Harrods

England's most famous department store.

Owned by eponymous Egyptian entrepreneur Mohamed Al-Fayed, Britain's most iconic shop features on many tourists’ “must-see” lists - and with good reason. “Omnia Omnibus Ubique” – “All Things, For All People, Everywhere” is the motto of this world-famous attraction, which does its very best to live up to its promise, providing customers with anything their hearts’ desire. Its humble beginnings date back to 1849, when tea merchant Charles Henry Harrod opened a small grocery shop in the East End that emphasised impeccable service over value. Today, the mammoth store occupies a 4.5 acre site in London's fashionable Knightsbridge and boasts a phenomenal range of products from pianos and cooking pans to pets and perfumery. The food hall is ostentatious to the core and mouth-wateringly exotic, and the store as a whole is well served with restaurants. At Christmas time, Harrods boasts an enchanting Santa's Grotto for the kids and an extensive range of festive decorations. The summer and winter sales are calendar events in the shopping year, and although both sales are extremely crowded there are some great bargains on offer. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, a couple of hours wandering around this shoppers’ paradise taking in all of the exotic, extravagant and extraordinary items is a fascinating pursuit. Don’t miss the Room of Luxury on the ground floor. This place is so posh there’s even a pedestrian tunnel that leads straight from the Tube platform at Kensington to the shop’s entrance. How convenient is that?

Best for:
Dior to Dolce, fashion and food, sales, selection and celebrity.

Did you know?
There is a life-sized statue of Dodi Fayed and Princess Diana at Door 3 and a memorial by the Egyptian escalators.