London is a city famous for its commercial prowess and, with every borough you visit, you’ll find a unique high street injected with a one-of-a-kind personality.
Regardless of whether you’re visiting the city to check out bars near Hyde Park, for work, or ticking off bucket list items with your friends, you’ll no doubt want to bring some souvenirs from your trip back home.
With the wide range of quintessentially British stores lining the high streets, you’ll have more than enough choice for an English picnic hamper or iconic fashion accessories straight from the heart of the city.
What’s more, London’s long-spanning history and long line of affluent residents have meant that the city has had many iconic businesses started within its limits.
The business that combines both commerce and tourism is, of course, the department store.
With many in London having long and exciting histories, it’s no surprise that TV shows like Mr Selfridge focus on the creation of these dazzling retailers. Below are a selection of some of our favourites, put together with a hope of giving Park Grand London Hyde Park guests a deeper understanding of the most popular London shopping destinations.
Harrods
Harrods is one of the most famous department stores not just London, but the world.
With five acres of space in the beautiful Knightsbridge area of West London, Harrods offers customers 380 different departments including fashion, accessories and homeware. The current site was built in 1851 to attract a diverse clientele of locals and international tourists, meaning it is very close to some of the best West London hotels and Hyde Park accommodation.
Having held many royal warrants for members of the monarchy’s clothing, food and accessories, Harrods has a reputation as a sophisticated and uniquely British shopping destination.
Selfridges
Given its grand size and expansion across the country, it’s no wonder this shopping centre has a three season TV show about it.
With 111 years of history and a flagship store on Oxford Street, Selfridges is a department store that sells a wide range of high-end products including homeware and fashion accessories. Started by Harry Selfridge, the store was famous for coining the phrase “the customer is always right”. It’s clear that the staff at each store operate under this some principle today.
Liberty
Based in Soho, Liberty is famous for its Tudor Revivalist building on Great Marlborough Street.
Having started back in 1875 as a furnishings store, the store is now best known for being the go-to shop for men and women’s accessories, jewellery, perfume and – of course - furniture.
Fenwick
With a branch on Bond Street, Fenwick is a Newcastle-based department store known for its broad range of fashion, accessories, beauty products and foodstuffs.
With nine branches across the country, Fenwick is well-known for its quintessentially British tone.
Fortnum & Mason
This Piccadilly-based retailer is a high-end department store that made its name selling exotic and boutique foodstuffs but has since expanded into clothes and accessories. They’ve also as opened a tea room and restaurant within its three London stores.
John Lewis
Another Oxford Street gem, John Lewis is a department store chain with branches internationally selling food, technology, fashion and homeware.
With its dazzling Central London flagship store, John Lewis has been one of the most popular department stores in the world and has been made even more convenient for shoppers with its online collection service at its Oxford Circus store.
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