Knightsbridge
Emma Killick knows London well. And like us, she prefers a map-free, app-free guide to the best shopping in Knightsbridge – from Gucci to Chanel via Harvey Nichols.
Put on your best frock and give your credit card company a warning call: you’re off for a day of shopping in Knightsbridge.
1. Exit Knightsbridge tube station on the London Underground train network and take a gander at the modern buildings in front of you: One Hyde Park is currently the most expensive real estate in the world. At £136 million for the penthouse, I don’t think the people that bought these flats were sitting next to you on the tube, but you may find them in the shops you’re about to visit!
2. Now turn right and cross the street for Harvey Nichols. You’ll feel absolutely fabulous (sorry – it was the mainstay of every Absolutely Fabulous episode!) after you’ve picked up some of their exclusive and up-to-the-minute offerings. And even better if you stop for a drink on the fifth floor – admire the other fashionistas at the bar, café or restaurant.
3. Now, go back on yourself, past the tube and down Brompton Road. You’ll see a ginormous Burberrys across the street on the corner. Pop in for some traditional and timeless gorgeousness.
4. When you’ve had your fill of trenchcoats, get back on Brompton Road and walk for about three more minutes and you’ll hit Harrods. Get past the throngs buying the distinctive green, shamelessly branded items and check out the amazing food hall, toy department and acres of fashion. Don’t miss the windows if you’re there at Christmas.
5. You’re probably looking too fabulous and carrying too many bags to make a quick detour into Hyde Park, so save that for another day and head back to Knightsbridge tube. If your credit card company’s anti-fraud department hasn’t already put a hold on your card, don’t leave the area yet: turn right onto Sloane Street just after the Knightsbridge tube station (and be tempted by the likes of Gucci, La Perla, and Chanel) then continue down the road until you find the tube entrance on the other side of Sloane Square.
Emma Killick is a contributor to The Holiday Goddess Handbag Guide to Paris, London, New York and Rome (HarperCollins). Images Emma Killick and Wikimedia Commons.
This was originally published on Holiday Goddess and has been republished with full permission.
Top Comments
Ooooh, and I totally forgot one of my favourite day trips - Bicester Village! Awesome bargain shopping. Think DFS, (is that what the bargain chain is called in Melbourne?) but with beautiful brands. Amazing childrensware shopping (White Company, Marie Chantal etc), homeware (Le Creuset etc), midlevel stuff (Emma Bridgewater, Aubin & Wills, North Face, Hobbs, Reiss) more upmarket stuff (Smythson, Anya Hindmarch etc ), also the high end brands like LV, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Celine, Mulberry etc. About an hour out of London. Heaven on a (often much cheaper) stick.
Sorry, I am not usually one to criticise articles (more a don't bother reading type), but this a really average guide to shopping in the fashion/shopping mecca heaven that is London. You'd get better in any daggy guidebook. Not so sure about all these Holiday Goddess articles to be honest - haven't really rocked my boat but haven't bothered commenting til now.
Some great tips below, also can try TimeOut, they always have good secret London shopping guides, also weebirdy, the Luxe Guides, so many.
My personal favourites are the antique markets (Kempton and Ardingly), wandering the East End (which has gone very Scandi amongst the vintage in recent years weirdly), Westbourne Grove, for a slice of every high st Parisian boutique in one spot, Westfield Sheperds Bush for a hideous but convenient shopping mall, Liberty for the most beautiful department store shopping (seriously, skip Harrods, and I'm not saying that in an I'm so cool and anti-touristy way - have a look at the food hall and move on), Portobello Market is great fun on a Saturday, but expect to eat and people watch and not really buy much, Marylebone is a sweet (if completely gentrified) little shopping strip, hop down to Sth Ken if you want some seriously exey but amazing designer homeware type stuff, wander the Kings Rd to watch the Sloanies at work, check out Cos (upmarket H&M - fab workwear), the new ACNE store, APC shop, Vanessa Bruno shop, drool over ridiculously priced Anya Hindmarch handbags, Uniqlo for ace skinny jeans (free alterations the same day!) and amazing 'heatech' undergarments, the Oxford St Topshop and Primark are the best in town (go as soon as they open to avoid the crowds and don't do a Saturday unless you are very very good in crowds and long till queues), for amazing high-end boutiquey fashion, go to Browns and Matches, Foyles for one of Europe's biggest and oldest bookshops, Daunt for a couple of London's smaller and sweeter bookshops, Books for Cooks (Notting Hill) for a cookbook only heaven shop, Jermyn St for lots of mens shirts and ties type places, I adore Fortnum & Mason for its history, beautiful stores and (yes a bit touristy but still pretty) teas and jams, Dover St Market for its avant garde fashion (and check out the Rose Bakery), Borough Market for stunning food (go early to avoid the crowds), Columbia Rd Market on a Sunday morning for amazing flowers, people, and coffees....oh dear, I could go for days..
Oh, and this week - hang around Somerset House for a true slice of fashion - it's London Fashion Week, and the stars and fashion are AWESOME!
x
ACNE? What were they thinking with that name?
I miss Columbia Road.
lol! It's swedish, stands for something like 'ambition for novel expression' - I lust after it (mostly on ebay)...
Kateinlondon - I haven't been here long but you are spot on girl! Amazing overview of some of the best shopping this town has to offer! Well done! And you're right - there's still more!
Whilst Harrods, Harvey Nicks & Burberry are fabulous they are not always in everyone's budget. I was so excited about reading this article as I thought it would be about shopping for the everyday person, not those with a high salary.
Thanks again Kate! :))
Now this a good article on London shopping! Give Kate the job as travel shopper writer.