If you are looking for a great place to go Christmas shopping in London, you have definitely reached the right place. In London, you are sure to find what you are looking for to make Christmas a dream this year. With such a large variety of shops and markets there is something for everyone. To make your life a little easier this winter, we have handpicked some of London’s best places to go to for Christmas shopping.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS/FAIRS
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS FAIR | 30 OCTOBER – 5 NOVEMBER | OLYMPIA| OPEN FROM 10AM EXCEPT FOR THE OPENING DAY| £ 13 – £20
If you are looking to get your Christmas shopping done early, we recommend you go to the ‘Spirit of Christmas fair’ in Olympia. At this fair, you are sure to find something for everyone. There are hand-picked gifts of high quality that are original and unlike anything that you will find on the high street. There is also a food hall with scrumptious treats that will be impossible to resist while passing by. If you are looking for some tips and advice for Christmas, you should definitely attend the house and garden workshop where leading experts will show you their secrets for making Christmas perfect!
SPITALFIELDS MARKETS | SPITALFIELDS | OPEN ALL YEAR | OPEN FROM 10AM | FREE
The Spitalfields Markets boast a true Christmas feel during the winter and they are the perfect place to go to and find one-of-a kind pieces. There are different stands by start-up designers and vintage pieces too – perfect if you are looking for something unique. There are plenty of great places to eat if you get hungry and there are also different cakes and other baked foods available from certain stalls. There are plenty of shops in Spitalfields and if you venture on to Brick Lane, which is only a short walking distance away, you will find even more. This is the perfect area to go to for alternative and vintage one-off pieces.
SOUTHBANK CENTRE CHRISTMAS MARKET | WATERLOO | 10 NOV – 4 JAN | OPEN FROM 10AM |FREE
Go to the Southbank Christmas Market if you want to have a nice wander around while looking at different handcrafted pieces with a warming mulled wine in hand. There are different festive foods available as well as seasonal ingredients. The small traditional wooden chalets are lined up along the river giving it a truly magical Christmas market feel. This is the perfect place to go whether you want to enjoy a little stroll along the river, sample some of the food and drinks or buy some presents for your friends and family.
Craft Central Winter Market at ‘The Forge’ | The Forge | 24 – 26 Nov | Times vary | Free
At the Craft Central Winter Market at The Forge you will find over 50 talented designers’ items on offer. There will be lots of different things for sale such as fashion pieces, jewellery, ceramics, illustrations and much more. Giving your friends and family hand crafted sentimental pieces is something that is sure to be valued for a long time. The great thing about this event is that you have the opportunity to really speak to the creators of the fantastic work and find out more about them. You can also take part in family workshops or enjoy refreshments in the pop up café. Make an appearance at the Craft Central Winter Market at The Forge if you want to see some spectacular handcrafted designer pieces.
COVENT GARDEN
Covent Garden is truly magical around Christmas time and you are sure to find some spectacular gifts at the shops in this area. With the wonderful Christmas tree and decorations glorifying the already stunning square, it really creates a truly magical Christmas feel which is worth experiencing even if you don’t buy anything! There are several designer shops around as well as luxurious bakeries and a Disney store in the Square. There is an Apple store if you’re looking to buy some more techie things and all in all there is something for everyone. If you are on a budget, you should definitely have a look at the Covent Garden Markets which have many different things on offer for a bit less.
KNIGHTSBRIDGE
Knightsbridge is the ideal area to venture to for some luxurious Christmas shopping. It is the perfect place to shop for some of the most exclusive designer brands in the world. There are many great places to shop in Knightsbridge however during the cold winter months we highly recommend you go to Harrods and Harvey Nichols department stores as you have lots of brands under one roof.
Harrods is transformed into a magical world during Christmas time and there really is nothing that you can’t find here. Harrods has everything from hairdressers to ski equipment and luxurious jewellery. You will find loads of top designer brands and extremely high-quality gifts, but Harrods also have some less costly items available if you are on a budget. There is a food court with different types of luxury cuisine available as well as different counters with delicacies you can buy and bring home to make Christmas extra special. Harrods is a place worth experiencing even if you simply want to have a look around.
Harvey Nichols is great for buying exclusive designer brands as well as enjoying a lovely meal or a drink at the champagne bar. The entire building is luxurious and you will see lovely seats and sofas by some of the designer sections which are perfect for having a little break while looking at the clothes. There are attentive staff members throughout the store who are more than happy to give you all the advice and help that you need. Harvey Nichols is not a great place to shop if you are on a budget; however the bar and the restaurants are always worth a visit.
OXFORD STREET
Oxford Street has loads of different shops to suit all budgets. There are some department stores as well as independent designers and other shops available. Oxford Street is also famous for its Christmas lights, which are a must for many families each year. It does get extremely crowded during Christmas however, so it you want to shop when it’s a bit quieter we recommend visiting in the morning . There are low budget stores such as Primark available if you want to buy fashionable clothing for less. This store gets extremely crowded, so do try to avoid it during the rush. If you are looking for a store which has a bit of everything with a variety of prices you should pop into Debenhams. At Debenhams, you will find everything you need under one roof which is handy if it is very cold or raining (or snowing!) Along Oxford Street you will also find shops including Zara, Swarovski, Boots, Currys Digital, French Connection and many more. If you are looking for variety, then you are sure to be satisfied with Oxford Street and its 300 different shops. If you decide to come to Oxford Street, we advise you come at the beginning of the day with a lot of energy as it can be quite overwhelming!
ACCOMMODATION
If you’re looking for a place to stay in London while you do your Christmas shopping, there are a range fantastic serviced apartments that would make the perfect place to stay during the festive season.
We hope that this post has given you a better idea of where to go Christmas shopping while you are in London. If you would like regular updates from us, please like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
