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Liberty
This
handsome, half-timbered building dates from 1925 and its fine
wood-floored and panelled interior is part of the shopping experience
there. Long associated with the Arts and Crafts movement, it employed
artists such as William Morris to design its fabrics. Great for its own
Liberty floral fabrics, home furnishings, men’s and women’s fashions and
lovely gifts .
Liberty’s mock-Tudor façade
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Fortnum and Mason
London’s
most elegant store has hardly noticed the arrival of the 21st century.
The ground-floor food hall is famous for its traditional English
produce, and lavish picnic hampers can be found, along with wines, in
the basement. The upper floors are good for designer women’s fashion and
stylish gifts .
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Harrods
London’s
most famous and exclusive department store is more of an event than a
shop. Covering seven floors, it is full of extraordinary things to buy –
from pianos to children’s racing cars – all with equally extraordinary
prices. The children’s toy department is excellent, and the store’s food
hall is rightly famous, with bars selling upmarket ice-cream, pizzas
and countless other treats .
Harrods by night
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Hamleys
The
five storeys of London’s largest toyshop contain just about anything a
child might want, from traditional puppets and games to giant stuffed
toys, models, arts and crafts supplies and the latest electronic
gadgets. There are also many delights here for adults who haven’t let go
of their childhood .
