London is one of the BEST cities in the world for shopping, and by that, I don’t just mean Oxford Street. Our city is full of buzzy village high streets to cool vintage markets and second-hand stores, so if your goal is to bring home some quality, unique pieces, I’ve put together eight shopping areas worth a dedicated visit.
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1. Mayfair
If you want to browse some of the most beautiful boutiques in the world, Mayfair is unmatched. I recommend wandering right down Mount Street for loads of luxury fashion and jewellery, or you can explore New Bond Street for all your iconic flagship stores like Cartier and Dior.
Even if you don’t happen to be in the market for a £10,000 necklace, it’s 100% worth just going for a cheeky window shop in this area because some of these stores feel less like shops and more like art galleries. Think Jessica McCormack, a shop housed in a five-storey Georgian townhouse FULL of fine jewellery displayed alongside antiques and books.
While we’re here, don’t miss Burlington Arcade either. It’s one of London’s oldest and most beautiful covered shopping arcades, lined with independent jewellers, cashmere specialists and perfumers.
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2. Marylebone High Street
Marylebone is one of those really rare spots that somehow manages to still feel like a small village despite being in central London. Lined with a bunch of independent boutiques, mid-range luxury stores, bookshops, homeware shops and some great cafés, Marylebone High Street will have you busy for a whole afternoon. With this in mind, make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy everything it has to offer.
Some of my favourite spots to hit in this area are definitely the classic favourites like Rixo, Sessùn, and agnès b. For something a little different, Koibird on Marylebone Lane is a funky concept store that rotates its entire stock every four months around a new theme or travel destination, so you never quite know what you’ll find.
While you’re there, the popular Daunt Books has a few locations around the city, but its Marylebone one is the best IMO because it’s housed in a former Edwardian bookshop that still holds all of its old architecture and a beautiful stained-glass window.
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3. Shoreditch and Spitalfields
If you’re someone who loves vintage fashion, Shoreditch is where you’ll find it as Brick Lane is FULL of great vintage shops. I really love MSSY, Atika, Y2K Vintage and Unique Vintage.
It wouldn’t be a shopping guide without a mention of the ever-popular Brick Lane Vintage Market either, so pop in there, but be ready to SHOP as it’s a massive underground basement packed to the brim with clothes.
Take note: In recent years, some of the “vintage” stores on Brick Lane have started stocking the same mass-produced pieces you’d find on fast-fashion sites like Shein, dressed up in vintage pricing, so make sure you check tags before buying. The good stuff is absolutely there, though.
If you’re not exhausted by the almost endless options on Brick Lane, I’d also head to Spitalfields Market. There’s a great variety of cool stores around there and a fun market that’s open everyday full of stalls with jewellery, trinkets, art, clothes and delicious food. They also host an antiques market every Thursday, which is fun if you’re into old-school wares at good prices.
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4. Carnaby Street and Soho
Carnaby Street is super close to Oxford Street and Regent Street, so it can get crazy busy with tourists, especially if you go on a weekend. In saying that, it does have some really cool stores if you’re willing to navigate the crowds. TALA (the activewear brand) has its flagship store here, as does Australian label Kookaï, which recently opened its doors. Plus renowned favourites like Barbour and Farm Rio have sites here.
The nearby Soho streets are also home to cool fashion pop-ups and contemporary brands. Keep an eye out for Alohas (the Spanish shoe brand that’s everywhere right now), Ronning, Scuffers, Wolf & Badger and a handful of other independent spots tucked along the side streets.
Related: Top Areas to Stay in When Visiting London (That We Know You’ll Love)
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5. Seven Dials
Seven Dials in Covent Garden is London’s well-known set of seven streets that meet at a central sundial pillar. And you bet, plenty of them are lined with interesting places to shop.
Neal Street and Monmouth Street are your main ones to hit. You’ve got cult favourites like COS, Dr. Martens and Kiehl’s sitting alongside brilliant independents. I personally LOVE Choosing Keeping for cute stationary, diaries and gifts, as well as Stanfords off Long Acre if you’re into maps, travel books and globes.
Make sure you don’t miss Earlham Street and Short’s Gardens either. There’s a great mix of streetwear, specialty stores and some really fun gift shops down there.
One thing to flag: Seven Dials can get seriously busy on weekends, especially in the warmer months with the tourist crowds. If you can, go on a weekday, just before mid-day, you’ll have a much better time browsing without the chaos.
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7. Camden Passage
If I had to choose a personal favourite, it would be this one. Camden Passage is a little alleyway just off Upper Street lined with antique stalls and vintage clothing. Full of locals, it’s a super calm and relaxed place to meander on a sunny afternoon between Wednesday to Sunday (as that’s when most of the stalls are open).
My ideal route would be popping into HAYGEN for beautiful homewares, Magpie Vintage for a fashion stop, then wandering down to some of the clothings and jewellery stalls. I once bought a beautiful gold necklace there that I now wear everyday.
If you need a pitstop for food or drink (or just want to give your legs a rest), pop into Trampoline Cafe. It’s a local social enterprise built to help refugees “bounce back” by providing training and employment in the hospitality industry. Chef Yogi, who has a residency there at the moment, serves up excellent Sri Lankan short eats and curry plates, so make sure you save some room for that.
When you step back out onto the main part of Upper Street, there are also loads of shops (especially some great second-hand ones) that you can have a browse in like Haut, Oxfam Books, FARA, Seconda Mano and Boutique by Shelter.
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8. King’s Road, Chelsea
There’s not loads going on in Chelsea, but if there’s one thing this area does best, it’s shopping. You can walk yourself down the mile-long stretch of boutique stores and high-street brands for hours on end. Some of my favourites are Annoushka and Mejuri for amazing jewellery pieces, and Essentiel Antwerp for colourful threads.
John Sandoe Books on nearby Blacklands Terrace is a proper old-school independent bookshop that’s been a Chelsea institution for decades.
If you continue as far as Pavilion Road, you’ll stumble onto a lovely little side street with an almost mews-like feel. I find it really great for independent food shops to grab picnic ingredients in summer, plus there are some lovely café stops if your feet need a rest.
Looking for more ideas for things to do while you’re in London? Read more:
I’ve never heard of Carnaby St – sounds like the perfect place to head next time I’m In London! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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It’s really close to Oxford Street so definitely visit both.
Wow have you really never heard of carnaby street? It was very famous in the swinging sixties for being the number one place of fashion. It is perhaps not so exciting there now. But it’s really nice along with the whole area it’s embedded in around Shaftsbury Avenue and Soho 🙂
I was replying to USAABROAD 🙂
Yes as soon as I hit reply I realized that, then deleted 🙂
A great list but may I make it 6 areas and add Camden Market around Camden Lock. If you are serious about your shopping then hop on the tube to Camden Town and dive into the souk like alleyways and refurbished warehouses to find them full if small independent sellers and designers not to mention delicious food stalls by the dozen.
You certainly may make it 6 Simon– Camden Market is a great (funky) addition!