Page 102 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

100  BRIT AIN AND IRELAND

Shopping Burberry trench coats – are
found in outlets such as
While the West End of London is undeniably Britain’s most Burberry and Gieves and
exciting place to shop, many regional centers offer nearly as Hawkes, while Laura Ashley
wide a range of goods. Moreover, regional shopping can be is renowned for its floral-print
less stressful, less expensive, and remarkably varied, with craft dresses. For kilts and tartans,
the best place is Hector Russell,
studios, farm stores, street markets, and factory showrooms found in both Edinburgh
adding to the enjoyment of bargain-hunting. Britain is famous and Glasgow.
for its country clothing: wool, tartan, waxed cotton, and tweed London is the place for
are all popular, along with classic prints, such as those found designer fashions, however,
at Liberty or Laura Ashley. Other particularly British goods as many designers have
specialized outlets here.
include antiques, porcelain, glass, and local crafts.
Vivienne Westwood, doyenne
of the punkish avant-garde,
uses London as her British base.
Opening Hours of a household name, famed for
In general, you can assume its good-value clothing and Markets
most stores in Britain will open prepared food. The sizes of all
during the week from 9am or chain stores, and the range of Large towns and cities usually
10am until 5pm or 6pm. Hours stock they carry, will differ from have a central covered market
on Saturdays may be longer, region to region. that operates most weekdays,
and stores may have late-night The most famous of London’s selling everything from fresh
opening on Thursdays. Most many department stores is produce to pots and pans.
large stores in town centers now Harrods, with 300 departments, Many towns hold weekly
open on Sundays; longer 4,000 employees, and a spectacular markets in the main square.
opening hours are more Edwardian food hall. Nearby, The fashionable markets of
common as Christmas Harvey Nichols stocks designer London are Covent Garden,
approaches. In villages, the clothing and boasts the city’s Portobello Road, and Camden
stores may close at lunchtime most stylish food hall. Gourmets Lock, where you can find an
for an hour, or for one afternoon should make a pilgrimage to assortment of secondhand
each week. Market days vary Fortnum and Mason, which has clothes, handmade crafts, and
from town to town; some stocked high-quality food for antiques. Spitalfields is a
markets are held on Sundays. more than 300 years. Selfridges burgeoning East End market.
sells virtually everything, from Dating back to 1756, Borough
fine cashmeres to household Market sells quality fresh
Out-of-town gadgets. Liberty, the West End’s produce and gourmet foods.
Shopping Centers
last privately owned
These large complexes, similar department store, still sells the
to American malls, are rapidly hand-blocked silks and Oriental Food and Drink
increasing around Britain. goods for which it was famous Supermarkets are a good place
The advantages of car access when it first opened in 1875. to shop for food. The range and
and easy, cheap parking are quality of items in stock is usually
undeniable, and most centers are Clothing Stores excellent. Several large chains
accessible by public transportation. compete for market share and
The centers usually feature Once again, London has the as a result, prices are generally
clusters of popular upscale widest range, from haute couture lower than smaller stores. How-
chain stores, with many facilities to cheap and cheerful ready- ever, the smaller town-center
and services offered, such as made items. Shopping for stores, such as local bakeries,
nurseries, cafés, restaurants, clothing in the regions, however, greengrocers, and markets, may
and cinemas. can often be less tiring. Many give you a more interesting
towns that are popular with choice of fresh regional produce,
tourists – Oxford, Bath, and York, and a more personal service.
Department Stores
for instance – have Alcoholic beverages are
Certain big department stores independently owned clothing available in a huge variety of
are only found in London, but stores where you receive more stores around Britain, many
others have provincial branches. personal service. Or you could of them wine merchants, such
John Lewis, for example, has try one of the chain stores as the chain store Oddbins.
stores in 45 locations. It sells a found throughout the country For whisky, Scotland is the place
huge range of fabrics, clothing, for stylish, reasonably priced to go; Cadenheads and The
and household items, combining clothes, as well as younger and Whisky Shop both have a
quality service with good value. less-expensive fashions. wide variety of rare scotches.
Marks & Spencer, with branches Traditional British clothing – Luxury chocolates can be
throughout Britain, is even more waxed Barbour jackets and purchased at Hotel Chocolat,

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