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A Local’s Best Things to Buy in London and Souvenirs to Shop

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A local’s guide to the best souvenirs and things to buy in London, from clothes to makeup, treats, tea, books and more – the must-buy things in London!

I’ve talked a lot about cheap clothings shops in London, and other beautiful bookshops and stationery shops, and I wanted to do a big round up – from a local.

I moved to London in 2019, and I have been shopping more than I care to admit.

In this guide, I’ll share some of the coolest souvenirs and gifts from London – whether you live here or not!

A Local’s Best Things to Buy in London and Souvenirs to Shop

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I have designed this London gift guide as a tool handy for both men and women (whichever your gender is), so you have plenty of ideas.

One of the things I wish I knew when traveling to London for the first time was that there are budget shops here.

You don’t have to overspend or splurge if you don’t want to – but some things are worth it, and you’ll find them all here!

Best Things to Buy in London: Tea at Whittard’s

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Photo: Covent Garden

I love finding new, cute tea shops in London, and Whittard’s was one of the first ones I ever encountered.

Two of my favorites are the shops in Covent Garden and Oxford Street, where you’ll be able to find the whole tea, chocolate and coffee collection.

The vibe definitely is British, and if you can try their chocolate covered coffee beans, you’ll have found your new favorite snack.

Read: The Best Markets in London for Food and Vintage

Best Things to Buy in London: Penhaligon’s Perfume at Regent Street

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Photo: Penhaligon’s

In my opinion, one of the best things to buy in London are Penhaligon’s perfumes.

This is my favorite perfume shop in London, and I have been collecting these perfumes for a few years now.

If you’re ever looking for the best shops on Regent Street, make sure to pay a visit to this quintessential British perfume brand.

I currently have Babylon, and I used to have As-Sawira and Endymion Concentré, which are all some of the best perfumes you’ll ever find in London.

Read: The Best Vintage Shops in London

Best Things to Buy in London: Walker’s Nonsuch Toffee in American Candy Shops

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Photo: The Sweetie Jar

Outside of the United Kingdom, Walker’s Nonsuch Toffee is not such a famous brand.

However, if you’re looking to bring proper British toffees, you have to get a few bags of these.

Coffee, banana, caramel, chocolate, macadamia…

The best ones are the macadamia – try them as soon as you get the chance!

I usually find these in the American candy shops on Oxford Street and around Leicester Square, and best believe these are some of the best ever toffees in London.

Read: The Best Shops in Camden Town

Best Things to Buy in London: Something from Cath Kidston

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Photo: Cath Kidston

Cath Kidston is one of the most famous British lifestyle brands and with clothes, stationery and home decor, you have plenty to choose from.

I love finding new cute stationery in London and Cath Kidston, well…

Never disappoints.

Perfect for people who are always after secret gardens in London and other rooftops, since Cath Kidston embodies the beauty of a traditional British garden.

Read: The Best Shopping Areas in London

Best Things to Buy in London: A DW Home Candle at TK Maxx

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Photo: DW Home

I’ve written quite a bit about the best DW Home candle scents.

And well, a visit to TK Maxx shops is mandatory if you love scented candles.

Those from the American candle brand come much cheaper than Yankee Candle in TK Maxx shops, and you literally have dozens of fragrances to choose from.

So whether you’re looking for cheap candle shops in London or just happen to love browsing the TK Maxx racks, make sure you pack a DW Home candle!

Read: The Prettiest Christmas Shop Windows in London

Best Things to Buy in London: Velvet Items in Charity Shops

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Photo: Octavia Foundation

Finding amazing charity shops in London is one of my passions, wherever I happen to live.

I used to live in Tottenham, Bethnal Green, North Finchley, Mile End, West Hampstead and Greenwich and well, there are charity shops everywhere.

Some of the best things to buy in London are vintage and secondhand books, clothes and jewelry from Oxfam, Cancer Research or the British Heart Foundation.

Whether you choose to visit the charity shops in Camden Town or North Finchley, you’re bound to find something good to bring back home.

Best Things to Buy in London: Barry M Makeup at Superdrug

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Photo: Barry M

Barry M doesn’t have a self standing makeup shop in London; rather, you’ll find their amazing cosmetics at Boots and Superdrug.

If you’re ever looking for the best British drugstore makeup brands, you’ll see that Barry M ticks all the boxes.

From Barry M dupes for MAC lip liners to £3.99 nail polish that lasts an eternity, you have lots to enjoy with this brand!

Some other great British makeup brands include MUA Makeup Academy, Collection and Revolution and their super affordable products.

Read: The Best Street Food in London

Best Things to Buy in London: The Famous Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lipstick

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Photo: Charlotte Tilbury

There are plenty of Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk dupes on the market, but the real deal hasn’t gone this far by mistake.

One of the best Matte Revolution shades for all skin tones, Pillow Talk is the symbol of British elegance.

There are some other beautiful shades to shop, from berry lipsticks to some of the most sophisticated red lipsticks of all time.

And obviously, obviously – some of the best things to buy in London if you want to bring home a touch of Britishness!

Read: The Best Food Spots in Borough Market

Best Things to Buy in London: Macarons at Pierre Herme Selfridges

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Photo: Pierre Herme

Pierre Herme is one of the best patisseries in Paris, but in London, their macarons stand is partly what makes me come back to Selfridges again and again.

And again.

The Pierre Herme macarons are some of my favorite pastries in London, and they have a subtle and fragrant taste that you won’t find anything else.

For a short trip back home if you’re traveling to London for the first time, you can bring macarons with you on the plane.

But to be honest, they’re best enjoyed when walking around town in search of free rooftops and incredible views.

Read: The Best Themed Cafes in London

Best Things to Buy in London: A Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick from Boots

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Photo: The Pink Millennial

Rimmel is another one of the most famous drugstore makeup brands in the world, and the Kate Moss collaborations are beautiful.

You can still find a lot of the most popular shades (including shade 104, the perfect MAC Mehr lipstick dupe) at Boots and Superdrug.

And I mean, after all, I’m an ex-makeup artist.

It just seems normal to get some properly pigmented drugstore makeup in London, doesn’t it, when you’re visiting?

I’m partly writing this post for locals and first time visitors, so really, anyone can enjoy those treats when in town!

Read: The Best Cafes in London With a View

Best Things to Buy in London: A Burberry Coat

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Photo: BusbeeStyle

Burberry’s headquarters are located in London, and one of the most beautiful luxury shops in London is also theirs on Regent Street.

I’ve only been to the Burberry shop a couple of times, but it’s a whole experience.

And of course, what could be a better thing to buy in London other than a classic Burberry trench coat?

Regent Street might not be a secret London photography spot, but you can do that two-birds-one-stone kind of thing by shopping and snapping some pics!

Read: The Best Vintage Cafes in London

Best Things to Buy in London: Church’s Shoes

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Photo: Church Footwear

Church’s is one of the fanciest shoe shops in London, and targeted at men who really want that British elegance on their feet.

A pair of Church’s shoes easily retails for around £300, but they’re also some of the highest quality leather shoes you’ll have in your life.

In addition to shoes, Church’s also sells accessories and is just perfect if you’re looking for the best things to buy in London for a man.

Read: The Cutest Floral Cafes in London

Best Things to Buy in London: Chocolate at Hotel Chocolat

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Photo: Hotel Chocolat

There are many, many, many British chocolate brands, from Galaxy to Cadbury.

But if you’re looking to get the best chocolates in London, try Hotel Chocolat.

They’re pricey but still affordable, and the taste is absolutely gorgeous – and there are plenty of branches in London!

Read: The Best Colorful Lattes in London

Best Things to Buy in London: Street Food

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Photo: Franco Manca

Getting street food in London is one of the best nontouristy things to do – at least in my opinion.

Whether you set out on a quest to find the best cheap eats in London or just want to discover anything from Mexican food to Korean BBQ, you’ll find something here.

London is one of the food capitals in the world; anything you wish for, you’ll find here.

A few options:

Read: The Best Breakfast in North London

Best Things to Buy in London: An Umbrella at James Smith & Sons

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Photo: ElPlanBdeDina

James Smith & Sons is one of the oldest and most instagrammable shops in London.

Established in 1830 close to the Oxfam Bookshop on Bloomsbury St, James Smith & Sons does one thing, and does it well.

Their umbrellas are some of the most famous you will find here, and well, if you’re looking for the best things to buy in London and actually use…

An umbrella will always come in handy.

Read: The Best Breakfast in East London

Best Things to Buy in London: McVities Digestives

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Photo: The Takeout

There are plenty of cool British biscuit brands, but McVitie’s are some of the most famous.

The plain digestives are what you usually eat at tea time, but you will also find some milk chocolate and caramel versions.

McVitie’s can be found in pretty much all the good supermarkets in London, from Tesco to Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s.

And if you’re looking for ways to eat in London on a budget, you’ll also find pretty good alternatives at shops like Iceland and Lidl.

Read: 5 Immersive Experiences in London You Shouldn’t Miss

Best Things to Buy in London: A WH Smith Notebook

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Photo: WHSmith

If you ever ask me about my favorite branded notebooks, I’ll tell you without hesitation about the WH Smith A5 Chunky Spiral notebooks.

I’ve loved them and used them for years.

Along with my laptop, they’re pretty much the only other item when I’m walking and looking for new cafes to work in London.

There are often some really good deals on WH Smith stationery online and in store.

Plus, their cute collections are some of the best things to buy in London, keep, or gift.

Read: The Best Free Things to Do on London’s Central Line

Best Things to Buy in London: A Kurt Geiger Bag

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Photo: Fashion for Lunch

Kurt Geiger is one of the most famous British fashion brands, and one of my favorite.

Actually, I’ve had my sights on the Kurt Geiger Kensington bag I’ve included above for quite some time.

Getting a beautiful black or multicolor Kurt Keiger handbag in London is probably the poshest thing you can do while being here.

Other than visiting Aqua Kyoto in Soho, that is.

My favorite Kurt Geiger shop is the one in Westfield Stratford, one of the best shopping centers in London, where you’ll find dozens of other gift options.

Read: Free Things to Do in Central London When It Rains

Best Things to Buy in London: Shoes from JD Sports and Office

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Photo: Prolific North

I love buying new sneakers – I’ve always been that way and well, London offers plenty options to find affordable sneakers.

Two of my favorite sneakers shops in London are JD Sports and Office, if you don’t count Dr Martens for more edgy stuff.

And if you want to find some cheap clothes in London, there are plenty of shops on Oxford Street close to JD Sports and Office!

Read: The Best Cheap and Free Things to Do in London With Kids

Best Things to Buy in London: Home Decor at TK Maxx & Homesense

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Photo: LittleBigBell

Some of the best things to buy in London for souvenirs and for home, if you live here, is anything home decor from TK Maxx and Homesense.

There are quite a few cheap homeware stores in London, and these are two of my favorites.

From TK Maxx candles to Homesense furniture and decor, you’ll find plenty of discounted items there.

But if you like homeware and are someday looking for hidden gems in London, take a look at the Timothy Oulton shop – you won’t believe your eyes.

Best Things to Buy in London: A Teapot

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Photo: IdealHome

A teapot seems like one of the most classic gifts from London you can treat yourself or a beloved to.

You’ll find them in all the good homeware and home decor shops in London, as well as shopping centers.

You can find teapots in places like John Lewis, Whittard’s, Selfridges,…

The price does vary, but my pick would be the Whittard’s Alice in Wonderland teapots!

Read: The Best Things to Do in Greenwich

Best Things to Buy in London: Harry Potter Merch

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Photo: ThirdEyeTraveller

There are about a dozen Harry Potter shops in London, some of them right in the heart of Soho, where I just love to hang out.

It just feels right that some of the best souvenirs to buy from London would be some items of Harry Potter merch.

If you’re traveling to London just for the sake of seeing Harry Potter locations, then King’s Cross Station’s Platform 9 ¾ is a place that makes sense to visit.

There’s a bit of wait, but the shop is filled with wands, stationery, capes and more.

But honestly, even going to the Lego Store on Leicester Square makes for one of the best Harry Potter things to do in London – and you can obviously get some HP souvenirs!

Otherwise, try the shop at the Warner Bros Harry Potter studios; there’s everything you might wish for there.

Read: 13 Things to Do in Crystal Palace, South East London

Best Things to Buy in London: A Jellycat Plush from Card Stores

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Photo: Boutique Little

The first time I moved to London in 2019, one of the things that caught my attention straight away is how many card stores there are.

Card Factory and the like tend to also sell stationery, small gifts and…

Jellycat plush toys.

They’re my favorite in the whole wide world – I used to have the Jellycat coffee cup plush at some point and loved it.

If you’re looking for cool things to buy in London for kids and adults, you have plenty of Jellycat plush toys all around London, and even in Waterstones.

Read: The Best Neon Places in London

Best Things to Buy in London: British Souvenirs with the Flag

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Photo: Holidify

British souvenirs with the flag make for one of the cringiest souvenirs in my opinion, and I feel the same way about buying such things in any country.

Does it stop me from doing it?

Nope.

You have lots of souvenir shops in Central London, around Portobello Market, Covent Garden and other touristic areas.

A magnet, a pen, a keychain – they’re super cheap and still some of the best gifts from London when you’re traveling on a budget.

Read: The Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to London

Best Things to Buy in London: Cheap Clothes at Outlets in London

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Photo: MK Illumination

The London Designer Outlet (pictured above) is one of my favorite shopping outlets in London, and I can’t remember how many things I bought there.

Sometimes, you visit a new city and need some new clothes, or some new shoes.

This happened to me when traveling to London for the first time in 2014.

I didn’t gauge the weather properly and ended up coming with the most padded Sketchers boots you’ve ever seen.

Which is why I needed to find a cheap shoe shop, because I hadn’t planned on this expense.

You’ll find lots of cool clothes from Nike, Adidas, Superdrug, M&S, and even Kurt Geiger there, and the address might very well come in handy!

Read: Where to Find Shakespeare Sculptures in London

Best Things to Buy in London: Meal Deals from Supermarkets

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Photo: Talking Retail

It might seem a bit awkward, but when you’re traveling to London on a budget, you’ll see that one of the best things to buy here are meal deals.

They saved me many times when I was far from home (North Finchley, Tottenham etc are about 45/60 mns from Central London by bus).

Just walking around the city, finding secret free rooftops and other beautiful places to visit while eating a meal deal?

One of the easiest date ideas in London in my opinion.

Read: 7 Must-Visit Shopping and Dining Squares in London

Best Things to Buy in London: Liberty of London Fabric

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Photo: Diary of a Quilter

Right off Carnaby Street, you have Selfridges, one of the best department stores in London.

I’d be lying if I said the Liberty of London fabric was the only thing to buy there.

Actually, from Penhaligon’s perfumes to home decor, luxury skincare brands and beautiful makeup, there’s more than the eye believes at Liberty.

Right across the road, you also have the most beautiful Lavazza coffee shop I’ve ever seen, which doubles as one of the best Italian cafes in London.

Read: 15 Historical Places to See Ruins in London

Best Things to Buy in London: Vintage Clothes at Brick Lane

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Photo: Pigeon Post

Brick Lane is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in London and, I mean, what can’t you do in Brick Lane?

It offers some of the most famous markets in Shoreditch, for starters, with food, books, and fashion mixed.

Some of the best bagels in London are located there, at Beigel Shop Brick Lane.

Then, you also have plenty of street art in Brick Lane that is definitely worth a second and a third glance.

Lots of beautiful cafes in Brick Lane, like Kahaila, where I love going to do some work on my laptop.

And of course, the vintage shops.

You’ll find anything from hats to sunglasses, old biker jackets and lots of denim – and you can find a good bargain there!

Read: The Most Secret Neighborhoods in London

Best Things to Buy in London: A Suit on Savile Row

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Photo: Luxury London

Savile Row is not only one of the most famous film locations in London (The Kingsman).

It’s also the part of London that sets the trends for male and female fashion around the world, with old tailor shops and newcomers on the street.

Count a minimum of four figures for a beautiful suit, and women will be able to find dresses, skirts and shirts in this Mayfair street.

High end British couture brands definitely seem like some of the best things to buy in London, so why not?

Read: The Most Historic Neighborhoods in London

Best Things to Buy in London: Artisan Accessories at the V&A Museum

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Photo: VAM

One of the best free museums in London is the Victoria & Albert Museum, and I might be biased, but I love their fashion collection.

I used to be a fashion makeup artist, and I’m still very much hung up on anything fashion, from jewelry to makeup.

The gift shops in London museums are always filled with beautiful, witty books and lots of souvenirs you can’t find in other places.

And the Victoria & Albert Museum also offers capsule collections for their special exhibitions – from jewelry to clothes and books, you’ll have it all there.

Read: The Most Secret Villages in Paris

Best Things to Buy in London: Art in Mayfair Art Galleries

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Photo: Eden Gallery

You’ll find plenty of art galleries when walking around that area – and that’s something you should definitely do if you like finding pretty neighborhoods in London.

On New Bond Street, more specifically, you have some of my favorite art galleries, with Eden Gallery pictured above.

Lots of beautiful, controversial, contemporary art.

If you have the budget, a small piece of art is another one of the best things to buy in London.

Otherwise, you have some of the prettiest streets in London all around, if you just want to walk area a posh area.

Read: The Prettiest Neighborhoods in Rome

Best Things to Buy in London: Brunch in Instagrammable Cafes

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Photo: JouJouTravels

Does it count if it’s brunch?

Duh.

It always counts when it’s brunch in London.

One of the best things to spend your money on when traveling to London for the first time is trying a proper brunch.

Or a Full English breakfast.

From cute breakfast spots in Notting Hill to lively brunch in King’s Cross, you won’t know where to start.

Luckily, I’ve already written about some of the most instagrammable cafes in London for you, so all that’s left for you is to choose the vibe!

Read: The Best Places to Visit in Rome for Sculptures

Best Things to Buy in London: Travel Items at Stanfords

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Photo: Tatler

Stanfords is one of the most famous bookshops in London, and a travel bookshop at that.

Located close to Long Acre (where you’ll find one of the best budget shops in London, a huge TK Maxx), Stanfords is colorful.

That’s the place where you can buy a book to plan your next travel, gifts and globes.

Lots of globes.

Best Things to Buy in London: Tea & Macarons at Fortnum & Mason

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Photo: Fortnums

One of my favorite places for macarons in London is Fortnum & Masons.

Yes, I’m French, and yes, I love Laduree macarons, but there’s honestly better in my opinion.

Like the Pierre Herme macarons, and like the Fortnum & Masons macarons.

The beautiful department store is located on Piccadilly, close to Hatchards and some of the best study cafes in Mayfair.

Beautiful sights, and you can also have afternoon tea at Fortnum & Masons if you’d like a shot of posh Britishness.

Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Multicolor Places in London

Best Things to Buy in London: Football Items

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Photo: The Sun

There are lots of football stadiums in London and I couldn’t say for certain which is more famous than the next.

I used to live in Tottenham, and at the end of my road, there are the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium.

What a great feeling to see people getting ready for the match, and seeing the street food vans on my road…

Good times.

For football fans, you can buy lots of football items at the stadium shops, from Tottenham to Arsenal, Wembley and Chelsea.

Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to London’s Secret and Free Museums

Best Things to Buy in London: Lush Products

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Photo: The Summit at Fritz Farm

Lush products are some of the best skincare products I’ve ever tried, and some of my favorite massage bars and solid shampoos come from Lush.

The only thing I dislike there?

The Lush candles – totally not worth it.

For those looking for the best things to buy in London for people who don’t have access to a Lush store, that’s a good gift option.

Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to London’s Street Art Neighborhoods

Best Things to Buy in London: Stationery & More from Brand Academy

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Photo: Coin Street

Brand Academy in the Oxo Tower, on Southbank, is one of my favorite shops in London.

The adjacent Coffee Academy coffee shop is also one of my favorite places to write in London.

You have a view on the water, some of the best hot chocolate in London and doughnuts from Crosstown Doughnuts – what’s not to like?

These are already two of the best things to buy in London, if you ask me.

However, at Brand Academy, you’ll find lots of underrated brands, from scented candles to home decor, plush toys and stationery.

Read: The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Smithfield, City of London

Best Things to Buy in London: A Book from Daunt Books

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Photo: ThirdEyeTraveller

Daunt Books is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful bookshops in London, but it’s also filled with potential gifts.

For whoever wants to find cool gifts and souvenirs from London, you’ll find lots of accessories, wrapping paper, stationery, and more at Daunt Books.

It’s located close to some of the best study cafes in Marylebone as well, so a visit to Daunt Books can only be inspiring.

Read: The Most Secret Gardens in Central London

Best Things to Buy in London: Molton Brown Bodycare

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Photo: Molton Brown

Molton Brown is one of the best shops on Regent Street, and the bodycare and candles they sell are incredible.

You can really smell the Britishness oozing through the hand wash and body lotion, and you have plenty of different branches in London.

Molton Brown is more of a high end British skincare brand, a little bit like what Marks & Spencer is to food shops in London.

Perfect if you’re looking to bring back local gifts from London to beloveds!

Read: 10 Inspiring London Attractions & Hidden Gems for Art Lovers

A Local’s Best Things to Buy in London and Souvenirs to Shop

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And there you have it, my complete London gift guide for women, men, kids and anyone looking for the best things to buy in London!

I have designed this guide both for locals living in London on a budget or not, and people traveling to London the first, second, third or dozen time.

Hopefully, you’ll have found here some really worthwhile souvenirs and gifts from London – enjoy the shopping!