A few suggestions (Shopping Areas in London in general)

Member Name: Gretta

Product:	Shopping Areas in London in general
Date:	25/03/01 (176 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: something for everyone

Disadvantages: too much choice

As someone who has lived in London all their life, I thought I'd write a quick guide to some of the shopping areas. As I'm from Shepherds Bush, it will be rather concentrated on the West and Central areas, so apologies in advance. This is intended for people who don't really shop in London a lot, to go into great detail would require a novel.

SOHO - Obviously good for your top shelf stuff, but also has a lot of music shops, especially if your looking for records. Eds Dinner do super cheesy chips. Also good for gadgetry, lots of imaginative lighting etc.

OXFORD STREET - Not a lot that you wouldn't find in a normal high street, just bigger and busier. If your local store doesn't have a good range your bound to find what you're after here, but unless your a real early bird or don't mind crowds avoid trying to do any serious shopping.

TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD - At the North end lots of electrical type shops, especially computer bits and bobs. On the South end you'll find a concentration of book shops, especially good if you're trying to buy text books.

COVENT GARDEN - Good for smaller, more individual shops, both for trinket, gift type things and also independent clothes retailers.

CHINA TOWN - I always end up here if I can't find a birthday present for someone, original pieces that you wont find anywhere else, as well as the toristy dragon style stuff you would expect.

QUEENSWAY - Basic shopping centre, with a cinema, but made special by the ice rink nearby, shopping is more fun if you have a soggy bum!

KENSINGTON - All your normal high street stuff, with the added attraction of the indoor market.

PORTOBELLO MARKET - Like nowhere else, you can pick up a bargain or spend a fortune. Anything from antiques, to tie dyed baby clothes, to vegan cafes. One to visit when your in the mood for spending the whole day out, just enjoying the atmosphere.

SH
EPHERDS BUSH MARKET - A distinct atmosphere, but more worth visiting if you have something in mind. Very good for cheap material, and lots more in the nearby sari shops if you don't find anything you like. Also good for multi-cultural ingredients, don't miss the polish deli 10 mins down the Uxbridge Road, on the same side as the market. Pie and Mash shop at the Goldhawk Road end.

EALING BROADWAY - Good for woman's clothes, lots of 'everything a tenner' woman's clothes shops, make sure you go round to the train station if you want to catch them all.

WEST EALING - Has everything Ealing Broadway doesn't and is only 5 mins down the road so its easy to do both in one day.

KILBURN - Run down high street, but great place to find bargains, especially children's clothes.

HOUNSLOW - Again, all your basics, but with the addition of lots of 'pond shops', so good if you want candles, plastic storage crates, a new mop etc.

SOUTHALL - Lots of Asian shops, so lots of yummy food, cooking utensils and material.

UXBRIDGE - Nice big centres, one brand new so very well designed, with wide aisles for pram pushing etc.

Summary: