13 Best Shopping Malls in London

Harrods is one of the best luxury malls in London, which opened on prestigious Knightsbridge in 1849. It’s still impressive today – store rules even require customers to comply with a dress code. The building you see today isn’t the original. It dates from the end of the 19^th century, around the time that Harrods debuted England’s first escalator. The store’s distinctive green awnings and red bricks make it one of the most recognisable facades in London.

Once, Harrods famously boasted that it would sell you anything – at one time you could even buy cocaine, or exotic animals such as lions, alligators, and elephants. Fortunately, those days are gone, though there’s still plenty to buy in its 330 departments.

London Designer Outlet is among the best shopping malls in London for fashion-lovers, as it features many of the industry's hottest names at super low prices. With 70 great storefronts to explore, you’ll find the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Nike, and Converse at up to 85% off retail prices.

Situated just around the corner from the world-famous Wembley Stadium, London Designer Outlet also offers a range of great food and entertainment options. Grab a quick coffee from Starbucks or Pret A Manger before heading to the onsite 9-screen cinema complex to catch one of the latest blockbusters.

Selfridges on Oxford Street is both a landmark and one of the best malls in London. It was founded by pioneering American Harry Gordon Selfridge in 1908 and opened a year later. In the early days, the store played a crucial role in changing the way people shopped, allowing them to browse and handle the merchandise instead of being served only from behind a counter.

Today, it’s the second-largest store in London after Harrods and caters to a largely upmarket clientele. Luxury fashion and homewares form much of its retail business but it’s also highly regarded for its food hall and imaginative, often lavish window displays.

Burlington Arcade is described as the world’s first shopping arcade, having opened in 1819. The idea behind the arcade was initially conceived by Lord Cavendish who sought to keep locals from littering in the gardens next to Burlington House. Stretching from Piccadilly to Burlington Gardens, the arcade is home to a variety of high-end shops, some of which have operated here for decades.

For instance, the Vintage Watch Company has been situated here for 15 years, offering over 1,000 timepieces produced between 1910 and 1970. But the longest-term tenant, N. Peal, first opened its doors in 1936. Here, you'll find celebrated cashmere knitwear that has been featured in several James Bond films and on stars like Marilyn Monroe.

Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge is an upmarket department store chain and the flagship of the famous designer emporium. Today, its portfolio contains 7 stores, but the brand has humble beginnings. It first traded as a small linen shop back in 1831.

The elegant building in Knightsbridge was erected in 1889, and you’ll easily see why the store is a favourite with Londoners and visitors, particularly those looking for high fashion items. Diana, Princess of Wales, used to shop here regularly. Eight floors of fashion, beauty, homewares, food and wine make this a formidable rival to nearby Harrods.

Westfield Stratford City is widely recognised as London’s one-stop-shop for any kind of retail desire. Featuring 250 modern storefronts and 70 eateries spread across a mind-boggling 177,000 square metres, this shopping mall is one of the largest in all of Europe. Set alongside the 2012 Olympic Games complex, this is the top spot for shopping in East London.

Everywhere you look, you’ll find a who’s who of luxury and high street fashion brands, including Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, Coach, Lacoste, and more. But what really sets Westfield Stratford City apart is its entertainment amenities. You have Vue Cinema boasting 17 state-of-the-art screens, a plush bowling experience at All Star Lanes, and the glamorous Aspers Casino.

St Martin’s Courtyard is an appropriately fancy shopping destination for the lavish West End district of Covent Gardens. Situated off the historic thoroughfare of Long Acre, since this open-air shopping centre was launched in 2012, it’s become a bustling outlet for people who prefer the finer things in life.

Featuring a wealth of established and independent designers, shoppers will come across the likes of Cos, & Other Stories and Jack Wills, alongside well-known brands such as Swarovski and Barbour. Meanwhile, St Martin’s Courtyard also offers several acclaimed restaurants, including the modern Indian cuisine of Dishoom and delightful Italian dining at Dalla Terra.

Kingly Court might have a great array of shops and eateries, but it’s nothing like your usual shopping centre. This stylish open-air courtyard is spread across three levels and comes to life whenever the sun is shining. Don’t worry, you can also visit in winter as overhead covers keep everyone warm and dry.

Set just a short walk from the crowds of Oxford Street, Kingly Court's fascinating space offers a top selection of hip independent boutiques, vintage stores, and gift shops. You’ll also have 20 delightful restaurants, bars, and cafes to choose from, with each serving vibrant cuisine ranging from gourmet pizza to spicy ramen.

Angel Central Islington Shopping Centre is one of the best shopping malls in London and the ideal place in the city for when you need to liven up your wardrobe. That's because it features from fashion giants like Uniqlo and H&M to ultra-chic local designers and jewellers. Outside of the fashion world, you have a great choice of homewares, lifestyle, and cosmetic stores, including Rituals and Typo.

Formally known as the N1 Shopping Centre, there are also tasty lunch and dinner options such as Wagamama and Itsu. Meanwhile, Vue Cinema has 10 massive screens playing both blockbusters and classics, while the O2 Academy Islington regularly hosts some of the world’s biggest music acts late into the night.

Duke of York Square in London as among the best shopping malls in London is as posh as it sounds. Situated in an affluent part of Chelsea, it's an open-air experience that brings together a wealth of fashion, dining, beauty, and cultural institutions. Although this space was once a 19th-century barracks and orphanage, these days it offers a myriad of deluxe flagship stores and alfresco dining options.

Duke of York Square has 30 upscale fashion and lifestyle retailers, including Aesop, All Saints and Joseph. The complex is also home to one of Europe’s largest Zara stores. However, the crowning jewel of this shopping centre is the Saatchi Gallery – a world-renowned modern art and sculpture gallery.

Canary Wharf Shopping Centre in London encompasses several separate malls that all offer their own retail and dining delights. Set on the Isle of Dogs, this enormous underground space features more than 120 shops across fashion, cosmetics, homewares, lifestyle and more.  If you decide to visit, you'll find high-end brands like Tiffany & Co., Montblanc, and Reiss, alongside the likes of Superdry, Zara and Levi’s.

Despite the Canary Wharf Shopping Centre’s commercial nature, the mall doesn’t sacrifice outdoor space. In fact, there are more than 20 acres of lush landscaped gardens, as well as London’s largest collection of outdoor public art. Grab something tasty to eat at one of the many food courts and find a quiet spot to enjoy the scenery.

One New Change rejuvenated the centre of London into a lively weekend shopping destination when it opened in 2010. Believe it or not, this innovative development was the City of London’s first dedicated shopping centre. Although One New Change stands out in numerous ways, it’s undoubtedly best known for its panoramic views of St Paul’s Cathedral, which is found just across the street.

Inside One New Change, you’ll have 60 shops and restaurants to explore. These include sought-after high street brands such as H&M, Reiss, and Hobbs, while you can also find stellar dining options such as Gordon Ramsey’s Street Pizza. However, don’t miss your chance to see St Paul’s from a rare angle at Madison’s striking rooftop terrace bar.

The Icon Outlet at The O2 opened in 2018 but has quickly become one of London’s go-to shopping centres for discounted luxury fashion. Featuring 85 modern shops across fashion, lifestyle, and accessories, it mostly caters to a youthful crowd. There's Clarks, Brooks Brothers, Pepe Jeans and much more, with these top brands often at 70% off.

Plus, there are plenty of headline food and drink spots with Five Guys, Zizzi, Ask Italian and All Bar One just some of the eateries on offer. Although The O2 was already London’s premier destination for live concerts and sporting events, the Icon Outlet has diversified this popular complex’s offerings.