What shops do you recommend in Westminster?

[anniversay/grad trip]

We have a rather full day planned of sightseeing, but we would like to get in a little bit of shopping if possible. Staying at the Ruebens at the Palace....any shops in the area you would recommend? (I know we are very close to the mall, but looking for some small boutiques/souvenier shops???)

[tom_uk]

That's quite a strange area, in fact. Although it's close to Buckingham Palace, it's not actually that fashionable an area. The area around Victoria Station is very matter-of-fact, and Victoria Street (leading back towards Westminster) is packed with shops that cater largely for the tens of thousands of commuters who walk along it from the station to the various civil service departments in Westminster and back.

If it's small luxurious goods you want then you need to head into the area between Pall Mall and Piccadilly and up into Regent Street where there are a number of traditional shops e.g. menswear in and around Jermyn Street. There are also some late 18th century/early 19th century shopping arcades e.g. Burlington Arcade which I think is on the north side of Piccadilly. That area is definitely worth a good browse.

[anniversay/grad trip]

Originally Posted by tom_uk

That's quite a strange area, in fact. Although it's close to Buckingham Palace, it's not actually that fashionable an area. The area around Victoria Station is very matter-of-fact, and Victoria Street (leading back towards Westminster) is packed with shops that cater largely for the tens of thousands of commuters who walk along it from the station to the various civil service departments in Westminster and back.

If it's small luxurious goods you want then you need to head into the area between Pall Mall and Piccadilly and up into Regent Street where there are a number of traditional shops e.g. menswear in and around Jermyn Street. There are also some late 18th century/early 19th century shopping arcades e.g. Burlington Arcade which I think is on the north side of Piccadilly. That area is definitely worth a good browse.

Thank you so much for your reply...I don't have anything in particular in mind to shop for, but with 3 women in our party (3 sisters and our husbands), we don't go too many places without looking into the shops. I'm sure my sisters and I will want to take home a few of the local specialties (having a British upbringing) ie. biscuits, chocolates, chutney, teas and jams, and some t-shirts and such for the kids.

[phabric]

We stoped at a store Lilly White (I think that is the name) on one of Piccadilly Circle's corner. It is a sporting store, I think you would call it that. Each floor is devoted to a different sport, ie: soccer - balls, shoes, socks, jerseys, jackets, everything for that sport all on one floor. They have floors for men and women. I have never seen so much sporting things all in one store. There are about 7-8 floors. It is interesting to go in and just look around.

Harrod's is interesting to go into for a look. They have a food court, where you can buy meat, fruit, veg. bake goods, fish. jams, teas. They also have seat down counter service for varies types of food. Try their ice cream section, expensive for an ice cream but SO good, we picked something to share.

If you have small kids to buy for, Harrod's has a toy department. In 2010, I picked up small teddy bears (a little bigger than your hand) each in a different uniform, ie beefeater, bobby, horseguard. Harrod's was also at Heathrow airport and the same teddy bears were more expensive.

If you have young boys and they are into cars, you might want to get them the double decker bus or taxi cabs. For the girls, they have pencil sharpers in the shape of the mailbox, pencil case & pens with the flag on. There are many souvenir stores.

Marks & Spencers have a section for jam, teas, chutney. We can get Cadbury chocolate here in North America but it is a different taste in Britain. If you flying out of a London airport, the Duty Free store has a great selection.

[Cotswold Eagle]

Harrods is a little out of the way from the Rubens (only one 'e' by the way!), but if you follow tom_uk's advice to head towards Regent Street, you could think about two other unique department stores, Liberty and Fortnum & Mason (which also has a great food hall).

You could jump on the Tube one stop from Victoria to Green Park, walk along Piccadilly, passing the Ritz and taking in Fortnum & Mason, see Piccadilly Circus (which I remember was in your list), head up Regent Street, which will offer you Hamleys, the world famous toy store, as well as Liberty and numerous other shops (including an Apple Store and a Ferrari shop for the gentlemen ).You will end up at Oxford Circus, which is then two stops on the Tube back to Victoria. That's a combined sightseeing/shopping expedition!

[English Jane]

Originally Posted by Cotswold Eagle

Harrods is a little out of the way from the Rubens (only one 'e' by the way!), but if you follow tom_uk's advice to head towards Regent Street, you could think about two other unique department stores, Liberty and Fortnum & Mason (which also has a great food hall).

You could jump on the Tube one stop from Victoria to Green Park, walk along Piccadilly, passing the Ritz and taking in Fortnum & Mason, see Piccadilly Circus (which I remember was in your list), head up Regent Street, which will offer you Hamleys, the world famous toy store, as well as Liberty and numerous other shops (including an Apple Store and a Ferrari shop for the gentlemen ).You will end up at Oxford Circus, which is then two stops on the Tube back to Victoria. That's a combined sightseeing/shopping expedition!

Completely agree with above - just wanted to add that Liberty is BEST shop in the world!!!

[SteveH2508]

If you are at Piccadilly Circus you could do worse than take a spin round Soho. There are some 'interesting' shops as well as some London classics (Gerrys Off Licence and the Arabian Coffee Shop both in Old Compton Street for instance).