Living in London – Summer Shopping- Image via Flickr

If you’re living in London and you’re lucky enough to have some cash to throw around, why not take advantage of the fact that London is, without a doubt, one of the shopping capitals of the world. You’ve got your choice of places to carry your wallet to and a plethora of things to buy for you to kit out your London flat. It’s a big city so there’s loads of shopping opportunities for you to explore.

Let’s start with the obvious – Harrods. The store has about one million square feet of selling space and over 300 departments, including the world famous Food Hall. So you won’t struggle to find anything for dinner.

Also pay a visit to Covent Garden, for the best in High Street fashion. Up till the 1960s Covent Garden was more likely to be recognized for its fruit and veg market, but these days, its popular visit for the tourist looking for famous fashion labels and its top quality restaurants.

Do you have kids? Then it’s only right that you make a stop at Hamleys, the biggest and most famous toy shop in the entire world. Don’t think that you’ll only be able to stop for a quick fifteen minutes, and be in and out. When a toy store takes up six floors packed from top to bottom with toys and games, you’ll have to devote an entire day to taking it all. And if feels a bit indulgent to be taken in by all this kiddie fare, just remind yourself that it’s not just for play, as Hamleys is over one hundred years old, which makes a valid part of London’s history.

Or are you a bit of a bookworm? Get thee down to Charing Cross Road, noted for its many book stores, from comic book stores to those stocking the classics to second hand book stores, you won’t leave disappointed.

And if you’re are in the vicinity of Charing Cross Road, head to St. Giles’ Circus where you’ll find Tottenham Road, where you’ll find anything and everything you’ll need to kit yourself out with the latest that electronics has to offer.

Shopping in London is an experience, whether you’re getting your groceries delivered to you London apartment, or you’re striding down the High Street on a Saturday morning looking for that perfect outfit.

Living In London – Make Like A Tourist!- Image via Wikipedia

You’re in a unique position; living in London. You get the chance to spend time visiting some of the world’s most famous tourist attractions and at the end of the day you get to go back to your cozy London apartment and know that you can do it all again tomorrow without having to catch a plane home again.

If you have just arrived in London then take the opportunity to explore the city and get to know your new home. If you looking for a tour with a touch of class then the Harrods Vintage Bus Tour is the perfect way to see the major sights in London and end you afternoon with a classic English High tea at one of the world’s most famous and elegant department stores: Harrods in Knightsbridge.

The Harrods Vintage Bus Tour is run a number of times per day and offers one of the most fascinating views of London from aboard the vintage bus branded in the distinctive green of the Harrods store. The tours starts at the iconic store in Knightsbridge and makes its way past Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, which is where Price William recently married Catherine Middleton in true English pomp and ceremony.

With a photo opportunity at the London Eye and a view of the Houses or Parliament across the River Thames, you will continue the bus tour past Number 10 Downing Street, which is the home of the prime Minister of England lives; trundle through Trafalgar Square, along Pall mall and through Piccadilly and the famous Ritz Hotel. The tour ends back at the Harrods store where you can have a light luncheon in one of the restaurants in the store or a classic and traditional English High Tea in the afternoon, which will include the ubiquitous Cucumber sandwiches!

In fact, the only thing you can do after taking tea, (one does not ‘have’ tea at Harrods, one ‘takes’ tea!) is to get some exercise by exploring the massive department store. Be aware that Harrods does have a strict dress code and shorts and sandals as well as sloganed t-shirts are not allowed.

Take time to make like a tourist when you are moving to London, once you’re into the hustle and bustle of living in London you might not get another chance.

Image via Wikipedia

Author:  Colleen

A London move or visit can whisk you away to any number of London neighborhoods, and this week with my friend in town, we decided to navigate the posher side of London.

An errand took us to Fulham Road first, so from there we cut over on Old Church Street (where I read that Kate Middleton lived with her sister Pippa) to get to the King’s Road in Chelsea. My Los Angeles friend was surprised by how much more American she considered that area to be—larger stores and wider sidewalk space perhaps giving that effect, as well as stores popular in the States like Anthropologie and Banana Republic. Walking eastward, we popped into the Chelsea Farmers Market for a cold sorbet—pear with bits of chocolate, their special flavor commemorating the Royal Wedding—because it was a hot as heckfire day in London!

Continuing on past the Partridges store loved by so many American expats living in London because of its American food imports like Kraft Mac-n-Cheese, we soon arrived in Sloane Square where the Peter Jones department store (selling the John Lewis brand) stands prominently aside Tiffany’s and the usual assortment of high street shops. I reminisced about how integral Peter Jones had been when my husband and I first relocated to London and needed to supplement our half-furnished London apartment with this-and-that. Anyway, cutting up Sloane Street, we walked several blocks of what reminded my friend of Rodeo Drive in LA. Passing by Dior, Valentino, Gucci, and the like, we knew that with the increasing opulence of the retailers, buildings, and people the infamous Harrods had to be near. And there it was, glistening in the sun on Knighstbridge with its city-block scale and signature awnings striking an impressive pose.

We spent a long time in there.

Now, to tackle Harrods, you probably should have some sort of game plan if you want to make it out alive. One of my peeves with this store is that they don’t have a full-store directory at the Egyptian escalators, so unless you already know the lay of the land beforehand, you’ll be stuck riding all the way up to see what’s where. It is also difficult to see every department in this gargantuan place, so it helps to refine your interests—we opted for hats and pets. The millinery section is gorgeous in all its colorful, feathered whimsy, especially fun after seeing all the hats on display at the Royal Wedding. (Less fun are Harrod’s prices, so unless you really are willing to spend £2,000 on a hat, you might consider a less expensive “fascinator” at Accessorize) And yes, you did hear me say “pets”—Harrods has its own pet shop, along with an entire department of accessories for your diva doggies and couture kitties. And as a timely FYI, an extensive Harrods gift shop has now opened where you can buy assorted souvenirs bearing the store’s logo, and the ground-level perfumery is currently promoting the latest Hermes fragrance, Un Jardin sur le Toit, which is exclusive to Harrods for a few weeks.

And then there was the food. Harrods surely has the most upscale food court you could find—don’t hesitate to plop yourself on a stool at one of its food bars as we certainly did. Our choice was the jamon iberico station, where they had a delightful special of thin ham slices on bread with a glass of Spanish sherry for only £8. My friend ordered that, while I had the carmelized onions and Manchego cheese on flatbread—exquisite! The staff there was incredibly hospitable as well, and it was from the master carver that we learned how this year, for the first time in several, jamon iberico will be imported to the United States from Spain again. Originally facing an embargo due its curing process not being compatible with US standards, there are now US-certified suppliers who are allowed to send this meat over—the pork shoulder has already made its way back across the pond since it only takes one year or so to be cured, but the jamon (the hind leg) requires three years, so this year is the soonest the certified meat can make it over. American chefs must be thrilled, and my foodie friend was psyched to get to taste it here in London first!

As our reward for such hard work strolling around and window-shopping (how do we get through it…), we rounded the bend of Hyde Park Corner from Knightsbridge to treat ourselves to some classic and phenomenally mixed martinis at London’s renowned luxury hotel, The Dorchester, which is celebrating its 80th year. The martinis start at £16, but they’re worth sacrificing dinner for. Aside from that price-tag, this all amounted to an inexpensive day in London’s ritziest district, so even if you can’t afford to live there after your London move, you can still experience it in style.

Relocating to London: London Shopping – Where To Go First? The opulent clothing department at Harrods, London - Image via Wikipedia

Author: Belinda

Getting settled after relocating to London can be a slightly daunting task and one of the best ways of rewarding yourself for the move is to get out there and drop some cash in the world’s greatest stores. London offers a myriad of shopping experiences to choose from and you will never be bored with exploring all that London has to offer. London truly is a shopper’s paradise, and the fact that so many of the stores have such a rich tradition and history behind them, makes each trip into a sightseeing and experience never to be forgotten.

Bond Street is the area to head for if you are looking to do some serious spending. This street is lined with all of the big name designers such as Louis Vuitton and Tiffany. A jewellery lovers Mecca, Bond Street also has many great fashion designers offering the best and the latest designer fashions and original clothing. For men’s fashion, you simply have to head off to Jermyn Street or Savile Row, which has a rich tradition in men’s bespoke tailoring and handmade leather shoes. These suits might be pricey, but until you have had your suit designed and tailored to fit you exactly, you just won’t realise the value of this experience. Londoners, especially the men from ‘the City’, which is the financial district of London, like to dress in the best suits from the gentlemen’s tailors.

Regent Street is home to the most famous toy store in the world. Hamleys has over seven floors of toys and entertainment for children and it has been a British institution for hundreds of years. Oxford Street is ‘the’ high street to visit if you are looking for the best department stores. Huge shops like John Lewis and Debenhams provide a unique and interesting shopping experience that will have you coming back for more. Alternative fashionistas should head off to Camden Market, which is the home of all punk, goth and club wear for the trendy set in London. Camden Market is the 4^th most visited tourist site in London, so you should make a day of it and browse through everything they have to offer.

There is one other store that is a must see if you have relocated to London. The store that carries the most prestige and history of any other store in the world. Harrods is the ultimate in London department stores and is to be found in the ultra fashionable address of Knightsbridge. This luxurious store has been open since 1834 and is situated on five acres of prime London real estate. With 330 separate departments and 32 restaurants that serve up treats form around the world, you can spend days just exploring and gawking at the phenomenal displays.

The best place to find edible treats is at the famous Harrods Food Hall, and if you are in London over Christmastime, then the Harrods Christmas lights are a time-honoured tradition. A small point to remember: Harrods has a strict dress code for its customers, and you will not be allowed into the store wearing shorts or t-shirts. Dress up a little, you will feel right at home in a flash!

(This excerpt previously appeared in my 17 May guest post on Anglotopia.net, a brilliant, comprehensive resource on all things UK that I highly recommend to all Anglophiles!)

Continuing from my previous post on where Americans tend to gravitate in London, today I bring you:

South Kensington

Central to London is the neighborhood of South Kensington, an affluent postcode that is home to a substantial American population.  The area bears a similar aesthetic to trendy U.S. neighbourhoods like Lincoln Park in Chicago or New York’s SoHo or Upper West Side and, like Notting Hill, is a cornucopia of shopping and dining.

Gloucester Road is among many venue-lined roads and is home to one particular grocery store that has become a guilty pleasure (if not a staple) for many-an American expat:  Partridges.  For as many American brands (or decent-enough equivalents) that can be found in UK stores, there are many good ol’ standbys that are rare in these here parts, so it’s key to have an oasis of American goods to satisfy that occasional craving for pancakes and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese!  And for more upscale shopping, South Kensington is only a few minutes’ walk from its opulent and pricier neighbor, Knightsbridge, which houses the likes of Harrods.

With the Victoria & Albert and Natural History museums, as well as concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington also provides a convenient dosage of British history and culture to immerse expats in their new country.

To be concluded in our next post…

(This excerpt previously appeared in my 17 May guest post on Anglotopia.net)

This one’s for the ladies.  While my last bundle will bring you by an assortment of darling boutiques to enhance your wardrobe and accessories, if you want to get really hardcore, follow me…

Today we start at Oxford Circus Tube station, not to be confused with its far more obnoxious neighbor, Piccadilly Circus,

Photo: David Rose

although you could as easily start from there if you please and make your way to Oxford Circus via Regent Street;  I won’t stop ya.  Beginning at Oxford Circus, though, presents you with the immediate option of initiating your shopping extravaganza on either Oxford or Regent Streets (SO fun to visit during Christmastime when they close the streets to traffic for holiday shopping!).  I personally like to go South on Regent Street, down to the 250-year-old Hamleys of London toy store (go on, pop in and play!  And if you want grown-up toys, it’s near the Apple Store); from here, you can keep wandering down into the Piccadilly Circus tourist trap.

Or, if it’s starting to look too Magnificent Mile or 5th Avenue and you want some old London atmosphere, cut off of the high street at Great Marlborough Street to the left and immediately see the Tudor-style Liberty department store.  To the left of Liberty, you can then enter Carnaby Street.  You’ll think you’re in the quaint little Epcot World Showcase for England or Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley when you wander into this intimate network of streets offering an array of shops and restaurants.

From here, we’re on to Knightsbridge!  I leave it entirely up to you how you choose to get there–you can cut over to Hyde Park‘s Northeast corner from Oxford Street (Marble Arch area)—you’ll pass Selfridges department store on the way—and enjoy a relaxed walk through the greenery until you reach its South end at Hyde Park Corner.  Or, if you do follow Regent Street down to Piccadilly Circus, you can follow Piccadilly Westward to Hyde Park Corner and ultimately onto Knightsbridge (check out the Ritz on the way).  OR, you can zigzag through the posh Mayfair streets that contain some of London’s most expensive properties and fine dining (might I recommend Gordon Ramsey’s Maze off Grosvenor Square—across from the U.S. Embassy—for contemporary ambiance and small but flavor-packed portions or The Guinnea, a historical pub that serves high quality steaks in its rear restaurant—Guy Ritchie’s Punch Bowl is nearby there as well if you’re thirsty).  If you’re game to window-shop for cars, you’ll find Aston Martin, Lamborghini, and Porsche dealerships in the area to gawk at.

However you get there, once you hit Knightsbridge, just walk on along for more high street shopping, drinking, and dining…all three of which activities you can do right inside the infamous Harrods, level upon level of garish opulence and high prices, well worth a look even if you are, in fact, only looking versus buying.  Walking further West along this road (or cutting Southwest onto Brompton Road) will ultimately bring you into South Kensington, the vicinity of my Kensington Gardens Gallivant bundle, if that helps you get your bearings.