Where do I go for...?

Couture
Large black shades are in and DM boots out. Every few weeks London's fashion market evolves. There are two types of designer. Uber-urban cutting-edge, which you'll find in the Soho boutiques on Newburgh St and the famous Agent Provocateur where Madonna and Kate Moss alike buy their lingerie. If that's not enough, check out Hoxton's exclusive boutiques, Wink and Hoxton Boutique, and Spitalfield?s fashion market also. Then there's established designer shops such as Armani, Ferretti, Gucci and La Croix, which are situated on Sloane Street and New Bond Street. This is also the place to shop for cosmetics and accessories.
Tubes: Oxford Circus, Knightsbridge, Old Street

High street fashion
On Saturdays the West-End becomes a Mecca for the fashion conscious on a budget. Oxford Street is the epicentre of the chaos and it's here you'll find Niketown, Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Hennes, Top Shop and all the other big names in high street fashion. This stretches on for about a mile towards Marble Arch. Just behind Oxford Circus tube, there's the famous Carnaby Street - its atmosphere is fun, but the prices are marked up for the tourists. Covent Garden sports yet more shops such as Karen Millen, Jane Norman and Mambo. South along Regent Street to Piccadilly Circus, you'll find Hamley's, Libertys, Burberry.
Tubes: Bond Street, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Marble Arch, Covent Garden
Click on: http://www.coventgardenlife.co.uk/shopping/category/womenswear.htm
http://www.streetsensation.co.uk/carnaby/ns_west.htm

Toys
Hamley's: In 1760 William Hamley founded a toy shop called "Noah's Ark". Today the shop's so popular that it boasts five floors on Regent Street and is one of the biggest toy stores in the world - with tens of thousands of toys and games. It is especially popular at Christmas, when it is renowned for its wonderful window displays.
Where: Hamleys, 188 Regent Street, W1, 020 8752 2278, www.hamleys.com
Tube: Oxford Circus
Open: Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 11am-5pm

Food
For authentic British foods such as cheese, breads and preserves to take home with you, there are some extremely exclusive food shops ? they?re even worth a visit if you?re not planning to buy anything. See the MARKET (LINK) section as both Borough and Spitalfields sell sumptuous goodies. A Gold has a wealth of rich cheeses and sauces dressed in irresistible vintage packaging. Then there?s Neal?s Yard Dairy in Covent Garden who sell the best of British cheeses and are very happy to let you sample as much as you like before you actually buy! And finally, you mustn?t miss Harrod?s (see Harrod?s section below) striking food hall. (SEE NEALS YARD SECTION..LINK) (Also, link to Italian Deli?s 6 of the best?search on This is London.)
Where: A Gold, 42 Brushfield St, Spitalfields, E1, 020 7247 2487
Tube: Liverpool St
Open: Mon-Fri 11am-8pm, Sun 11am-6pm

Where: Neal's Yard Dairy, 17 Shorts Gardens, WC2, 020 7379 7646/ 020 7240 5700, http://www.thebritishshoppe.com/cheese.html
Tube: Covent Garden
Open: Mon- Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 10am-5pm

Electrical and home design
Go to Tottenham Court Road. Computer Exchange deals in second-hand games, there?s a retro section downstairs with 70s and 80s consoles and computers on display. Nearby you can haggle very good prices at Gultronics. Selling PCs and laptops at comparatively low prices, you?ll need to have good bartering skills if you want to get an outstanding deal. Whilst there?s many other Hi-fi and Computer shops along the Tottenham Court Road, this is also the road to visit if you?re looking for design stores.
Where: Computer Exchange, 32 Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia, 020 7636 2666, www.cex.co.uk
Open: Daily 10am-7pm

Where: Gultronics, 52 Tottenham Court Road, Fitzrovia, W1, 020 7637 1619, www.gultronics.co.uk
Open: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm

Tube: Tottenham Court Road

A hidden gem!
Neal's Yard
This small shopping precinct, situated close to the north-eastern end of Shaftesbury Avenue, is a delightful hidden secret. Lots of wonderful little shops cluster together selling all manner of things you didn't know you wanted. There is a strong wholefood element to the area, with lots of vegetarian cafes and a bakery. There is also Neal's Yard Dairy where you can choose from a massive variety of cheeses. And Neal's Yard Remedies is a shop selling natural medicinal lotions and potions as well and beauty and bathroom products. Most ingredients are natural and organic.
Where: Neal's Yard, Covent Garden WC2, 020 7379 7222/ 020 7627 1949, www.nealsyardremedies.com
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden

Upmarket department stores
Harrods
This is a must-see. The tiled food hall, the cosmetics, designs, clothes ? it?s all the cr?me de la cr?me of London shopping. Located in Knightsbridge, Harrods, a red terracotta building was completed in 1905 and its interior decoration includes Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. At the beginning it was a small grocer's shop opened in 1849 and later on further developed by the son of the founder, Henry Harrods. Harrods cable address was "Everything London". These two words sum up the splendour of the world's most celebrated store, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1999. Don?t forget, you won?t get in with jeans or rucksacks.
Where: 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1, 020 7730 1234, www.harrods.com
Tube: Knightsbridge
Open: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm

Harvey Nichols
Affectionately known by the locals as Harvey Nicks. Patrons of this upmarket department store, which specialises in designer fashion labels, include royalty and celebrities. Spectacular window displays. Gourmet restaurant, bar and food hall on the fifth floor.
Where: 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1, 020 7235 5000, www.harveynichols.com
Tube: Knightsbridge
Open: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm; Sun noon-6pm

Fortnum & Mason
Fantastically stately surroundings on Piccadilly, this is a Mecca for anyone who revels in British tradition. The tea in the entrance area's very good and makes a perfect souvenir.
Where: 181 Piccadilly, St James?s, W1, 020 7734 8040, www.fortnumandmason.co.uk
Tube: Piccadilly
Open: Mon-Sat 10am-6.30pm