When it comes to shopping, there are few places that appeal quite like London. If you’re planning to visit for a retail assault, once you land at Gatwick, airport taxi services are the best way to take you straight to some of the big shopping areas. However, there are so many more that you might not know about, and it would be shame to miss them if you are looking for that perfect and unique gift.
With over two thousand years of history, it’s no wonder London has become a shopping destination in and of itself. You can find anything and everything you could want here, but the key is to know where to look after you arrive at Gatwick Airport. Taxi services from the airport into the city will give you time to consider where and what kind of shopping you want to do, then, once you have settled into your accommodation, you can venture out and get shopping!
Posh shopping streets
If you have a penchant for design items that scream elegance and style, head straight to Bond Street once you’ve paid off your Gatwick airport taxi driver! Here you will find some of the most exclusive and expensive shops in the city. You can browse in Dior, Gucci, Burberry, Alexander McQueen and many more. There are more Royal Warrant holders on this street than anywhere else in London.
If you want menswear, including custom suits and shirts, then Piccadilly and Jermyn Streets are the places to go. Elegant hotels like the Ritz set the scene for shopping opportunities at places like Lladro and John Lobb. For an area filled with women’s fashion retailers, head over towards Marylebone. Pop into the many elegant shops here, and then wander over to the chi chi boutiques on Chiltern Street, which is just a short walk away. For the mass-department store shopping streets you can’t beat Oxford Street. With Marks and Spencer’s, Selfridges, H&M and many more, this is the busiest shopping street in Europe.
Markets and vintage shopping
There are few cities in the UK that support quite as many markets as London. There are enough markets in the city to keep you busy for days after you arrive at Gatwick Airport! Taxi drivers are a great source of local information, so get yours to give you some insider tips on the best markets to visit.
Foodies can’t pass up a visit to Borough Market, which is one of the biggest food markets in London and runs a full complement of stalls Wednesdays through Saturdays. For all things strange and quirky, head to the famous Camden Markets. Camden Lock and Camden Markets are open all week; Thursday is the book market and Wednesdays and Saturdays are best for vintage and antique finds, including clothes. If you’re seeking out antiques, head over to Portobello Road Market on a Saturday. This market in the Notting Hill area is one of the best places to forage for antiques and vintage curiosities.