LONDON WEEKEND BREAKS - Shopping in London

London is one of the world's great shopping Mecca's with several national and internationally renowned stores like Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, and Hamleys.

London is known the world over for its chic boutiques, its cafes and its wine bars, and all of theses facets combine to make a weekend break in London nothing short of a shopping heaven.

When it comes to shopping, London has it all - and at every price range, and in every colour, shape and size.

London combines posh boutiques, large department stores, street side markets and "anything-for-a-pound" trinket shops to provide everything that the window shopper or serious spender could ever ask for. If you want serious retail therapy, then London is the clinic to visit.

So what will you find in London's high streets

London quite simply has every designer label, every branded boutique and every kind of shop required to allow it to sell every niche product imaginable. Whatever you want will almost certainly be available in England's capital city.

When it comes to fashion, those enjoying London weekend breaks with shopping in mind can jump from one iconic fashion store to another. But if your interest is in toys, art, music, consumables, electronics, or any other product type, you will be equally spoilt for choice and retail outlets to visit.

Aside from the number and variety of stores in London, the other feature that makes shopping in London a recreation rather than a chore is the different shopping districts, each with its own retailing speciality. A great example being Savile Row, the home of bespoke tailoring.

As a major tourist city, London has its fair share of trinkets and novelty shops selling miniatures of all of the city's famous monuments and architectural icons. But at the other end of the scale you will also find the world's top auction houses and some of the finest art dealers in Europe. For most though, it is the major store like Harrods that have the greatest appeal along with the flagship stores of many of the UK's main high street chains.

Here are a few of London's best known shops and department stores, but there are many, many more.

• Fortnum and Mason - Location, 181 Piccadilly.
• Selfridges - Location, 400 Oxford Street.
• Harrods - Location, 87 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge.
• Harvey Nichols - Location, 109 to 125 Knightsbridge.
• Fenwick – 63 New Bond Street.

Our tip

If you are fortunate enough to be able to make a particularly expensive retail purchase, ask the store to deliver the item to your hotel. This will keep your hands free and your purchase safe. Many stores will do this at no additional charge (depending of course on the value of your buy).