The edit • March 2017
London’s hidden shopping streets (and what to buy there)
Forget tourist tat and traps – every Londoner knows the best of the capital’s retail scene is tucked away off the beaten track. Resident blogger Alice Tate reveals six secret streets worth tracking down – and what you should pick up while there
Lamb’s Conduit Street
Not far from Oxford Street, the real draw of this quiet Bloomsbury lane is its independent menswear stores. Folk and Oliver Spencer (pictured) are perfect for quality smart-casual classics, while The Content Store stocks contemporary functional wear and trainers. Pop into Persephone Books, a literary paradise filled with limited-edition novels by 20th-century female writers, with beautiful vintage covers.
Souvenir jackpot: Knitwear from Folk
Golborne Road
Skirt the crowds of Portobello Road and the pastel-hued streets of Notting Hill and head for this lesser-known west London street instead. With its Portuguese, Caribbean and Moroccan influences – try Fez for ceramics and leather goods from Morocco – you’re guaranteed unique treasures and trinkets. Browse the antiques and indie boutiques, before stopping at Lisboa Patisserie for a pick-me-up of Portuguese espresso and pastries.
Souvenir jackpot: Glassware from Phoenix
Maltby Street
Borough Market is a tourist magnet on Saturdays, and rightly so. But discerning foodies know real culinary excitement lies in Bermondsey Street’s railway arches. You could graze away an entire Saturday eating your way through the food stalls, from Thai-inspired iced coffee at Bean Bag to jamon and sherry at Tozino.
Souvenir jackpot: St John’s oozing custard doughnuts are a perennial favourite
Columbia Road
If you can handle crowds, go east to Columbia Road on a Sunday. Locals and savvy out-of-towners alike flock here in search of giant bouquets of fresh flowers, herbs, shrubs, cacti and plants (top tip: head there at 2pm for the best bargain – the market shuts at 3pm). If fresh blooms aren’t your thing, duck into one of the independent art galleries or beautiful boutiques selling ceramics, perfume and jewellery.
Souvenir jackpot: Rustic stoneware pieces and statement marble teapots from Nom Living
Redchurch Street
Hip Londoners head to this stylish Shoreditch thoroughfare on Saturday mornings for brunch – try Andina’s Peruvian breakfast for something different – before pottering around the quirky independent stores and boutiques. High-end, functional brands such as Kit & Ace and A.P.C. sit alongside artisanal Brooklyn-import chocolatier Mast Brothers (pictured), luxury beauty brands such as Aesop and homeware haven Labour and Wait.
Souvenir jackpot: Quirky enamelware from Labour and Wait
Neal’s Yard
Tucked away from the chaos of Covent Garden, Neal’s Yard is a colourful, Instagram-ready courtyard that’s worth seeking out. Along with a handful of great cafés and restaurants – Homeslice is renowned for 20-inch pizza by the slice – Neal’s Yard Remedies is a must-stop for organic herbal skincare and toiletries, as is Neal’s Yard Dairy for the finest cheese in town.
Souvenir jackpot: Neal’s Yard seaweed and arnica foaming bath soak – perfect to combat jet lag when you’re back at home
This article has been tagged Fashion + Style, Destination