London (Fodor's 2012) - Fodor's [200]
SOHO
Books
Fodor’s Choice | Foyles.
A quirky, labyrinthine, family-run business, this store was founded in 1903 by the Foyle brothers, after they failed the civil service exam. Today Foyles’ five floors carry almost every title imaginable. One of London’s best sources for textbooks, the store stocks everything from popular fiction to military history, sheet music, medical tomes, opera scores, and fine arts. Store-within-a-store Ray’s Jazz has a cool café, and there’s even a piranha tank on the children’s floor. In 2005, a branch opened in the South Bank, followed by a concession within Selfridges department store and an outpost in St. Pancras International, home of Eurostar. | 113–119 Charing Cross Rd., Soho | WC2H 0EB | 020/7437–5660 | Tottenham Court Rd. | Royal Festival Hall, South Bank | SE1 8XX | 020/7437–5660 | Waterloo.
Clothing
Aquascutum.
Known for its trench coats (worn by Churchill, no less), Aquascutum also offers clothing for men and women in classic British style. The men’s suits and sweaters are timeless, and the women’s collection has become surprisingly funky, offering fresh takes on overcoats and items like tunics and jersey dresses. The brand is also available at Harrods, Selfridges, and other big department stores around town. | 100 Regent St., Soho | W1B 5SR | 020/7675–8200 | www.aquascutum.co.uk | Piccadilly Circus.
Clothing: Women’s Wear
Fodor’s Choice | Topshop.
Plenty of foreign fashion editors make Topshop their first port of call when visiting London for this standby has successfully made the transition from “cheap and cheerful” to genuine fashion hot spot (with mostly affordable prices). Clothing and accessories are geared to the younger, trendier end of the market (although women who are young at heart find plenty of wearable items here such as the Kate Moss for Topshop collection). Although the store also has its own catwalk line, Topshop Unique, the aim is to copy runway trends as fast as possible. Every season, an ever-changing array of designers create small collections for the in-store boutique, as well as other lines from affordable independent designers. Innovations, such as personal style advisers and an on-site “Blow Dry Bar,” are constantly being introduced. Topman brings the same fashion approach to clothing for men. TIP If the crowds become too much, head to one of the smaller Topshops in town, such as the Kensington High Street branch. | 214 Oxford St., Soho | W1W 8LG | 020/927–7634 | www.topshop.com | Oxford Circus | 42–44 Kensington High St., Kensington | W8 4PE | 020/7938–1242 | High Street Kensington.
Food
The Vintage House.
If whisky is more to your taste than wine, you may want to visit the Vintage House, which has the country’s largest selection of single malts (more than 1,400), many notable for their age. The shop is open late—to 11 pm most nights. | 42 Old Compton St., Soho | W1D 4LR | 020/7437–2592 | Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Sq.
Music
BM Soho.
House, drum ’n’ bass, electro, dubstep—this shop (formerly Blackmarket Records) stocks the hottest club music around. They carry some CDs, but this is really a shop for vinyl lovers. | 25 D’Arblay St., Soho | W1F 8EJ | 020/7437–0478 | www.bm-soho.com | Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Rd.
Toys
Fodor’s Choice | Hamleys.
Every London child puts a trip to Hamleys at the top of his or her wish list. A Regent Street institution, the shop has demonstrations, a play area, a café, and every cool toy on the planet—as soon as it’s launched. The huge stock, including six floors of toys and games for children and adults, ranges from traditional teddy bears to all the latest technological gimmickry. It’s a mad rush at Christmastime, but Santa’s grotto is one of the best in town. | 188–196 Regent St., Soho | W1B 5BT | 0871/704–1977 | www.hamleys.com | Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus.
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Main Table of Contents
Getting Oriented
Cambridge
Canterbury
Oxford
Stratford-upon-Avon
Windsor Castle
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