One of the subjects I get asked the most about, both on my blog, on my channels on social media as well as on YouTube it’s about London Shopping. It’s not a secret that I’m a huge fan of shopping and, while the majority times, I prefer shopping online, there’s an underlying excitement that comes from visiting the famous shops that we’re so abundant in London. The most popular spot to visit to for a raucous shopping spree can be found on Oxford Street, it’s Europe’s largest shopping district with over one mile and a half of stores . In today’s article, I’ll give you my top tips for the famous shopping street!
Where to go and How to get there!
In the first place, how do you reach Oxford Street! There are four main tube stations along Oxford Street; Marble Arch, Bond Street, Oxford Circus as well as Tottenham Court Road. I would suggest taking a train to Oxford Circus because then you are right in the center of the famous shopping district! When you exit the tube, you’ll come to a busy intersection, and if you go either way you’ll be in the midst of Flagship Oxford Street shops.
When you get off the train and find yourself in the massive Topshop flagship stores, with three floors of fashionable and trendy designs, as well as regular DJ parties, and other events like Live Catwalks taking place in the this store, it’s definitely one you should visit. One of my favorite locations to find inexpensive and stylish furniture items is the Home section of H&M located a bit farther down Oxford Street toward Tottenham Court Road There are marble coasters and copper crockery in abundance!
Additionally, along Oxford Street you’ll find plenty of department stores. My favorite is Selfridges which truly offers the most memorable shopping experience! Don’t miss the enormous Beauty Hall on the ground floor , and then make your way to the street-style fashion at the top of level 3.
Where do you go for R&R
Let’s face it, shopping can be tiring and even though I’m obsessed with the ‘Shop Till you drop’ philosophy I also like to ensure that I’m well-hydrated and well-nourished during my shopping spree. Take a quick walk of Oxford Street into the buzzing SoHo area to take some coffee at Cafe Nespresso. It is located on 32 Broadwick Street, the cafe is the ideal spot to not just enjoy the traditional cup of coffee and food too. Based on the time of time you stop by and you can take advantage of anything from a freshly-picked fruit platter, or a croissant for breakfast to an exquisite delicatessen platter of cured meats , or healthy salads to eat lunch. I typically find myself in the cafe towards the afternoon hours and, depending on my mood I’ll choose fresh baguettes (they have an extensive choice of baguettes, but my personal favorite is the coronation chicken!) or maybe one of their cakes. I would recommend the Pistachio cake , or homemade macaroons!
Alongside the delicious snacks, I often feel the need for the caffeine rush during my shopping, which is why I opt to have a break and relax in at the Cafe Nespresso or even take one home, you’d expect, the coffee selection is vast! As a lover of making the own Nespresso espressos in my own kitchen, I always look for something new whenever I go to the Cafe and, during my last visit I had the After Eight Espresso and one of my favorites on warm day is their Hazelnut Iced Macchiato. There are over 25 distinct and original coffee combinations that are made right before your and the eyes of the coffee maestros! When you visit you can also buy additional Nespresso capsules for your home machine by using the Nespresso Cube Automated self-service robot that can prepare personalized capsules in only one or two minutes!
Don’t Forget The Following Streets…
When you’re feeling energized you’re ready to take a stroll around the streets that lie just off Oxford Street. After a visit to Café Nespresso Cafe Nespresso you can weave your way through SoHo and then Carnaby Street which is where you’ll discover more boutiques that range in price from British lifestyle brands like Jack Wills, to the Fashion and fitness flagship that is the brand new Sweaty Betty flagship (there’s even an exercise studio located in the basement should you want to burn off some of those calories at lunch!). On the upper end of Carnaby Street is the iconic department store Liberty Don’t be a fool to snap that important picture in front of the shop’s stunning flower display!
Regent Street is another unmissable shopping district, you can walk there after having visited Liberty (it’s just 30 minutes from the Liberty station!) There you’ll find more stunning stores including flagship designer stores like the enormous Burberry store along with the minimum of two Zara stores, as well as a special Zara home store, as well as the best high-end shops such as Karen Millen Ted Baker, Reiss, J Crew and more. In the middle of Regent Street you’ll find Piccadilly Circus which is another must-see when you’re new to London!
It might sound daunting it’s not, and there’s many places to go and shops to explore, but it’s pretty simple to navigate your way around. And every store is close together on 2 or 3 streets (as as opposed to New York for example where some of the best shops are located on street edges!) So you’ll never lose out on the best stores by sticking to the main streets.
