Best unique, unusual and specialist shops in London

Find unique gifts and quirky souvenirs at the best unusual shops in London.
Exterior of Hoxton Street Monster Supplies, London.
Shop the spooky stock at Hoxton Street Monster Supplies. Image courtesy of Hoxton Street Monster Supplies.

Search for one-of-a-kind gifts, quirky jewellery and other unusual items in London's specialist shops.

The capital has a huge range of independent shops, specialist boutiques and quirky markets to explore, so there's never a dull moment while shopping in London

Cyberdog

Get rave-ready at Cyberdog, a club lover's shopping haven in Camden Stables Market.

Cyberdog stocks everything needed for an all-night party, with fluorescent, futuristic and LED-covered clothes and accessories galore. The pumping sound system means shoppers can hear Cyberdog before they see it.

Dover Street Market

Step into Dover Street Market, which is part retail store and part gallery, to discover fashion that is as much art as it is clothing.

Developed by Rei Kawakubo and her husband, Comme des Garçons president Adrian Joffe, Dover Street Market is a high-fashion concept store that's worth a visit just to experience the unique installations from top fashion brands.

The entire store changes design twice a year, so repeat visits are often a new experience.

Alice Through the Looking Glass

Exterior of Alice Through The Looking Glass in London.

Tumble down the rabbit hole in Cecil Court and enter Alice Through The Looking Glass, a treasure trove of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland-themed items.

With collectibles from illustrated chess boards to Victorian top hats and early editions of the Alice books, this curious shop is well worth a visit.

Hoxton Street Monster Supplies

Hoxton Street Monster Supplies in Shoreditch has supplied the monsters of east London (and the rest of the world) with everything they need, from tinned fear to cubes of ear wax and even neck bolt tighteners, since 1818.

The products are available to humans too, who are welcome to browse and buy the strange stock.

James Smith & Sons

Protect yourself from the unpredictable elements in style after a shopping trip to James Smith & Sons.

Near the theatre district in London's West End, this family-owned shop opened in 1867 and has sold hand-crafted 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.

Moomin Shop

Love the Moomins and all things Scandinavian? Visit the Moomin family's very own London shops.

Head to the Covent Garden branch for toys, books and more displayed in blue Moomin "houses" or find another branch in Camden Market with high-end homeware laid out in a clean Scandinavian design.

Serious fans of Moomintroll are spoilt for choice, with rare memorabilia for sale, including prints of the original illustrations.

Persepolis

Try a taste of Persia at Persepolis. This Iranian delicatessen and shop stocks a wide range of foodstuffs and handicrafts.

Browse an array of Iranian specialities, including pastries, sweets, spices, teas, yoghurts and cheeses. The shop also sells homeware, from china and rugs to hookahs and cookery books.

Japan House London

A selection of Japanese objects for sale at Japan House London, including stationary, tableware and furniture.

Take your pick from the many Japanese-designed objects on offer at Japan House London, a whole building dedicated to Japanese culture.

Find the latest technology, discover past and present Japanese literature, and hunt down quirky accessories, stylish stationery, and authentic tableware.

Tatty Devine

Shop at Tatty Devine, an independent British company designing and micro-manufacturing original jewellery.

Look out for its cool name necklaces and fox brooches or accessorise with a moustache necklace.

Choosing and Keeping

Choosing and Keeping in Seven Dials is London’s most beautifully styled stationery shop. The tables inside are adorned with hand-bound journals.

Japanese wrapping papers are mounted on the walls alongside reels of colourful washi tapes. Get expert advice on calligraphy pens and inks and buy decorative paperweights, which make ideal gifts.

Columbia Road Market

Though the street is best known on Sundays as the vibrant Columbia Road Flower Market, it is also home to more than 50 unique independent shops that sell homeware, gifts and more.

Milagros is a Mexican shop stocking handmade crafts, shrines and tin decorations. Nom Living specialises in artisan ceramics made in south-east Asia.

Not Just A Shop

Not Just A Shop, University of Arts London

Discover up-and-coming talent at Not Just a Shop, and you could find yourself owning a prized original piece from a famous designer one day.

This shop stocks art and homeware designed exclusively by students from the University of the Arts London, which supports artists early in their careers.

What is the name of the most luxurious shop in London?

Harrods is the most luxurious shop in London. This Knightsbridge department store is the number one shopping spot for visitors to the capital. Harrods is renowned for its world-class customer service and expertly curated goods.

Browse more than 3000 of the world’s finest brands at Harrods, from fashion and furniture to art and antiques.

The store draws in more than 100,000 visitors a day. Many come not only to shop but also to appreciate the store’s architecture, which features Egyptian-themed staircases, Art Nouveau windows and mosaic floors.

Connoisseurs of fine foods should visit Harrods Food Hall. Try snacks at the deli counter and listen for a bell signalling the arrival of fresh bread in the bakery.

Create a personalised tea blend under the guidance of the Tea Tailor or treat yourself at the delicious Chocolate Hall.

Stop by Harrods' own concession for branded merchandise. Popular gifts are Harrods teddy bears and miniature model cars in the store's signature green and gold colours.

What are the fancy British shops?

London is home to quintessential British department stores that can't be found anywhere else in the world. These fancy British shops include Liberty London and Fortnum & Mason.

The most beautiful shop in the capital, Liberty London has a striking exterior with a black and white mock Tudor facade. Browse six floors of boutiques inside the Grade II-listed mansion.

Special services include tailoring and a dog grooming parlour for pets. But don’t let them have all the fun: book a pampering beauty treatment for yourself too.

The most iconic product at Liberty London is its printed fabrics. Designed in-house, these fabrics celebrate the Art Nouveau movement and typically feature floral motifs.

Fortnum & Mason has boutiques at St Pancras International Station and Terminal 5 of London Heathrow Airport, but the original Fortnum & Mason store in Piccadilly is the only full department store, opened in 1702.

Fortnum & Mason's famous Food Hall stocks fine foods and speciality products. It’s a traditional place to shop at Christmas when the store is transformed with dazzling decorations.

Find more unique shops in London with these guides to the best British designers and top vintage fashion.