London Shops: Unique, Unusual and Specialist Shops in London
If you're shopping for something unique or unusual, London is the right place to be!
London is full of specialist boutiques, quirky markets and funky shops. From The Beatles Store to the Christmas Shop, Forbidden Planet to Junky Styling, you'll find unusual gifts, souvenirs and fashion in London's specialist shops.
Whatever you're after, you can guarantee someone, somewhere will stock it!
The Beatles Store
A fan of the Fab Four? Be sure to visit The Beatles Store on Baker Street. A shrine to all things Beatles related, it stocks T-shirts, posters, mugs and records as well as original 60s memorabilia. For more Beatles treasures, there's also BeatlesYeahYeahYeah – a market stall in Portobello Road Market on Fridays and Saturdays.
Cornelissen & Son
Known throughout the world as a niche supplier of art materials, Cornelissen & Son has been an art lover's treasure trove since 1855. Inside it feels like very little has changed since then and it's worth a visit just to get a glimpse of the unique interior. Once there you can browse through the huge selection of paints including oils, watercolours, and pastels as well as drawing materials.
Cybercandy
If you've got a sugar craving, Cybercandy is the place for you. A shopping paradise for anyone who loves sweets, Cybercandy stocks a huge range of confectionery, including limited editions and rare sweet treats from all over the world in its four London stores: in Covent Garden, Islington, Camden Town East Yard, and Shoreditch Boxpark. It's enough to satisfy even the most insatiable sugar addict.
Duke of Uke
Yes, this really is a whole shop dedicated to the humble ukulele, although it sells banjos, harmonicas and accessories too. The Duke of Uke has a rehearsal room and recording studio in the basement, and it's worth popping in just to catch one of the spontaneous concerts or impromptu ukulele solos regularly given by customers.
Forbidden Planet
A cult entertainment megastore, Forbidden Planet is London's largest science fiction shop. Comics, action figures, graphic novels and collectables from cult films and TV... you'll find them all here. It's seventh heaven for sci-fi fans and a must for anyone who loves Star Wars. Even if you're not a sci-fi junkie, it's worth a look.
James Smith & Sons
Equip yourself for London's unpredictable weather at James Smith & Sons. This family-owned shop opened in 1867 and has been hand-crafting umbrellas and walking sticks ever since. Housed in a Grade II-listed building, the shop is a work of art in itself and well worth a visit come rain or shine.
Junky Styling
Everything in Junky Styling on Brick Lane started life as second hand clothing and has since been deconstructed, re-cut and completely transformed into a new product. It's the perfect place to pick up truly original, unique clothes. You can also take in your own old clothes for a hip makeover. Junky Styling's outfits even featured on an episode of BBC TV show The Apprentice.
The Moomin Shop
The Moomin family now have their very own shop in Covent Garden. Inside, you can buy books, toys and merchandise, all displayed in little blue Moomin "houses", with all sorts of goodies to tempt young and old. Serious fans of Moomintroll, his family and friends are spoilt for choice, too, with rare memorabilia and limited-edition items for sale, including prints of the original illustrations.
VX (Vee Cross): Vegan Boutique
Vegans walk this way – VX caters for your every need, selling everything from 100% vegan shoes and belts to delicious cupcakes! There's a downstairs lounge where you can drink tasty milkshakes, and VX is also official headquarters of the Secret Society of Vegans, so there's a wide selection of SSoV merchandise and clothing.