This little shop on Camden Passage is an amazing treasure trove full of beautiful antique boxes of…read moreall varieties, although jewellery and writing boxes appear to be the most common. Unlike some similar shops, the shopkeeper was happy for us to handle the antiques - even instructing us to take the boxes outside so that we could examine them in a natural light. She also clearly loved all of her products and found choosing between them almost as difficult as us! A good sign, I think. The boxes are not just beautiful objects but they are all in usable condition with working locks etc and consequently make wonderful presents. After all, who wouldn't want a beautiful box to house all of ones beautiful trinkets? However, eager box hunters be warned - this gem of a shop only opens on Wednesday and Saturday. Please don't make the trip only to be disappointed.

The last time I was at Ooh La La, I fell in love with a Victorian, mint green, children's frock…read morecoat. This is the caliber of stuff we are talking about here; the kind of thing usually seen in stuffy museums, irritatingly in untouchable glass cases. To be fair I couldn't touch this either because it was hanging up on the wall and I didn't ask to get it down because I couldn't afford it. When I can though, I'll go back in the hope it's still there because teamed with skinny jeans and some Westwood heels it's got New Years Eve outfit written all over it. Ooh La La is an antiques store hired out by various magpies who I imagine would do a pretty good job if they went on daytime TV gem, Antiques Roadshow. It's bursting at the seams with oodles and whatsits and gizmos galore, definitely enough to rival The Little Mermaid's collection. They have furniture, clothes, accessories, postcards, clocks, watches, pretty much every invention ever all under one roof. Also, Robbie, the man that rents the most space in the shop is really friendly and not at all like some of the grumpy old men that run antique shops and only talk to cats.

Don't be put off by the horrific name of this renowned vintage / antique shop. Be sure to have a…read moregood look around or you could easily miss a lot of this fascinating place, it's not huge but there are little things packed in everywhere. There's a fair bit of French stuff as the name suggests, but there are some interesting bits of British history too - including nice old telephones, and a small section of clothing at the back (only women's I think). The ladies might also be tempted by the collection of vintage handbags on offer, which ranged from about £25 - £60 from what I saw. All in all it is possibly a little pricey, but still much more realistic than you'd find in The Mall in Angel, and although the owner wasn't particularly welcoming, he seemed very knowledgeable - and I'm giving him the benefit of any doubt as I did hear him mention to someone else that he 'felt like shit'.

My absolute favorite on Pimlico Road. This interior design, furniture and art shop has a trendy and…read moremodern feel to it and the merchandise they carry is a testament to my words. In a street that is clammed with rather old-fashioned styles and slightly up tight attitude, Howe is a breath of fresh air, they offer furniture and lighting traditionally handmade in England, as well as a range of lighting. Also they usually do events that are mostly related to what they have in store, but that non-the less are really interesting and educational. Weather its a lightning exhibit, where they show the most relevant pieces that have illuminated us for centuries, or as they did in November, they held an exhibit curated by the owner of the shop. Cool stuff.

Henry Gregory is a standalone shop, that's a part of the Portobello Road Antiques Market. It sells…read morea range of goods though there is something of a focus on sporting and leather goods. It is pretty expensive but if you are looking for vintage leather luggage it is worth the trip. More generally if you like the sound of a shop that sells eighty year old footballs, aircraft propellers, antique globes and opera glasses it is worth at least coming to look around.

Nigel was incredibly gracious in helping me to find a silver tiered curate stand. The shop was…read moreclosing, and though he was already late to leave for the theatre, he took his time to wrap it carefully while energetically talking to me and my daughter about musical theatre. Although this is a high-end antiques shop, it is not stuffy at all. Truly, it is carefully curated and you will likely find something in this shop that you couldn't find anywhere else in London. The quality here is incredible, and Nigel goes the extra mile to answer questions and to be of service. I am so glad I stopped by. If you will be visiting Portobello Road, stop in to see Nigel and his shop. So fabulous!

I passed by Hampstead Antique Emporium when we were there for lunch at Villa Bianca (reviewed…read moreseparately). When I walked in I was stunned at the lovely things you can buy there and such reasonable prices! There are about 20 traders & stalls here offering antiques and crafts; textiles, art deco jewellery, glass, china, miniatures and so much more. I especially liked 3D greeting cards, depicting miniature worlds produced by Karrie Barron cards. At another stall, they sell some stunning miniature boxes. I especially loved the art deco and Victorian style jewellery - and will go back to buy!! There are some lovely porcelain pieces for avid collectors. It is such a hidden place that you can easily miss it. I was really happy I found this place - it's such a collector's heaven and the prices are so much better than what you would pay in Portobello market or elsewhere in London. Also all the stallholders are so friendly and helpful! This is one of those secret London attractions that you have to discover for yourself and I highly recommend you do! It's amazing!

A hidden gem in Hampstead. The Hampstead Antique and Craft Emporium is easy to walk past as you…read morewalk down the main road. And looking down the section that it is located doesn't look like there is much there but there is. They have a lovely little coffee shop outside, then once inside there are rows of antiques, furniture, collectibles, and jewelers. I also found the people working there to be very friendly.

The owner, Eamonn, was a talented jeweler and now owns this booth at Alphie's Antique Market. I…read moretalked to him a long time and found him to be quite knowledgeable. I purchased the highest quality Persian Turquoise Ring and earrings. I got home in US delighted with my purchases! I was a nice experience doing business with someone so fair, kind and knowledgeable. Cherie F. Texas

What a great Antique store (stall)! Every inch of the space is packed with lovely finds! The…read moreproprietors are knowledgeable, personable, and very pleasant to visit with. They have lots of wonderful things; silverware, decanters, crystal... special things. I made several purchases that I will long treasure. They have reasonably priced items and high end items. Located in Alfies Antique Market, Goldsmith & Perris is a stop I definitely recommend making!

Curiosity is a very sweet little vintage/thrift/antique shop on the ground floor of the Old Horse…read moreHospital building in the Stables. It is probably one of the last decent old shops of its type since the destruction/vandalism of Camden Market last year. Selling a variety of inexpensive flea-market type objects from necklaces, biscuit tins, shot glasses, antique postcards, napkins and handkerchiefs and framed paintings, the shop is a reminder of what the Horse Hospital used to be. I sincerely hope that the shop remains and isn't pushed out like the other quality antique shops that used to be housed upstairs in the market. The staff are very friendly and optimistic that the shop has a future- I hope that they are not disappointed.

Nothing special about this shop really pops until you've reached the very back. All you see at…read morefirst are neutral soft chairs with clean lines and tables with shiny knick knacks and silver candlesticks. I hardly even thought this store would be worth visiting again until I'd come to the very end... and then things started to get interesting... This is where some intriguing antiques are to be found. Old pictures, and books, and mirrors... but for the crème de la crème of this place, don't miss the treasures on display in the (locked) large china cabinet in the right-hand corner - full of whimsical antique curiosities. Ms. Phillips also takes commissions for interior design... not only using the sort of items you see in her shop, but also using some of her own original designs and any individually specified piece.

I really love this charming shop. What more can one ask for? A great present destination for…read moreothers or oneself. It may seem odd to give this delicious little store 5 stars but ultimately when one is shopping in London a calm sanctuary is always preferable to west london crazy. Katrina seems to know everything one wants to know about everything in the store and each item has a great back story. I've seen her amazing interiors... now, that's something worth saving for.