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101 BEST SOUVENIRS FROM LONDON & WHERE TO FIND THEM!

INSIDE: Roam the Gnome’s COMPLETE Guide to ALL the Best souvenirs from London UK.

Wondering what to buy in London or need London gift ideas for family and friends?

Want to know “what are the best things to buy in London for kids?”, or find some insider information on the best London tourist shops that won’t break your bank?

Check this guide to:

  • the best places to go shopping in London
  •  the famous stores in London
  • where to buy Buckingham Palace Royal souvenirs
  • the posh shops in London for those who love one of a kind designer goods
  • the elegant and most beautiful shopping arcades in London, and
  • where to go Christmas shopping in London.

Take a look.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, we may receive a small commission at NO extra cost to you.

london souvenir shop picadilly circus by garry knight

Image credit: Garry Knight via Flickr CC BY-2.0

The 101 Best London Souvenirs & Gifts for Family and Friends

Correct at time of publication on Roam the Gnome. Please check with venue for updates. We apologise in advance if there have been any changes we are unaware of. All prices in British pounds, unless otherwise stated

Here’s our tips on the best London shopping destinations including our favourite shops, and markets in London.

We’ve organised the list of London gift shops by category. Click the headings in the contents box to go straight to a particular topic, or scroll the list from top to bottom. 

First up though, a quick overview of the main shopping areas in London.

oxford circus by michiel jelijs

Image credit: Michiel Jelijs via Flickr CC BY-2.0

THE BEST SHOPPING IN LONDON

Click here for our guide to the BEST LONDON SHOPPING AREAS.

And then, take a look at our London Shopping map where you can see these shopping areas in London marked for you.

harrods at night 2019

THE 11 MOST FAMOUS STORES IN LONDON

Do take a peek at these famous shops in London.

You’ll find LOTS of the best London souvenirs, all happily curated and styled for you, right here. 

A visit to any of these stores is a good start to building your pile of the best London souvenirs to take home. 

No.1: Harrods London

Harrods Department Store – the must do shop in London.

No.2: Selfridges

Chain of high-end department stores in the United Kingdom

No.3: Marks and Spencer

 major British retailer priding itself on quality clothes, underwear, and gourmet food

No.4: Burberry

Luxe British fashion house most famous for their trench coats, as worn by Kate Moss

No.5: Liberty London

The grand Heritage-listed building on Regent Street is home to luxe homewares and a very famous fabric collection

No.6: Fortnum and Mason

Another gorgeous British department store not to miss.

No.7: Hamleys Toy Shop London

Hamleys Toy Store is the biggest toy store in London on Regent Street

No.8: Daunt Books

Probably the most beautiful book shop in England, if not the world, with skylights and panelled oak wood furnishings

No.9: James Smith & Sons

Seller of umbrellas, parasols and walking sticks.

Come to take a look at the Victorian shop building and pick up great souvenirs.

No.10: Buckingham Palace Shop

Buckingham Palace Gift Shop is the place to buy OFFICIAL Royal gifts and souvenirs! 

No.11: Boots chemist London.

I know, strange to add a chemist, but this chain of chemists is a British stalwart.

London with kids -harrods gold bar pic

4 VERY FAMOUS THINGS TO BUY IN LONDON

No.1: Harrods souvenirs

The most Famous London souvenirs are:

No.2: Anything featuring these London icons

  • Black Cab
  • London Red Doubledecker Bus
  • Royal London post box
  • Classic UK red telephone boxes
  • Big Ben
  • London Eye wheel
  • London Royal Guardsman, and
  • London Bobbies (London policemen).

For example, Die-cast vehicles: a London Black Cab, a London Red Bus figurine, or a pull-back die cast London Bus toy

Or, London bus keyrings

Or, plush Teddy bears dressed up in a London Royal Guardsman costume with a bearskin hat, or British policeman uniform.

Or, London landmarks in miniature form – Big Ben, London Eye, Westminster Palace, Buckingham Palace

No.3: Fun Souvenirs London Style!

  • London Red Postbox ornaments or money boxes
  • Union Jack flags
  • London souvenir t-shirt with the London Underground map
  • Sunglasses case with London Tube Roundels on it
  • Homewares & fashion featuring iconic moquette designs from the London underground trains upholstery 
  • Classic Paddington Bear soft toys 

chelsea football club

Image credit: Tomofumi Kitano

No.4: London Football Souvenirs (Soccer)

Want to know where to buy official football t-shirts for London football teams, and associated paraphernalia?

These are cool souvenirs from London UK for the boys and men in your life.

  • Official soccer shirts, jerseys, socks, gloves
  • Football mugs
  • Caps and beanies
  • Soccer balls
  • Water bottles
  • Jewellery, Sunglasses
  • Signed memorabilia
  • Stationery, , keyrings, phone accessories
  • Baby onesies, baby dummies, baby bottles
  • Limited edition Soccer Starz figurines & collectibles

sports-direct-london

Image credit: Richard Cuint 

Visit these sports shops in London

  • Adidas (Chelsea) or Nike (Arsenal) shops on Oxford street
  • Sports Direct, Oxford street or Piccadilly Circus
  • Soccer Scene, on Oxford Street
  • Sport World, near Tottenham court road end

No.1: Lillywhites store

Lillywhites has 3 floors of sports gear, and is the best on the budget.

London soccer teams include:

  • Manchester United
  • Arsenal
  • Chelsea
  • Liverpool F.C
  • Tottenham
  • Real Madrid
  • Tottenham Spurs

arsenal station by ronnie macdonald

Image credit: Ronnie MacDonald via Flickr CC BY-2.0

No.2: Arsenal Football Club Shop

Club shops sell their own club shirts and all the branded souvenirs too.

The main Arsenal Football Club shop is at the Armoury, Emirates Stadium, at 75 Drayton Park, London N5 1BU.

It’s open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 6pm, and Sunday 10-4pm.

Click here for details. 

No.3: Chelsea FC Megastore

The Chelsea Megastore is situated right at the heart of Stamford Bridge on Fulham Road, London and has over 12,500 square feet of space, distributed throughout two floors, dedicated to all things Chelsea.

They sell training wear, footwear, mugs, scarves and more.

The Chelsea FC megastore is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 7pm, and 11am to 5pm Sunday.

harry potter luggage trolley at platform 9 by florian bieser

Image credit: Florian Bieser via Flickr CC BY-1.0

26 BEST HARRY POTTER SOUVENIRS

Visit The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4 Kings Cross Station

Do not miss the only place you need to go for Harry Potter gifts and souvenirs – the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4.

Grab that all important pic with the luggage trolley at Platform 9 3/4 at the Harry Potter Shop in London.

Professional photographers are on hand and you can purchase the photo in store.

Store and photographers hours are:

  • Monday – Saturday 8am – 10pm
  • Sunday 9am – 9pm, and
  • Bank holidays 9am – 10pm

Please note, the trolley photo opportunity closes 30 minutes before the rest of the store.

harry potter merchandise 800

No.1: Best Harry Potter Merchandise 

Head in store to pick up all your Harry Potter gifts for kids.

Here’s some of the things you’ll find.

  • Platform 9 3/4 keyring and ticket
  • A Harry Potter cloak
  • Harry Potter wands in an Ollivanders Box
  • Hermione Granger’s wand in Ollivanders box
  • Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit game, Harry Potter Monopoly, Harry Potter UNO, or the World of Harry Potter Cluedo game
  • Hogwarts Playing cards
  • Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall LEGO building set
  • Golden snitch pin badge
  • Personalised Hogwarts Acceptance Letter
  • Invisibility coat
  • Harry Potter books
  • Harry Potter charms
  • Harry Potter funko plush dolls
  • Chocolate Frog mould

bertie botts every flavour beans 800

No.2: Best Souvenirs from London for Kids from Harry Potter

  • Harry Potter pajamas & Harry Potter bedding
  • Hedwig plush owl toy
  • Harry Potter colouring books, puzzles, and posters
  • Gryffindor scarf, house tie, and knitted hat, or
  • Gryffindor Quiddith sweater

Or choose the same combo from Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff houses.

No.3: Harry Potter lollies

For those on a budget, the Harry Potter confectionery is fun.

Try:

  • Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans
  • a bag of Gringotts Galleons chocolate coins, or
  • Harry Potter jelly slugs.

harry potter shop at kings cross station by wei te wong

Image credit: Wei-Te Wong via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

How to get to the Harry Potter Shop London

Address of the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4:  Kings Cross Station, Kings Cross, London N1 9AP

Directions of how to get to the Harry Potter Shop in London: Click here

There’s also a Harry Potter shop outlet at:

  • Heathrow Terminal 5, and
  • Gatwick North Terminal.

the making of harry potter warner bros studio tour by karen roe

Image credit: Karen Roe via Flickr CC BY-2.0

Hot tip: Harry Potter Studio Tour

Take a trip into movie magic, with an enchanting full-day Warner Brothers Harry Potter tour of the Warner Brothers Studio, with coach transfers from London.

Go behind the scenes of the Harry Potter film sets to explore the enchanting props and costumes, and walk in the footsteps of your favorite characters.

Visit the Harry Potter studio shop for limited edition Harry Potter merchandise.

There’s also:

  • the Forbidden Forest shop full of forest themed HP souvenirs, and 
  • the Railway Shop where you can buy Harry Potter gifts including Harry Potter candy such as Peppermint Toads or a Chocolate Frog for your journey home.

If you have Harry Potter mad kids, don’t miss it.

It’s one of the most popular things to do in London with kids.


BOOK NOW: Click here to book Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tours & Transfers with Get Your Guide. 

cecil court london harry potter diagon alley street pic

SECRET HARRY POTTER SPOTS IN LONDON

Don’t miss Harry Potter Street London! 

Cecil court in London has the reputation for being the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter book series.

Nicknamed Booksellers Lane, the street is home to vintage book sellers, model makers, and antique stores.

It’s not hard to imagine.

It’s a charming narrow lane with uniform street frontages, and those old fashioned signs hanging from ornate holders out the front of each shop.

Do peep in the shop windows.

You never know what you might see here!


BOOK NOW: Magical London Walking Tour of all the famous sights from Harry Potter movies!

burberry trench coat by atomtetsuwan

Image credit: Atomtetsuwan via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

WHAT TO BUY IN LONDON? LONDON GIFT IDEAS FOR EVERYONE!

The best gifts from London are things that are instantly recognisable as being from this fabulous city.

Here’s a few more ideas for you.

BEST SOUVENIRS FROM LONDON ENGLAND

No.1: Best London Clothing, Fashion & Beauty goods 

Here’s a list of key pieces for your London wardrobe & accessories range.

  • Burberry trench coatclassic wool blend, belted double-breasted coat in camel
  • Marks and Spencer underwear
  • M&S denim pieces, or a dress from their Spring collection
  • Stella McCartney – visit the Bruton Street flagship store for ready to wear clothes, sunglasses and fragrance
  • Paul Smith – Britain’s top designer features bold colours and designs. 
  • Victoria Beckham fashion for a beautiful classic fitted dress, accessories or eyewear
  • Union Jack flag cap
  • Vintage classic Spice Girls t-shirt, because you must!

tatty-devine-snoopy

Image credit: Tatty Devine

No.2: Best London Jewellery 

Liberty London has a range of elegant jewellery.

Try:

  • Links of London for their charm bracelets
  • Tatty Devine handmade jewellery, since 1999. The most fun jewellery range in London, made from perspex and brightly coloured. Their original name necklaces still rock. For the quirky girl in all of us.
  • Great Frog handmade jewellery, since 1972

aesop hand lotions by jay.tong

Image credit: Jay.Tong via Flickr CC BY-ND 2.0

No.3: Best London Skincare & Makeup Brands 

Keep your eyes out for these four popular London skincare brands:

1. The Rose Tree

2. Angela Langford Skincare

3. Bee Good, British bee products

4. Eve of St Agnes

Where to shop for skincare in London?

  • Charlotte Tilbury in Covent Garden
  • Fresh Cosmetics store in
  • Liberty London
  • Aesop Lamb’s Conduit Street or Notting Hill
  • Space NK Apothecary – shop for all the trending skin care and make up brands from the UK at one of their London stores
  • Marks and Spencer is your go-to for everyday skincare and make up brands too

nom-living

Image credit: Nom Living Instagram

No.4: Best British Home Decor & Homewares 

The top London souvenirs for design afficianados are homewares and home decor gifts.

Try these London homewares shops

No.1: Zara home

Gorgeous London homewares for all over the house.

Find them at 127-131 Regent St, Mayfair, London

No.2: Aria furniture store

Find them at Barnsbury Hall, 2B Barnsbury St, Islington, London

No.3: Smug

Our pick of the home decor shops to visit for cute handmade gifts and souvenirs from London

No.4: Nom Living

Another off-the-beaten-track homewares shop in London, filled with hand crafted beauty.

Find them 102 Columbia Rd, Bethnal Green, London

No.5: India Jane

The ultimate interiors shop, with a treasure trove of home accessories and good London souvenirs for fancy peeps.

Visit at 121 King’s Rd, Chelsea, London

No.6: Native & Co

Head to 116 Kensington Park Rd, Notting Hill, London, for wholesome and elegant Japanese home decor and accessories

image - london souvenirs to home from london knightsbridge bag

Hot tip:  To Home from London Souvenirs – collaboration with A Lady in London

Our newest London souvenir find is this collaboration between the style blogger, Julie from A Lady in London, and the duo Bianca and Nacho from the Creative Studio “To Home from London” 

These gorgeous London gifts feature colourful houses from the most beloved London suburbs, Kensington, Chelsea, Notting Hill and Knightsbridge, drawn in the signature watercolour-style.

image - london souvenirs coasters by to london from home

Featuring Famous London suburbs

You can purchase:

  • Eco bags made from recycled plastic bottles (the fabric is lightweight, and silky to touch!) 
  • table coasters in the four designs – these have a magnetic layer on the back so you can pop them on the fridge as artwork too (and safekeeping)
  • gorgeous ceramic mugs (dishwasher and microwave safe )

image - to home from london souvenirs bag & coasters

MORE To Home From London souvenirs 

To Home from London have other cool London souvenirs featuring their take on:

  • iconic British icons
  • British rockers
  • Harry Potter
  • Spice Girls
  • the Beatles
  • famous London landmarks
  • official transport for London
  • British sports
  • British food and drinks
  • British slangs, and
  • the Royal Family. 

Find:

  • magnetic coasters and placemats and chopping boards
  • mugs
  • tote bags
  • cushions and prints
  • stickers, greeting cards, and postcards
  • gift cards
  • patches, pins and badges 

marks-and-spencer-kitchenware

Image credit: Gumtree

No.5: Best London Kitchenware

Visit these London kitchenware stores for ALL the kitchen, baking and cooking supplies, chef’s knives, and knick knacks.  You’ll find the best gifts for foodies in London here.

No.1: Pro Cook

Stop in at Unit 52 London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley

No.2: Borough Kitchen Cook Shop

Find it at the awesome Borough Market, the oldest food market in London.

16 Borough High St, London

No.3: David Mellor Marylebone

For those who love good design as well as wholesome kitchenware.

14 New Cavendish St, Marylebone, London

PIN best london souvenirs

No.4: Le Creuset

Find it at 54 Ledbury Rd, Notting Hill, London.

Yes, Le Creuset is a French brand, but you can’t miss this rainbow coloured collection of cups, teapots, salt and pepper shakers, dishes, and cookware.

It’s so cute.

No.5: More Kitchenware in London

You can also shop for kitchenware in John Lewis, Liberty London, and Marks and Spencer for all things British.

The best kitchenware to buy in London are:

  • UK tea towels
  • chopping boards
  • oven gloves
  • aprons
  • cutlery
  • glassware
  • table linen
  • accessories
  • roasting pans
  • bakeware, and
  • kitchen storage.

big ben london by eric huybrechts

Image credit: Eric Huybrechts via Flickr CC BY-ND 2.0

No.6: Best London Ornaments & Figurines 

Find these in any London souvenir shop.

  • Diecast model of Big Ben
  • Diecast model of a Royal London Post Box
  • Diecast model of the London Eye
  • Diecast vehicles – London Red Double Decker Bus, or a London Black Cab

image - buckingham palace shop

6 BEST LONDON SOUVENIR SHOPS WITH STYLE

Where to buy souvenirs in London?

The best souvenir shops in London for traditional British souvenirs and gifts are:

No.1: Fancy That of London

A lovely curated collection of British gifts & souvenirs for every budget.

48 Great Russell St, Holborn, London

No.2: Westminster Abbey Shop 

Shop for a range of Abbey inspired products and gifts – all sales support their work.

You’ll find spiritual gifts for the religious types, ties and cufflinks, tapestries, Westminster Abbey crystal wine glasses, silver or rose gold crown rings, elegant Royal Celebration crown tins or trays, AND curtains inspired by the designs in the abbey! 

Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3JS

No.3: Buckingham Palace shop.

This is a store for gifts inspired by the Queen’s art collection, including homeware, clothes, books and toys.

There’s even CORGI TOYS! 

7 Buckingham Palace Rd, Victoria, London SW1W 0PP

Pictured above. 

No.4: Cool Britannia 

25-27 Buckingham Palace Rd, Westminster, London SW1W 0PP

No.5: Metlo London Souvenirs

6 New Goulston St, Spitalfields, London.

Metlo London is our pick for budget souvenir shopping in London if you are heading to Brick Lane and Spitalfields markets anytime.

Their range of souvenirs from England will surprise you! 

image - london transport museum gift shop souvenirs

No.6: London Transport Museum Shop

Special mention! 

Here’s a special shop in London for cool souvenirs from London inlcluding London Underground pins, a set of four mugs, Christmas baubles from London, and Roundel tote bags. 

Take a sneak peek here, but the best stuff is in store.

Their range of iconic London posters, and their souvenirs made from the Moquette style of fabric used in the underground trains. 

The colours and pattern are unique to each underground line.

Grab a pair of Moquette socks or a cap at least

hamleys paddington bear pic

16 BEST LONDON SOUVENIRS FOR KIDS 

Here’s a list of cool things to buy in London for kids

  • Tweedledum and Tweedledee
  • Tiddlywinks game
  • Sherlock Holmes teddy bear
  • Harry Potter Quidditch Chess Set
  • Le Toy Van Harrods London Double Decker Bus
  • Peter Rabbit toy
  • Marvin’s Magic kits
  • LEGO London Bus
  • LEGO Architecture London
  • London Underground Edition of Monopoly
  • Thomas the Tank Engine Toys
  • Bob the Builder Toys
  • Silvercross The Knightsbridge Doll’s Pram
  • The Gruffalo toys
  • Harrods Teddy bears

Special mention: Cute Paddington Bear toys

The best souvenirs to buy in London for babies are Paddington Bear dolls.

Who doesn’t love Paddington bear?

Every child needs at least one in their soft toy collection.

You can find Paddington Bear:

  • in Harrods, and
  • Hamleys Toy Shop in London.

No.1: The Paddington Bear Shop in London

But the best place is to visit the Paddington Bear Shop in Paddington Station.

(While you are there, visit the Paddington Bear Statue, a tribute to Paddington Station’s appearance in the Paddington Movies)

image - benjamin pollocks toy shop london entrance

No.2: The 5 Best London Toy Shops

Visit these toy shops in London for classic British souvenirs for kids. 

madeline-in-london book pic

BEST LONDON KIDS BOOKS

Here’s a list of London kids books that make great gifts for kids.

You can also read these books before a trip to London to help kids get a feel of where they are going, understand a little of the history of London, and preview the London sights they will see.

  • Katie in London by James Mayhew
  • All Aboard the London Bus by Patricia Toht and Sam Usher (illustrator)
  • Maisy goes to London by Lucy Cousins
  • A walk in London by Salvatore Rubbino
  • Madeline in London by Ludwig Bemelmans
  • A Bear Called Paddington
  • Oliver Twist
  • The Story of London by Richard Brassey
  • The Ladybird Book of London
  • A Little Princess
  • This is London by Miroslav Sasek
  • The Hundred and One Dalmations
  • Charles Dickens, a Christmas Carol
  • Roald Dahl Matilda
  • The Queens Hat by Steve Atony

Discover Story Centre stratford pic

4 Best London Bookshops for Kids

The best bookshops in London to buy children’s books include:


RELATED: The 7 BEST CHILDREN’S BOOKSHOPS IN LONDON

britannical-london-coats-pic

Image credit: Britannical_London

BEST LONDON CHILDREN’S CLOTHING BRANDS

The best British clothing brands for children usually been in business for years and years, and they’ve built up a following of fans, obsessed with their fine cuts, stylish fabrics, hand crafted appeal, and dedication to good work and longevity. 

One of the best London kids brands is BRITANNICAL LONDON COATS, pictured above, drop dead gorgeous coats for wannabee royals.

Many adults covet a coat like this in adult size.

They are adorable.

leather sign by garry knight

Image credit: Garry Knight via Flickr CC BY-2.0

ART, CRAFT AND HANDMADE TREASURE SHOPPING IN LONDON

If you are looking to buy London gifts and souvenirs for your friends and family who love sewing, arts and crafts, painting, good design, and handmade treasures, you have come to the right place.

We LOVE handmade.

So we wrote a BIG LIST of where to go in London to find adorable and elegant handmade souvenirs.

Take a look at this guide of what to buy in London for arty crafty people who love good design. 

london christmas

Image credit: Kyle Taylor via Flickr CC BY 2.0

LONDON HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS FOR THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Our tip is to visit the National Gallery of London to discover their range of Christmas decorations featuring iconic British sights.

The Tate Modern is another place to try.

You can also visit these Christmas shops in London:

  • Harrods
  • Liberty London
  • Marks and Spencer
  • Selfridges
  • Fortnum and Mason

christmas markets in london roasted chestnuts pic by garry knight

Image credit: Garry Knight via Flickr CC BY 2.0

8 Best Christmas Markets in London

You can also scour these Christmas Markets in London:

  • Christmas by the River festive market, at London Bridge City
  • Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park
  • Christmas in Leicester Square
  • Camden Market’s Christmas
  • Southbank Centre Winter Festival and Christmas market
  • Greenwich Market at Christmas
  • Christmas at Canopy Market in Kings Cross
  • The Notting Hill Christmas Bazaar

london big breakfast by christian kadluba

Image credit: Christian Kadluba via Flickr CC BY 2.0

BEST FOOD SOUVENIRS FROM LONDON 

First up, take a look at the most popular food to eat in London. Then recreate these British feasts for family and friends at home by buying British food products as souvenirs. 

No.1: Popular London breakfasts

The most common London Breakfast Foods are:

  • The full English Breakfast with sausages, bacon, eggs, tomato, baked beans and toast, with brown sauce, or alternatively,
  • Eggs Benedict.

No.2: Popular British Lunch menu

A PLOUGHMAN’S LUNCH never fails to please a hungry Londoner at lunch either.

It’s a crusty ciabatta bread and butter roll, cheese, onion, hard boiled egg, ham, pickles, and tomato or fruit chutney.

It may be served like a tapas plate on a breadboard. 

A cheese and onion pasty, or a cornish pasty is not a bad choice either.

No.3: Popular British dinners

The most common British dinners are made up of meat and two veg. (or three veg if you include potato!)

Typically this is the Sunday Roast (including the delicious Yorkshire pudding bread), one of the most popular things to eat for dinner in London, both at home and down the pub.

But Chicken Tikka Masala is pretty common these days too.

You’ll find these dishes on a normal weekly dinner menu too:

  • Fish and chips
  • Steak and chips
  • Bangers and mash  (fried sausages with mashed potato)
  • Toad in the Hole (fried egg in the middle of a piece of bread)
  • Steak and Kidney pie
  • Shepherds pie (also called Cottage pie) – basically a sloppy, mince meat pie, with a potato crust topping

You can find ingredients to make all these meals in a London supermarket too. 
tesco london grocery store

5 BEST LONDON GROCERY STORES & THE BEST ENGLISH FOOD TO BUY

Visit a London supermarket to buy London food souvenirs, and London snacks to take home too.

The best London grocery stores to buy London products and foodstuffs are: 

  • Tesco
  • Costcutter Convenience Stores
  • Sainsburys
  • Waitrose
  • Marks & Spencer

hp sauce brown sauce by iain cameron flickr

Image credit: Ian Cameron via Flickr CC BY 2.0

No.1: UK Souvenirs from London in the Supermarket

The best things to buy in London for foodies in the pantry aisles are:

  • HP brown sauce
  • Yorkshire pudding mix
  • Bisto gravy mix
  • Walkers chips
  • Baxters Victorian chutney
  • Haywards Piccadilly pickle
  • Branston pickle (chutney)
  • Tinned mushy peas
  • Fairy washing up liquid
  • Treacle in a can

Pork pies are another typically British food, but no idea how you’d get them home.

the really quite good british cookbook

Image credit: The Really Quite Good British Cookbook

No.2: What to buy in London for foodies? London Cookbooks

Take your pick of these five London cookbooks so you can make famous London food at home. 

  1. The Really Quite Good British Cookbook by William Sitwell
  2. Jamie’s Great Britain
  3. The National Trust Book of Scones
  4. London Cookbook by Aleksandra Crapanzano
  5. Traditional Pub Grub: Recipes for Classic British Food

A British cookbook is one of the best London gifts that keeps on giving.

Especially if you are invited over to feast from the banquet!

british tea by tim regan

Image credit: Tim Regan via Flickr CC BY 2.0

No.3: English Tea Souvenirs

Where to buy tea in London?

Buy tea bags in London at Selfridges, Marks and Spencer, Waitrose and Tesco.

Find posh tea blends and elegant tea sets at Harrods food hall too. 

Look out for:

  • Gift Set of Three British Tea Tins
  • English Tea in a novelty London bus souvenir tin
  • Big Ben tea caddy
  • Typhoo tea
  • Yorkshire tea bags

Any friend would love a bottle of Pimms too!

monster munch

No.4: London Snack Souvenirs

Potato chips (crisps) in ALL the fabulous flavours!

  • NEW Marmite crisps.  Could you?
  • Walkers Roast chicken chips, cheese and onion chips, Worcester sauce, or the staple: salt and vinegar
  • REAL Handcooked Ham and English mustard
  • Kettle Chips – BBQ, Sea salt with crushed black peppercorns,
  • Smiths Crispy Bacon FRAZZLES
  • Chipsticks by Smiths
  • Pom Bears
  • Hula Hoops original, or BBQ beef
  • Wotsits, really cheesy corn snack
  • Nik Naks nice and spicy
  • Onion rings
  • Skips Tingly Prawn Cocktail
  • Pipers Crisp Co in sweet chilli

MONSTER MUNCH baked corn snack in pickled onion or roast beef flavour is another VERY popular London snack.

british candy by super_ziper

Image credit: Super Ziper via Flickr CC BY 2.0

No.5: Popular British Sweets & Lollies

These old British sweets and chocolates never lose their appeal with Londoners! 

A British sherbet fountain is a wee bit special, and would be our first choice of British lollies to try!

No.1: Soft sweets

  • Bassetts Jelly babies
  • Licorice allsorts
  • Wine gums
  • Mint imperials 
  • Sugar almonds 
  • Black Jacks
  • Refreshers lollies
  • Jelly beans
  • Fried egg gummy lollies
  • Drumsticks lollies
  • Rowntrees Fruit pastilles
  • Fizzy cola bottles
  • Rowntrees tooty frooties

No.2: Hard sweets

  • Boiled sweets
  • Swizzles Candy Love hearts
  • Rhubard custard drops
  • Pear drops
  • Aniseed balls
  • Mint humbugs
  • Fairy Satins candy
  • Rosey apples
  • Simpkins travel sweets in a tin
  • Rock candy, especially if you buy it on a UK seaside holiday mini break!

No.3: Toffee sweets

  • Highland toffee bars
  • Peanut brittle
  • Toffee bonbons
  • Walkers original toffee block

No.4: Sherbet

  • Sherbet Fountains
  • Flying saucers! (filled with sherbet)
  • Dib Dab sherbet dip
  • Fizzers 
  • Sherbet lemons
  • Swizzels double dip

image - hardys sweet shop london

Where to find the Best Sweet Shop London Style!

Visit these candy stores in London

No.1: Hardy’s Sweet Shop

Head to 52 Charing Cross Rd, Covent Garden to visit this shop full of British lolly selections. 

No.2: Kingdom of Sweets

Find this lolly shop in London at 7-14 Coventry St, West End, London W1D 7DH, United Kingdom

It’s very close to Picadilly Circus station. 

(There’s one in Oxford street, in Mayfair, Charing Cross, Soho, and more too)

hoxton street monster supplies

No.3: Hoxton Street Monster Supplies

Hoxton Street Monster Supplies sell gross-sounding candy edibles at 159 Hoxton St, Hackney, Greater London.

The only place in London to buy a jar of brain jam, or a box of cubed earwax treats!  Open Thursday and Friday, 1pm to 5pm, and Saturday 11am to 5pm.

m and m world london

No.4: M&M’s World Leicester Square

M&M’s World, Leicester Square.

Take a sneak peek.

More candy stores in London:

  • Hardys Original Sweetshop at 25 New Row, Covent Garden, London. (Plus lots of other locations.)  Buy all your traditional UK sweets at this traditional British sweetshop.
  • Sugar Sin at 1 Russell St, Covent Garden, London.
  • Kingdom of Sweets at 7-14 Coventry St, Piccadilly London. It’s in the very heart of central London on Coventry Street, between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square.

popular london chocolate bars

 

No.6: Best British chocolates

Buy these popular London Chocolate Bars. 

  • Milk Chocolate mice 
  • Cadbury Dairy Milk
  • Cadbury Flake chocolate
  • Cadbury double decker
  • Terry’s Chocolate Orange – a winner!
  • Lion Bar
  • Rolo bars
  • Turkish Delight
  • Fry’s Chocolate cream
  • Fry’s Peppermint cream
  • Wispa bar
  • Yorkie bar
  • Maltesers
  • Quality Street chocolates
  • Mint Matchmakers (chocolate sticks)
  • After Eight dinner mints
  • Dairy milk buttons
  • Chomp
  • Curly Wurly
  • Cadbury Wispa Gold chocolate bar
  • Galaxy bars

hotel-chocolat

Image credit: Oliver Kidd

Where to find the Best Chocolate Shops in London?

The best chocolate shops in London are:

  • Artisan au chocolat at 89 Lower Sloane St (Royal Hospital Rd), Chelsea, Greater London
  • Rococo chocolate and candy Store at Holborn and Covent Garden
  • Melt Chocolate shop at 59 Ledbury Rd, Pembridge London
  • Hotel Chocolat at Charing Cross Station, Strand, Charing Cross, London WC2N 5HS

digestive biscuits

No.7: Popular London Biscuits

Look out for the McVitie’s brand biscuits. Yum.

  • Digestive Biscuits
  • Flapjacks biscuits
  • Jaffa cakes, flat orange-flavoured biscuit cakes
  • Hobnobs biscuits
  • Jammie Dodgers
  • Tunnocks Caramel Wafer biscuits
  • Custard creams.

london souvenirs by mike

Image credit: Mike via Flickr CC BY SA 2.0

NATIONAL SOUVENIRS FROM LONDON

A British Flag can be framed, or made into a quilt.

London Maps are another fun way to remember your time in Old Blighty.

London Transport Museum has a unique range of London maps.

So does Stanfords, the 1853 bookshop with boundless selection of local and global maps plus travel writing and guidebooks.  It’s the world’s largest map and travel retailer.

Visit at 7 Mercer Walk, Covent Garden London.

cheap london souvenirs bears by josh friedman

Image credit: Josh Friedman via Flickr CC BY ND 2.0

CHEAP SOUVENIRS FROM LONDON

Looking for budget souvenirs in London, or where to buy cheap souvenirs in London?

The best cheap shopping in London is at the Camden markets.

And here’s a list of cheap things to buy in London for the kid’s school friends, neighbourhood kids, and helpful neighbours who are looking after the indoor plants.

  • London souvenir coin, or pressed penny
  • London souvenir fridge magnets
  • London iron on patches, or badges
  • British Souvenir Union Jack umbrella
  • Red Telephone Box money box
  • London enamel pins in the shape of a Royal Guard, British postbox, UK policeman, Union Jack flag, Royal Crown jewels
  • Union Jack flag paper fans
  • I Love London tote bag
  • Sights of London tea towel
  • London snow globe
  • Set of Playing Cards with London images

london keyrings

There’s also the Keyrings:

  • London Eye keyring
  • Tower Bridge and Tower of London keyrings
  • Big Ben keyrings
  • London Bus or Black Cab keyrings
  • Royal London post box, or
  • Red Telephone Box keyrings

The only thing left to do is buy another suitcase.

Happy shopping!

best london souvenirs review

Looking for MORE SUPER DOOPER FUN Things to Do with Kids in LONDON?

Click the links in blue below.

A Lady in London

Tuesday 20th of October 2020

Thanks for including the A Lady in London collection by To Home From London in your list!

Amber Greene

Thursday 22nd of October 2020

You are welcome. Cute souvenirs!


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