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This handsome, half-timbered building dates from 1925 and its fine wood-floored and panelled interior is as much a part of the shopping experience as the exclusive goods it contains. Long associated with the Arts and Crafts movement, it employed artists such as William Morris to design its fabrics. Great for men’s and women’s fashions and original gifts.

London’s most elegant store has hardly noticed the arrival of the 21st century. The ground-floor food hall is famous for its traditional English produce, and lavish picnic hampers can be found, along with wines, in the basement. The upper floors sell well-made traditional British fashions and stylish gifts.

London’s most famous and exclusive department store is more of an event than a shop. Covering seven bustling floors, it is full of extraordinary things to buy – from wild animals to pianos to children’s racing cars – all with equally extraordinary prices. The food hall is rightly famous, and don’t miss the tiled meat hall or basement pantry and cheese hall.

Almost a parody of itself, “Harvey Nicks” is where the glamorous shop. There’s wall- to-wall designer labels, an extravagant perfume and beauty department and stylish homeware. The fifth floor is for consuming, with a food hall, sushi bar and the to-be-seen-in Fifth Floor restaurant.

The five storeys of London’s largest toyshop contain just about anything a child might want, from traditional puppets and games to giant stuffed toys, models, arts and crafts supplies and the latest electronic toys and gadgets. There are also plenty of delights here for adults who haven’t managed to let go of their childhood.

Hamley’s

West London’s liveliest street starts off selling quality antiques, and continues through to bric-à-brac indoor galleries. As it heads north, there are food stalls, crafts, clothes and music. The market is held on Saturdays only.

A great place to spend a Saturday, this rambling market around Camden Lock takes in several streets and buildings. Street fashion, world crafts... it’s as if the 1960s never ended. Sundays are a crush.

Claimed to be the largest bookshop in Europe, Waterstone’s stocks a quarter of a million titles. There’s a restaurant, cafés and bars.

This store has a large and loyal clientele, with departments ranging from kitchenware and haberdashery through furniture, fashion and fabrics to electrical goods. Staff are informed, prices are excellent and the quality is guaranteed.

There is an exceptional range of music in this central store, including imports, vinyl and video. Classics and jazz on the first floor, literature in the basement. It stays open until midnight most of the week.