Christmas Shopping in London – 35 Best Stores To Visit 2023

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May we ‘present’ to you our 2023 guide to Christmas shopping in London! From vintage stylings to vinyl records, goth gifts to cracking Christmas cheese, there are lots of Christmas gift ideas from stores across London.

We have lots of unique London Christmas gift and shopping ideas from pop-culture collectibles to stylish bags and socks at the London Transport Museum made from the same fabric as the seats on trains. And craft beer connoisseurs can brew their very own crafty Christmas beer!

From shopping centres to museum gift shops, top toy stores to classic Christmas Markets; here is our guide to the best Christmas shopping in London in 2023:

Where to go Christmas Shopping in London

1. London Christmas Markets

We of course start our Christmas shopping in London guide with the most Christmassy of all shops – London Christmas Markets.

From top traditional trinkets at the Trafalgar Square Christmas Markets to gorgeous gifts in Greenwich, these markets are all bedecked with classic Christmas decorations, plus mulled wine stalls to keep you motivated whilst you finish your London Christmas shopping.

2. Fortnum & Mason

By ‘Royal Appointment, Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly has been the go to place for London Christmas shopping for over 300 years, packed full of fine festive fare like themed Christmas hampers or fine wines and sumptuous special chocolate boxes.

Whilst Christmas shopping here, check out the themed Christmas windows at Fortnum & Mason (plus you are really close to the London Christmas lights along Regent Street).

Address: Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1A 1ER

Nearest London Underground tube station: Piccadilly Circus or Green Park

Fortnum & Mason Christmas shopping in London

3. Liberty London

The best looking department store in central London (housed in a Tudor style black and white building near Soho and Oxford Circus), Liberty London is a luxury Christmas shopping experience.

Libertys was founded in the 1870s but moved to its current timbered building in the 1920s (incredibly, the store timbers were taken from two old ships, HMS Hindustan and HMS Impregnable). It is now a listed building.

Liberty is famous for its fabrics plus has one of the best Christmas shops in London. So if you want a bold and beautiful dress or a Corgi tree or London bus Christmas decoration (for real), Liberty of London is for you!

Address: Liberty London, Regent Street, Carnaby, London W1B 5AH

Nearest London Underground tube station: Oxford Circus

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4. Hamleys (Best Christmas Shopping in London for kids)

The biggest toy shop in the world (and the oldest), Hamleys on Regent London is our top pick for festive fun and Christmas toy shopping in London (although it can get very crowded).

As well as magical toy demonstrations and costumed characters, Hamleys is jam-packed with joyful Christmas shopping ideas to suit kids of all ages (plus adults too, especially with their immense LEGO collection and model sets).

Make sure to also check out the Christmas window displays at Hamleys Regent Street, which change every year and have had themes in previous years such as Harry Potter or Jurassic Park.

There are also smaller branches of Hamleys in London Bridge, Westfield shopping mall in White City and London St Pancras station.

Address: Hamleys, 188-196 Regent Street, London W1B 5BT

Nearest London Underground tube station: Oxford Circus

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5. V&A Museum Shop

For us, the V&A Museum gift shop is one of the best looking Christmas shopping stores in London housed in the world famous design museum (a free thing to do in London).

The V&A Christmas shop in South Kensington usually includes themed Christmas bags, incredible chocolate collections plus Christmas themed trinkets using fabrics from their collection.

Better still, combine your V&A Christmas shopping in London with their Christmas festivities which generally includes a beautiful Christmas tree with ornaments, a Christmas trail and Christmas carols from local choirs below the world famous V&A rotunda chandelier.

Address: V&A Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL

Nearest London Underground tube station: South Kensington

6. The LEGO® Store Leicester Square

‘Bricking’ it about where to go for Christmas gifts for the children in London? How about the fantastic plastic that is the LEGO® Store Leicester Square.

Chock full of thousands of Lego sets to suit all ages (and budgets), you can combine your Christmas shopping in Central London with a look at all their huge Lego models in-store including a massive brick recreation of a London Underground carriage or the Houses of Parliament.

Afterwards, check out the free ‘Scenes from the Square’ film statue trail in front of the Lego Leicester Square store that includes life like bronze statues of characters such as Harry Potter, Bugs Bunny and Mary Poppins (alas no Santa Claus or Father Christmas).

Address: LEGO Store, 3 Swiss Court, London W1D 6AP

Nearest London Underground tube station: Leicester Square

LEGO Store - christmas shopping in London

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7. Covent Garden and Seven Dials Christmas Shopping

Covent Garden and the surrounding Seven Dials area is transformed at Christmas, where it becomes resplendent with incredible Christmas decorations like huge baubles and massive mistletoe.

Not only does it look the part for any Christmas shopping trip in London, it often has pop-up Christmas shops and boutique fashion shops (like Tatty Devine), as well as an incredible new Uniqlo store along floral street where you can personalise clothes and fashion wear with characters and other icons.

If you want to get a feel for what Covent Garden Christmas shopping looks like, check out the 2019 movie ‘Last Christmas’ starring Emilia Clark which was partially filmed around Covent Garden.

Nearest London Underground tube station: Covent Garden or Leicester Square

8. Spitalfields Market

One of London’s oldest markets (originally founded over 350 years ago), Spitalfields Market is a cut above your usual Christmas shopping experience in London.

Less ‘touristy’ than the likes of Covent Garden, Spitalfields Market is under cover too making it an all weather Christmas shopping cornucopia.

Get Christmas ‘crafty’ at Old Spitalfields Market as the range of retailers and kiosks here is immense. From cut-price books to LEGO earrings, you’ll find a whole range of Christmas gifts and curiosities to suit all budgets and interests.

There are also different ‘specialist’ markets on various days of the week including an antiques market on selected Thursdays, Urban Makers market on Wednesdays (crafts) and a vinyl record market on Fridays (occurrences vary each week) so check the Spitalfields Market website for details.

Address: Spitalfields Market, 65 Brushfield Street, London E1 6AA

Nearest London Underground tube station: Liverpool Street

9. Selfridges

One of the best known department stores in London, Selfridges is renowned for its sumptuous food hall, designer fashion collections plus a huge collection of Christmas gifts and presents for all the family.

From hand bags to homeware, chocolate to chintz, Selfridges on Oxford Street is one of the top places for Christmas shopping in London.

As well as Christmas decorations and Christmas window displays, they sometimes have an outdoor Christmas market at the rear of the store (although based on our previous experience at Selfridges, the festive theming and fun is much better indoors).

Address: Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London W1A 1AB

Nearest London Underground tube station: Oxford Circus or Bond Street

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10. Camden Market Christmas Shopping

Camden has always been a marvellous yet messy mix of markets, pop-up stores and live music venues.

Camden Market has thousands of stalls and is an ideal place for Christmas shopping in London (plus you can reward yourself after in one of the numerous food halls here like Hawley Wharf or Kerb Camden).

One of the most quirky places for London Christmas shopping in Camden has to be Cyberdog, a futurist clothing and dance accessory shop, which has two giant robots at its entrance (if only they put Christmas hats onto them in Winter)!

This is the go to place at Christmas in London for gorgeous goth gear and shiny steampunk shizz plus neon T-shirts galore.

Nearest London Underground tube station: Camden Road or Camden Town

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11. Harrods

No Christmas shopping trip to London is complete without a visit to Harrods department store, possibly the capital’s best known luxury shopping destination.

Each year, the opulent exterior of the Harrods building is bedecked with Christmas lights and the window displays are something to behold. They also have a dedicated Christmas department on the first floor which is always a joy to explore.

Address: Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, London SW1X 7XL

Nearest London Underground tube station: Knightsbridge

12. The Science Museum Gift Shop

Handily located next to the Natural History Museum and V&A museums in South Kensington, The Science Museum has a gorgeous gift shop on the ground floor packed full of educational toys (think chemistry sets and dinosaur kits) plus cute plushies.

Address: Science Museum, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD

Nearest London Underground tube station: South Kensington

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13. Oliver Bonas

With multiple shops all around London, Oliver Bonas is an easy win for Christmas shopping in London if you need a last minute Christmas gift.

Oliver Bonas sells jewellery, fashion, homeware and other Christmas gifts plus also usually have some very quirky cartoon Christmas gift cards.

Locations: There are around 25 Oliver Bonas stores across London including Victoria, Greenwich, Holborn, Tottenham Court Road and Kings Cross.

Oliver Bonas Christmas shopping in London

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14. Tate Modern Shop

Another marvellous museum and gallery gift shop, Tate Modern on South Bank is a treasure trove of art books, design gifts and limited edition Christmas shopping gifts like gorgeous prints and posters.

Tate Modern is the most visited museum in London and is a free thing to do in London. Combine your Christmas shopping at Tate Modern with the ‘Christmas By The River’ Christmas Market (around a 20 minute walk away).

Address: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG

Nearest London Underground tube station: Southwark

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15. Waterstones (Best Christmas Shopping in London for books)

Take a leaf out of our book and head to Waterstones to do some of your Christmas shopping in London.

With one of the largest collections of novels, graphic comics and autobiographies, Waterstones is a wonderful place to buy the latest book releases or travel guides.

Locations: There are around 10 Waterstones stores across London including Piccadilly, Covent Garden and Leadenhall Market.

16. Westfield London Mall (West London)

With over 400 stores, concessions and restaurants, Westfield London near Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush in West London is your one stop shop for Christmas shopping in London.

All the usual chains can be found at Westfield White City mall like Zara, H&M, HMV and Primark, plus a luxury shopping village area for the likes of Gucci and Armani.

At Christmas time, Westfield London / White City also sees the lower levels transformed into a winter wonderland with a pop-up Christmas ice-skating rink.

Address: Westfield London, 1081 Ariel Way, London W12 7GF

Nearest London Underground tube station: Shepherd’s Bush or Wood Lane

Christmas Shopping in London - Westfield mall

17. Westfield Stratford City Mall

The largest shopping mall in Europe, Westfield Stratford City in east London is an impressive shopping centre with dozens of fashion, toy and gift shops all under one roof.

London Christmas shopping here is quite varied with toy shops such as the Entertainer and The Works, book shops like W H Smith and Foyles.

Plus if retail therapy isn’t for you or you want to escape whilst other family members do Christmas shopping, Westfield Stratford City, also has oodles of outdoor bars and restaurants as well as a cinema and several themed food courts.

Address: Westfield Stratford City, 157 Montfichet Road, London E20 1EJ

Nearest London Underground tube station: Stratford

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18. John Lewis

A high end department store famed for their excellent customer service, John Lewis many locations around London.

From stocking fillers to big Christmas gifts, ‘Yule’ love the range of goodies available at John Lewis including their own John Lewis Christmas Collection of wrapping paper, Christmas trees and decorations.

For those of you not from the UK, John Lewis is well known for having a sumptuous (and often expensive) Christmas TV commercial (check out the previous John Lewis Christmas ads on YouTube).

Locations: There are around 5 John Lewis stores in London with the biggest one located on Oxford Street.

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19. Apple Store

Packed to the rafters with iPhones, Apple Macs and AirPods, the Apple stores are your best bet for Christmas shopping for Apple products in London.

One of the biggest and best Apple stores can be found on the Covent Garden piazza or a new Apple store has also recently popped up in the new Battersea Power Station shopping mall.

Most days at Apple Stores (and likely more so in the run-up to Christmas), there are in-store demonstrations and product displays. For instance when we last visited the Covent Garden Apple Store, there was a free talk about how best to manage online storage and other space saving tips.

Locations: There are 8 Apple stores across Greater London including Regent Street and Covent Garden

20. Japan House London

“Happī kurisumasu”! Japan House on High Street Kensington is not just a shop, but is also a concept store!

Known as the cultural home of Japan in London, this store presents the very best of Japanese art, design, gastronomy, innovation, and technology. It also an incredible place to get unique Japanese Christmas gifts in London.

Spread over three floors, Japan House also has a library and free exhibitions in the basement, a cafe, tourist information and Japanese gift shop on the ground floor, and a bar and a Michelin-listed restaurant on the top floor. “Happī kurisumasu”

Address: Japan House, 101-111 Kensington High Street, London W8 5SA

Nearest London Underground tube station: High Street Kensington

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21. Japan Centre Ichiba and Japan Centre Piccadilly

Japan Centre has two huge food halls and Japanese food gift shops – Japan Centre Piccadilly in central London and Japan Centre Ichiba at Westfield Mall in west London.

From sushi to sashimi, okonomiyaki to ramen, you can expect to find a good selection of basic Japanese cooking ingredients and kitchenware, plus many snacks, gifts, books, drinks, sauces and a fridge full of Japanese sake.

Japan Centre Piccadilly Address: 35b Panton Street, London SW1Y 4EA

Nearest London Underground tube station: Piccadilly Circus

Japan Centre Ichiba Address: Relay Square Westfield, London W12 7HB

Nearest London Underground tube station: Wood Lane or Shepherd’s Bush

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22. London Transport Museum Shop

From vintage Routemaster buses to the ins and outs of the London Underground, the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden is a fascinating foray into all things public transport.

Even if you don’t want to visit the museum itself, you can visit the free gift shop and purchase some really cool London Transport Christmas gifts.

You can find socks that replicate some of the London Underground Tube seat covers or retro reproduction posters of old TFL campaigns.

New items in the London Transport Museum shop include bags that use the same fabric as the new Elizabeth Line trains – perfect Christmas shopping gifts for London TFL enthusiasts or trainspotters!

Beat the queue and buy your London Transport Museum tickets with Get Your Guide or Viator.

Address: London Transport Museum, 39 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7BB

Nearest London Underground tube station: Covent Garden

Christmas Shopping in London - london Transport museum

23. Fopp (Best Christmas Shopping in London for DVDs)

If you are looking for Christmas gifts for London record lovers or vinyl collectors, one of the few remaining music stores in Soho is Fopp (which is actually owned by HMV).

Based over two levels, this is your one stop Christmas music shop in central London for vinyls, DVDs, Blu-ray and CDs.

Fopp is also one of the cheapest bookshops in London, plus has an excellent collection of arthouse movies in the basement – excellent stocking fillers and secret santa Christmas gifts.

Address: Fopp, 1 Earlham Street, London WC2H 9LL

Nearest London Underground tube station: Covent Garden or Leicester Square

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24. Flying Tiger

A quirky gift store originally hailing from Denmark with branches all over London and other part of the UK, Flying Tiger is a cheap as chips gift store that is chock full of crafts, homewares and kitchenware.

Given how cute, colourful and inexpensive most of the range at Flying Tiger is, this is a perfect place for Secret Santa Christmas gifts. They also sometimes sell charming Christmas tree decorations like pink flamingos or London taxi cabs.

Locations: Around 20+ Flying Tiger locations across London including Oxford Street

Christmas Shopping in London Flying Tiger

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25. Borough Market Christmas Shopping

Looking for the finest foodie fare and gorgeous gourmet goods this Christmas?

Borough Market is one of the oldest food markets in London and worth a visit any time of the year but particularly so when shopping in London at Christmas.

It is one of the best places to get traditional Christmas foods in London like British cheeses or luxury mince pies. You could always try something different this Christmas like paella or oysters (or a devilishly decadent doughnut from Bread Ahead).

Once the Christmas shopping is complete, unwind with a pint or mulled wine in one of these Borough Market pubs or grab some pasta at Padella Borough Market.

Address: Borough Market, London SE1 9AL

Nearest London Underground tube station: London Bridge and Borough

Christmas Shopping in London Borough Market

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26. Heal’s

If you really want to do some high-end Christmas shopping in London, Heal’s on Tottenham Court Road is a fine furniture store full of gorgeous glassware, charming chairs and other things to make your home pretty – and why shouldn’t we give each other sumptuous sofas at Christmas?

One of London’s most historic retailers founded in 1810, you’ll find Heal’s Furniture stalls at Westfield London and on Tottenham Court Road.

Locations: Heal’s has 2 stores – one on Tottenham Court Road and one in Westfield (West London branch)

27. Notting Hill & Portobello Market

During the week, Notting Hill’s Portobello Road is an eclectic mix of independent stores and the usual chain cafes but as the weekend arrives, Portobello Road Market comes alive and welcomes an array of antique, flea market and superb street food stalls that line either side of the street.

This is a great place to get some unique Christmas gifts and do some cool Christmas shopping in London.

Notting Hill also has lots of independent boutiques and fashion shops that are open all week, plus the famous Notting Hill Travel Bookshop in Blenheim Crescent.

Also, if you are looking for a Christmas gift for a chef or cook in your life, make sure you go Christmas shopping in Notting Hill’s Books for Cooks, which houses a cavernous collection of cookbooks and its very own cooking school.

Nearest London Underground tube station: Notting Hill Gate

Notting Hill - christmas shopping in London

28. Battersea Power Station Mall

London’s newest shopping mall, the historic Battersea Power Station has recently been transformed into a sublime shopping mall with all manner of bars and restaurants including the new Arcade Food Hall.

Battersea Power Station mall is all about shopping in style and is definitely one of the best looking Christmas shopping destinations in London.

Spread over several levels and with fine fashion stores featuring the likes of Tag Hauer, Uniqlo, Tommy Hilfiger, Jo Malone, Abercrombie and Fitch, Battersea Power Station is a must visit shopping destination.

Address: Battersea Power Station Mall, Circus Road W, Nine Elms, London SW11 8AL

Nearest London Underground tube station: Battersea Power Station

Battersea Power Station Mall - christmas shopping in London

29. Coal Drops Yard

Christmas comes to Kings Cross. A new shopping and dining destination set amongst the backdrop of restored railway arches, this characterful culinary and retail space is a welcome addition to King’s Cross and a top spot for Christmas shopping in London.

As well as regular weekend markets selling crafts and artisan goods, there are over 100 shops around Coal Drops Yard and Kings Cross to browse including Black Horse Ateliers, & Other Stories, Space NK, Paul Smith plus a flagship Samsung shop.

Address: Coal Drops Yard, Stable Street, London N1C 4DQ

Nearest London Underground tube station: King’s Cross

30. Forbidden Planet London Megastore

Forbidden Planet is chock full of comic books, graphic novels and geek chic – this is London’s biggest comic store spread over several levels.

Calling all Funko Fans at Christmas. Forbidden Planet London Megastore also has one of the largest collections of Funko figures anywhere in London plus all manner of cool pop culture collectibles.

Address: Forbidden Planet, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8JR

Nearest London Underground tube station: Tottenham Court Road or Covent Garden

Forbidden Planet London Megastore Christmas Shopping

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31. Rough Trade East

One of London’s last few bastions of the independent music scene, Rough Trade and their impressive vinyl and CD collection is likely high on any music lover’s Christmas hit-list.

As well as mainstream music and more commercial artists, you can also track down more obscure and harder to find albums. Rough Trade also host music events and concerts plus sell DJ equipment.

Address: Rough Trade East, Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL

Nearest London Underground /Overground tube stations: Shoreditch High Street or Liverpool Street

Christmas Shopping in London Rough Trade East

32. Clapton Craft

Looking for a Christmas gift for a London craft beer lover? Clapton Craft is a cracking choice for a craft beer connoisseur at Christmas.

An amazing chain of craft beer shops in London, Clapton Craft has a huge range of bottles/cans in their fridges to take away / gift, plus you can also drink onsite.

Alternatively, you can always buy a London craft beer brewery tour for you and your loved one / friend so that you too also benefit from this brewery bonanza!

Locations: There are 8 Clapton Craft stores located in Greater London including Walthamstow, Clapham and Finsbury Park.

Christmas Shopping in London Clapton craft — *Clapton Craft*

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33. Canary Wharf Malls

Given Christmas shopping in London can be quite the depressing affair on cold or rainy days, Canary Wharf is an all weather shopping centre, a warren of underground malls all protected from the snow and rain of winter.

There are several interconnecting Canary Wharf malls including Jubilee Place Mall and Churchill Place Mall. On your first visit, it can be a little easy to get lost as all the tunnels and walkways can look quite similar after a while.

You’ll find lots of regular high street chains like Waitrose, M&S and Boots in the Canary Wharf malls, as well as one off chocolate shops and luxury clothing and linen companies.

Canary Wharf is a good spot for London Christmas shopping as it also has one of London’s largest Christmas outdoor ice skating rinks plus Christmas decorations galore including the annual Canary Wharf Winter Lights display.

Nearest London Underground tube station: Canary Wharf

Christmas Shopping in London Canary wharf — *Jubilee Place Mall*

34. Beer Making Course at Brixton London Beer Lab

One of the more unusual (and unique!) Christmas shopping in London ideas on this list.

Know someone who has mentioned wanting to make their own beer? The London Beer Lab is a Brixton microbrewery that could make their hop-infused dreams come true, allowing them to concoct their very own craft beer, following 5 different beer recipes.

Group workshops or individual brewing sessions and beer tastings are available at Beer Lab London – so instead of just giving the Christmas gift of beer tasting in London, why not let them make their own craft beer concoction!

Click here to book a brewing session at Beer Lab London >

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Address: Arch 41, Railway Arches, Nursery Road, London SW9 8BP

Nearest London Underground tube station: Brixton

35. Last Minute Online Christmas Shopping Gifts

Left it too late for Christmas shopping in London or reading this on Christmas Eve?

Eek – luckily, if you can’t make it to any physical shops in London, you can always buy a travel voucher or gift experience that instantly comes through within seconds of purchase.

Go City Passes

An ideal London Christmas gift for both local Londoners and those visiting soon the capital soon, the Go City London pass is an attractions pass that gives you ‘free’ entrance to dozens of top London landmarks and attractions for one low price.

These can be gifted and are also available in other cities like Las Vegas and Paris.

Check out our experiences of using both the GO City Bangkok pass and the Go City Seoul pass whereby we saved on average around 55% compared to the normal admission prices.

Check out the included attractions on the Go City London pass here >

Travel Experience and Tour Vouchers

From a Harry Potter Tour of the famous Warner Bros. Studio with transport to a London shopping tour, there are hundreds of London tours or tastings that could be potential Christmas Gifts.

Check out online Christmas shopping and tours in London here:

Also, you can buy a range of London theatre tickets or immersive experiences in London via Fever