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If you’re travelling to London you might want to make the most of the excellent shopping facilities in the city, whether for yourself or for your loved ones. The London shopping scene mixes markets with malls, little boutiques rub shoulders with department stores. You can readily buy anything in London, and from the Marble Arch Suites you can easily scoot along shopper’s delight Oxford Street and the chic Marylebone High Street.

An overview of London’s markets

If you have time on your hands, check out one of London’s famous markets - you can loose a few hours mooching around picking up some quirky bargains. Camden, Greenwich and Old Spitalfields open for trade daily. Portobello Market is open Monday to Saturday. If you’re here on a Sunday, the Marylebone Farmer’s Market is a foodie’s delight and you can take some local produce back home.  Covent Garden market is open daily, but for arts and crafts go at the weekend. Hotels near Hyde Park put you in easy access to all of these shopping hotspots.

Souvenir inspiration

If you don’t have time to browse a market, here are some London inspired ideas besides the usual keyrings, fridge magnets and I LOVE LONDON teeshirts which you can easily pick up on the high streets from the hotels near Hyde Park.

Tea

If you’re tight on baggage space or have a weight limit - pick up a keepsake package of teabags or loose leaf tea. Every time you take a sip, you’ll be transported back to the city. Alternatively, if you really want to give someone a gift to cherish, pick up an ornate teapot or tea set which the Queen would be proud of. Fortnum and Mason is the home of tea accessories, or any of the department stores you’ll find on Oxford Street.

Umbrella

What better a way to lift your spirits on a damp day than a grand umbrella! Splash out at James Smith & Sons Ltd (Harry Potter fans - this is the Ollivanders of umbrellas) which is a historic family business with a Victorian storefront. London Undercover is the alternative for a more budget-friendly yet highly durable brolly which will transport you back to London in your next rainstorm.

Print from a gallery

The gift shops of the museums  and galleries of London are an extension of the galleries, and the best thing is you can take these items home! A print of a London landmark, vintage tube poster or map purchased from a makes for a classy souvenir to commemorate your time in the city.

Toy from Hamley’s

If you have a little child to buy for, step into Hamley’s flagship shop on Regent’s Street - king of toy shops. You’ll find soft toys and bath toys, LEGO sets and vehicles, dolls and board games for children of all ages.  It’s as much as treat for any big kid, so you might want to factor in a little extra time for this one and squeeze into a cab back to the Marble Arch Suites with all your goodies.