A local’s guide to the most British and really cheap things to buy in London; affordable souvenirs from sweet treats to makeup, home decor and stationery!
A while back, I told you about many different souvenirs and things you can buy in London if you wish to bring back all sorts of trinkets and British food back home.
Today, though, I really wanted to share with you a handful of cheap things you can treat yourself and your beloved ones; things I’ve personally bought time and time again in the city.
9 Really Cheap Things to Buy in London and Bring Back Home
London is an expensive city, but I’ve come to learn over time that you can really enjoy yourself, even if you travel or live in London on a budget.
So here goes – 9 super cheap things to buy while in the city.
Why not follow one of my itineraries for one day, 2 days, 3 days, or 10 days in London, and include the shops below on your bucket list?
Cheap Things to Buy in London: Makeup Gallery Lipsticks and Lip Liners at Poundland
Poundland is but one of the most famous budget shops in London (in the whole of the UK, verily).
While I pop by Poundland for no reason at all most of the time, for those of you into makeup, check out the super cheap brand Makeup Gallery.
The lipsticks offer wonderful color payoff and a satin finish, and the matching lip liners are creamy and long lasting – all for one pound apiece.
If you’re into nail polish, also note that the Makeup Gallery nail polishes are nothing short of amazing: I’ve collected them for years and the formula just seems to keep on improving.
For those of you who would be on a budget, these products are great little souvenirs from London, given you really can’t get Makeup Gallery products from any shop other than Poundland.
Cheap Things to Buy in London: Scented Candles at Home Bargains (Yankee Candle Dupes)
Home Bargains is another budget shop that can also remind you of B&M; there, you can find anything from snacks to stationery and seasonal decorations.
The Home Bargains scented candles are an amazing treat come autumn and Christmas time; they’re Yankee Candle dupes, have strong payoff, and only cost a handful of coins for large jars.
Home Bargains’ stationery aisles are also inspiring, with lots of affordable notebooks, pens and other arts and crafts staples.
Cheap Things to Buy in London: Walker’s Nonsuch Toffee from Souvenir Shops
There are a few really huge souvenir shops in Central London; my favorites are located around Leicester Square, and that’s where you’ll find the largest selection of Walker’s Nonsuch Toffee.
What says British better than toffee?
From banana-flavored toffee to chocolate and coffee versions, there are many different kinds of Walker’s Nonsuch Toffee recipes you’ll want to try.
They only retail at around three pounds, and if you have a sweet tooth, you’re bound to find something right up your alley.
Cheap Things to Buy in London: Chunky Notebooks at WH Smith
Another one of my favorite things to buy in London; WH Smith’s chunky notebooks!
Every time I move to London, I make it a point to treat myself to a new A5 chunky notebook with a spiral: the quality of the paper and the format are perfect to make plans and lists for the blog.
The cheapest options for the A5 notebooks retail at around 6 pounds, while those from limited edition collections retail at 8 or 9 pounds, with often ethereal colors on the cover.
Cheap Things to Buy in London: Flavored Hot Chocolate at Whittard of Chelsea
Here’s one of the most expensive souvenirs you can bring back home from London, but still something really affordable given the quality of the product: a can of flavored hot chocolate from Whittard of Chelsea.
You can find their chocolate, coffee and tea shops all around London, but my favorite branches are the one inside the Apple Market at Covent Garden and the shop on Oxford Street.
Whittard of Chelsea also offers, in addition to various hot chocolate recipes like banoffee pie white hot choc or classic milk chocolate, beyond-beautiful Alice in Wonderland tea sets that are worth a glance or two.
Cheap Things to Buy in London: Clothes at the London Designer Outlet in Wembley
If you’re looking for budget clothing shops at any point while in London, make sure you remember visiting the London Designer Outlet in Wembley.
All sorts of streetwear brands from Nike to Adidas, The North Face, other brandnames like Guess or Carvela, and even homeware like Yankee Candle are available there.
I remember visiting Nike a couple of years ago and finding trendy jogger pants for 11 pounds, and visiting Adidas afterwards, only to come across a pair of classic black and white Superstar sneakers for a little over 30 pounds!
Cheap Things to Buy in London: Iconic British Treats and Chocolate from Supermarkets
One thing’s for sure, London’s grocery stores and supermarkets are not lacking when it comes to British treats and chocolate brands.
Of course, the first chocolate brand to try would be Cadbury’s, which also makes the tasty chocolate fingers biscuits.
McVitie’s is another British treat brand to try, and you also have lots of specialties from Victoria sponge cakes to bakewell tarts available from Tesco to Sainsbury’s.
If you manage to pop by an Aldi store (I know there was one close to my home back when I used to live in North Finchley, after Muswell Hill in North London), try the Holly Lane brand: they make outstanding salted caramel and red velvet brownies.
Cheap Things to Buy in London: Mini UK-Themed Souvenirs
If you do visit one of the souvenir shops in Central London, make sure you check out all the tiny UK-themed trinkets; double decker buses, underground signs, and whatnot.
You can find such trinkets in any souvenir shop, from Notting Hill to Piccadilly Circus; in the busiest neighborhoods of London.
These usually retail for 1 to 2 pounds, and make for really cute – and really cheap treats!
Cheap Things to Buy in London: Velvet and Vintage Clothing from Charity Shops
Finally, I’ve always found plenty of velvet clothes in London’s charity shops, and these usually retail for 1 to 3/4 pounds apiece, from dresses to pants and cute tops!
You’ll also find the odd vintage piece in charity shops located in London’s posh areas, like Notting Hill Gate, Chelsea or Muswell Hill.
Whether you visit East London or West London, though, you’re bound to find something cute in charity shops.
Even if you don’t want clothing, you’ll also find really cute jewelry, books, vinyls, CDs, DVDs, and cute home decor.
If you visit any of the Oxfam shops, you’ll also find Faith in Nature products, with conditioner bars, soaps, solid shampoos and more – really good if you’re into clean beauty!
9 Really Cheap Things to Buy in London and Bring Back Home
Thus finishes this little guide I’ve been thinking of writing for a while now – you’ll hopefully have found here a handful of souvenirs and foods you’d like to try while in London!
Over the years I’ve been living in London, I’ve come to know so many unique shops, concept stores, and my favorites?
Historical indie shops, which have been around for decades, sometimes centuries!