Best London Shopping?

I’ve also eaten at the Swan and it was excellent. Fifty dollars isn’t bad for a high end tea, especially with that view. I’ve done the Dorchester a couple of times, won as a freebie once. Seriously not cheap but you waddle out and the service is divine.

This place is brilliant. I go to Wilton’s Music Hall sometimes and eat here. Local families again, terrific Turkish food. Not expensive either.

https://efeswhitechapel.co.uk/

 

Tour of the Globe from Mark Rylance- wow ! Strangely enough I was only marginally aware of him until we saw 'Bridge of Spies'-he was a true revelation.
We got tickets to John Lithgow in 'Giant' at the Royal Court Theater-$40 or $50.It's a heck of a city.
Here's a pic of our room near the Millennium Bridge-St.Pauls is 5 min or so to the right,Southwark to the left (across the bridge). This is shot thru the window.

 

Thank you all so much for all the suggestions! I really appreciate your thoughfulness. A lot is up in the air still as I'm conducting interviews for an event and they all still need scheduling, but so far I'm trying to visit Alfie's, the Junk Shop, and Westfield Stratford. I'll probably go down to canary warf with friends. Wish I could do more but work is work!

I have some finds to show you all from the cotswolds last weekend, when I find some time I'll show you the goodies.

 

This was relatively early in his career, when he was well known in Shakespeare circles but not outside. He’s a really nice bloke. Totally bonkers, and lovely.

 

If you get to Canary Wharf, pop into the Museum of London Docklands, which is open even though the main is closed. It’s fascinating about the river.

I’d forgotten the Junk Shop, which is also bonkers. Fun.

 

If I've got a bit of time I'll use the cable car over the river to get to the junk shop. Should be fun! Thanks for the tip on the museum

 

The cable car is great. Some years ago, they branded it to coincide with the launch of a new Thunderbirds series. The really nice ticket bloke was so vastly amused at this slightly older woman squealing with sheer joy that he gave me two more round trip rides for free!

I literally watched Canary Wharf being built. Only problem was every time I went down there, they’d moved the flaming roads around. It was the one time I had a black cabbie get lost. His language was something to hear, poor man.

 

You could check out the local press for any weekend jumbles, carboot or flea markets. That’s what I would do if I was visiting anywhere.

 

Good idea! I will do so

 

5 years ago pre-Covid Uber was a lot cheaper than the black cabs,a few months ago the prices (certain cases) were a lot closer.
PS-If you wanna hear some picturesque London slang ride w/ a seasoned black cabbie during rush hour-some mighty spicy patter !

 

I was in a black cab once when the car in front caught fire. Yeah, interesting language!

there’s a retro fair in Enfield that weekend, car boot sales at Hillingdon and Bushey as well as bishops Stortford. I think the Giant London Flea might be on, or Hackney but those are both spendy. Decent table top on the 7th at Ashford, but that’s too far.

 

There’s also a new car boot sale at Greenwich, but I’ve no idea if it’s any good.

 

How about Spitalfields indoor market? It's about 7 miles from Victoria Dock but easy to get to by train - would take about 35 minutes. Nearby is Brick Lane which has some quirky vintage shops plus a street market & also another at the Truman Brewery but you'd need to check which days they were on.
There are loads of great places to eat around Vic Dock and you could try the Sunborn Yacht Hotel for a superb afternoon tea.

 

Speaking of London antique shops-my sweetie (just this second) spotted this in a UK detective show she was watching on BritBox (?!)- Alfie's Antique Market,Church St,London.
One of the biggest malls in London i hear.

 

I love Alfie’s. It’s proper.

Spitalfields is a fun place to go but it’s very trendy spendy. Silly prices. Brick Lane is THE place for serious Bangladeshi, Pakistani and such food. Yum.

 

I could spend a month (or more ) in London eating Mid-eastern cuisine.Actually spending a week in Earl's Court the amount of Middle Eastern folks we met was mind-blowing-our hotel was all pillows and incense !
Great and friendly staff.
PS- Always get Spitalfield's mixed up with Smithfield.I do know one was where Braveheart was 'drawn & quartered',but was not (ie: 'Spit'-alfield) put on a spit and roasted !