London boasts some of the best retail therapy in the world
I Brick Lane A hotspot for new and second-hand clothes. While leather goods are pretty big busmess. Brick Lane's charm lies in its jack-of-all-trades appeal With everything from furniture. fruits. kitchenware and boots to Jewellery and bric-a-brac up for grabs. Tube: A/dgato East. When: ant—2pm, Sundays only. I Petticoat Lane The oldest of London‘s street markets. Petticoat Lane established itself over 400 years ago. Residing in Wentworth Street from Mon—Fri and then spreading itself a little further a field to Middlesex Street on Sun. expect everything from knick knacks and toys to high street clothing. Tube: Liverpool Street. When: Mon—Fri 8. Sun 9am—2pm.
I Portobello Road The world's largest antiques market. this narrow thoroughfare in the heart of Notting Hill boasts over 2.000 shops and stalls selling antiques. Jewellery. paintings and more. A little further downhill and you're met with a plethora of fruit and veg. Head towards the Westway near Golborne Road for the bone tide London flea market experience. Tube: Ladbroke Grove or Notting Hill Gate. When: antiques Sat 5.30am—5pm; general market Mon—Wed 8am—6pm, Thu 9am- 7 pm, Fri—Sat: 8am- 7pm; bric-a-brac Fri/Sat 8am—5pm.
I Camden Founded in 1974. Camden Lock Market. by the canal. was London's first craft market. At the weekend the Camden Canal Market comes to life (Fri—Sun). bth on Sunday afternoons it's horribly overrun with tourists. For fashion check out the indoor market at Electric Ballroom (Sun only). Tube: Camden Town or Chalk Farm When: daily 70am—6pm.
I Columbia Road Flower Market Get up early on a Sunday to savour the best of this tiny East End market. Situated on a Quiet Victorian street in E2. it bursts into life on Sundays with stalls selling plants and flowers. It's w0rth going there for brunch at one of the excellent streetside cafes. By lunchtime the street is a sea of plants being manoeuvred through the crowds. Tube: Old Street. or cab from Liverpool
Retail therap
TRAVEL
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From small independents and high street giants to designer labels and trendy markets, London is a Shopper’s paradise. Anna Millar tests her credit limit.
ometimes sublime. some-
times ridiculous. the capital
is a shopping Mecca just waiting to be explored.
London's range of' vintage couture is well known and — considering the hidden expenditures of a weekend away — you don't have to pay through the nose for it. Head west for some of‘ the best finds. with the shops around the Notting Hill area offering hot-spots like One of a Kind (Portobello Rd. tube: Ladbroke Grove). a celebrity haunt. lixpect old YSL and Vivienne Westwood offerings. For a bargain blow-out. head to Beyond Retro (Cheshire St. tube: Shoreditch). This converted warehouse is popular with students and carries over 10.000 items. Alternatively. for accessories Butler & Wilson (liulham Road. tube: South Kensington) has a selection of art deco odds. complete with bags. jewellery and Marilyn Monroe prints.
For designer goods with a slightly less exuberant price tag. check out London‘s discount designer stores. French designer Joseph has a sale shop on the King’s Road (tube: Sloane Square). Paul Smith has also more than left his mark on the fashion scene: fans can rummage through his sale wares — everything from jeans to knitwear — on Avery Road (tube: Bond Street). British designer Nicole Farhi is also highly visible. with shops all over
the city. For 50‘} discounts take a trip to the l-‘arhi outlet shop on (Barrett Lane in Wandswonh. south west London (train: liarlslield).
As a shopping paradise. the capital has more than its fair share
of department stores. A wander
along Oxford Street should ensure you have plenty to while away a few hours. in Selfridges. Liberty and liortnum and Mason. ln Knightsbridge Harrods and Harvey Nichols are also on hand to punt their wares. The former Mrs Jude Law. Sadie lirost. has received mixed press in recent months for not only for her toy boy dalliances but also her l‘rench lirost fashion collection. Koh Samui and Urban Outfitters are good stop oll‘ points to see what all the hiss is about.
For shopping of a different kind. no trip to London would be complete without a visit to Hamley’s. at Regent Street retail playground filled with every toy a child (or adult) could ever hope for. Complete with interactive games. this is well worth a trip. especially for specialist collectors. ()t‘ a similar ilk. Pollocks Benjamin. situated on the Pia/Ia at (‘ovent Garden. is a find no matter what your age. with its dax/ling variety of puppets and handmade toys. Whether you’re splashing out or just window shopping. you‘ll be left in no doubt as to why London is known as a shopping capital.
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