Shopping – All our local tips

Located down a side street off the eclectic madness that is Camden High Road, Bar Vinyl is all about old skool hip hop, soul and funk and also has a record store tucked away downstairs. The whole place has that old skool feel to it, everything from the music to the movies projected up on the screen at the back, so feel free to dust of you old adidas coloured tracksuit and trainers and reminisce!

The food menu is mainly made up of pizzas, hotdogs and chips – whilst not amazing, it matches the old skool era of the place perfectly. And to further compliment the atmosphere is the cocktail list, try a Pimp Daddy or a Vinyl Richie cocktail from the ‘The Vinyl Collection’ list or a Chocolate Martini or Liquid Viagra from the ‘Old Skool Remixes’ list. However it needs to be said – the cocktails are lethal.

The DJ comes on between 21:00 – 22:00 and plays a great mix of funky tunes which had me happily singing along to some old favourites that I hadn’t heard in years. Whilst the crowd can be unpredictable, the feel good music and atmosphere will ensure that you’re left bopping away, like Lionel Richie once warned, all night long!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Bar Vinyl | Bars, Music, Shopping, Snacks
6 Inverness street | North-West | +442074825545
Sun – Wed 11:00 – 00:00, Thu – Sat 11:00 – 01:00

Dangerously close to my place of work and subsequently on my ‘high risk’ temptation list; Berty and Gerty consists of two sweet little boutiques selling “vintage, pop and contemporary fashion”, one just above the other, in Camden market. This is my favourite part of the market in particular, right next to Camden lock and made up of cobbled courtyards with an array of little shops, cafes and food stalls all around leading through to the famous Stables market and nearby Proud Galleries.

While not the only vintage shop in Camden, this is certainly one of the cutest, with great attention to detail in the design and layout. The downstairs section is home to accessories and cleverly glass-fronted so you can’t help but see all the treasures inside! As you can see from the picture, there is a wonderfully enticing selection of bags, hat and boots outside. Inside, there are yet more shoes, handbags, sunglasses and jewellery pieces – all at reasonable prices considering the tendency nowadays to hike up vintage prices. Upstairs is where you’ll find all the clothes, and I think most vintage lovers would find something to take away here -be it chunky knits, jackets or check shirts.

The selection here is just the right as it doesn’t overwhelm you with too much choice, and you really get the feeling that everything has been carefully chosen. So, perfect for a little vintage spree.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Berty & Gerty | Shopping
69 The West Yard | North-West
10:00 – 18:00 daily

Beyond Retro has far surpassed the cult status it used to have a couple of years ago: now it’s a full-blown destination for the stylish shopper on a shoestring. Annoyingly found a fair little walk down Cheshire Street (just off Brick Lane – there is a branch in the West End but it’s disappointing), you’ll have long thought you’ve gone the wrong way before you find it. However once inside, you’ll either feel like a kid in a toy store or, if you’re like me, a little daunted by the sheer number of tat, class, crap and fashion gold.

Sifting through racks and racks of old t-shirts may not be your idea of fun, but there are genuinely some great items to be snapped up; especially in the coats section – leather jackets for 40 quid anyone?

There may be fewer basement bargains nowadays – the prices have upped slightly with the reputation – but make no mistake: Beyond Retro is London’s vintage king. If the shopping wasn’t enough, the shop also lays on gigs and events, though these seem to be few and far between. Anyhow, if you’re coming to Brick Lane (which you really should) then Beyond Retro must be near the top of your list.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Beyond Retro | Shopping
110 – 112 Cheshire Street | East | +442076133636
10:00 – 18:00 daily

Its origins date back from the time when the Romans built the London Bridge. And although it has moved from where it was originally established, the Borough Market has occupied its current site for the last 250 years making it London’s oldest market.

Business activity in the Borough Market begins at 2am for wholesale trading. If you can be up at that time of the day then perhaps you could get a good deal if you’re buying in bulk and volumes. Otherwise, you can go and grab a bargain or two during usual opening hours.

You can find both food and non-food items in this market but locals regularly go here to get fresh produce from various parts of the country. One of the most popular items to purchase here is the ostrich burger, especially to City folk. They can prepare it for you right there like ‘fast food’ or you can take them home and cook at home. For me, I usually come here for the best brownies.

Borough Market is always heaving with people – locals and visitors alike. Tourists come here to get a feel of the local life. But even though it has become quite known to visitors, Borough Market will always be a Londoner’s market.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Borough Market | Shopping
8 Southwark Street | Central
Thu 11:00 – 17:00, Fri 12:00 – 18:00, Sat 08:00 – 17:00

The area around Liverpool Street Station in East London was once associated with poor slums and the scene of the crime for the Jack the Ripper murders. Whilst the Ten Bells still stands, the pub that Jack’s victims drunk at, the area itself is now very popular with London’s edgy and artistic crowd.

After a short walk from Liverpool Street Station, you’ll come across the Old Spitalfields Markets (105a Commercial Street) which are open every Sunday. Whilst these markets are definitely worth a peak, keep wandering towards Bricklane where you’ll find the Old Truman Brewery (91 Bricklane).

These are one on my favourite markets as this is where up-and-coming designers set up shop every Sunday selling a unique variety of handbags, clothes and jewellery. There’s also a few vintage clothing stores and chic boutiques dotted around the area, which is a refreshing change from the usual high street clothing stores.

Whilst Bricklane has always been synonymous for its many curry restaurants, it now has a reputation for its warehouse art exhibitions and trendy clubs and bars. So, before your East London experience is complete, be sure to head to the Vibe Bars beer garden for a drink or two before stumbling across the road to 93 Feet East (150 Bricklane) for some late night groovin.

Whilst this place is sweaty and jammed, it has become an East End institution well known for its eclectic mix of live music and its intimate atmosphere.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Bricklane | Art & culture, Bars, Music, Shopping, Restaurants (Various, however mainly Bangladeshi) | Average meal £ £5.00-£20
Bricklane | East
Markets open Sun, most clothing stores daily, 93 Feet East: Mon – Thu 17:00 – 23:00, Fri 17:00 – 01:00, Sat 12:00 – 01:00, Sun 12:00 – 22:30

I first found out about Columbia Road while walking around nearby Spitalfields Market one Sunday lunchtime, years ago. I kept noticing people strolling around the stalls, clutching huge bouquets of the most beautiful flowers of every size and colour, like a prize they’d won at a fair. Intrigued, I enquired as to the whereabouts of what I though must be the world’s most well-stocked florist and was directed to this narrow little street located near to Brick Lane.

Even if you aren’t set on buying any of the dazzling variety of flowers and plants on offer, it’s worth taking a trip to Columbia Road just to soak up the atmosphere. Each Sunday the street is transformed into a treat for the senses, a vibrant combination of colour and fragrance. Dozens of stalls line the road and the air is filled with hollers of ‘three for a fivah’ as vendors beckon you to their stalls. I take very little convincing to part with my cash in exchange for a bunch of delicately coloured roses of a posy of anemones. When you’ve had your fill of flowers, there is also a collection of sweet shops, vintage boutiques, gallery shops and cafes.

The market gets very busy, especially on sunny days, so be prepared to shuffle along with the crowds. Get there early to avoid the crush, or even better, arrive at around 14:00 just before closing and pick up some great flower bargains.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Columbia Road Flower Market | Shopping
Columbia Road | East
Sun 08:00 – 15:00 (ish)

Browsing in bookshops is definitely one of my preferred ways to while away a couple of spare hours on the weekend. Well, along with greasy-spoon fry-ups and drinking gin (not at the same time, you understand), anyway. Thankfully nowadays bookshop time is spent blissfully ambling around; as opposed to the frantic stockpiling of Critical Theory and Renaissance poetry that was my university years. One of my favourite places for this favourite activity is Daunt Books, an independent bookshop on Marylebone High Street just north of Oxford Street.

Fitting in perfectly on this quaint, pretty high street the shop has an attractive dark green and oak frontage with enticing window displays. Through the door, the full beauty of the Edwardian design is revealed, with polished dark wood shelves and floors, arched stained-glass windows and huge skylights. Many of the shelves are also covered in fabric with William Morris print which adds to the opulent feel.

At the front of the shop, books are organised by section, as usual. What I love though is that through the back into the large main rooms, books are then ordered by country. So you have travels guides and maps, classics and modern fiction all sitting together; perfect for some literary inspiration for your next trip. The ground floor houses books for Europe, downstairs ‘the Rest of the World’ and the beautiful gallery upstairs is for England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

For your browsing delight, there are also four other Daunt bookshops created in a similar style in Chelsea, Holland Park, Hampstead and Belsize Park.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Daunt Books | Art & culture, Shopping
83 Marylebone High Street | Central
Mon – Sat 09:00 – 19:30. Sun 11:00 – 18:00

The east end’s vintage stores are hardly a best-kept secret to the fashionistas of Shoreditch, Hoxton and the like. But beyond Beyond Retro and Absolute, there is one tucked away treat to be had on the wrong side of Brick Lane.

The East End Thrift Store, unbeknown to all but the best of bargain buyers, is almost impossible to spot at first – you’ll have to get off at Stepney Green tube and stroll down the busy main road for a few minutes before you get close. But poke your nose down the right alley and you’re met with a brazen homage to all things old and cheap.

And that doesn’t mean bad. There are tons of treats on each peg; coats with no name, ties with no brand, and of course the obligatory wooly jumper rack. Charmingly unpretentious, cute 50s rock ‘n’ roll soundtracks your way round this backstreet beauty, picking out tees for a couple of quid or an old bomber for a fiver.

So if you want your vintage London experience with a twist, it’s worth the short trip eastwards to pick and choose in one of London’s unsung heroes.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
East End Thrift Store | Shopping
Assembly Passage | East | +442074239700
11:00 – 18:00 daily

Jane Bourvis is a small and unassuming shop positioned among the many charismatic antique stores which line Notting Hill’s Golborne Road. However upon entering the store, you are met with antique tutu’s, Victorian fairytale dresses and delicate fabrics draping from the ceilings and walls, sending an image of Sarah Jessica Parker twirling round to the sound of the cello and the flutter of fairies.

The beautiful lace fabrics and dainty dresses will have you wondering whether you could get away with wearing a beaded corset or ballerina dress to your next party. After some serious consideration, if the answer is still no, there is a unique jewellery collection and cute little homeware items which might be on the slightly more practical side.

However on a grander scale, if you’re planning a wedding and waltzing down the aisle in antique laces has always been your dream, Jane Bourvis specialises in designing vintage couture wedding dresses in addition to headpieces and bridal corsetry. The individually handcrafted dresses and attention to detail will no doubt leave you in possession of a truly individual and special piece -hopefully the groom is of equal calibre!

And despite not being in need of a wedding dress or a pink tutu, I make a point of entering the fairytale world that is Jane Bourvis every time I’m in the area.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Jane Bourvis | Shopping
89 Golborne Road | West | +4402089645603
Tue – Sat 11:00 – 18:00

Enter a world of wonder at Montezuma’s in Spitalfields, where you can take a bite from brightly coloured stacks of chocolate bars called Surf Nut, Whoopee, Jungle Fever, Space Hopper and Gourmet Gorrilla to name a few.  Mr Wonka would be proud to rest his top-hat here.

If calories are not an option, then how about one of their 1kg slabs of hunking great chunks of chocolate stuffed variously with nuts, marzipan and cocoa bits?  No? Ok, how about foot-high jars of big chocolate buttons, in white, milk or dark chocolate?

I’ve found the girls in the office are quite partial to the geranium Dainty Dollops. That’s right, you read it, geranium oil scented discs of chocolate that smell of flowers.

If you’re looking for something a bit more traditional they do their own large-size chocolate bars that you would associate with brands such as Green & Blacks and Lindt.  There’s also truffles in the cabinet and little bags of somethings lining the walls of the shop.

If you’re gonna fall off the wagon, make sure you fall outside Montezuma’s sweet-smelling doors.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Montezuma’s | Shopping, Snacks | Single chocolate bar £ 1.25
51 Brushfield Street | East | +442075399208
Mon 11:00 – 16:00, Tue – Sun 10:00 – 18:00

Step into the sweet-smelling world of Penhaligon’s, perfumers by Royal Appointment (the Royal Warrants are on display) to Prince Charles and the Duke of Edinburgh, and possibly to you too!  A soft bell rings as you open the door to the street and enter a world of Victoriana.

Fragrances in crystal bottles are impeccably presented in floor-to ceiling glass and wood cabinets, luxurious leather passport holders, manicure sets and fur-lined slippers are on show in glass-topped desks, and at the back of the shop in winter is a blazing fire beneath the marble fireplace.  Even the staff are dressed in smart, period waistcoats and shirts.  If you’re canny, you might be able to ask for a tester vials of fragrance from under the counter, but keep it onthe QT as it’s not common practice

William Penhaligon came to London in the 1860s from Penzance in Cornwall, and was an energetic gentleman, taking after the Wildean, Byronesque fashions of the times.  He established his barbershop in Piccadilly next to the exotic Turkish Hammam, which inspired his first scent, Hammam Bouquet.

Military, political, aristocratic and businessmen were soon flocking to his door, and leaving (smelling) as sweet as a nut.  In 1902 the Blenheim Bouquet scent was created for the Duke of Marlborough, and was a favourite of a later family member; Winston Churchill.  Jude Law and Kate Moss are more contemporary patrons.  Naturally they also offer a range of ladies fragrances, accessories and gifts.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Penhaligon’s | Shopping | Toiletries from £ 20.00
41 Wellington Street | Central | +442078362150
Mon – Wed 10:00 – 19:00, Thu 10:00 – 20:00, Fri – Sat 10:00 – 19:00, Sun 12:00 – 18:00

Portobello Market started as a fresh-food market in the 19th Century, but expanded in the 1960s to include the renowned Saturday antiques market at the eastern end of the street, and an assortment of clothing and accessories stalls to the western end. It is of course more recently known for that Richard Curtis film, Notting Hill, and is also mentioned in many popular songs.Have a browse through the antiques, it’s more than the usual furniture and china. I found a guy selling items of old navigational and military navigation pieces, clocks from old Russian MiG and US jets.Walk down the length of the entire street to take in all the stalls; street food steams and bubbles in huge pots serving Ghanaian curry, Spanish paella, and grills of German chicken Schnitzel and sausages.I strongly recommend coming here to buy your fresh fruit and veg, the flavours are so much better.Tomatoes are deep red and juicy, unlike the fluffy, tasteless flesh of their irradiated cousins found in supermarkets. The fresh bread stall is a guilty pleasure, mostly for the mountains of sweet pastries. At about 16:30, the prices are reduced to clear and you can pick-up three doughnuts for a pound or two!So you have to pay a bit more than in the supermarket, but your money goes to a real small business and you’ll have experienced the theatre of street vendors, rather than the anonymous and sterile experience of a supermarket queue. Love it!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Portobello Market | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks
Portobello Road | West
Mon – Sat from approx 08:00 – 16:30

Stanfords travel book shop first opened its doors in 1901 and has since seen its fair share of customers, ranging from classic authors to modern day travel writers such as Bill Bryson and Michael Palin.

Centrally located between Covent Garden and Leicester Square, Stanfords is three stories high and is stocked entirely with guide books, maps, travel literature and accessories.  Therefore, for any lover of travel and escapism, a visit to Stanfords is an idyllic way to spend a rainy afternoon and plan your next holiday.

Stanfords has an impressive selection of guide books for every country imaginable, along with detailed road maps to assist even the most adventurous traveller plan their next trip. Scattered amongst the books and maps are travel journals, colourful travel photography books and old fashioned world globes, making Stanfords a great place for a unique present. And for those that forever dream of travelling to exotic places – travel literature lines the century old walls, allowing your imagination to be transported across the globe. Understandably, Stanfords is my favourite bookshop in London!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Stanfords | Relaxing, Shopping
12 -14 Long Acre | Central | +4402078361321
Mon, Wed & Fri 09:00 – 19:30, Tue 09.30 – 19:30, Thu 09:00 – 20:00, Sat 10:00 – 20:00, Sun 12:00 – 18:00

Walking into The Beehive is like crossing a time portal. The smell of good coffee beckons you and at the threshold, you are transported back to swinging 60s London. The Beehive offers the “Fantastic Four” in Greenwich – a cafe, record shop, vintage clothing shop and a collectibles shop.

Oli Vintage & Retro is a delight for both bargain hunters and vintage aficionados. Long, leather overcoats sell from £50 and the Twiggy dresses are tagged from £18. They also sell bags, gloves and jewelry to complete your look.

The Beehive also houses Calneva, which offers collectible items for hobbyists and homemakers. You can find quirky tools from the 50s/60s like a wind-up shaver and a manual ice crusher. Spice up your kitchen with tins having bold and retro designs. Calneva is also one of the few places where you could buy a good working brownie camera!

As you snoop about the shops, you’ll find yourself tapping your fingers or foot to funky music. This groove is provided by Casbah Records where they sell both vinyl and CDs. Genres span from rock n’ roll, soul and funk.

The perfect finish, of course, is a nice cup of Java coffee from the London Roasters Coffee. You can either sit quie

tly or have a nice chat with the friendly staff.

It is almost disappointing when you step outside to find that it is the year 2009. The Beehive indeed offers a nostalgic journey to the time when London was really swinging!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
The Beehive | Coffee & tea, Shopping
320-322 Creek Road | South-East | +442088581964
Tue – Fri 10:30 – 18:00, Sat – Sun 10:30 – 18:30

Sandwiched between the rough and ready southern suburbs of Deptford and Charlton, and a stone’s throw away from glamourous neighbour Greenwich, Blackheath is one of London’s largely untapped tourist treasures. There’s quality nosh-a-plenty, enough bars to carry a debauched night from beginning to hazy end, and there’s the book shop at the top of the high street.

The Bookshop on the Heath is one of those delightfully staccato establishments, stepping straight out of a Conan Doyle novel. Looking across to the picturesque Black Heath and its playboy accoutrements, the shop is as good a snapshot of Victorian London as you’re likely to get this side of Soho. Step inside, however, and you’ll be catapulted further back in time into Britain’s glorious literary past.

Wodehouse, James, Pinter, Pratchett – everywhere a dog-eared second hand gem to be bought for less than a Covent Garden cappuccino. Also worth mentioning are the Ian Fleming first editions, as are the fantastic collection of reference books and maps, many dating hundreds of years past. If old magazines or football programmes are your cup of tea, then you’ll be in your element rummaging through the myriad decks on display.

So take a look round Blackheath, enjoy football on the green and Fosters in the bar – but make sure you take home one of Britain’s best known books, too.

Photo: Blackheath Bugle

Details about this spot (Show on map)
The Bookshop on the Heath | Relaxing, Shopping
74 Tranquil Vale | South-East | +442088524786
Mon – Fri 09:30 – 16:30, Sat 10:00 – 18:00

The shelves at Trinity Stores offers the best of Britain’s food products. They are filled with seasonal items grown and package by different (and perhaps small) regional farms from up and down the country including freshly baked breads. This lovely delicatessen also stock some goods from Continental Europe like Italian pasta, Spanish olive oil and French pates. Food hampers are also available for those who want a bit of everything.

Trinity Stores is conveniently located by both the Balham Underground and National Rail Stations, which is perfect for a quick shop for something to cook for dinner on the way home.

They also offer good coffee to take away for your journey to work in the morning. If you are in no rush, then you can quietly enjoy your brew in the shop while sitting on brightly coloured plastic chairs and white tables. And as you relax, you can take your time reading through the numerous flyers posted on the noticeboard.

I also like the fact that they provide clean glasses on each table with a jug of tap water so you don’t need to ask them for it. Light snacks and sandwiches are also available at reasonable prices.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Trinity Stores | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks | Sandwiches from £ 5.45
5 & 6 Balham Station Road | South-West | +442086733773
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 20:00, Sat 09:30 – 17:30, Sun 10:00 – 17:00