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Stanfords, My Favorite Bookstore in London, Is Moving From its Iconic Current Location after More than a Century

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  This news has gutted me. I try to take the changing face of London in stride. London is an ever-changing city that has never existed in a static state. But this one hurts. Stanfords, the iconic travel bookstore, has been based in their Long Acre Street location since 1901. Famed for their selection of maps, explorers and adventurers throughout history have bought … [Read more...] about Stanfords, My Favorite Bookstore in London, Is Moving From its Iconic Current Location after More than a Century

Hamleys Now Has an Entire Floor Dedicated to Harry Potter

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London has a new spot to get all the best and latest Harry Potter gear - Hamleys has dedicated an entire floor to Harry Potter Merchandise. The iconic toy store, the oldest in the world, has dedicated their lower floor to Harry Potter. There is not a shortage of places in London to get official Harry Potter merchandise - there's a store at King's Cross, one in Heathrow … [Read more...] about Hamleys Now Has an Entire Floor Dedicated to Harry Potter

London Annual 2018: Top 10 London Bookshops For the Book Lover

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Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2018 London Annual, and while this special publication is now sold out, you can support great long-form writing about London by subscribing to the Londontopia Print Magazine, debuting in June 2018. Full details here.  London is the capital of good bookshops. And while there are dozens of bookshops to explore in London, … [Read more...] about London Annual 2018: Top 10 London Bookshops For the Book Lover

The London Fiver – Five of the Best Vintage Clothing Shops To Visit On Your Next Trip

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Many of us out there are dedicated followers of fashion, and there’s something about retro styles that really appeals to us.  Whether you want to make something old new again or find an outfit for a fancy-dress party, London has plenty of vintage clothing shops all over the boroughs.  Some harken back to the city’s most fashionable periods from the Mods to the grungy Nineties.  … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Vintage Clothing Shops To Visit On Your Next Trip

The London Fiver – The Five Oldest Shops in London

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Shops, as we think of them, are a fairly recent invention, give or take a couple hundred years.  The idea that you would go to a single place where the goods were pre-made was pretty unheard of before the 18th Century.  Prior to the rise of shops, individual merchants made most goods to order, whether you were going to the haberdasher or the blacksmith.  Shops changed the world … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – The Five Oldest Shops in London

Borough Market Unveils UK’s Longest Christmas Paperchain

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London's Borough Market has gotten into the Christmas spirit by creating the world's longest Christmas paperchain. From Borough Market: The UK’s longest paper chain has been unveiled at Borough Market. Members of the public were invited to spread the love by contributing festive messages to the chain which at 472 metres long, is over 150 meters longer than the height of The … [Read more...] about Borough Market Unveils UK’s Longest Christmas Paperchain

How London Markets Got Their Names

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London's markets are some of the best places for shopping in the city.  You can wander them for hours finding everything from homegrown vegetables to antique furniture.  Bespoke clothes can be found next to famous brands at any one of these markets.  The names of these markets are as varied as the items they sell, typically tied directly to their locations.  But what are the … [Read more...] about How London Markets Got Their Names

London’s Shopping Street, Oxford Street, To Be Pedestrianized by 2020

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Oxford Street is London's central shopping street where you can find most of Britain's major department stores. It's also a major traffic thoroughfare, which leads to traffic jams like you wouldn't believe - usually buses and taxis as far as the eye can see. Occasionally they have had traffic free shopping days which have been popular. Now, London's new Mayor Sadiq Khan is … [Read more...] about London’s Shopping Street, Oxford Street, To Be Pedestrianized by 2020

Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about Regent Street in London

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Regent Street in West London acts as the border between Mayfair and Soho and represents one of the most important shopping districts in the city.  Some of London's oldest stores such as Hamleys and Liberty of London exist side-by-side with newer retailers including Hollister Co. and Apple.  Whatever you're looking for, you can guarantee that you'll find it here and it'll be … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about Regent Street in London

Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about Hamleys – The Oldest Toy Store in the World

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Hamleys is one of the premier toy stores not only in London, but in the world.  Proudly located on Regent Street, it is both the oldest toy shop in the world and the largest one in London.  There are plenty of great large retail stores in the city, Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Liberty, Selfridges, and more, but none quite like Hamleys.  Its history and renown is such that the … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about Hamleys – The Oldest Toy Store in the World

The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in Notting Hill

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Notting Hill’s name is so old that there is apparently no exact source for it.  Found within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, what was once a largely working-class part of London has given way to the upper middle-class.  In the modern day, the area has become synonymous with the film written by Richard Curtis and starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts that uses … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Things to Do in Notting Hill

Ten Interesting Facts and Figures About Carnaby Street

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An avenue that’s always in style, Carnaby Street in Westminster has been the home of popular fashions for decades.  Named for Karnaby House that was built in the area in 1683 with the street created not long after, it first became known as a retail location in the 19th Century when the Carnaby market first appeared.  However, it wouldn’t be until the 20th Century that Carnaby … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts and Figures About Carnaby Street

Ten Interesting Facts about Fortnum & Mason You Might Not Know

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One of the oldest still-operating department stores in London, Fortnum & Mason has been in existence since 1707.  It was established at 181 Piccadilly by William Fortnum and Hugh Mason.  Now owned by Wittington Investments Ltd., it grew from a grocery store into the retail giant it is today.  Today, as a holder of a Royal Warrant with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about Fortnum & Mason You Might Not Know

10 Interesting Facts and Figures About Liberty of London You Might Not Know

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Looking like a building out of Elizabethan times, the Liberty of London department store carries all manner of luxury goods.  In 1874, after spending more than a decade working for Messrs Farmer and Rogers, Arthur Lasenby Liberty decided to open his own store in London.  The store bearing his named opened the next year, dealing with fabrics, ornaments, and Japanese art … [Read more...] about 10 Interesting Facts and Figures About Liberty of London You Might Not Know

The London Fiver – Five of the Best Tea Shops in London To Pop Into On Your Next Trip to London

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Tea, the classic staple of British beverages. Whether one enjoys a cuppa for breakfast, to relax, or while enjoying a traditional afternoon tea meal, it is a drink full of flavor and culture. When traveling in London or new to the city, you may want to take the opportunity to branch out from your local grocery shop for tea and try one of the metropolis’ many excellent tea … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Tea Shops in London To Pop Into On Your Next Trip to London

The Fiver – Five of the Best Comic Book Shops in London

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I’ve loved comics since I could get into my brother’s boxes and read his. As an adult, I love finding some of the best stores wherever I travel, perusing the aisles for new issues, graphic novels, and collectibles. London is home to several great stores. Some can only been found in London, while others cross the Atlantic. More than just spandex superheroes, these stores carry a … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five of the Best Comic Book Shops in London

Guest Long Read: A First Time Trip to Camden Market

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As I mentioned in my previous article about Portobello Road, going to street markets has been a recent addition to my trips to the United Kingdom. In fact, if you consider that Convent Garden doesn’t count, it was only last year that I started my adventures this way. I was travelling with a group of friends and one of them suggested going to Portobello Road. The experience … [Read more...] about Guest Long Read: A First Time Trip to Camden Market

Cool Product Alert: Stunning Wallpaper Murals of London from Murals Wallpaper

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As Anglotopia will soon be moving into new offices, this is something we were excited to see come across our web browser. A company in the UK offers up stunning murals of London in Wallpaper form. Here's a look at their beautiful acurrent collection: Prices seem pretty reasonable and they cut the murals to fit your wall space exactly. They also send you instructions … [Read more...] about Cool Product Alert: Stunning Wallpaper Murals of London from Murals Wallpaper

The London Fiver – Five of the Greatest London’s Children’s Shops to Pop Into On Your Next Trip

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We often think of London as a place for adults and sure, a lot of articles and suggestions on this site are geared towards an older set. However, London can be a great place for kids too, with many exciting museums and attractions to make the city fun for them as well. This includes plenty of great places to shop, whether you’re looking for books, toys, collectibles, or candy. … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Greatest London’s Children’s Shops to Pop Into On Your Next Trip

Home of Harrods: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about Brompton Road

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One of the most well-known shopping districts in London and possibly the world, Brompton Road sits smack in the middle of Knightsbridge, an exclusive residential and retail district in central London. The road runs from the Knightsbridge tube station all the way to Brompton Cross, where it turns into Fulham Road which leads to the stadium of Chelsea Football Club. In addition … [Read more...] about Home of Harrods: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about Brompton Road

Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about Leadenhall Market

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One of the oldest markets in London, Leadenhall Market’s creation dates back to the 14th Century. Even before that, the site of the market was the central part of Roman London. Always a center for commerce, today the covered market mostly caters to food and flower shops and even has a magical connection. Its architecture is beautiful to behold and has been restored and enhanced … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about Leadenhall Market

Mr Selfridge: 10 Facts and Figures You Might Not Know about Selfridges in London

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The Gimbels to Harrods Macy’s, Selfridges was founded in 1909 by Harry Gordon Selfridge. Selfridge began his career at Marshall Field’s in Chicago, but after realising that he could only move up so far and that many of his ideas were not taking root within the company, he left the United States for Britain and opened his own store on Oxford Street. As much an enigma as its … [Read more...] about Mr Selfridge: 10 Facts and Figures You Might Not Know about Selfridges in London

Camden Lock: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about Camden Market You Might Not Know

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One of the most famous shopping areas in London, what’s often known as Camden Market, Camden Lock, or even Camden Lock Market is situated in the London Borough of Camden. Camden Market is not just one central location, but a series of markets in the borough. These include: Camden Lock, the Stables, Canal Market, Buck Street Market, Inverness Street Market, and the Electric … [Read more...] about Camden Lock: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about Camden Market You Might Not Know

Unique London: Ten Unique London Shops To Pop Into on Your Next Trip

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Stand aside Nabootique, the city of London has even stranger places to spend one’s money. From the questionable to the bizarre, there is a shop in London that caters to even the strangest of tastes (and no, I don’t mean dirty stuff). Have a look below and some of the most unique shops in London. Who knows? You may find something you want to purchase. James Smith & … [Read more...] about Unique London: Ten Unique London Shops To Pop Into on Your Next Trip

London Icons: 10 Interesting Facts about Harrods That You Probably Didn’t Know

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  Harrods is the jewel in the crown of London department stores. Charles Henry Harrod opened it in 1834 when he was only 25 years old and today it is still a major shopping destination. As much a London landmark as it is a store, it has certainly picked up an interesting factor or two during its 180 years. Lots of Floor Space Covering over five acres of land and … [Read more...] about London Icons: 10 Interesting Facts about Harrods That You Probably Didn’t Know

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