Along the well-heeled streets of Knightsbridge sits one of the most famous department stores in the world--the mammoth Harrods. While many tourists come to gawk at the store's splendor or purchase the designer apparel, many overlook one of the most decidedly English offerings in the store. Every afternoon, the Georgian Restaurant serves up a traditional English tea service, complete with fresh teas from Harrods' garden, and little tea sandwiches. The elegant surroundings and excellent service will raise the bar for your future tea times, and give you a memorable experience to tell your friends about.
From the fancy department stores of Knightsbridge to the eclectic mix of antiques on Portobello Road, London has no shortage of excellent shopping. For an experience that's a bit more bohemian, try the open-air and indoor boutiques of Camden. Known affectionately by some as "shoe town," Camden is the place to go for hip, vintage and bargain shoe shopping. Vendors set up their wares on the streets in open-air market stalls and in claptrap little shops all around the Camden Town tube stop. Many pubs and clubs also offer nightlife in the area, so when you're done shopping, you can show off those new shoes.
Bixton is one of the most ethnically diverse communities in London, with one of the highest concentrations of people of Caribbean and African descent in the city. As a result, Brixton is a great place to while away a day in search of old reggae records, or to witness an impromptu music show on the street. At night, Brixton comes alive with bars and clubs playing live music and DJs churning out the latest underground hits. Check out the nightlife here for a piece of London that is very edgy and far off the beaten path.
