A local’s guide to the Harrods department store in Knightsbridge, West London – the best things to buy, see, and the stunning Egyptian Hall!
Some of the best hidden gems in London are, ahem, hidden in plain sight.
That’s the case of Harrods Knightsbridge, probably one of the most beautiful buildings in town.
The world-famous department store will celebrate its 200th anniversary in just a few years, and it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in London – even if you’re traveling on a budget.
You can effectively do lots of cheap shopping in London, but even when it only comes to satisfying window shopping, Harrods is one of my top spots to visit.
Harrods London: The Best Things to Buy, See & Egyptian Hall
I limit myself to only a couple of luxury brands when I decide to go shopping, and more often than never, those I shop are beauty or fragrance-related, like my beloved Penhaligon’s perfumes.
Especially the Penhaligon’s Babylon perfume, my signature scent for over two years now?
However, even if I prefer vintage shopping in London than shopping for Italian fashion brands like Fendi or Gucci, I still believe a visit to Harrods Knightsbridge should definitely be in the books.
Especially if you’re traveling to London for the first time.
Indeed, the department store covers over 1 million square feet of retail space, and you’ll find anything from luxury candle brands to high-end makeup there.
The Harrods Food Hall is one of the most famous – and most beautiful food halls in London, and deserves a visit if only to take in posh food products.
There are also lots of restaurants in Knightsbridge located close to Harrods, meaning there are plenty of budget and fancy food options to enjoy.
For instagrammable cafes lovers, Elan Cafe Knightsbridge is located right in front of the iconic gold and green department store, and offers cute pink backgrounds for social media pics!
London’s Prettiest Department Store: Harrods Knightsbridge Review – Presentation
If you’re looking for secret places to visit in London, it so seems that Harrods Knightsbridge is not the place for you.
However, few people know that there are often incredible art pieces and installations at Harrods, which make the visit that much more interesting.
You have some incredible places to eat at Harrods, including halal fine dining restaurants that also cater to other diets and lifestyles.
The department store, established in 1834, is one of the best places to buy luxury fashion brands in London, one where Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Jo Malone all sit proudly.
From statues to ceramics and fine dining, and from high-end stilettos to Natasha Denona eyeshadow palettes, you really just have it all here.
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London’s Prettiest Department Store: Statues and Sculptures at Harrods Knightsbridge
Harrods is one of the most famous – and free art galleries in London, if I may say so.
The department store has a long history of decorating its floors with statues, sculptures, and various frescoes like the intricate Egyptian Hall, which we’ll see more of later in this post.
The ornate ceilings and walls, various sculptures gifted from brands such as Louis Vuitton, and statues disseminated all throughout the department store indeed make it fun to tread the Harrods path.
One of the most famous things to see at Harrods is probably the Dodi and Diana Memorial Fountain, which you can find on the lower ground floor, a must-see if only to pay our respects to the Royal Family.
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London’s Prettiest Department Store: Harrods Knightsbridge Review – Egyptian Hall
About a century after Harrods Knightsbridge opened its doors for the first time, the world discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb (1922), thus triggering a newfound love for Egyptian art, especially in Europe.
Only a year after, Harrods revealed its famous Egyptian Hall for the first time, which is clearly inspired by this event.
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Now, the Egyptian Hall at Harrods is still famous for its intricate designs and couple of mannequins sporting luxury brands.
However, when it first opened back in 1923, the Egyptian Hall showcased items all inspired by ancient Egypt, from furniture to jewelry, something we sadly can’t witness anymore.
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London’s Prettiest Department Store: Best Luxury Scented Candle Brands at Harrods
I love finding new candle shops in London, and have myself a long history of collecting all kinds of scented candles.
Especially the DW Home candles from TK Maxx, one of my favorite budget shops in London.
And all the autumn Yankee Candles, which I feel more focused when I burn.
If you love luxury candle brands, which offer arguably much posher scents, you’ll quickly find that one of the best things to buy at Harrods are, indeed, candles.
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A few very expensive candle brands you can find at Harrods Knightsbridge are:
- Jo Malone London
- Cire Trudon, one of the oldest candle brands in the world.
- Fornasetti, for really artsy candles
- L’Objet, which makes fine porcelain candles
- Baobab Collection, for dreamy ethnic candle scents and huge containers
- D’Orsay, a luxury French candle brand which makes incredible smells that smell, well, like Paris
- and my favorite, Ginori 1735, for refined candle scents with a twist
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The Best Things to Buy at Harrods Knightsbridge London
Harrods Knightsbridge was established over several floors, and anything you might want to buy in London, you’ll find there.
All the best Penhaligon’s perfumes can be found there, with one scent that can only be found at Harrods.
You’ll also find loads of French makeup brands, fine jewelry, designer clothing brands, and astonishing luxury home decor items.
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If you are interested in luxury perfume brands, one of the most underrated, which can be found at Harrods, is Pantheon Roma – the Trastevere perfume is probably one of the dreamiest I have ever been given to smell.
The Best Things to Do Near Harrods Knightsbridge
Once you’re done visiting Harrods, you’ll find there are plenty of cool things to do in Knightsbridge.
If you want to keep luxury shopping in London, there are a few more spots located really close, from Sloane Street to Harvey Nichols and the beautiful neighborhood of Belgravia.
If you’d rather find some free things to do nearby, pop by the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Science Museum and, my favorite, the Saatchi Gallery.
The Saatchi Gallery is one of the best free art galleries in London, and always has a new crazy, socially-engaged and mindblowing exhibition going on.
You’ll find really cool cafes in Knightsbridge, too, from budget to upscale, instagrammable cafes – and if you’d like to hop on your laptop for a while, one of my favorite cafes to work in London is the Caffè Nero on Brompton Road.
Spacious, really comfy, with solo tables too? Yes, please!
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The Best Places to Eat Near Harrods Knightsbridge London
If you’re looking for a snack or a coffee, you’ll find lots of cute cafes in London – however, you also have all the cuisines you might wish for if you’re really hungry:
- Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, for one of the poshest food experiences of your life
- Granger & Co, for breakfast, brunch and healthy bites
- The Capital Restaurant, for fancy Modern European food
- Zuma, for some of the best Japanese food in London
- Elan Cafe Hans Crescent, for the best pistachio and pink latte in town
Harrods London: The Best Things to Buy, See & Egyptian Hall
There you have it, my complete review of Harrods Knightsbridge – way beyond a simple shopping center or department store, this is one of the most artsy places to visit in London.
Clearly, it’s not a hidden gem, but browsing each floor in search of a new sculpture, statue or art installation really makes Harrods one of the most underrated destinations in London.
However, if you’d rather find actual secret spots, architecture and art pieces in town, check out these articles: