If you love London souvenirs, you’re in luck today. I want to share my guide to the best things to buy in London with you. The UK capital has no shortage of mementos and gifts you can get for yourself and your loved ones, and there are some great places to shop for your favorites both online and in person. From classic keepsakes to high-quality products, there’s a London souvenir for every taste and budget. I’ve included a map of where to get them, too.
Best Things to Buy in London
When it comes to the best things to buy in London, there are a lot of options. From the souvenir shops around Piccadilly Circus to the upscale department stores in Soho and St James’s, the city has variety in spades.
Whether you’re looking to buy something for yourself or a gift for a friend or family member, London has you covered. From funny London souvenirs to rare collectibles and one-of-a-kind personalized items, you’ll be spoiled for choice in the UK capital.
Wherever you go in London, you’ll be able to buy the classic souvenirs.
From the Union Jack to Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, black cabs, and double-decker bus souvenirs, there are lots of London fridge magnets, key chains, mugs, and T-shirts for sale.
But this list focuses on the things Londoners actually buy (and recommend visitors buy). From independent shops to heritage brands and unique finds, it has a great selection of things you’ll love taking home with you.
Whatever you choose, it will be a reminder of your time in London (and hopefully encouragement to return someday soon!).
1. London Souvenirs from Stanfords
Stanfords in Covent Garden is the world’s biggest map and travel bookshop. Established in 1853, it’s been a favorite of explorers and adventurers for nearly two centuries. More than that, it has a great selection of books, maps, gifts, and more.
Stanfords is the perfect place to pick up a London souvenir if you love to travel. Their cushion covers and travel bags with London map prints are some of the best things to buy in London.
2. Corgi from the Royal Collection Shop
Next on my list is a corgi from the official Royal Collection Shop across the street from Buckingham Palace in Victoria. This plush toy is perfect if you love dogs (or someone you need to buy a gift for does).
The shop also sells commemorative dishes and other memorabilia. If you love all things royal, it has the perfect limited-edition and special things to buy in London for you.
3. Tea and Biscuits from Fortnum & Mason
Next on my list of London souvenirs is a classic British combination from one of London’s most iconic department stores. Picking up tea and biscuits from Fortnum’s is a great way to bring traditional English food and drink home with you.
They’re particularly good mementos if you go for afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason while you’re in London.
Whether you choose tried-and-true English Breakfast or opt for one of the signature blends, it’s sure to pair well with everything from the shortbread rounds to the lemon curd biscuits. If you want to splurge, you can even get one of Fortnum’s hampers.
4. Fabric from Liberty
Speaking of famous department stores, next on my list of the best things to buy in London is fabric from Liberty (or something with Liberty fabric, anyway).
Seeing this stunning Tudor-revival shop in Soho is a treat in itself, and picking up fabric from its legendary line is a great way to bring a piece of London home with you.
Whether you choose something Arts & Crafts or contemporary you’ll be taking part in a Liberty fabric-buying tradition that dates back to 1875.
5. English Drinks
English drinks are cool things to buy in London. If you love getting into the local culture by way of imbibing, taking home some classic drinks is a great way to carry a reminder of your time in the UK capital home with you.
Whether you love sparkling or spirits, there are plenty of traditional and modern options to choose from. If you need inspiration, take a look at my guide to English drinks.
6. Souvenirs from the Harry Potter Shop
If you love Harry Potter, picking up London souvenirs from The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4 in King’s Cross station is a must.
This place is in the heart of Harry’s world, and it has everything from Hogwarts sweatshirts to mugs, pens, and owls. While at the shop, don’t miss the chance to take a photo by the famous disappearing luggage trolley.
7. British Chocolates from Charbonnel et Walker
Back to food, British chocolates are some of the best things to buy in London if you have a sweet tooth.
Dating back to 1875, Charbonnel et Walker is Britain’s first luxury chocolate maker. It even has a Royal Warrant as a chocolatier to His Majesty The King.
The Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles are excellent, and the company’s gift boxes make their chocolates the perfect London gifts for friends and loved ones.
The iconic shop in the Royal Arcade in Mayfair is one of the best places to buy chocolate in London, too.
8. Items from To Home from London
If you love London (and I hope you do!), To Home from London has some of the best things to buy in London. From London tote bags to mugs, coasters, and art prints, there are plenty of things you can collect and take home as London souvenirs.
You can pick them up at To Home From London’s shop in Camden Market, or you can buy them online here (they ship worldwide).
9. Personalized Souvenir from Biscuiteers
Next on my list is personalized biscuits from Biscuiteers. This famous cookie shop in London is known for its too-pretty-to-eat confections, and they offer a range personalized tins and letterbox biscuits.
From birthday gifts to housewarming presents, they have lots of fun items to choose from. You can decide on your favorites while browsing in their shops in Notting Hill and Belgravia.
10. Wedgwood Tea Set
If you love the British tea culture, taking home a Wedgwood tea set is a great way to commemorate your time in London.
The iconic maker of English porcelain was founded in 1759 and continues to be a beloved brand today. You can find their teapots, teacups, and tiered trays in department stores like Peter Jones in Chelsea or online here.
11. Something from Harrods
Harrods is a London institution. This famous department store in Knightsbridge has some of the best things to buy in London if you love luxury.
From the range of decadent treats in Harrods Food Halls to the clothing, jewelry, and designer goods on the shelves, there’s no shortage of things to take home as mementos of your trip to the UK capital.
12. British Country Clothing from Barbour
Speaking of clothing, picking up some classic British country clothing from Barbour is another great way to commemorate your trip to London. This is particularly true if you spent time in the countryside while visiting England.
Founded in 1894, Barbour is an iconic British country clothing brand. Most famous for its wax jackets, the company sells a range of outdoor attire. You can find outerwear and more in their shops in Covent Garden and Regent Street, or online here.
13. Antiques from Portobello Road Market
If you want something unique, antiques from Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill are some of the best things to buy in London.
This is one of the city’s most famous markets, and the range of antiques stalls and shops is impressive. Whether you’re looking for jewelry or magnifying glasses, old maps or prints, you’ll find something to take home here.
14. Alternative Finds from Camden Market
If you’re looking for something alternative, Camden Market has some of the best things to buy in London. The warren of stalls in the market is packed with everything from vintage goods to goth finds and beyond.
15. London Umbrella
No trip to London would be complete without a little rain, so an umbrella is a fun London memento.
Whether you want to pick up a Union Jack umbrella from a souvenir shop or go high-end at a traditional place like James Smith & Sons, you’re spoiled for choice in the UK capital.
16. Suit on Savile Row
If you’re a man or want to buy men’s formal wear, a custom-made suit from a tailor on Savile Row in Mayfair is one of the most classic London souvenirs.
This road has been called “the world’s most famous suiting street” by British GQ, and for good reason. The suits here are lauded for their quality, and while they’re a splurge, they’ll remind you of London every time you wear them.
17. Hat or Fascinator
Speaking of fashion, taking home a hat or fascinator is a great way to remember your time in London. This is particularly true if you attended an event like Royal Ascot or the Henley Royal Regatta during your trip.
But even if you didn’t, it’s fun to get into the British spirit and take home a hat or headband to commemorate your visit.
You can get them at department stores in London, but going to dedicated couture milliners like Stephen Jones Millinery or traditional shops like Lock & Co Hatters in St James’s is so much more fun. You’ll be able to say you got things you can only buy in London, too.
18. Beatles Memorabilia from the London Beatles Store
If you love The Beatles, memorabilia from the London Beatles Store is the best thing to buy in London. This dedicated shop on Baker Street has both new and vintage Beatles merchandise on offer.
Whether you’re looking for autographs, vinyl, or something else to compliment a photo of you in the famous Abbey Road crossing in St John’s Wood, you’ll find it here.
19. Home and Garden Wares
Next on my list of the best things to buy in London are home and garden wares. There are a lot of great places to shop for these in London, and my favorites are Petersham Nurseries in Richmond and Columbia Road in Hackney.
Petersham Nurseries is part shop, part cafe, and part plant nursery. This place is a wonderland when it comes to all things home and garden. It’s worth a special trip out to Richmond to browse for beautiful things for your home here.
The Columbia Road Flower Market is a Sunday number featuring all things floral. The street fills with flower vendors, and the shops along it are packed with beautiful things for your house and garden.
20. Toys from Hamleys
If you’re buying for a child (or your inner child), toys from Hamleys are some of the most famous things to buy in London. This iconic toy store on Regent Street in central London is the perfect place to pick up everything from plush toys to dolls and games.
Founded in 1760, Hamleys has seven floors with more than 50,000 lines of toys for sale. The shop has great seasonal window displays, too.
21. London Books
Book lovers will know that there are few places like Foyles and Daunt Books when it comes to reading in the UK capital.
These independent bookshops in London have several locations, including the landmark Foyles bookshop on Charing Cross Road and the iconic Daunt Books in Marylebone.
The former is so big it was once in the Guinness Book of World Records, and the latter is so pretty you’ll want to go to Marylebone High Street just to photograph it.
Books are some of the best things to buy in London if you love reading. For inspiration for what to get, you can take a look at my list of the best London books.
22. London Souvenir from a Museum Gift Shop
If you love museums, picking up a souvenir from one of the city’s many museum gift shops is a great way to bring something home to commemorate your visit.
London museums like the V&A, Tate Modern, British Museum, and Sherlock Holmes Museum have great gift shops. Whether you love books, art prints, clothing, or memorabilia, there’s something you’ll love at these shops.
23. Perfume from Miller Harris
Next on my list of the best things to buy in London is perfume from Miller Harris. This London-based couture perfume company was founded by perfumer Lyn Harris in 2000.
A niche British fragrance house, Miller Harris creates beautiful natural scents inspired by stories. If you want a perfume redolent of your time in London, their shops in Covent Garden and Seven Dials are great places to get it.
24. Burberry Trench Coat
Back to fashion (and rain), a Burberry trench coat is a great London souvenir if you like looking stylish in inclement weather. This classic clothing item is the perfect thing to pick up from their Regent Street shop while you’re in London.
25. Independent London Souvenirs
If you want something more niche, there are a lot of London-based designers and makers offering everything from one-of-a-kind home goods to unique clothing and accessories.
Some are best found at local markets like North Cross Road Market, Herne Hill Market, A South London Makers Market, and Chatsworth Road Market. Others have shops (or are stocked in them) or sell on Etsy.
One of my favorites is Experimental Perfume Club, a London-based company led by a female perfumer where you can make bespoke fragrances. They have a shop in Seven Dials that’s worth popping into when you’re in Covent Garden.
You can also pick up great vintage clothing and accessories on Brick Lane and Golborne Road. Both are packed with fun stores and unusual finds.
26. Food from Borough Market
Next on my list of the best things to buy in London is food from Borough Market. This iconic place is a must on a trip to London, and it’s fun to pick up packaged foods to take home as a reminder of your time in the city.
Whether you love olive oil or coffee, there’s something delicious you can bring back as a souvenir.
27. London Christmas Ornaments
If you’re in London in the run-up to the festive season, London Christmas ornaments are some of the best things to buy in the city.
There are lots of them out there, from ones shaped like Big Ben and Tower Bridge to ones with royal emblems and the Union Jack.
You can get ornaments everywhere in the city if you’re Christmas shopping in London. Some of my favorite places are Fortnum & Mason and the Royal Collection Shop. They have great Christmas offerings with ornaments and more.
Map of Where to Buy Things in London
Best Things to Buy in London
I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to the best things to buy in London. These souvenirs and mementos are great ways to bring the UK capital home with you. I hope they inspire you to return to London in the future, too.
If you want more, take a look at my itinerary for shopping in London. Happy travels!
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