A local’s guide to the best department stores in London – from Harrods to Liberty of London and Lillywhites, these are amazing places to go shopping in London and brick back souvenirs!
Love shopping, and after living in London, Rome, Paris, Barcelona and other cities around the world, I’ve found that there’s actually no better place to shop than London.
No matter whether you’re looking for cheap clothes, second hand books or luxury perfume, you will find all you need in London.
And what’s better than a department store, which doesn’t only offer international but also properly British brands?
London’s Department Stores: 8 Places to Shop Til You Drop
That’s why I felt that to complete my collection of London Shopping Guides, one dedicated to the city’s department stores would definitely come in handy at some point.
If you’re looking for streetwear and sneakers, for instance, Lillywhites, which faces Piccadilly Circus, is a great place to shop.
If, however, you’re more the kind of person who likes uppity posh mixed with a tad of boho, then Liberty of London, between Oxford Street and Soho, is another must-visit shopping spot.
They’re all here today, but on the odd occasion where you’d like to switch up your shopping vibe, don’t miss out on London’s shopping arcades too – there, you’ll be able to shop till you drop, but also enjoy incredible architecture and a step back in time.
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Best Department Stores in London: Selfridges, Oxford Street
Selfridges on Oxford Street is probably one of the department stores I spend most time at when I live in London.
It’s one of the most famous, and with its extensive collection of high-end fashion, perfume, makeup and homeware brands, it’s easy to understand why.
Founded in 1908 by Harry Gordon Selfridge, an American entrepreneur, Selfridges is one of the places you should visit when looking for incredible Christmas decorations in London.
The exterior of the Selfridges department store is just as beautiful as the outside, and is one of the many must-visit Neoclassical buildings in London, especially if you’re into Italianate architecture.
In addition, since chances that you’re going to be looking for Oxford Street’s hidden gems at one point or another (especially on days you don’t want to go shopping!), check out the Queen of Time clock just above the entrance – a little quirk, detailed, colorful, and really cool to admire.
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Where to Go Shopping in London: Fortnum & Mason, Piccadilly
Located close to Hatchards, Santa Maria Novella and The Ritz Restaurant, Fortnum & Mason is another department store perfect for Christmas decorations, since every year, you will find an advent calendar on top of the main entrance.
The food hall at Fortnum & Mason, with its countless colorful macarons, chocolates and food gifts, is a great place to start – since it’s located at street level, you’re sure to see it.
On the upper levels, you will find plenty of luxurious perfume brands, along with some of the most beautiful china and jewelry.
Even if you’re not planning to shop, the elegance of the Fortnum & Mason department store is reason enough to visit!
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Best Department Stores in London: Harrods, Knightsbridge
While I mostly spend time at Selfridges for its perfume brands and couture clothing, Harrods is a store I love visiting for different reasons:
- The secret art trail made of several unexpected sculptures across all floors
- The Egyptian Hall, also completely unexpected for a department store, complete with frescoes and a replica of the night sky
- The exclusive products, such as Penhaligons’ Mr Harrods perfume, only sold there
If you’re visiting the area, you will most probably check out Harrods at some point, and I would also recommend a few cafes and restaurants in Knightsbridge, such as Elan Cafe, Osteria Romana, and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.
Where to Go Shopping in London: Liberty of London, Soho
While Knightsbridge isn’t located too far from Central London (it’s a stone’s throw away from Hyde Park!), one of the easiest-to-access department stores is Liberty of London, five minutes away from Oxford Street.
Situated at the end of Carnaby Street, one of the most colorful places in London, Liberty of London is nestled in a striking Tudor Revival building, and famous for its liberty patterns, floral, graphic, posh and boho at the same time.
Check out the food hall, the high-end perfume and designer clothing brands, but don’t forget to also take a look at the beautiful stationery bits!
Best Department Stores in London: Harvey Nichols
Like Harrods, Harvey Nichols is located in Knightsbridge, so if you’re ever in West London, why not pop by both?
The difference between both, it feels, is that Harrods seems more of a historical spot than Harvey Nichols, although you can find high-end brands in both.
Inside Harvey Nichols, in addition to makeup, beauty and fashion, you also have a gorgeous food market, which is enough reason to visit it, if only to get fancy dining ideas.
Where to Go Shopping in London: Lillywhites, Piccadilly
Right in the heart of Piccadilly, and close to Fortnum & Mason, Leicester Square and Covent Garden, we have another department store, Lillywhites, dedicated to sporting goods.
From Nike to Adidas and Puma, everything you will see inside of Lillywhites revolves around sporting equipment, sneakers, tracksuits,…
Which feels like a great complement to streetwear shopping at places like Supreme or Stussy!
Best Department Stores in London: Fenwick, Mayfair
Shopping in Mayfair is one of my favorite things to do in the area when I’m not spending time at Mount Street Gardens or Brown Hart Gardens, two of Central London’s secret gardens.
Located on New Bond Street, you will find the Fenwick department store, which is famous for its incredible collections of high-end makeup products (MAC Cosmetics, for instance!), jewelry and clothing.
With its situation close to Burlington Arcade, one of the prettiest shopping arcades in town, as well as some famous luxury brands like Delvaux or Polo Ralph Lauren, Fenwick is definitely the department store to visit for a feel of the sophisticated life.
Where to Go Shopping in London: John Lewis, Oxford Street
On Oxford Street, not that far from Selfridges, John Lewis is the last department store we’ll see today, and another one of the most visited in town.
Properly British, John Lewis has its flagship store on Oxford Street, and you could easily spend a half day in there browsing the mid-range to posh clothing racks and makeup stands.
In addition, John Lewis also offers beautiful homeware collections that include luxury scented candles, and you can also shop – or click and collect – electronics there.
London’s Department Stores: 8 Places to Shop Til You Drop
There’s something about London’s department stores that makes me feel like anything is possible whenever I spend some time inside.
Liberty of London always reminds me that creativity is beautiful, while Harrods or Fenwick are places in which I love to dream about new outfits and makeup looks.
Now, if you prefer small shops and boutiques, I’ve written plenty of shopping guides in London that include the following: