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London’s best shopping haunts

Quentin Long Quentin Long

It’s a tough job but someone had to max out their credit card to find the best shopping in London…

One of the shopping capitals of the world, home to the most famous retail brand in the world, Harrod’s, the world really is your oyster, smothered in caviar if you wish, in London.

Harrod’s

87-135 Brompton Rd, Knightsbridge SW1
Underground: Knightsbridge

Probably the greatest brand in retail in the world, a wonder around Harrod’s can be ‘just another department store’ until you reach the food hall.
Perhaps better categorised under the ‘food experiences’ strolling through the food hall is a mouth-watering visual and sensory assault.
Have a spot of lunch at one of the many restaurants before entering the chocolate hall, otherwise your waist line could take some punishment.

Harvey Nicholls

109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1
Underground: Knightsbridge

Just up the road from Harrod’s, ‘Harvey Nicks’ was made famous by the buffoonery of the girls in Ab Fab.
But as for shopping experiences, it is preferred to its better-known neighbour. The range and selection is top notch.

Jermyn St

Jermyn St
Underground: Piccadilly Circus

Pronounced German, this is the elite shirt makers and tailors of repute street. Pick up the latest styles for women and men.
While you are there, take a gander at the Piccadilly Arcade  which has specialty shoemakers, jewellers and other one off artisan finds of exquisite (read expensive) quality.

Camden Markets

Camden High St, NW1
Underground: Camden Town

The great market of London, the Camden markets are in fact four markets in one, the largest being the Stables markets.
They are far less crowded during the week, but that means you lose on the better half of the experience – the ‘cosmopolitan’ London crowd who descend on the markets every weekend, plus the hordes of tourist who make it the fourth most visited sight in London.
Go on an empty stomach, the eating is good. Make an effort to arrive along Regents Canal for a very underrated London experience.
Afterwards stroll up to Primrose Hill for a great view over London and some more refined dining.

Hamleys

188-196 Regent St, W1
Underground: Oxford Circus

A real life toy emporium, this is the ultimate in the world’s toy shops.
Across 8 floors of giddy inducing kiddy fun, if you have any gifts to buy for under 18s, use that as an excuse to entertain your inner child for a fulfilling afternoon.

Penhaligons

Eight stores in various locations across London.

Scent makers serving the world for 137 years plus, enjoy an olfactory workout trying to find the right scent for you from their entire range of 34 perfumes, made from exotic ingredients like hand squeezed Bergamot.

Old Spitafields Market

16 Horner St, Spitafields E1
Underground: Shoreditch High St / Aldgate East

Less touristy and crowded than the more well known markets, Camden, Brick and Borough, Spitafields has carved out a niche with fashion plus the usual nick naks, trinket stalls and food.
It’s covered which makes a rainy day visit possible.
Make it an afternoon activity and then move onto a night in funky Shoreditch.

Selfridge’s

400 Oxford St, W1
Underground: Bond St

A more wallet friendly department store (vs Harvey Nicks and Harrod’s) on Oxford St Selfridge’s range starts at reasonably prices .
You will find everything from the conservative to ultra high fashion.
The food hall doesn’t quite rival Harrod’s but drop into Selfridges when needing some sustenance for one of the best kept London secrets – it serves the best salt beef sandwich in London, Europe, Northern Hemisphere, the World.

Portobello Road Markets

Portobello Road, Notting Hill , W11
Underground: Notting Hill Gate

The world’s largest antique market and has food and fashion, too!

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East End Thrift Store

1A Assemblage Passage, Whitechapel E1
Underground: Whitechapel

East End Thrift Store is a little vintage beauty selling fur coats, leather jackets etc. from as little as £10.
Plus there’s plenty of other cute boutiques down this way to check out.

More Shopping Streets and Markets:

Borough Market

More market fun

Brick Lane Market

And crazy hipster market fun

Kings Rd Chelsea

So not in the ultra posh stratosphere of Knightsbridge but where the Chelsea wealthy go to pick up a few nick narks. Great for a day strolling amount the seriously beautiful and wealthy and occasional ‘celeb’.

Bond St Mayfair

High end designers from around the world would’t be caught dead not on Bond St. (Remember Mayfair was the most expensive real-estate in Monopoly for good reason).

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Quentin Long
Quentin Long is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Australian Traveller Media. Quentin is a sought-after travel media commentator. He is Australia’s most trusted source for travel news and insights, having held weekly radio segments across the country since 2006, and regularly appearing on Channel 9’s Today and A Current Affair programs from 2010. Don't ask him his favourite travel experience as that's like asking him to choose a favourite child. However he does say that Garma Festival is the one travel experience that changed him the most.
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What the European heatwave means for your summer travel plans

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK. 

    Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

    And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

    Why is it so hot in Europe?

    Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

    France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

    In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

    The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

    Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

    How travel is impacted

    A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius
    A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

    During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

    If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

    Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

    people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris
    People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

    With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

    Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

    How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

    Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

    Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

    Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.