Red Carnation Hotels

SHOPPING

Bond Street
Old Bond Street and New Bond Street make up the area commonly referred to as Bond Street. Perhaps the most chic shopping street in the world. It is said to have more royal ‘By Appointment’ awards than any other thoroughfare. Most shops along this street are world renown fashion and jewellery outlets, but there are others such as Benson & Hedges the tobacconists, Charbonnel & Walker the fine confectioners and Louis Vuitton the luggage specialists. It is also the headquarters of Sotheby’s the world famous auction house, and many commercial Art Galleries. Other well known shopd include Calvin Klein, Emporio Armani, Gianni Versace, Hermes, Miu Miu, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren and Versace. Among the Jewellers are: Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Chopard, Asprey’s (The Queen’s Jewellers), and Rolex.

Burlington Arcade
The Burlington Arcade is an exclusive shopping Arcade with regency buildings and executive shops. The arcade was built in 1819 by Lord George Cavendish.

Carnaby Street
This Street was enormously popular in the sixties for fashion. This is where John Lennon bought his round purple lensed glasses that he was well known for. Mostly rock shops with t-shirts and accessories. However this street is also well-known for its shoe shops.

Covent Garden
You could spend a whole day at Covent Garden as it has everything you could want from fashion boutiques and high street shops to street entertainment and a to world famous Opera venue. There are many restaurants to choose from with styles ranging from street side cafes to elegant Michelin starred gourmet restaurants.

Kensington High Street
This street is popular for high street brands as well as boutique style shopping. There is a large department store, Barkers, which is particularly useful and also Kensington Palace, home of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Just off the High Street is Kensington Church Street which houses an impressive array of antiques shops.

Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge is not only home to Harrods and Harvey Nichols but also home to other well-known high street shops and boutiques. This is a great place to people watch while enjoying a caramel Latte in one of the quaint coffee shops.

Jermyn Street
An array of shirt makers is based here including Turnbull and Asser, Thomas Pink, Coles of Jermyn Street and T.M. Lewin. It also boasts Paxton & Whitfield, the delightful cheesemonger which has been around for over 200 years and has all manner of cheeses piled to the ceiling. Just around the corner is Balls Brothers Wine Merchants.

Oxford Street
This Street is known for being very busy over weekend and boasts mostly high street fashion shops, sports shops and well-known brands. Selfridges (at the Marble Arch end) is one of the finest and largest department stores in London, it was opened in 1909.

Regent Street
The impressive sweep of Regent Street, first laid out by Nash in the early 19th century, gives this legendary road a particularly dignified appearance. This street handles the masses with ease. A new addition to the street and London is Vida E. It is a great little coffee shop that offers the best cappuccinos. There are also good department stores, fashionable boutiques, hip restaurants and global brand names. If you’ve got children in tow then Hamley’s, London’s largest toyshop should keep them occupied for quite some time!

Savile Row
If you really want to cut a dash in the finest bespoke suit, pop over to Savile Row, the home of elegant tailoring. Many of the tailors here have been around for generations and have clothed statesmen, peers and dignitaries throughout the ages. They include Gieves & Hawkes, Kenneth Brown (Outfitter to Gentlemen), Tobias Tailors and Steed. Ede & Ravenscroft actually make ceremonial robes and uniforms for great state occasions. All of the tailors offer an extremely personalised service. If you order a bespoke item from Savile Row, your measurements will normally be kept on record for life.

Sloane Street
Sloane Street’s style has much in common with Bond Street, but in a slightly less intimate fashion. Jo Malone (where Madonna buys her scents), Gucci, Hacketts, Prada, Giorgio Armani, Gianfranco Ferre, Yves St Laurent, Chanel and Christian Dior are just a few of the famous names to be found there.