There’s no better place and season for shopping than London in the summer time. Yes the city offers some of the best outdoor shopping and eating facilities around giving you the chance to soak up the sun while you take in the exciting window displays or enjoy a chilled drink at one of the many pavement cafes.
There are more than 80 outdoor markets dotted around London operating during the week and on the weekend. Offering everything from food, flower, vintage clothing, antiques, arts and crafts, there’s sure to be a market to suite your shopping needs. Throw in a bit of sun, and milling about a London market turns into a festive day out.
The Cabbages & Frocks Market in Marylebone High Street offers the best of global food, together with fashion and lifestyle. Take a stroll down the street on a Saturday and you’ll find designers, craftsmen and food items presented under white umbrellas.
Popular with the tourists, St Christopher’s Place is one of the most exciting specialist shopping locations in the West End. The area is made up of walkways that include Gees Court, St Christopher’s Place, James Street, Barrett Street and parts of Oxford Street and Wigmore Street.
Hidden from all the traffic and noise, this shopping destination has over 20 different cafes, bars and restaurants many offering al fresco dining.
Just off the main King’s Road strip, the shopping and café enclave offers retailers like Kate Kuba, All Saints, Agnes B and LK Bennett – but without the noisy traffic. And the eateries feature great outdoor spaces so you can enjoy a quiet Pimms o’clock in the summer sun.
This stunning 3-storey courtyard conversion is Carnaby Street’s latest outdoor shopping destination. Pop in to check out more than 30 shops. Inside Kingly Court you’ll find flagships, concept or one-off stores, innovative young designers and a handful of cool cafes, bars and nightclubs.
So you can shop for some party shoes then break them in on the dance floor all in one go!
For something a bit more quirky and laid back, head to Neal’s Yard – a great diversion to the Covent Garden shopping mayhem.
This small, tranquil square was formerly home to a dairy and is lined with stores selling alternative products.
Enjoy a back rub or buy some alternative treatments at the popular Neal’s Yard Remedies store; or you can try the mouthwatering cheese and bread at the famous Neal’s Yard Dairy. You can also chill out at one of the quaint open air cafes. Watch out for the skateboarders zooming by as they leave Slam City Skates, which border the square.
One of the best places for outdoor shopping, Spitalfields is a quirky shoppers’ dream. If you’re looking for a one-off piece or something truly unique, you’ll find it here: there’s not a mainstream chain store in sight!
Situated on Brushfield Street and Market Street, and enclosed by a magnificent glass canopy are a selection of cutting-edge fashion, interiors and jewellery retailers alongside fantastic food stores.
The independent stores are open 7 days a week and the market is open every day except Monday and Saturdays.
