a> For the sheer wow factor scale of it, a visit to this fabled department store cannot be beat. The five acre Harrods has more than 350 departments, six food halls, more than 30 restaurants and eateries and all in all more than a million square feet of retail space. It’s also home to the \u201cDodi and Diana\u201d memorial and the world’s only \u201cEgyptian Escalator.\u201d<\/p>\n Harvey Nichols<\/strong><\/a> Harrods may be home of the \u201cDodi and Diana\u201d memorial but it’s widely acknowledged that Princess Diana’s favourite place to shop was just up the street at Harvey Nichols. Known colloquially as \u201cHarvey Nicks\u201d this eight storey department store is a haven for the ultra chic and designer brand conscious shopper. But even fashionistas have to take a break and eat sometime. Luckily the store’s famed fifth floor is dedicated only to trendy items of the edible and drinkable variety.<\/p>\n John Lewis<\/strong><\/a> The John Lewis flagship is at 300 Oxford Street with another five associated stores in Greater London including the latest in Stratford which in addition to the retail therapy offers commanding view of the London 2012 Olympic Park. \u201cNever knowingly undersold\u201d is the John Lewis policy. But it’s not just bargain hunters shopping here. John Lewis holds the Royal Warrant to be the \u201csuppliers of haberdashery and household goods\u201d to the Queen.<\/p>\n Liberty<\/strong><\/a> As famous for its Tudor revival exterior as it is for its ultra stylish take on contemporary fashions, Liberty has been a \u201cdestination of choice for the savvy and sophisticated shopper\u201d since 1875. Or as Liberty fan Oscar Wilde put it, \u201cthe chosen resort of the artistic shopper.\u201d One especially artistic stockist, Manolo Blahnik likes selling his shoes here as \u201cthe store is so beautiful and its history is so rich.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n63 New Bond Street, W1A 3BS<\/em>
\nNearest Tube is at Bond Street Station<\/em><\/p>\n
\n181 Piccadilly, W1A 1ER <\/em>
\nNearest Tube is at Piccadilly Circus Station<\/em><\/p>\n
\n87\u2013135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL<\/em>
\nNearest Tube is at Knightsbridge Station<\/em><\/p>\n
\n109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ<\/em>
\nNearest Tube is at Knightsbridge Station<\/em><\/p>\n
\nThroughout London<\/em><\/p>\n
\nRegent Street, W1B 5AH with the main entrance located on Great Marlborough Street <\/em>
\nNearest Tube is at Oxford Circus Station<\/em><\/p>\n