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Shopping in Central London – 8 Very Unique Shops to Visit

By: Author The Working Line

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Whether it is autumn or spring, shopping in Central London is always a great idea.

Of course, I would recommend popping by places like Regent Street and Oxford Street’s shops aside from Christmas time…

Last year, Central London was indeed so full you could barely make your way through the crowds.

I’ve already told you about some of the most unique shops in London, and thought I would particularly focus on places like Covent Garden, Soho and Coal Drops Yard, near King’s Cross today.

You’ll hopefully find new places to go shopping in Central London you didn’t know about, perfect to buy souvenirs, clothes, books, and more!

Shopping in Central London – 8 Very Unique Shops to Visit

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Some of the places I’m mentioning here you might have seen in other shopping guides I’ve written in the past.

For instance, as an ex makeup artist, it made sense to start with London’s best makeup stores a while back.

As I’m not living in London full-time anymore, every trip to the UK means I’m planning budget for new drugstore British makeup brands, which are among my favorites ever created.

The Barry M nail polishes, for instance, are some of the best – and cheapest you’ll ever find.

However, I also tend to visit a lot of London’s beautiful bookshops as well, and you won’t ever catch me spending a few days in town without me popping in charity shops.

Anyhoo – here are some of the most unique places to go shopping in Central London – take note!

Best Places to Go Shopping in Central London: Santa Maria Novella, Piccadilly

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One of the most secret – and most instagrammable shops in London, Santa Maria Novella on Piccadilly is a historic perfume shop which boasts apothecary vibes.

The Santa Maria Novella perfume shop is mostly targeted at women, although there are some incredible masculine, and even unisex fragrances in their collections.

Beyond just perfume, the Italian beauty brand also sells gorgeous, luxury scented candles as well as soaps, body lotions…

Quite everything you need to pamper yourself, especially when it’s winter or autumn in London.

Established during the Middle Ages in Florence, one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, Santa Maria Novella still offers fragrances created centuries ago.

Aside from Penhaligon’s on Regent Street, which is more famous on the British scene, we have here one of the best perfume brands in London, and a shop in which I can easily spend hours.

Read: The Prettiest Places for Nature in London

Best Shopping in Central London: Kurt Geiger, Oxford Street

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Opened last year, the Kurt Geiger shop on Oxford Street mixes high-fashion and quirky London style – an unforgettable blend!

If you’re looking for more budget shops in London, you’ll be happy to know that you can get discounted Kurt Geiger bags at the London Designer Outlet in Wembley Park.

However, if you don’t have the time to pop by the Wembley area, a Kurt Geiger handbag is still, in my opinion, one of the best things to buy in London to commemorate a trip.

I actually collect the Kurt Geiger products, and currently have three which are otherworldly, including the Kurt Geiger Kensington handbag in black and gold.

Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, check out the shoe collections, costume jewelry and metallic leather handbags – Kurt Geiger is one of the most unique shops in London, filled with style and creativity!

Read: Completely Unique Free Things to Do in London

Best Places to Go Shopping in Central London: Free People, Covent Garden

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For whoever is fond of the boho chic style, check out the Free People shop in Covent Garden.

Free People has other shops around London, including one on Regent Street, but since the one in Covent Garden is tucked away in one of the secret alleys Central London is filled with, reaching it actually feels like an experience in itself…

Especially if you pop by the Bageriet bakery before, close by, to treat yourself to incredible cinnamon buns.

If you’re looking for more vintage or charity shops in Central London, the prices at Free People do not match – we’re more in a mid-range type of budget here, with relaxed yet sophisticated Coachella-style clothes.

Read: The Best British Shops in London

Best Shopping in Central London: Stanfords Bookshop, Covent Garden

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The Stanfords bookshop is hidden behind some of London’s most colorful places, in the small alleys bordering Long Acre.

(By the way, if you’re looking for anything from amazing scented candles to affordable makeup and discounted designer clothes, Long Acre houses one of London’s biggest TK Maxx shops!).

The Stanfords bookshop is one of the most beautiful and oldest bookshops in London; one that focuses on travel maps and books, colorful balloons, and even has a secret cafe inside.

Shopping in Covent Garden is one of my favorite things to do, especially when it’s spring or autumn and the weather is nice and bright.

Check out Stanfords, and why not visit some of Covent Garden’s hidden gems afterwards?

Read: The Best Secondhand Bookshops in London

Best Places to Go Shopping in Central London: Glossier, Covent Garden

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The Glossier products are undeniably some of the most advertised on TikTok, Pinterest and Instagram to this day.

It’s easy to understand why, as the quality and variety of textures and colors makes it a really cool makeup brand.

I personally love the Glossier Pony lipstick, a mauve brown lipstick with the shiniest finish ever – it feels like a glossy balm, very hydrating, yet long lasting.

Located on the Covent Garden piazza, Glossier is a unique shop for which you often have to queue before you order – it’s that famous and coveted.

The Glossier system is unbeatable: you can swatch everything in the store, order with a sales assistant, and then make your way to a pink waiting room in which someone will call your name to deliver your order.

Read: The Best Candle Shops in London

Best Shopping in Central London: Superdrug, Marble Arch

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If you’re looking for places to shop for affordable makeup in London, one of the places you should visit is the Superdrug store in Marble Arch.

There, you will find anything from really cheap lipsticks from MUA Makeup Academy or Barry M to Revolution eyeshadow palettes – and much, much more!

Some of the best makeup products to buy at Superdrug include:

  • The Barry M Gelly Hi Shine nail paints
  • The 3ina lipsticks, super pigmented, with incredible nude colors
  • The Maybelline Vinyl Ink lipsticks, completely transferproof with a glossy finish
  • The MUA Makeup Academy matte lipsticks, comfortable, super matte, and only a couple of pounds

When I go shopping in Central London, there’s not a day when I don’t pop by a Superdrug store – drugstore makeup simply makes me feel all types of excited ways!

Read: The Best Cheap Clothing Shops in London

Best Places to Go Shopping in Central London: Vinegar Yard, London Bridge

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Anyone who wants to find vintage clothes in London should then make their way to Vinegar Yard in London Bridge.

There are plenty of hidden gems in London Bridge, Bermondsey and Southwark to check out when you’re done with Vinegar Yard, but start with their vintage hats, accessories, and brand new scented candles.

This is a great place to go thrift shopping, with some of the shops being more expensive than the rest, since you’ll also find handmade jewelry and other scented soaps there.

Around Vinegar Yard, you’ll find a lot of really cool things to see:

  • Amy Winehouse street art – there’s a lot in London, and behind Vinegar Yard is a medium-size stencil representing the English singer
  • Beautiful streets all around the maritime neighborhood of Bermondsey
  • Amazing cafes in London Bridge and Bermondsey Street for breakfast, brunch or a simple break

Read: The Best Stationery Shops in London

Best Shopping in Central London: Roseur, Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross

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The Roseur shop in Coal Drops Yard is one I love to pop by every now and then, especially because the entire area, hidden behind King’s Cross and St Pancras, feels especially new, with a hint of industrial.

Roseur is a dried flower shop in which you can also pick a few beautiful homeware pieces, amazing whether it’s winter, autumn or summer.

Scented candles, vases, bouquets…

This is a great place to pop by if you’re planning to have a romantic date in London, or are looking for a very special gift you wouldn’t find anywhere else.

Read: The Best Harry Potter Shops in London

Shopping in Central London – 8 Very Unique Shops to Visit

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There you have them, some of my current favorite places to go shopping in Central London!

Whether you want to find second hand clothes and accessories or brand new travel books, you’ll hopefully have found it all here.

London is filled with gorgeous shopping arcades for luxury goods, and if you’re living or traveling on a budget, you’ll always find huge shopping centers with much more affordable stores.

The city is not only perfect for medieval sites or historical places, and the incredibly modern shops are definitely a highlight of how modern London is!

Until next time!

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The Working Line
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Sam is a certified fashion makeup artist, a freelance writer, a blogger and a digital nomad. Since 2019, she roams around the world, from London to Rome and shares her knowledge about makeup, scented candles, travel, blogging and the digital nomad lifestyle.