A local’s guide to the most unique shops in London, from concept stores to British lifestyle brands, eco-conscious shops and spots to buy souvenirs in London!
London’s brimming with incredible shopping streets and areas; the best-known of them would be Covent Garden, Oxford Street and Camden Town.
But as soon as you venture in outer neighborhoods, like Muswell Hill, Chiswick or Chelsea, you’re bound to find something really, truly special to buy.
In this guide, I’ve gathered all the unique shops, concept stores, British brands and smaller eco-conscious brands that you can visit for something specific, or just for the vibe.
25 Unique Shops in London, Concept Stores and British Brands
Of course, when we mention independent stores, or concept stores, we often come at a crossroads between a shopping spot and a hidden coffee shop.
Should you visit London in the summer or in the winter, you’ll find here plenty of unique homeware shops, fashion, art, stationery, and other bookshop cafes nestled inside plant shops…
All amazing spots for the best gifts and souvenirs from London!
Most Unique Shops in London: Timothy Oulton, Tottenham Court Road
On Tottenham Court Road, not far from Oxford Street’s shops, Timothy Oulton embodies creativity with not only unique furniture, decor and homeware, but also a vibrant atmosphere.
This store offers anything from luxury sofas to art prints, a replica of an Apollo capsule, old typing machines and books stacked just for the heck of it – and no two items are the same!
Most Unique Shops in London: Sunnamusk, Whitechapel/Aldgate
Sunnamusk on Whitechapel Road near Aldgate, is a British perfume store I used to pass by quite often when I lived in Mile End; it’s elegant and the scents are truly intoxicating.
Today, Sunnamusk has a few branches across London, from Wood Green to Westfield (both shopping centers!), and a gorgeous collection of luxury perfumes, home fragrances and bespoke scents as well.
Most Unique Shops in London: Maison Assouline, Piccadilly
Everything about Maison Assouline on Piccadilly is instagrammable; from the restaurant to the actual, gorgeous bookshop.
Close to Regent Street and Oxford Street, the prime location to Maison Assouline makes it easily accessible if you’d like to treat yourself to a new table book or two about fashion, travel and lifestyle.
Where to Buy Unique Gifts in London: Londonworks, Muswell Hill
Located on Muswell Hill Broadway in North London, close to many of the area’s posh charity shops, Londonworks is a great concept store for independent brands.
Scented candles, luxurious-feeling clothing, sunglasses, Jellycat plushies – they have it all, and many of the independent brands exhibited at Londonworks are eco-conscious in addition to being stylish.
Most Unique Shops in London: Oliver Bonas, Tottenham Court Road
Now, Oliver Bonas is one of my favorite high-street British shops in London, and they have branches from Finchley Road (near West Hampstead) to One New Change and Tottenham Court Road.
Trying to recommend the best things to buy in London can get quite difficult, especially since every single person has different tastes.
However, it just so seems that whether you’re looking for notebooks and journals, jewelry or quiet luxury candles, Oliver Bonas is the place to visit, with a bit of edgy in their books and a bit of posh boho in their clothes.
Some pieces are actually quite affordable, and even with about £10 to £15, you’re bound to find great souvenirs there.
Where to Buy Unique Gifts in London: In-Residence, Islington
In-Residence in Islington, also in North London, is another great concept store to visit for something truly special; a shop known for its curated selection of homeware, gifts, and lifestyle products.
There, you’ll find anything from custom-made jewelry to unique books, vases and gorgeous art prints before making your way to the secret Camden Passage.
Most Unique Shops in London: London Terrariums, Bethnal Green
Located on busy Bethnal Green Road, two steps away from Brick Lane, London Terrariums is a place to visit if you’re looking for quirky gifts: indeed, you can get gorgeous miniature gardens there.
Established in 2014, London Terrariums is a haven for plant lovers, especiallywhen it’s fall or Christmastime and parks and gardens are less welcoming.
That’s exactly why London Terrariums was born; ‘out of a passion for gardening but not having a garden in London’ – plus, if you’d like to experience something new, there are often cool workshops at the East London shop!
Where to Buy Unique Gifts in London: Koibird, Marylebone
Located in the quaint Marylebone area, Koibird is a colorful store made to make ‘shopping an opportunity for adventure rather than a chore.
Just steps away from historical buildings and colorful streets like James Street, Koibird offers a selection of exclusive homeware brands, wellness products, and luxurious clothing brands from independent designers and emerging brands.
What you find at Koibird on Marylebone Lane, you won’t find anywhere else: each season is curated around a theme, and the shop interior follows every single theme.
Most Unique Shops in London: Pottery Cafe, Fulham Road
Located on the posh Fulham Road, the Pottery Cafe is not only a great place for Jellycat plushies, but also a must-visit spot for unique workshops in London.
Why not book a session at the Pottery Cafe to create your next bit of home decor while enjoying delicious cakes and cookies, with coffee made by the staff, all trained baristas?
Once you’re done, you’ll be able to treat yourself to a new Jellycat plushie from the Little Toy Shop at the front of the Pottery Cafe, and all kinds of fair-trade and wooden toys as well!
Most Affordable Unique Shops in London: Brand Academy, Southbank
Southbank’s Brand Academy has been one of my favorite concept stores in the city for quite some time now; in addition to innovative gifts, you’ll also find a coffee shop, Coffee Academy, right outside of the store.
Coffee Academy is a must-visit for absolutely tasty hot chocolate, for one.
Brand Academy, set against the backdrop of some of London’s most famous landmarks, like the Royal Festival Hall and the Millenium Bridge, is filled with hand-crafted ceramics, quirky stationery and other odd gifts.
Where to Buy Unique Gifts in London: Aida, Shoreditch
Opened in 2012, Aida Shoreditch has become popular by offering a wide range of menswear and womenswear, shoes, accessories, and a selection of beautiful homeware brands.
In addition to the high street slash rustic feel to Aida Shoreditch, you’ll find at the front a cozy coffee shop with fresh cakes, cookies, and colorful lattes on the menu.
Most Unique Shops in London: Glassworks London, Shoreditch
Also located in Shoreditch, and with other branches in Dalston and Soho, Glassworks London is a one-of-a-kind shop that opened in 2014 and offers an impressive collection of clothes, jewelry, and accessories.
I’ll admit that Glassworks London is more of an independent fashion brand than a concept store per se, but if you’re looking for stylish gifts and unique pieces, that’s definitely a shop to visit.
Where to Buy Unique Gifts in London: Present & Correct, Clerkenwell
Located in the historic neighborhood of Clerkenwell, close to Central London, Present & Correct specializes in stationery, homeware and quirky gifts.
Whether you’re looking for beautiful notebooks, pens, or vintage-inspired accessories, this unique shop is a treasure trove for those who appreciate design and craftsmanship – minutes away from historical sites like St John’s Gate.
With a Scandinavian-inspired, minimalist interior, whoever is into the old money aesthetic will love Present & Correct: perfect for gifts as beautiful as they are practical.
Best British Shops in London: Vendula London, Gabriel’s Wharf
Located in Gabriel’s Wharf, a quaint shopping and dining court on Southbank, Vendula London is one of the quirkiest British brands you’ll ever come across.
This one crafts everything handbags, belts, wallets, and other handbag accessories in the most delicately-crafted way.
From wallets to huge tote bags adorned with hand sewn details, the Vendula London creations follow seasonal collections: diner-inspired, gardening-themed, bridal collections…
If you do decide to pop by, you’ll find many cool shops around London Bridge and Southbank also worth visiting, like Brand Academy at the Oxo Tower!
Where to Buy Unique Gifts in London: Not Just a Shop, High Holborn
Not Just a Shop on High Holborn is a non-profit organization that sells homeware, artwork and fashion pieces created exclusively by students and graduates from the University of the Arts London.
If the shop is on the smaller size, it’s still stocked ‘2900 different lines by 487 different artists and designers’ since its opening in 2017.
Beautiful stationery, handmade candles, stylish kitchenware and striking prints: if you’re looking for really unique gifts in London, Not Just a Shop takes the ordinary, and goes way beyond.
Most Unique Shops in London: The Vaults Collective, Crystal Palace
Another gorgeous, secret place to get unique gifts in London is the Vaults Collective on Westow Hill, in the Crystal Palace area.
If Westow Hill is already filled with unique coffee shops, eateries and vintage shops, The Vaults Collective is special in that it’s a vegan cafe and a plants and homewares store.
Since its opening, The Vaults Collective has become a beloved space to write or relax in Crystal Palace, and perfect to buy gardening and wellness books, artisan-made vases and other ceramics bits.
In addition to their many gems, The Vaults Collective also offers a wide range of interesting workshops.
From terrarium making to perfume creation and cactus and succulent landscaping, you can learn plenty of quirky skills!
Find here my full review of The Vaults Collective to learn more about this wonderful cafe, plant and homeware shop.
Most Unique Shops in London: Penhaligon’s, Regent Street
I have owned my fair share of Penhaligon’s perfumes over the years, and my signature scent is their Babylon perfume.
If you’re looking for British perfume brands, it’s going to be tough to come across something as exquisite as a Penhaligon’s fragrance.
From bespoke fragrances to classic collections, you have at Penhaligon’s scents that revolves around the delicateness of floral notes or the spicy notes of oud.
The Portraits collection retails for more than the classic fragrances, with The Bewitching Yasmine perfume being first on my wishlist this year.
Best British Shops in London: Stüssy, Soho
Stüssy is one of the most famous streetwear brands in London, and their shop is located right in the heart of Soho, close Elan Cafe on Wardour Street.
The Stüssy collections are urban, graphic and bold, with a touch of grime – it’s community, fashion, art, and if you’re the kind of person who’s after London streetwear shops, that’s definitely a place to visit.
As are Palace, StockX and Supreme, three other landmarks of London fashion right in the heart of Soho.
Cute Shops in London: Daunt Books, Marylebone
Daunt Books in Marylebone is one of the most instagrammable shops in London; its architecture makes it instantly recognizable, and blows my mind every time I pop by.
Closeby, you have some of the prettiest mews in London, so make sure you take time to pay a visit to those soothing places.
At Daunt Books, you’ll find fiction, self-development, as well as countless travel books – and you can easily spend hours there.
Most Unique Shops in London: Hans & Gretel, Camden
Spoiler alert for sugar addicts; Hans & Gretel is your new favorite spot for ice cream and various treats.
One of the most unusual shops in London for certain, especially considering that macarons cover the whole ceiling of the Hans & Gretel shop in Camden.
Close by, you have the Amy Winehouse statue, the Tomb Raider experience and another one of the most instagrammable shops in London… Cyberdog.
Most Unique Shops in London: Cyberdog, Camden Market
Cyberdog is one of my favorite clothes shops in London; while it was established around the rave community and I don’t party, Cyberdog offers various fabrics, shapes and neon colors.
There’s a bit of everything there, from hats to backpacks and oversize cargo pants, and it’s close to one of London’s prettiest streets, Umbrella Street in the Camden Market!
Most Unique Shops in London: Biscuiteers, Notting Hill
Biscuiteers in Notting Hill is a lovely vintage biscuit shop with the cutest cups of coffee and tea, deliciously decorated biscuits, and the most instagrammable interior (and exterior!).
They have workshops taking place regularly, and offer an afternoon tea experience, so if you get tired of roaming around Notting Hill’s colorful streets, pop by Biscuiteers!
Best Shops to Buy Jellycat in London: Stoke Newington Bookshop
If you ever happen to visit the gorgeous, village-like area of Stoke Newington, in North London, pop by the Stoke Newington Bookshop.
Located on Stoke Newington High Street alongside other independent shops, cute cafes and lots of charity shops, the bookshop offers a really nice selection of Jellycat plushies.
Of course, you’ll be able to treat yourself to a new read or two should you wish to do so; but don’t forget to discover the Abney Park Cemetery before, one of London’s best hidden gems with its Victorian sculptures!
Most Unique Shops in London: Whittard of Chelsea, Oxford Street
If you ask me about exquisite, seasonal hot chocolate recipes with notes of raspberry, gingerbread or salted caramel, I can only recommend Whittard of Chelsea, one of my personal favorite shops in London.
Whittard of Chelsea has several branches across town, including Covent Garden’s Apple Market, but my favorite is that on Oxford Street, where they often offer samples of their premium teas, hot chocolate and coffee.
I love all kinds of reminders of Alice in Wonderland in London, and the Whittard Tea Party mugs and tea sets are an incredible souvenir to buy while in the city.
Best Shops to Buy Jellycat in London: Scribbler, Bishopsgate
Back when I used to live in North Finchley, I still seemed to find myself quite a lot in the Liverpool Street and Spitalfields area.
What can I say, once you’ve been an East London girl once, you’ll be an East London girl forever.
The Scribbler stationery shop on Bishopsgate is one of my favorite small shops in town, and while it’s a franchise, I love coming across quirky postcards and Jellycat toys there, especially since they have quite a good collection of the Amusable ones!
25 Unique Shops in London, Concept Stores and British Brands
I tend to go for small, unique shops in London when I want to do some shopping – that is, if I’m not needing something ultra-specific from a budget store.
I’ve always loved the atmosphere and the mix-all vibe we can find in independent shops, and in these, you’ll find all you need, and even things you didn’t think you’d ever feel like treating yourself to!