The best shopping spots in London

By South Western Railway April 5, 2023 7 min read

In this article, you'll learn the following:

The best shopping spots in Central London
The best shopping spots in South West London
The best shopping spots in East London
Journey with South Western Railway

If you’re looking to indulge in some retail therapy, there’s no better place for a shopping spree than London. With shopping centres and streets filled with high street and independent stores, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

And the best part? It’s easy to get to London’s top shopping destinations from London Waterloo, Vauxhall and Clapham Junction stations. Here are some of the best shopping spots in London.

The best shopping spots in Central London

Central London has a myriad of stores to suit all budgets. Here are some of the best areas to shop:

Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea

Notting Hill is the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea’s shopping hotspot. With pastel-coloured houses and quaint cafés at every corner, it’s a picture perfect area to browse and take some snaps.

The world-famous market on Portobello Road is a fantastic place to start your shopping journey. The stalls stretch for over a mile, selling everything from lovingly restored antiques to bric-a-brac and vintage clothing.

Refuel with delicious street food and listen to talented musicians busking on the streets - it’s a truly vibrant atmosphere! The market generally runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, but it’s worth checking opening times before you visit.

The West End

Home to some of the best shopping streets in London, the West End is a popular place to indulge in retail therapy. It’s split into several areas, with all sorts of shops to choose from:

Burlington Arcade – Head to the Burlington Arcade for luxury jewellery boutiques, perfumers and fashion houses. As one of the UK’s original department stores, it’s a true shopping gem, with an array of retailers and a rich history.

Oxford Street – If you’re after a bustling atmosphere while you browse the nation’s top high-street fashion stores, this street is a must-visit. If you go during the festive season, Oxford Street’s Christmas lights display is unbeatable.

Bond Street – Searching for designer goods? Bond Street is known for its elegant stores and luxury fashion. You’ll find all of your favourite designer brands in one place, from classics like Alexander McQueen and Gucci to modern-day start-ups like Victoria Beckham.

Regent Street – Continue your designer shopping at Regent Street, with luxury fashion, skincare and fragrance stores, as well as a choice of cafés and restaurants to keep you fuelled.

Mount Street – One of London’s top luxury shopping destinations, Mount Street is a celebrity hotspot, loved for its quieter atmosphere. Its village-like feel transports you out of the busy West End, with local butchers and independent antique stores nestled between big-name fashion houses.

Savile Row – Known for traditional bespoke men’s tailoring, visit Savile Row for wedding suits and men’s formalwear. This is opulent, high-end tailoring, so be prepared to splash the cash.

Covent Garden – If you’re in search of a lavish location for your next shopping day, The Yards in Covent Garden will suit your fancy. The two areas – St Martin’s Courtyard and Mercer Walk – feature a wide range of established and independent retailers, plus a selection of restaurants.

Jermyn Street – like Savile Row, Jermyn Street is renowned for high-end men’s clothing. Head here for tailored suits, designer clothing and luxury grooming products.

Marylebone High Street – this area of the West End has an urban village feel, with small, independent shops and quaint cafés. There are many stores appealing to the large French population here, including Kusmi Tea and Claudie Pierlot.

Camden

A reflection of its eclectic neighbourhood, Camden’s shopping scene is renowned for its quirkiness. Located at Camden Lock Place, Camden Market is filled with over 1,000 stalls selling vintage, handcrafted and unique items. It’s open every day from 10am till late, so you can shop to your heart’s content.

Hampstead is another one of the Camden Bourgough’s vibrant shopping areas, with a wealth of boutiques and stores. Shops on Hampstead High Street are mostly independent, with several fashion boutiques, local butchers, and a daily community market selling fresh food and handcrafted goods.

The best shopping spots in South West London

A short train journey from London Waterloo will take you to South West London, where you can continue your shopping spree. Here are some of our favourite shopping areas:

Wandsworth

Wandsworth is best known for the iconic Battersea Power Station. Since its 2022 transformation and official opening, this converted power station has earned its spot as one of the best shopping centres in London.

There are a mix of shops at Battersea Power Station, from fashion and lifestyle to health and beauty. The centre also boasts a cinema, theatre, and a crazy golf course. When you’re feeling peckish, you’ll find plenty of bars and top-tier restaurants to tickle your tastebuds. Located in the station’s former control room, Control Room B offers cocktails and light bites in a relaxed environment, while diners can enjoy delicious food and sweeping views of the Thames at No. 29 Power Station West. Battersea Power Station is a 15-minute walk from Queenstown Road station.

Putney is another popular shopping area in Wandsworth, thanks to its shopping centre, Putney Exchange. Just a short stroll from Putney station, you’ll find high street stores ranging from fashion boutiques to toy shops. There are also plenty of spots to grab refreshments and rest your feet.

Kingston

Kingston is one of the biggest shopping destinations in South West London, with hundreds of stores and a daily market selling local goods. The Bentall Centre is Kingston’s most popular shopping area. It has everything you need, from fashion and beauty to home and technology. And the best part? It’s only a three-minute walk from Kingston station.

Wimbledon

You might know Wimbledon for its tennis connections, but it also has a fantastic shopping area. For luxury and designer goods, head to Wimbledon Village. Here you’ll find high-end beauty and fashion shops, a weekly farmers’ market and several independent food stores.

You can also head to Centre Court Shopping, Wimbledon's shopping centre, which is across the road from Wimbledon station.

The best shopping spots in East London

East London is a short train or tube journey from Waterloo and offers a mix of vibrant shopping areas.

Tower Hamlets

The borough of Tower Hamlets is renowned for its unique and quirky shops. It’s one of the best spots for independent shopping and supporting local businesses. Make sure to visit the following:

Brick Lane – A buzzing market street filled with independent boutiques, handmade market goods and an explosion of sights, smells and tastes. Brick Lane is also known for its world-famous curry houses – perfect for when you work up an appetite.

Spitalfields – Best known for its popular daily market, selling clothing, jewellery, home items, art and more. It’s one of London’s oldest markets, giving independent retailers a platform to sell their goods. Shopping complete, the area’s takeaway wine bar is bound to be a hit. Spitalfields Market is one for passionate foodies. It has an array of food stalls to choose from, from asian fusion and melt-in-your-mouth burgers it’s not one to miss!

Bethnal Green – Visit on a Sunday for the weekly Columbia Road Flower Market. A burst of colour and fresh fragrances, the market makes for a great photo opportunity, with charming Victorian storefronts as your backdrop. There are also heaps of charming coffee shops to check out while you’re there.

Hackney

Hackney’s shining star is Shoreditch, with an ever-expanding shopping area set to rival the West End. Here you’ll find everything from high street stores and designer boutiques to quirky market stalls and independent labels.

Don’t miss a visit to BOXPARK Shoreditch, a pop-up shopping and dining area set inside shipping containers. Open every day, it’s become a staple of East London’s shopping scene. Pick up a Black Card before you go. This is BOXPARK’s membership scheme which offers a range of discounts.

Journey with South Western Railway

Whichever London shopping destination you choose, South Western Railway can help you get there. Search our ticket types to find cheap train tickets, and save more by travelling off-peak. Don’t forget to check if you can benefit from Railcards and discounts, GroupSave and SWR Rewards.