If the UK capital’s many tourist attractions are not enough to convince potential visitors to choose London as their destination for healthcare, then its reputation as a magnet for those seeking luxury goods in the finest settings will be highly persuasive. The city off ers myriad retail experiences that will satisfy even the most demanding of shoppers.
Perhaps the biggest draw for those seeking designer brands is Bond Street, in the heart of the historic Mayfair area of London’s West End, where most of the big names in fashion have their own stores. More than 300 years after its foundation in 1700, Bond Street remains a focal point for the stylish and the wealthy, frequented by celebrities and socialites.
Among the classic fashion brands represented on this avenue dedicated to all things luxurious are Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton and Burberry. Bond Street also plays host to some of the most famous names in jewellery, including Asprey, Cartier, De Beers and Tiffany & Co.
For the most individual of high-quality shopping experiences, Bond Street also offers custom-made shopping tours, during which a specialist guide will share their expertise on the retailers, restaurants and hotels in the area. The bespoke, personalised service is an ideal way for the first-time visitor to acquaint themselves with one of London’s most historic and sophisticated districts.
A truly unique retail experience awaits just a short walk from Bond Street, where an interesting aspect of London’s history can be explored in the Piccadilly area. Dating as far back as the 19th century is a small collection of shopping arcades that retain their period charm and feature a selection of exclusive stores, ranging from high-quality clothing retailers to antique dealers.
Among the oldest of these heritage malls is Burlington Arcade, which was opened in 1819 and provided elegant shoppers with a covered walkway to protect them from the elements as they browsed a collection of 72 small shops. The nearby Royal Arcade was built 60 years later and acquired its name after being visited by Queen Victoria. Two more recent examples are the Piccadilly Arcade and Princes Arcade, opened in 1910 and 1933 respectively.
A session of retail therapy in London wouldn’t be complete without a visit to its department stores, many of which are located in the environs of key West End shopping areas Oxford Street and Regent Street. At the Marble Arch end of Oxford Street is Selfridges, which occupies one of the most imposing buildings in central London. As well as a plethora of departments ranging from fashion to food, the store also attracts visitors with its trademark window displays, particularly during the Christmas shopping season. A stone’s throw from Oxford Circus, just off Regent Street, is a favourite haunt for lovers of high-end clothing, beauty products and homeware – Liberty – which famously occupies a distinctive mock Tudor building constructed in the 1920s.
Without doubt the most recognisable of London’s department stores is Harrods, the world-famous emporium located on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, in the west of the city. A tourist attraction in its own right, the store building dates back to 1849 and is home to 330 departments across seven floors, so Harrods certainly lives up to its motto: omnia omnibus ubique – “all things for all people, everywhere”. As well as being a place to find the world’s top fashion brands, the store is also renowned for its opulent food hall, offering the best in fresh produce and artisan creations, such as speciality breads and patisserie.
For those seeking formal wear, there really is one destination to head for in London’s West End – Savile Row, the home of the capital’s most accomplished tailors and numerous designer menswear brands. This modest Mayfair street is the country’s undisputed centre for bespoke, made-to-measure and ready-to-wear suits, and its association with tailoring dates as far back as the beginning of the 17th century. Look out for classic British names in tailoring, such as Gieves & Hawkes, Hardy Amies and Dege & Skinner.
Another London street dedicated to a particular luxury product can be found further east in the Holborn area, close to the capital’s financial district. Hatton Garden is the hub of the city’s jewellery businesses and the centre of the UK’s diamond trade.
Currently, the street hosts 300 firms from the jewellery industry and 55 shops, making up the country’s largest collection of jewellery retailers. The surrounding area is also well worth a visit for its selection of coffee shops, restaurants and street food stalls in nearby Leather Lane.
