Christmas shopping in London

According to reports in the press the Christmas shopping bonanza has yet to start. Seems like people are keeping their powder dry until the last week before the big day, at least that’s what the store owners are hoping.
If you’re coming to London soon and need to get some last minute presents here are some of the major shops and what they have on offer.

Harrods London’s most famous store with over 5,000 staff and 300 departments including their famous food hall. Its located on the Brompton Road in west London, close to Knighstbridge Underground Station. Its open Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 12-6pm in the run up to Christmas.

Harvey Nichols Another large department store, located just along from Harrods on the corner of Knightsbridge and Sloane Street. Two floors of menswear, three floors of womenswear and three other floors, if you’re looking for top quality clothing this is one of the places to look. Open Mon-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 9.30am-8pm, Sun 12-6pm. Nearest tube Knightsbridge.

Selfridges A huge department store at the western end of Oxford Street with departments covering clothing, beauty, food and home products. There’s a Santa’s Grotto for kids up until Christmas Eve. Its open Mon-Fri 9.30am-9pm, Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 12-6pm. Its about equal distance between Marble Arch and Bond Street tubes on the north side of Oxford Street.

Fortnum and Mason In business since 1707 and the place to go if you’re looking for that special food item for a gift or your own Christmas. Luxury goods and fashion are on the upper floors. Its on Piccadilly, just along from the Ritz. In the week before Christmas its open Mon-Sat 9am-10pm, Sun 12-6pm. The nearest tubes are Piccadilly Circus or Green Park.

Hamley’s If you’ve got kids or are buying for kids this is London’s premier toy shop. Seven floors of just about every type of popular toy, normally pretty crowded with excited kids, plenty of staff around to demonsrate the latest stuff. Its on the left hand side of Regent Street as you walk down from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly Circus. In the pre-Christmas week its open Mon 7.30am-9pm, Tues-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 9am-3pm.

Liberty One of the most distinctive shops in London, the large Tudor looking store was actually rebuilt in the 1920’s from the timbers of two Royal Navy ships. Liberty became famous in the 19th Century selling goods from the Far East, now it has departments for menswear, ladieswear, beauty, accessories and the home. Located at the junction of Regent Street and Great Marlborough Street, its open next week Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-4pm.