Must Visit Shops in London: Things to Do in London

London is a commercial centre of the world and has so much to offer that it can become overwhelming to find what’s right for you. No need to worry: discover the best must-visit shops in London here.

Rough Trade East

The Rough Trade record label has been representing amazing bands and artists for over 40 years. They have their own shops all over the world, but one of the best is London’s Rough Trade East. Located on Brick Lane, it’s easy to reach and is surrounded by other bustling businesses.

This shop has an amazing selection of music memorabilia like vinyl, CDs, books, and more. It also hosts a café and has a stage for acts to play in-store gigs. So, no matter if you’re a crate-digging music aficionado or just looking for some entertainment, Rough Trade East is a perfect stop on your travels. You can follow best London travel Apps for traveling guides.

Where: Old Truman Brewery 91, Brick Ln, London E1 6QL

Hatchards – Piccadilly

Founded in 1797, Hatchards bookshop is the oldest in the United Kingdom. It has been located at its current home on Piccadilly for over 200 years. It has several claims to fame, including being Oscar Wilde’s favourite bookshop and that it’s the official bookseller to the Royal Household.

No matter what you’re looking for, Hatchards has it: the latest bestsellers, children’s stories, rare finds, and first editions. There is a second location at St. Pancras railway station, but nothing beats the splendour of the original.

Where: 187 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1J 9LE

Boutique by Shelter

There is no shortage of clothes shops in London. What kind of fashion capital would it be if it did? But Boutique by Shelter is definitely one of the most interesting shops in the city.

Shelter is a charity that aims to end homelessness and bad housing in the United Kingdom. One of their means of raising money is with their Boutique shops, the latest of which is located in Coal Drops Yard in the King’s Cross area.

You can find unique vintage and designer pieces that can show off your own sense of style, while also helping to make a change to the local community. Even if you don’t find anything that’s really "you", you can browse and make a donation.

Where: Unit EV8, 1st Floor, Coal Drops Yard, London N1C 4AB

Clapton Craft

Can you truly visit London without trying English beer? If you head to Clapton Craft, you can try as many as you want. The variety is enormous, as you can choose from bottles, cans, and draught beer from England and the rest of the world.

There are now five Clapton Craft shops spread across the city, but the one on the Lower Clapton Road is top of the list.

Where: 97 Lower Clapton Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 0NP

Hamleys Toy Shop

Most people think that toy shops are just for kids. And in most cases, it’s probably true. But Hamleys is different. Visiting this shop is truly one of the best things to do in London.

Spread over seven floors and with around 50 000 lines of toys on display, Hamleys is one of the biggest shops in the world. Each year, around 15 million people visit the store. The shop is truly stunning and houses fun for the whole family. It even has its own Department of Magic section from the Harry Potter series.

Where: 188-196 Regent St., London W1B 5BT