London is a shopaholic’s dream. We’ve got two ginormous Westfield malls full of everyone’s favourite high street chains, world-famous shopping districts like Oxford Street and Carnaby Street and historic luxury department stores like Harrods and Selfridges to fulfil all of our retail needs, plus a fantastic selection of unique indie run stores to boot.
So, it’ll come as little surprise that a London spot has just been crowned the UK’s greatest place to shop, based on TripAdvisor reviews. But it’s none of the aforementioned places. With more than 14,000 reviews averaging 4.6 out of five, the UK’s best place to go for retail therapy is Borough Market.
Stationed next to London Bridge, it’s believed that Borough Market has been feeding London since 1014, when traders would gather at the site to sell grain, fish and livestock. It was formally established as a market centuries later in 1756 and the buildings that we see there today were mostly constructed in 1851.
It’s not the place to go if you’re after some new pieces for your wardrobe, but the market offers a magnificent spread of fresh home-grown fruit and veg, artisan products and gourmet goodies from across the globe, including entire stalls dedicated to mushroom pâté, dates and pork pies.
Pick up some impeccable cheese from Neal’s Yard Dairy, Italian cured meat from Alpine Deli, Seoul-style kimchi from Bermondsey Gut Kimchi, jars of premium olives from Borough Olives or banging chilli sauces from Funkee Foods. We advise coming hungry so you can make the most of all the little samples dotted around.
One recent TripAdvisor review of Borough Market read: ‘I had never been to Borough Market before and was instantly hooked. Anyone who has a love of “proper” food could spend hours here’. Another said: ‘This market is simply extraordinary! A continuous explosion of colours, scents and irresistible flavours that overwhelm you as you enter. There are foods from all over the world, with spectacular stalls offering cheeses, truffles, cold cuts and specialities of all kinds.’
Seven of the UK’s top-rated shopping destinations on TripAdvisor are here in London, including Covent Garden, Harrods and Portobello Road Market. Read on for the full list.
The UK’s best shopping destinations, according to Trip Advisor reviews
- Borough Market, London
- Covent Garden, London
- Camden Market, London
- Harrods, London
- Portobello Road Market, London
- The Trafford Centre, Manchester
- Fortnum and Mason, London
- Bicester Village, Oxfordshire
- Westfield White City, London
- Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, Cheshire
Discover Time Out’s list of the 50 best shops in London here.
ICYMI: This major north London shopping and dining hub is getting three new retailers.
Plus: the City is getting a food market right next to the new London Museum.
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