London’s fantastic shops are a great place to find those elusive and special presents this Christmas. Whatever you are seeking, you can guarantee you can find in London no matter whether it is toys, jewelry, fashion, antiques or food.
Looking for toys? Then head for Hamleys on Regent Street. This is a store which has become a legend in its own right. There are no less than seven floors of every type of toy you could imagine from computer games to traditional teddy bears. It is quite simply, pure undiluted fun for everyone. You can locate numerous Aparthotels London nearby.
Don’t forget to slip over to Leicester Square and visit the world’s largest Lego Store which has just opened. Apart from finding all the latest Lego models, this is an experience in itself as it features superb models of a dragon, Big Ben (6.5 metres tall complete with working clock and the well known chimes) and a Royal Mail postbox. There is even a large London Underground carriage in which children can sit beside a model of William Shakespeare.
Hunting for jewellery and fashion? Regent Street, Oxford Street and Bond Street offer a wide range of designer and well known brand names. Try the classic English look at Burberry, jewellery from Asprey and Cartier. Explore the wide range of merchandise on sale at Marks & Spencer, Selfridges or John Lewis. Then of course, there is Harrods over in Knightsbridge. This has to be the most comprehensive of all stores with hundreds of departments selling everything from the latest toys for your pets, to exquisite food and drink, china, porcelain and cosmetics.
If artisan crafts and special luxuries are more to your taste, head out of one of the many wonderful Aparthotels in Kensington for Covent Garden. Quite apart from the myriad stores to be found within the old covered market building, there are lots of little shops in adjacent areas like Seven Dials, Neal’s Yard, and St Martin’s Courtyard. Stop off at the Neal’s Yard Dairy for fine British cheeses, Coco de Mer for luxurious lingerie, Les Mereides Market for extremely creative jewellery collections or try the Orc’s Nest for unusual board games.
What about silver ware in all its glory? The London Silver Vaults in Chancery Lane is one of the best kept secrets of the capital. Hidden behind a somewhat unassuming door is a staircase leading down to vaults housing dealers in silver jewellery, antiques, watches, clocks, candle sticks, silverware to adorn the table, prestigious cutlery and vases, and contemporary items made by the finest designers working in the sector. Then there are the gift items, such as miniature silver cars, tankards, animal and bird models, photo frames, sports trophies and epergnes. Perhaps silver backed hairbrushes would look splendid on a dressing table.
The hardest part is deciding! The choice of goods is enormous and it is easy to find something suitable for every person on your Christmas list, even those with whom you usually struggle to find ideas. Book a stay at Presidential Apartments Kensington and stroll round London’s shops and make Christmas shopping fun and enjoyable.
