What to Buy in London to Remember Your Vacation

1. Tea and biscuits

Is there anything more British than tea and biscuits? If you are looking for a souvenir to take home with you this may be the one. And, as most Londoners will tell you, the best place to get your tea and biscuits is Fortnum & Mason’s. This British department store opened in 1707 and they pride themselves on selling the best biscuits. For anyone who is not familiar with English biscuits, they are crisp cookies, usually a shortbread, to which you can add just about anything. Fortnum & Mason’s make theirs with the finest ingredients and they ship the purchase anywhere you like. They also have a full range of teas in loose leaf or bags.

Fortnum & Mason

Address: 181 Piccadilly, London

Hours of operation: Mon-Sat 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Sun 12:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Website:Fortnum & Mason

2. Monmouth coffee

If you prefer coffee to tea, you can find some of the best coffee at Monmouth Coffee Company. They started fire roasting their beans in the basement of their first shop back in 1978. Now they have three coffee houses and shops located around London. Their buyers travel the globe sourcing the best coffee beans and varietal sources so they can create a beverage that is smooth and delicious. Make sure you give yourself some time when visiting any of their outlets as there will be a queue, but don’t worry, it’s worth it. You will find made-for-you coffee drinks along with bagged beans to take home.

Monmouth Coffee Company

Address: Arch 3, Discovery Estate, St James’s Road, London SE16 4RA

Hours of operation: Mon-Sat 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Website: Monmouth Coffee Company

3. Umbrella from James Smith & Sons

London has a reputation when it comes to rain and fog. That is why you will see umbrellas being carried by almost everyone. If you want to own a piece of this city then head over to James Smith & Sons Ltd. They have been making handmade umbrellas and walking sticks since 1830. Many of their umbrellas are so lovely that they are carried as more of a fashion accessory than a deterrent to the weather. The most popular umbrellas are made from a single piece of wood and are finished according to your height, so they make a great walking stick when it is not raining. You will find umbrellas for rain and sun for both men and women.

James Smith & Sons Ltd.

Address: Hazelwood House, 53 New Oxford Street, London

Hours of operation: Mon - Fri 10:00 AM - 5:45 PM, Sat 10:00 AM - 5:15 PM

Website: James Smith & Sons

4. House of Commons notebook

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

What better way to keep track of your London adventures than with a genuine House of Commons notebook? These are the same notebooks used by members of Parliament. If you happen to be visiting the House of Parliament during your London vacation then you can find these in their souvenir shop. They also have diaries, stationery, clothing and even housewares in their store. So you might be able to find a great souvenir for someone waiting at home for you to return.

Houses of Parliament Shop

Address: 12 Bridge Street, Parliament Square, London

Hours of operation: Mon - Fri 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Sat 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Website: Houses of Parliament Shop

5. A hat from Lock & Co. Hatters

Just like an umbrella is a fashion statement in London, so are hats. If you are going to buy a hat then you need to visit Lock & Co. Hatters, they have been a London institution since the 1600s. The shop was first opened by Robert Davis who created hats for England’s finest families. Today, Lock & Co. designs and makes hats for men and women. You can schedule an appointment where they will take your measurements to ensure your hat fits you properly. You will find hats designed for everyday wear and creations for special occasions. They make everything from Fedoras to baseball hats, and berets to beanies.

Lock & Co Hatters

Address: 6 St. James’s Street, London

Hours of operation: Mon - Fri 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM, Sat 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Website: Lock & Co Hatters

6. Magic wand from The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾

Muggles, witches, and wizards alike will love shopping for a magic wand at The Harry Potter Shop. Fans of J.K. Rowling’s books and the hit movies will be awed by the array of items you can find here. They sell everything a witch or wizard needs, including wands, jewellery, toys, clothing and the infamous confectionery items like the chocolate frogs. You can purchase a magic wand just like your favourite character’s, they have them all including Voldemort’s and Harry’s. All of the wands come packaged in an Olivander box to store it in.

The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4

Address: 42-50 York Way, Kings Cross, London

Hours of operation: Mon - Sat 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM, Sun 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Website: The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾

7. London’s Scent: Jo Malone

Jo Malone was created in 1994 and started with just a few scents, they were distinctly British in style. Today, you can find some unique fragrance pairings for both men and women and your home. Everything from Jo Malone comes in a signature box ready for gift giving. What Sets Jo Malone London apart from other perfumers is their distinct style of blending simplicity with a touch of whimsy and a dash of sophistication. You can pick up a bottle of cologne or try one of the products in their bath and body or skin care lines. You can also schedule an appointment for their Tasting Bar where they will help you to create a unique fragrance that is all yours. You can find a number of boutiques around London but the most coveted one is located in Covent Garden.

Jo Malone London

Address: Covent Garden, 11a King Street, London

Hours of operation:: Mon-Sat 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Website: Jo Malone London

8. Big Ben souvenirs

Certain symbols represent London, like the red phone booths, double-decker buses, and Big Ben. Originally the name Big Ben was given to the bell that sits atop the Elizabeth Tower, but over the years the name came to represent the complete structure. The clock tower is located on the north side of the Houses of Parliament and has long been a tourist attraction. Normally, you could take a tour of the tower and see the huge bell, but Big Ben is undergoing needed repairs and is closed until some time in 2021. But very few souvenirs represent London like this iconic structure. You will find a number of souvenir shops are the city that sells everything from snow globes to key chains that represent Big Ben.

Lambert Souvenirs

Address: 3 Whitehall, Westminster, London

Hours of operation: Sun-Sat 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Website: Lambert Souvenirs

9. Buckingham Palace souvenirs

Probably the most visited location in London is the Buckingham Palace. You can’t make a trip to London and not go to see the palace guards, and maybe try to make them smile. The palace is open to the public during most of the summer when the Queen isn’t in residence. You can book a tour to see many of the elegant staterooms and the gardens. When it comes to picking up a souvenir to remember your visit to the palace, there is a shop on the premises. Many of the souvenirs inside are based on the royal art collection and they have some darling Corgi replicas in the toy section.

Royal Collection Shop

Address: Westminster, London

Hours of operation: Mon - Fri 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Website: Royal Collection Shop

10. Cadbury chocolates

If you are in London, do not give Cadbury World a miss. It is not located within the city, but it is worth the two and a half hours’ drive via M40 to Birmingham in the Midlands. It all began in a grocer’s shop back in 1824, where John Cadbury would create his own chocolate and cocoa drinks. They opened their first manufacturing plant in 1831. In the beginning, they made cocoas and drinking chocolates and introduced one of the first chocolate bars in 1875. This was also the first year that their famous Cadbury eggs were introduced for Easter. Today you can find these delicious chocolates on every continent, but while you are in London you should visit Cadbury World. An interesting and fun attraction that includes virtual reality rides and a shop selling their delicious chocolate treats.

Cadbury World

Address: Linden Rd, Birmingham, about 2 hours 20 minutes’ drive from London

Hours of operation: Mon - Fri: 10 AM - 3 PM; Sat - Sun: 9 AM - 4:30 PM

Website: Cadbury World

Every vacation needs to include some shopping

Pictures are the best way to remember the fun you had, and the sights you’ve seen, while on vacation. But the next best thing is a souvenir that reminds you of the places you’ve been. These are the best reminders of your time in London, buy one for you, and one for someone special waiting back home.