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The commercial history of London is fascinating - and what better way to learn about it, and certainly experience it, than by spending a day shopping and having tea?
Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase a linked item, I will make a commission, at no extra charge to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Post updated May, 2020.
Up for some shopping - and history- in London?
London's great department stores are a treat. From the highest-end, to the purveyors of day-to-day pieces, London's department stores changed the way England shopped a century ago and they're no less exciting today.
Of course, I can't cover *all* of London's historic department stores in this list, but if you stop by the assortment below, you'll have a scenic tour of London - and hopefully some lovely, luxurious trinkets to remember it by! London's Historic Department Stores:
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Proud holder of two Royal Warrants, Fortnum & Mason is a London classic and, admittedly, my absolute personal favorite of this list. Founded in 1707, "Fortnum's" has been keeping London's poshest set - and even The Royal Family - supplied with tea, caviar, and champagne for over 3 centuries.
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Fortnum and Mason's
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Fortnum's origin story is a fun, quirky tale, interwoven with the Royals, even from the beginning. Fortnum's was founded by one of Queen Anne's footmen who resold the large quantities of wax that were discarded from the Royal Palace (gotta hustle!). Discarded wax, you ask? Well, Her Majesty had a deep and abiding passion for new candles. After Fortnum's expanded beyond its candle remaking, delicious food was Fortnum's main focus through the 18th and 19th centuries.
But Fortnum's really cornered the market during The Napoleonic, and later the Great War, when they started selling "hampers" (pictured below) - to the upper echelons of the officers, whose families were anxious to send their men in the field a taste of home. And quite a fancy taste, at that.
But Fortnum's really cornered the market during The Napoleonic, and later the Great War, when they started selling "hampers" (pictured below) - to the upper echelons of the officers, whose families were anxious to send their men in the field a taste of home. And quite a fancy taste, at that.
Fortnum & Mason's picnic hamper
What should I see, do, & buy at Fortnum & Mason?
The store's first floor's "Food Hall" is a glorious display of hampers, tea, desserts, and lovely confections the delight the imagination. Not as large as Harrods' similar room, it's not even remotely as crowded, and frankly, Fortnum's is significantly higher-end. Fortnum's upper floors contain housewares and a small selection of both men's and women's clothes and accessories.
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If you're in town for a special Royal occasion of any sort, Fortnum's definitely is the spot to find the best commemorative treasures, such as my Harry & Meghan commemorative wedding plate! Fortnum's teapots are second-to-none. |
Harry & Meghan commemorative plate
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And finally, if you have a hankering for tea, Fortnum's has a small restaurant offering afternoon tea, which is gorgeous! If tea is your thing - and if you love the Royals, I'd shell out for tea at The Goring, where Kate Middleton spent her last night before becoming a Duchess and where The Queen Mum was known to enjoy a tipple.
Tea at Fortnum & Mason?
Window display for Harry & Meghan's wedding at Fortnum & Mason
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Yes, that's the art in Fortnum's bathroom
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Fortnum's is the #1 department store in London - don't let anyone tell you differently! If you're only going to visit one department store during your time, Fortnum's should be it.
London's Historic Department Stores: Selfridge's
Another big name in London department stores is, of course, Selfridge's. Though it's always been famous, it became a household name, at least to us Americans "across the pond," with the huge popularity of Masterpiece's Mr. Selfridge, which premiered in 2013.
Founded in 1908 by Harry Gordon Selfridge, Selfridge's grew out of its namesake's 25 years of experience at Marshall Field's in Chicago, one of the leaders in the up-and-coming world of department stores.
Selfridge realized, during a retirement trip to London, that the thriving city lacked the department stores of the U.S. and Paris and - so much for retirement! Though American, he relocated to England and rose to be known as the "Earl of Oxford Street" and presided over a retail empire. Its massive Oxford street location is the second-largest store in the United Kingdom (Harrods is bigger). Unlike Fortnum's, Selfridge's is a more "normal" department store these days, which Americans will find similar to a high-end Macy's.
Founded in 1908 by Harry Gordon Selfridge, Selfridge's grew out of its namesake's 25 years of experience at Marshall Field's in Chicago, one of the leaders in the up-and-coming world of department stores.
Selfridge realized, during a retirement trip to London, that the thriving city lacked the department stores of the U.S. and Paris and - so much for retirement! Though American, he relocated to England and rose to be known as the "Earl of Oxford Street" and presided over a retail empire. Its massive Oxford street location is the second-largest store in the United Kingdom (Harrods is bigger). Unlike Fortnum's, Selfridge's is a more "normal" department store these days, which Americans will find similar to a high-end Macy's.
Wondering what to wear in London? Check out the full post!
London's Historic Department Stores:
Liberty London
For the polar opposite of Fortnums, and while you're in the Selfridge's neighborhood, pop down the road and the similarly historic Liberty London.
If flower patterns and Tudor buildings are your thing - you'll be in heaven! The building is actually a 1920's Tudor revival renovation - and it's truly a gorgeous rendering.
If flower patterns and Tudor buildings are your thing - you'll be in heaven! The building is actually a 1920's Tudor revival renovation - and it's truly a gorgeous rendering.
Liberty London, exterior
Liberty opened in 1875, selling Victorian trinkets and foreign imports, ultimately adding its array of colorful clothing and fabrics. Today it feels less like a "normal" department store than Selfridge's - it's more of a curated collection of floral printed products.
Liberty London clock
Liberty doesn't sport a restaurant, but it does have a fabulous location. If you're in the area, check out The Red Lion pub, really closer back toward Fortnum's, which features in Lethal White.
Interested in taking a day trip from London? Check out how to explore the UK by Train!
London's Historic Department Stores:
Harrods Department Store
Thought of by many as the mainstay of London department stores, Harrods is a more "traditional" department store than the aforementioned Fortnum's and Liberty.
Built in 1849, the Knightsbridge behemoth sells a wide-ranging variety of items - clothes, food, trinkets, jewelry, home goods, and everything in between. Over-the-top luxury items are around every corner - they were feature a jewel-encrusted jaguar on our last visit.
Built in 1849, the Knightsbridge behemoth sells a wide-ranging variety of items - clothes, food, trinkets, jewelry, home goods, and everything in between. Over-the-top luxury items are around every corner - they were feature a jewel-encrusted jaguar on our last visit.
Harrods
Harrods exterior
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Now owned by the Qatar Investment Authority, Harrods has a long and storied history, with perhaps one of the most interesting is the burning of the revoked Royal Warrants by then-Harrods-owner Mohamed Al-Fayed, father of Dodi, and the construction of a large monument to Dodi and Princess Diana in the store (still visible today).
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1 Comment
julie
4/13/2019 10:24:47 am
I wish I was in London right now shopping! What a great article.
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