Shopping in London – the 5 best places to go

It’s fair to say the capital’s shopping scene is world famous. But if you’re new to London, it can be hard to know where to start. Here’s a handy guide to five of London’s main shopping areas. From traditional markets and high street shops, to designer-name stores, these are the places you won’t want to miss on your London shopping trip.

1. Covent Garden shopping… for a bit of everything

We’ll start with an easy one. Covent Garden is centrally located and easily reached from many of London’s tourist areas. It has its own Tube station on the Piccadilly line, but it’s also walkable from Leicester Square, Charing Cross and Embankment stations.

As for what kind of shopping you’ll find here, there really is something for everyone. Covent Garden Market has a mixture of outdoor stalls and indoor shops, plus plenty of street entertainers to keep you busy. In the surrounding streets, designer names like Paul Smith and Kate Spade rub shoulders with foodie favourites like Godiva and Hotel Chocolat.

Neal Street, meanwhile, is a magnet for fans of urban streetwear and shoes. And if you’re looking for a quirky gift, try the Moomin store or The Tintin Shop. Yes, really.

Read more on the official Covent Garden site.

2. Oxford Street shopping… for high street brands

Oxford Street is high street heaven. It lines up shops from Tottenham Court Road at one end, to Marble Arch at the other.

In between, you’ll find big names like John Lewis, Accessorize and United Colours of Benetton. At the Marble Arch end, there’s a giant Selfridges. And if you venture down Regent Street, which branches off Oxford Street, you’ll find more upmarket designer brands.

Read more on the official Oxford Street site.

3. Camden Market shopping… for alternative fashion

If you love unique designs and independent traders, Camden Market will be right up your street. There are actually two main sites – Camden Lock Market and the Stables Market – but the general vibe is the same. Around 200 stalls are clustered around Camden High Street and Chalk Farm Road, selling alternative clothes, shoes, clubwear, jewellery and other accessories.

The shops in the area are a similar story. You can pick up everything from urban art and vintage homewares, to retro fashion or specialist books. There are lots of cafés, pubs and restaurants here that have a similar feel, so you can re-fuel when you need a break from shopping.

Read more on the official Camden Market site.

4. Carnaby Street shopping… for affordable designers

Carnaby Street is just a short wander from the theatres of the West End and the shops on Oxford Street and Regent Street. It’s completely pedestrianised and actually made up of 13 streets filled with shops, bars and restaurants. Shoppers visit in their droves to buy everything from designer gear to vintage mod clothes.

Diesel and Ralph Lauren are among the big names here, and you can’t miss Liberty. This huge Tudor revival building on Great Marlborough Street sells luxury goods including clothes, cosmetics and famous Liberty-print fabrics.

Read more on the official Carnaby Street website.

5. Mayfair shopping… for luxury labels

In the mood for something super-posh? Then Mayfair is waiting for you. With names like and Tiffany & Co. and Louis Vuitton, it’s a popular shopping spot for A-list celebrities. And even if you’re not buying, Bond Street is the perfect place for a bit of window shopping.

If you’re after more in the way of luxury, Harrods is over in equally-posh Knightsbridge. The world’s most famous department store is well worth a visit just to gawp at the well-heeled clientele. You can walk here from Mayfair in just under 30 minutes, and cut through Hyde Park on the way.

Read more on the official Mayfair London site.

Ready to shop? Book your megabus tickets to London today. And if you want to find out what else you can do in the Capital other than shopping, check out our London city guide.

Updated on 8 February 2023