Odd books, good books
On Charing Cross Road, you have a handful of second hand bookshops. Any amount of books is known mostly for its large basement selection.
They tend to buy private collections, and, though not necessarily cheap, they do have the kind of literary little gems which will ensure you become a lifelong customer.
Dust aside, they tend to leave their just-bought-boxes, halfway opened in the basement. I never know if we are meant to look through them or not, but I always do, as do most of the people there. I remember finding a 1930s photographic Encyclopedia of Europe bound in red leather. I came very close to buying it, but could not afford the price. But it was that kind of material which made me return, and continue to return ever since.
And if the selection were not reason enough, they tend to keep late hours during the week, ensuring that more than one happy reader takes their respective nightbus book in hand.
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Fabric from heaven
Liberty's is one of London's, and fashion's, institutions.
The building itself, a striking, timber-framed, Tudor revival building on Regent Street, is a must see.
No other shop in London, if the world, has such a strong iconic association with design. Mention a “Liberty print” and a clear image of the shapes, colours and textures involved immediately springs to mind. Don't forget to buy a liberty print while you visit. You can find them in anything from a small notebook to a ready-made shirt.
With small, intimate staircases, intricately designed elevators, wooden balconies and glass atriums – this has to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing and unique department stores in the city, if not the world. You can go inside and just have a wander, with no intention to buy anything.
Not content with merely following trends, Liberty regularly showcases and sponsors new British designers. Its shop windows on Regent street are certainly a must see at any time of the year.
Run your fingers over designer womenswear, ogle the arts and crafts antiques or simply watch would-be fashion designers drooling over the textiles in the fabric department. Fabulous.
PS: In case you were wondering, in Italy, Art Nouveau is known as 'Stile Liberty' after this British store.
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Vintage clothing emporium
If the thought of a pair of 1940s patent leather pumps makes your heart pound faster, then this is the shop for you.
Known for its ever-expanding stock of vintage clothing, shoes, hats, scarves, jewels and accessories, Cornucopia is a law unto itself.
From pleated 1930s yellow dresses reminiscent of Schiaparelli to vintage 1970s platform boots (with all glitter intact!) and 1960s white framed designer Jackie O' glasses, Cornucopia never ceases to please, excite and surprise.
Not too expensive, and the staff don't mind if you are there for hours trying stuff on....just make sure you buy something at the end of your dress rehearsal...
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Explore the planet
Summering in Tashkent? Touring Bolivia on a bicycle? Head here first if you feel like exploring planet Earth but don't know where to start.
Stanford's has every conceivable map for almost every place on earth. From Papua New Guinea to a map of Tokyo via Madeira and Patagonia, this is the first port of call for most intrepid (and those more down-to-earth) travelers.
They also have travel books written by those whose footsteps you'll soon follow.
Set up in 1853 by Edward Stanford, this cool temple to travel first opened its doors in 1901 and stocks a massive range of maps, books and travel related goods. Even the basement floor of this flagship Long Acre store is covered in a large scale map of London.
Famous customers include David Livingstone, Scott of the Antarctic, Ernest Shackleton, Florence Nightingale, Ranulph Fiennes, Bill Bryson and Michael Palin. Even Sherlock Holmes bough a map here once....(Hound of the Baskervilles, in case you are wondering).
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James Smith & Sons (Umbrella Shop)
+44 020 78364731
53 New Oxford Street
saved by 2 people: there are 2 reviews
For all your umbrella & walking stick needs
Yes, you have to be a bit of an eccentric to shop here, but then, why not?
Commonly known simply as “the Umbrella Shop”, this Victorian outlet a stone's throw away from the British Museum is a real gem.
It sells every kind of umbrella, walking stick, mace and cane imaginable. Housed in an amazing building adorned with original hand-crafted fittings the shop’s attraction doesn’t simply lie in its high-quality, ever-practical range of goods. Expect to step back in time to an era of personal bespoke service.
In the shop you will find anything from glossy, wicker baskets brimming over with sleek, shiny walking sticks in every kind of English wood to brightly- colored umbrellas with hand-carved handles in all sorts of materials.
Although the look is old fashioned, don't let it fool you. The umbrella shop uses fabrics and frames that are the latest in terms of design and technology – James Smith & Sons were the first to employ the famous Fox Steel Frame!
If you need an umbrella that will last forever, or an unusual gift for a loved one, look no further.
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London's most famous book shop
You need a book? Go to Foyles, if it isn't there, it will be soon. Foyles was once listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest bookshop in terms of shelf area (30 miles/50 kilometres) and number of titles on display but it was equally famed for its anachronistic, eccentric and sometimes infuriating business practices. Although things have changed, expect the staff to be friendly and, occasionally, odd.
It is also known for its literary luncheons, which have been held since 1930, though they now also hold a large number of evening literary events in the spring and autumn of each year.
Whereas the shop used to sell second-hand and modern books side-by-side on the same shelves, it now primarily sells the modern books found in any other large chain bookshop. But not only that since from November 2007 it has started selling secondhand books again as well as remainders in a special new department on the third floor.
If you can't handle leaving home on a rainy day, go online. Well worth it!
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A piece of Texas in the heart of London
If you like Tex-Mex food, this is a great place to find it. RIght in the heart of the West End, this restaurant is known for being very popular with its diners and very generous with its portions.
The staff are friendly (and mostly foreign) and the food is quite good. From exotic chimichangas, nachos and flautas to Southern Fried Steak, you'll be spoilt for choice.
The place itself is quite unique for a London restaurant. Built next door to Canada's Embassy, it is huge with tall ceilings and a great atmosphere. The bar itself is a very friendly place to wait whilst being seated.
They cater to parties, families, and solo individuals.
If you go once, you'll want to go again and again.
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Virgin shop Centrepoint
This shop is slightly different from the flagship on Picadilly Circus.
Their DVD and Video floor has a good selection of films, including the top-ten mainstream films of the moment, and a decent array of independent and foreign works on offer. They are almost always having special offers so a bargain is almost certainly to be found.
Furthermore, they like to host in-store shows in the basement by pop bands that draw hoards of screaming fans, which could be considered an asset.
If you are having a "quiet" day, pop in and out as quick as you can when this happens!
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Music emporium
As music and video giants go, Virgin's Megastore in Piccadilly Circus is perhaps the most accommodating and rewarding choice.
The gigantic store has got it all: CDs, DVDs, Books, Magazines, special editions, singles, albums, Rock, Pop, Country, World music, Jazz, Classical, Metal, Dance, Techno, R&B, in short, it is a place where you can spend hours and hours and not feel overwhelmed by the size and layout of the place.
If you can't find it here, you can order it!
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Love of vinyl music
Some of us love CDs, and some of us love vinyl. If you are the second kind, and you love music, this place is for you.
And you would not be alone in this place. Some of London's top DJs are to be found here, perusing through box after box of hidden vinyl gems, or just plain spinning tunes in the basement.
When it comes to House, of any kind, provided it is in excellent taste, vinyl junkies are a great choice for feeding your musical addiction.
And yes, they do have some CDs too, just in case you are wondering.
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