London is a retail paradise, with millions of visitors to the city hitting the shops in order to splash the cash on a few wardrobe staples or collectables to take back home as souvenirs of their stay.
With so many varied shopping opportunities available, we thought we’d put together a whistle-stop tour of the best shopping areas for visitors of all tastes and budgets, so read on to discover where to head for a little retail therapy the next time you join us at our Park Grand Hotels London.
High Street Darlings
With many designers having flagship stores in the capital, London is the place to be if you’re a lover of designer labels and high street fashion alike. From Topshop to Selfridges, those with a little extra to spare on a treat for themselves will want to head to Oxford Street to enjoy 1.5 miles of pure shopping heaven. You can expect to be spoilt for choice at the amazing array of big brand stores that line the streets of this busy retail area.
With over 300 shops to choose from during your stay at the Park Grand Hyde Park, you might want to start saving for your shopping extravaganza in advance, so use our book hotel pay on arrival option to start looking after those pennies before you travel to London.
To reach Oxford Street from the Park Grand Hyde Park, take the Bakerloo line from nearby Paddington Station, and you’ll be hitting the shops in just under 20-minutes. Don’t forget to book yourself a Park Grand afternoon tea experience for after you’ve finished your shopping trip as this is the perfect post-shop treat that’s great for resting those weary legs while you appraise your new purchases.
Department Store Divas
If you prefer to do your shopping all in one place and would rather be protected from the changeable UK weather, then London is filled with amazing department stores featuring the latest in fashion, homewares and beauty products just waiting to be explored.
Harrods is perhaps the most famous of all of the London department stores, with an array of royal and celebrity visitors splashing the cash on designer brands on a regular basis. Worth a visit just for a browse or if you’re seeking a treat for someone special back home, you can get to Harrods from the Park Grand Hotels London easily via the Tube.
Another notable department store is Liberty, which you’ll find on Regent Street. A showcase for new up and coming designers, you’re sure to find something that you simply can’t live without here, so be prepared to flex that credit card as you enjoy a few hours taking in some of the high-end products on offer.
Quirky Collectables
London is famous for its markets, and a trip to Camden Town is great for those who prefer unique fashions and quirky collectables. A vibrant and colourful part of the city, the shop fronts themselves are as interesting as the products within, so regardless of whether you’re into punk fashion, are a keen collector of comic books or just like browsing the stalls for handmade jewellery, you’re sure to find something of interest in Camden Town.
Camden Town is also really easy to reach from our Park Grand Hotels London, so take the Tube, and you’ll arrive at your destination in well under half an hour ready to explore one of the more unusual shopping areas that London has to offer.
If you prefer browsing for antiques and other collectables from yesteryear, then the iconic Portobello Road market isn’t to be missed. Filled with traders showcasing anything from art deco furniture to vintage clothing, the market really comes to life with dozens of stalls each Saturday, but even if you can’t head to the market on that day there are still plenty of weird and wonderful shops lining the leafy streets that are well worth exploring for a couple of hours.
There are also plenty of new designers hoping to make a name for themselves at Portobello Road, so if you’re keen on designer fashions without the eye-watering price tag, you might be able to pick up an item from a new name that’s going to be big in the future at a fraction of the price. You’ll just need to look hard enough!
To get to Portobello Road from the Park Grand Hyde Park, take the Tube from Gloucester Terrace to Notting Hill station, and you’ll be enjoying the sights and sounds of the famous market in just under 20 minutes.
Big Bargain Hunters
If you’re willing to travel a little way out of the city, then the London Designer Outlet has some amazing bargains on offer for savvy shoppers. Featuring big names such as Superdry, Calvin Klein, Gap and Kurt Geiger, many of the stores on offer have amazing discounts of up to 70%, so it’s a great way of saving money if you’ve taken advantage of our book hotel pay on arrival option.
At special events during the year, savings can go as high as 85% in some retail stores. It’s a great idea to book your accommodation at the Park Grand Hyde Park well in advance if you want to catch the January sales in 2020.
Located in Wembley Park, getting to the designer outlet isn’t as tricky as you might think with a regular Tube service leaving nearby Paddington Station every few minutes. The journey takes just over half an hour in total, so it’s a great afternoon opportunity if the weather is looking a little drab or if you want to burn off all those sweet treats you’ve indulged in with our Park Grand hotel afternoon tea.
Remember, as the hotel is only half an hour away via Tube, you can always head back to your room if all of those shopping bags are getting a little too heavy.
