For major league shopping there’s nowhere like London to test your stamina when it comes to pounding the pavements in search of that must-have handbag, perfect pair of jeans or much-longed-for toy. Now that the summer sales are just a memory that’s fading as fast as our tans, it’s time to check out what the high street has in store for the new season. No matter where you’re planning your big shopping weekend, a London Travelodge within walking distance of your target area is the perfect place to base yourself for your stay. And the money you save on your great value room can go straight into the shopping fund, of course.
Oxford Street
It’s the obvious place to go, which you’ll discover when you arrive there and it feels like every single person on the planet has decided to flock to it at exactly the same time. However, Oxford Street is a must-do destination for any serious shopper as it boasts the flagship Marble Arch branch of M&S, a Primark on a scale that has to be seen to believed, an enormous Zara and that fabulous mecca of all things fashionable, Selfridges. If the crowds start to get a bit much, why not escape to the fantastic roof garden at John Lewis until 31st August? It’s a perfect place to sit for a while enjoying a drink in a deckchair high above the crowds scurrying around below, before you regain the energy to rejoin them.
Covent Garden
With its mixture of high street staples, quirky boutiques and upscale designer fashion, Covent Garden is a great place to enjoy a leisurely wander. As a tourist mecca, this area also enjoys a year round relaxed, carnival atmosphere so it’s a great place to combine a bit of light retail therapy with a spot of lunch, people watching and a look at some of the street theater and art that is permanently in residence. Don’t get the tube to Covent Garden – get off at Leicester Square and enjoy the short walk along Long Acre, popping in and out of the shops that take your fancy on the way.
Westfield
If you’re on a serious mission to nail that special occasion outfit or perfect present for someone precious, sometimes the rain-free, spacious atmosphere of a massive mall is the best option. In London there are two enormous Westfield malls with more shops, restaurants, cafés and bars than even the most demanding shopaholic could reasonably expect. Choose Westfield White City in West London or take the short journey on the bullet train from London St Pancras to Westfield Stratford, which is next to the Olympic Park. These two retail behemoths really do have every shop under the sun whether your budget is Primark or Prada.
These are just a few of the best shopping areas in London. When you start to explore the endless shopping possibilities of this fantastic city, you’re bound to discover many, many more!