Are you about to accompany your students to London for a study vacation? Make sure to set aside some free time and don’t miss out on the must-visit shops in London.
Accompanying students on a study trip to London requires responsibility and a good amount of commitment, but it also provides excellent leisure time to explore one of the trendiest cities in the world.
Indeed, London is not just about Big Ben, the Thames, and the Tower Bridge. It is a true mecca for fashion enthusiasts. While strolling along the streets of London, you can find the storefronts of the world’s biggest luxury brands.
The city is a paradise for shopping lovers, with luxurious flagship stores and the latest production trends. From high-end fashion boutiques to affordable and elegant shops, there is something for every taste.
But London also boasts many specialized shopping streets catering to various themes. Whether you’re looking for luxury goods, quirky finds, or department stores, you’ll find everything you desire here.
Selfridge’s London in Oxford street
Shopping Streets in London
Time flies while shopping on the streets of London, and the choices are truly endless. Whatever your budget, you’ll return home with a suitcase full of everything after indulging in shopping in London.
Here are some of London’s most famous shopping streets and the types of shops you can find there.
Oxford Street
Oxford Street is a shopping mecca for fashion lovers from all over the world. This street is a true paradise for those seeking to purchase prestigious luxury brands, but not only that.
You can find anything you can think of, from footwear to toys, children’s clothing to watches, jewelry to accessories, and travel bags to sportswear.
However, it’s not just the quantity of shops that makes it special. Oxford Street is also famous for its department stores such as John Lewis, Debenhams, House of Fraser, Marks and Spencer, Selfridges, and many others.
Selfridges – Oxford Street
Stretching for nearly 3 kilometers, from Marble Arch to Tottenham Road, Oxford Street is considered the heart of London’s shopping scene. With over 300 shops covering every category, you can spend hours trying on the latest clothing and accessories.
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a true shopping mecca where you can find the best brands from around the world, including Tom Ford, Moleskine, Hobbs, Aram, and many more.
But it’s not just about shopping: Covent Garden also offers a more cultural side of the city. For example, you could attend a performance at the Royal Opera House or explore The Theatre Quarter.
Additionally, we recommend taking a stroll through Jubilee Market, where you can find unique and distinctive items that will capture your heart. And when you need a break from shopping sessions, you can relax at one of the fantastic pubs, restaurants, or cafes that this area has to offer.
Covent Garden will provide you with a truly iconic London shopping experience, where you can find everything from fashion clothing to handmade jewelry and funky cosmetics.
Regent Street and Jermyn Street
Regent Street and Jermyn Street host some of London’s oldest shops that offer moderately priced fashion. If you want to experience a taste of typical British fashion, this is the best place to go without a second thought.
Some of the famous brands on Regent Street include Hamleys, Liberty, and John Lobb.
The historic Jermyn Street, located nearby, is famous for its quintessentially British men’s clothing. In fact, it is well-known worldwide for its bespoke shirtmakers like Benson & Clegg.
Regent Street is one of the top options for West End shopping, and the advantage is that you can also stop by its best restaurants, art galleries, and spas.
The King’s Road
The King’s Road is a place you won’t regret visiting. From antique shopping to exploring chic fashion, everything is within reach on the King’s Road.
You can purchase original brands to add to your wardrobe and find some of the best English shops like Duke of York Square, Chelsea Antiques Market, Vivienne Westwood, and more.
Duke of York Square is where the punk movement began in the 1970s, and Vivienne Westwood’s store is a treasure trove of antique items. In the stylish area of The King’s Road known as Chelsea’s King’s Road, you can visit the finest chic boutiques you’ve ever seen, world-famous designer shops, unique and luxurious high-end labels.
If interior design is your passion, you’ll feel right at home among Peter Jones, Cath Kidston, and Heal’s.
But it must be said that this is not the right place if you’re looking for affordable clothing. It takes customers with high credit limits to shop without hesitation on King’s Road. This area is where celebrities come for their shopping, so you might easily run into some.
Carnaby Street
The fashion swing revolution of the 1960s began on Carnaby Street, and it remains one of the best places to shop in London today. The street reflects the “mod” modernist movement of British teenagers who sought to break away from tradition and embrace bolder styles and edgy rock music.
Carnaby Street is actually composed of 13 streets that stretch from Oxford Street to Regent Street, housing over 100 shops from various brands and 60 cafes and restaurants. You’ll see everything from the antique to the modern.
If you’re vegan, this place has many cafes where you can take a break from your shopping. Some famous shops from various brands on Carnaby Street include Cheap Monday, Paul Smith, Carnaby London, Liberty, and others.
Oxford Street a Natale
Notting Hill and Portobello Market
The famous film “Notting Hill” is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear this name, and it has made the area one of the most famous in London and worldwide. But Notting Hill is also the ultimate shopping destination in London for any shopping enthusiast.
This place is filled with unique vintage shops and high-end designer boutiques showcasing the best mix of boho chic fashion. You’ll find many affordable shops, so you can have fun buying whatever you like.
Aimé, The Merchants, Dolly Diamond, Odabash, and others are some of the top fashion brands here. Notting Hill also hosts a vast collection of small shops selling unusual and vintage clothing, antiques, books, quirky gifts, and organic food.
Furthermore, the famous Portobello Market in Notting Hill, with its vibrant shops, dates back to the 1800s. Here, you can find music shops, groceries, antiques, clothing, and more.
Bond Street and Mayfair
Every brand that comes to mind will be here, and that’s why the area is quite popular among celebrities. Some of its famous shops include Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Tiffany & Co, and others—all the world’s top designers have their shops in Mayfair.
Bond Street
The street adjacent to Bond Street and Mayfair is South Molton Street, which houses London’s all-time iconic store, Browns. This elite street also boasts its antique shops and art galleries.
South Molton Street
While you’re here, you mustn’t miss a visit to the Grand Ritz and Sotheby’s, which is the world’s most famous auction house.
Unmissable Shopping Malls in London
In addition to streets entirely dedicated to shopping, London also offers markets and shopping malls that provide so much that you risk losing your way!
Brixton Market in London is one of the few places for shopping in London where you’ll experience a local and vibrant atmosphere. People visiting Brixton Market mainly go to The Farmer’s Market, which sells Caribbean and African produce, including live African snails, free-range meat, and biodynamic fruits.
Canary Wharf is a shopping mall in the Docklands area that houses over 120 shops. Here, you’ll find all the major clothing chains from around the world, and there’s also a good number of designer stores.
Harrods is a paradise for luxury shopping lovers and is one of the best places in London for shopping. No other place in London surpasses Harrods in popularity and luxury, renowned worldwide for offering the best shopping experience its visitors have ever had or will ever have.
Westfield is another shopping mall with two locations: one in White City and another in Stratford. Here, you’ll find popular brands such as Next, Debenhams, House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer, and many more, including world-class luxury brands like Ted Baker, Louis Vuitton, All Saints, Jimmy Choo, and others.
Lastly, if you love alternative fashion, your place is Camden Market, where you’ll find the most unique London shops selling gothic fashion and punk clothing. At Camden Lock Market, you’ll find handmade jewelry, crafts, art, and iconic vintage leather bags.
Organize a Study Vacation in London
London always ranks at the top among students’ most beloved cities for a study vacation abroad. Furthermore, it is an inexhaustible source of shops, markets, and shopping malls for the most astonishing shopping experiences.
If you’re organizing a trip to London with your students, don’t miss the opportunity to carve out enough free time to admire the shop windows and be captivated by London’s most eclectic and luxurious stores.
