Christmas Shopping in London - Top Tips
Looking to do some Christmas shopping in London? Find out where our favourite spots are below.
Whether you're a planner or a last-minute-scrambler, Christmas shopping in London can seem a little daunting. With shops on every corner and crowds filling the streets, it can be difficult to tick things off your shopping list. But there's no need to panic, we've whittled down our top 5 shopping spots where you can find something for everyone at every budget!
Oxford Street
An old London faithful, Oxford Street is one of London's most visited shopping neighbourhoods and lines up flagship store after flagship store on a bustling stretch. It's always beautifully decorated around this time of year and feature heavyweights like H&M, Debenhams, Sports Direct and more, meaning there's a gift for everyone on Oxford Street. If you're visiting London and looking for souvenirs to take him, there's a number of small souvenir shops scattered about the area but be warned about the marked up prices. The only problem with Oxford Street is that you'll have too many options, which isn't such a bad situation to be in.
Westfield London
Beat the cold weather and slip indoors at Westfield Shopping Centre. With two locations in Stratford City and Shepherd's Bush and over 250 shops apiece, it's a mesh of luxury labels like Prada and more wallet-friendly brands like Primark to cover every budget. Once you've exhausted your credit card, there's cinemas, casinos, bowling alleys and an international food court to round off your day of hard work. Tip: London Pass holders can head to the concierge desk to acquire a V.I.P. Westfield pass, which includes discounts to over 80 of Westfield's retailers and restaurants.
London Beatles Store
Want to really make your loved ones twist and shout this Christmas? The London Beatles store over on Baker Street is overflowing with quintessential memorabilia, whether you're looking for a groovy Beatles-themed lava lamp for a casual fan or an autograph for the real die-hards. Located over on Baker Street, it's also right across the road from It's Only Rock and Roll where there's a feature Beatles gallery amongst other bands such as The Who, Led Zeppelin and others. Tip: London Pass holders who spend more than £5 also get an exclusive goody bag with their gift.
Shoreditch
Out with the old, in with the old. Shoreditch is home to many amazing vintage stores, ideal for finding a one-of-a-kind-piece that the fashion forward will eat up. Dotted around the street art and bagel bakeries are a number of places sure to catch your eye: Rokit Vintage and Beyond Retro are beloved stores with multiple branches across London and the sprawling converted warehouse East End Thrift Store is worth a visit, if you have the patience to comb through the racks.
Foyles Bookshop
Give the gift of knowledge this Christmas with a novel from Foyles Bookshop, a family-run independent bookstore which has seen London through the years. After revamping their flagship Charing Cross location, the store now stocks over 200,000 books and has evolved beyond a simple bookstore with a jazz cafe and art gallery introduced in recent times. With a selection that spans over 4 miles of shelving, you'll be hard-pressed to find something your friend and family won't love. Tip: London Pass holders who make purchases over £25 receive a free copy of London Unfurled by Matteo Pericoli upon presenting their pass and receipt at the Charing Cross branch.