The Kings Road
Chelsea

This is our favourite shopping spot in London. It may not quite be what it was in the ‘70s (the alternative fashion capital of the world) when Mods, Punks and Rockers would congregate on street benches. It produced Mary Quant’s miniskirt and Vivienne Westwood’s tartan two-piece. Stroll the mile and half from Sloane Square to World’s End and discover a plethora of eclectic boutiques, bars and pop-ups. And wander off down the side streets to see where Chelsea’s well-heeled reside. A lot of the old magic is still there. Travel to Sloane Square Tube station.

Westfield
White City

It’s certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, but this temple of glass and travertine near Shepherds Bush has completely gentrified this area. Designer brands, department stores, giant-screen movie house, Kids park, an Apple showroom and a whole floor dedicated to fine dining, all combine to make up the biggest shopping mall in Europe. You can wile away whole days under its giant domed roof. Head for Shepherd Bush Tube on the Central Line, you can’t miss it. But don’t forget to go home at some point, and remember that you left the kids on the bouncy castle.

Old Bond Street
Mayfair

Okay so when going shopping on Bond Street, one has to start with the proviso that there’s very little anyone who isn’t in the Top 500 Rich List can actually buy, so it’s best just to assume you’re going for the people watching. You’ll see it all here from furs to Ferraris amongst the plethora of designer boutiques, dazzling jewels and rare artworks. Get off at Bond Street Tube on the Central Line (if you’ve given the chauffeur the day off) and strike off down New Bond to Old Bond. And if you want to actually buy something normal, pop next door for a more ‘real’ experience on Regent’s Street.

Harrods
Knightsbridge

It might be unashamedly ostentatious and in possession of the world’s most vulgar statue (Princess Diana & Dodi in bronze by the Egyptian escalators), but Harrods is still spectacular. Serious shoppers browse the elegantly tiled and fragrant food halls on the ground floor or the wealth of exclusives in the beauty halls. But indulge the excesses too: Harrods has an art gallery, a stunning new interiors department and a kitchenware floor that hosts live cooking lessons from household names. Taking the kids? Head straight to Toy Kingdom on the third floor, with its enchanted forest, intergalactic science lab and bespoke sweet-maker. Elsewhere, Harrods excels at shoes – with a gargantuan footwear department stocking the best labels. Get there via Knightsbridge Tube.

Daunt Books
Marylebone

Though not strictly a travel bookshop, this beautiful Edwardian store will always be seen first and foremost as a travel specialist thanks to its elegant three-level back room complete with oak balconies, viridian-green walls, conservatory ceiling and stained-glass window – home to row upon row of guide books, maps, language reference, history, politics, travelogue and related fiction organised by country. Go downstairs to find more far-flung destinations. Travel aside, Daunt is also a first-rate stop for literary fiction, biography, gardening and much more. Other branches at Cheapside, Hampstead and Holland Park. Travel to Baker Street Tube for this branch.

Berry Brothers & Rudd
No. 3 St James’s

Wine lovers should head for this wonderfully labyrinthine shop/cellar/office on St James’s. It has not one but two Royal Warrants (basically the big thumbs up from the Royals) and has been selling wine from this office since 1698 (William of Orange was on the throne then). You have to duck your head in a few places but that is a small price to pay for a wander around this ancient dusty shop that sells Britain’s best collection of fine wines. They have a slightly more modern shop just around the corner on Pall Mall. And they have a wine school also. The business is still run by the original family, with six Masters of Wine on hand to advise. It is no wonder that kings and queens have bought their wine here since George III (the mad one). Head for Piccadilly Tube station and walk down St James’s.

Fortnum & Mason
Piccadilly

Billed as the “most famous cornershop in the world”, Fortnums has been trading since 1707, the time of Queen Anne. It became world famous however when another queen, Victoria, sent Florence Nightingale one of their food hampers in order to sustain her in the terrible Crimean hospitals. Since then, Fortnums picnic hampers have featured on the summit of Everest and at the frontlines in Flanders. They have one of the finest selections of teas & coffees in the world, not a bad selection of chocolate, they have beehives on the roof for their honeypots and doormen who doff their top-hats as you enter. Their afternoon teas are the stuff of legend, and you may just bump into the current King taking his tiffin… it’s his favourite shop.

19 Brooks Mews
Mayfair

For the best cup of coffee in the world (that is a big call I know, but you’ll agree with me once you’ve been there) head to the charming back streets of Mayfair to take a break from your retail exertions on nearby Oxford Street. Hailing from the Antipodes, these guys essentially brought the concept of the flat white to London, and then perfected it. They threw in the perfect muffin, then employed the friendliest baristas in London, and gave the ambience a gorgeous light-filled kind of beachy interiors vibe, typical Aussies, and the result is close on perfection. It was about to be bought by District at time of writing, who have other establishments in Parsons Green and Nine Elms. Which I imagine are also quite good …

Carnaby Street
Soho

Carnaby Street is famous for being the beating heart of London's fashion scene at the height of the Swinging Sixties. It has been immortalised in songs by The Jam and The Kinks - “dedicated followers of fashion” - and is the go-to street in London for young trendy types in search of winklepickers, flared jeans, cowboy boots or whatever is the latest fashion accessory. It is pedestrianised these days so you can amble around the rows of tiny boutiques without fear of being hit by a bus. Get there via Oxford Circus, and that other great shopping mecca Oxford Street. There is a Leon at one end of the street, which if you haven’t ever had one of their fish finger wraps before, will constitute the best lunch-on-the-go experience of your holiday.