London is a favourite destination for shoppers from around the world with thousands of stores big and small!
But what I think makes shopping here so special is that we have a number of historic and iconic department stores to explore.
As a Londoner, I have been to most of these shops dozens of times.
I know what each one has to offer in terms of shopping, history, architecture - and plenty of fun things to buy.
In this post, I am going to go through my top list of London's most famous and oldest stores.
Harrods
Harrods is, undoubtedly, London's most famous department store, known the world over!
This is the store I get asked about more often than any other - hands down.
It's located in the affluent London neighbourhood of Knightsbridge and is just a stone's throw from Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park.
Why is Harrods so famous? Partly because of its age (almost 200 years old!) and partly because of its size.
Harrods spans a 5-acre site and holds over one million square feet of selling space making it the largest department store in the UK.
Many visitors to London will never have stepped foot in a store of this size.
Although, I hear from my American and Canadian travellers that there are shops just this big in places like New York City, so it may not seem unusually large to you if you hail from North America.
But I promise you'll find it more decadent than any store you've visited before - especially when it comes to my favourite department: The Food Hall.
I also think the building itself is just beautiful, both inside and out.
There's art nouveau windows, Egyptian-style architecture, and towering baroque domes.
I always recommend that guests in Knightsbridge take a visit to Harrods even if you don't intend to buy anything!
I like to go just to have a wander around, see the beautiful displays, and window shop.
It holds over 330 different departments and over 20 cafes, restaurants, and bars, and offers one of my favourite afternoon teas in London
(I love their rhubarb tart and for vegan afternoon tea, it really can't be beaten!).
During Christmas, the Harrods Christmas Shop can't be beaten! I visit every year - again, even if I have no intention of buying anything!
And in this video, my college Sinead, also a tour guide with Tours by Foot London, takes you on a walk through the Christmas Shop.
It's just a great place to explore and I have left with a number of Christmas baubles for my tree throughout the years.
I find that to be one of the most affordable, and useful, items you can buy there.
If you want to visit Harrods, make sure to read my Shopper's Guide for all the tips you'll need.
Address: 87 - 135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7XL
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 21:00 | Sundays 11:30 - 18:00 (Browsing only from 11:30 - 12:00)
Nearest Underground Station: Knightsbridge
Fortnum & Mason
I can't get enough of Fortnum & Mason.
Although Harrods has the name recognition, I find visiting Fortnum & Mason to be a truly fascinating experience.
It's London's oldest department store, founded in 1707 by William Fortnum & Hugh Mason.
Originally founded as a grocery store, today the shop sells housewares, furnishings, stationery, and more.
But my favourite area is the ground floor...right as I walk into the building I am surrounding by all the most delicious treats to eat and drink I could ever want!
Honestly, it's a feast for the eyes as well as my stomach. I love the piles of handmade marshmallows, the perfectly aligned rows of artisan chocolate and the colourful decorative tins of biscuits.
You can even buy their own special blends of coffee, tea and honey (made from bees who live on the roof).
I challenge you to visit and come out empty handed!
I also like recommending a visit to F&M to my guests because it boasts a Royal Warrant which means they provide goods to the Royal Family.
And on top of all that, Fortnum & Mason serves my favourite afternoon tea in all of London.
Fortnum & Mason also boasts and incredible Christmas Shop which is definitely worth a visit!
And here is Sinead again, this time with Christmas walk through this old London institutuion.
I've also got a few holiday decorations in my house that I've picked up there throughout the years.
F&M is easy to access from the start point of our Westminster and All in One Tours.
Or explore the neighbourhood yourself with my guides to Mayfair and Piccadilly.
Address: 181 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1A 1ER
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 20:00 | Sundays 11:30 - 18:00 (Browsing only from 11:30 - 12:00)
Nearest Underground Station: Piccadilly Circus and Green Park
Liberty
I think that Liberty is probably the most unique of London's department stores.
It's been here in London's West End since 1875 and is known for its' support of up-and-coming designers as well as well-known luxury fashion labels (and the price tags to match).
Liberty's primary focus is on beauty, homeware and fashion so I don't find it as diverse as some of the other entries on my list but they are the best at what they do!
However, my favourite thing about Liberty isn't what's inside, but the building itself.
It's made from the wood of an old ship!
It's been repurposed into an iconic mock-Tudor black and white design.
It's also got these incredible skylights at the top so when I am walking around inside it's like being in a bit of a fairy land with all the colours and sunlight streaming in.
Perhaps one of London's most beautiful department stores, Liberty is well worth a visit, even if you don't have the budget (it doesn't stop me from having a browse!).
It's also very well known for its' fabrics!
Some of my friends make a trip across the UK every year to stock up on unique fabrics at Liberty.
They aren't cheap but they tell me the quality and unique prints are worth the money.
You'll find Liberty on the edge of Soho making it one of London's most centrally-located department stores and easy to visit after going on our Soho, Piccadilly Circus, and Chinatown Tour as well as our Rock n Roll Tour!
Address: Regent Street, London W1B 5AH
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 20:00 | Sundays 11:30 - 18:00 (Browsing only from 11:30 - 12:00)
Nearest Underground Station: Oxford Circus
Selfridges
I think that after Harrods, Selfridges is the store I get asked the most about on my tours.
One of the flagship department stores on Oxford Street (that's our major shopping street and where most of my friends do the majority of their retail therapy), Selfridges was opened in 1908 by American retail magnate Harry Gordon Selfridge.
I'll come clean and let you know that Selfridges is part of a chain, which I know can put some people off.
However, the Oxford Street branch is the original, flagship store and is also the second-largest department store in the country (after Harrods).
It's a high-end department store but I think they have some of the best summer and winter sales in the city and have picked up designer labels at ridiculous prices in the past so it's always worth having a browse.
I think it's also one of the most diverse and densely packed stores on my list.
With a focus on luxury fashion labels, the six-story building also boasts a food hall, a sprawling beauty department, a luxury jewelry department (think Rolex, Cartier, and Tiffany), and a cutting-edge technology department.
But the one place in the store I always want to visit is the shoe department - it is, literally, the largest in the world.
With over 5,000 different pairs of women's shoes on display, and an inventory estimated to be around 100,000, the department needs to be seen to be believed.
I've noticed that there is a wide range of price points to be found there so don't think you can't necessarily afford it!
Selfridge's also does a Christmas shop, although I don't think it compares to the Harrods and Fortnum & Mason versions...with one caveat: their window displays and Christmas lights.
I go every year to see what the theme is going to be!
Address: 400 Oxford Street, London W1A 1AB
Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 - 22:00 | Saturday 10:00 - 21:00 | Sunday 11:30 - 18:00 (Browsing only from 11:30 - 12:00)
Nearest Underground Station: Bond Street and Marble Arch
John Lewis
Another one of London's department stores on Oxford Street, John Lewis is often touted as Britain's favourite Department Store.
Again, this is part of a chain and there are multiple John Lewis locations around the UK there is also a John Lewis at Westfield White City and Stratford City in London.
But I would say that John Lewis is probably the most affordable entry on my list!
It's a true department store with both luxury and more affordable brands on offer.
Most of my kitchen and living room are actually furnished by John Lewis and their bedding is some of the best I've ever used.
This store has everything: clothes, furnishings, home goods, beauty counters, children's gifts, toys, furniture, outdoor goods, technology, and food (although I don't personally recommend the cafes or restaurants inside).
And, of course, they have a Christmas shop as well!
Their John Lewis Christmas decorations are always worth a look (and I always look forward to see their yearly ad campaigns, too).
I think their Christmas decorations are also some of the nicest - and most affordable - in the city.
Address: 300 Oxford Street, London W1C 1DX
Hours: Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Saturday 10:00 - 20:00 | Thursdays 10:00 - 21:00 | Sundays 12:00 - 18:00 (Browsing only from 11:30 - 12:00)
Nearest Underground Station: Oxford Circus
Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols is another of London's longest-serving department stores, having been founded in 1831.
With a focus on fashion and beauty, Harvey Nichols - known as Harvey Nicks - also sells beauty products as well as fine wines and luxury foods.
Again, there are numerous Harvey Nichols locations in the UK but 'Harvey Nicks' Knightsbridge is a must-visit destination for those who love posh shops!
I find it to be one of the pricier entries on this list so I don't shop there as much as I do at some of the others.
However, their Fifth Floor Bar has lovely views and delicious drinks (try the Impeachment!).
Located within walking distance to both Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, it is also a short stroll and easy to get from Harvey Nichols to Harrods.
It's also next to Harrods so when it's Christmas time, I like to stroll past Harvey Nichols, too, to check out their window displays.
I find they tend to be a bit more avant guarde than some of the more traditional ones at John Lewis or Harrods.
Address: 109 - 125 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RJ
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 21:00 | Sundays 11:30 - 18:00 (Browsing only from 11:30 - 12:00)
Nearest Underground Station: Knightsbridge
