Shopping

London boasts many diverse shopping areas, each with its own character and specialities, including some of the world's finest department stores. You’ll find the highest quality fashion, cosmetics and furnishings in every one. There's Selfridges, a must-see, must-have palace for the label-conscious, Harrods, where the food hall is simply breathtaking, Harvey Nichols with its legendary sales, Liberty where tradition blends with cutting-edge design, and Fortnum & Mason, a little piece of living history. In addition, there is a huge choice of small specialist establishments, from fine art galleries to tiny craft shops. With its wealth of history, London is a superb place to source art and antiques. Search for those extra-special pieces in Bond Street and Kensington Church Street, or browse the markets of Portobello and Bermondsey for hidden gems.

Eating Out

English cooking is superb and there are some restaurants specialising in traditional authentic English dishes. For those who want variety, London and the larger cities offer every type of ethnic food imaginable, Indian and Chinese being particularly popular and good value for money. The British pub is nothing short of a national institution and even the smallest village in the remotest corner of the country will usually have at least one. There are probably as many beers in England as there are cheeses in France. Wine bars and cocktail bars are now common in the larger cities and towns, with the latter often having a 'happy hour' (when prices are reduced) in the early evening.

By Frasers Hospitality