Christmas Shopping in London

If you’ve come to London for the holiday season and need to get some last-minute Christmas presents (and can make it outside in this astonishingly wintry weather), here are some of the capital’s major, unique shops, their holiday hours and what they have on offer.

Harrods
London’s most famous store with over 5,000 staff and 300 departments including their famous food hall. Its located on the Brompton Road in west London, close to Knighstbridge Underground Station. Christmas season hours are Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 12-6pm.

Harvey Nichols
Another large department store, known locally as “Harvey Nicks,” located (near Harrods) on the corner of Knightsbridge and Sloane Street. Two floors of menswear, three floors of womenswear and three more floors of pure gift fabulousness. Christmas season hours are Mon-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 9:30am-8pm, Sun 12-6pm. Nearest Tube station is Knightsbridge.

Selfridges
A huge department store at the western end of Oxford Street with departments for clothing, beauty, food and home products. Up until Christmas Eve, there’s a Santa’s Grotto for kids. Open Mon-Fri 9:30am-9pm, Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 12-6pm. On the north side of Oxford Street, about equal distance between the Marble Arch and Bond Street stations.

Fortnum and Mason
In business since 1707 and the place to go for high-end gourmet and culinary gifts, as well as luxury fashion and accessories. Christmas season hours are Mon-Sat 9am-10pm, Sun 12-6pm. On Piccadilly, just along from the Ritz. The nearest Tube stations are Piccadilly Circus or Green Park.

Hamley’s
If you’ve got kids on your list, this is London’s premier toy shop. Its seven floors are normally pretty crowded with excited kids, but there are plenty of staff to demonstrate the latest toys. On the left hand side of Regent Street as you walk down from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly Circus. Christmas season hours are Mon 7:30am-9pm, Tues-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 9am-3pm.

Liberty
One of the most distinctive shops in London, the large Tudor-style store was actually rebuilt in the 1920’s from the timbers of two Royal Navy ships. Liberty became famous in the 19th century selling goods from the Far East, but now it has departments for menswear, ladieswear, beauty, accessories and the home. Located at the junction of Regent Street and Great Marlborough Street, its Christmas season hours are Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-4pm.