Shopping in London
Best high street
Oxford Street is the biggest and the busiest, crammed with all the major high street brands and department stores. Carnaby Street was once the heart of swinging London in the 1960s, now it still attracts shoppers for its trendy boutiques and vintage wear. If you're feeling flash then head for Bond Street or Sloane Street for upscale designer shops.
Best designerwear
Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges all carry the top designer names. South Molton St and Floral St are more cutting-edge, while Portobello market showcases up and coming designers.
Best bargain
Music lovers should head to the Record and Tape Exchange in Notting Hill. Rummage through Camden Market for cheap army surplus gear or head to the Burberry factory outlet shop in Hackney.
Best speciality
Saville Row is famous for tailor-made suits, Fortnum & Masons for tea and marmalade, Hatton Garden for diamonds and Tottenham Court Road for electronics. Antiques can be found in Islington and Columbia Road market has fresh flowers.
Take home
Toys for the kids from Hamleys toy store, a bottle of Beefeater Gin to mix with tonic and the latest fashion trends from the shops around Covent Garden.
Fast fact
Oxford Street is the busiest shopping street in Europe, with 200 million visitors a year and a turnover of £5 billion.