We enjoyed our week stay in Covent Garden. We took full advantage of the Covent Garden Market,…read morevisiting in several occasions. The Market is picturesque with lovely flower carts by the entrances. Historically, Covent Gardens were the gardens for the convent. Today, the beautiful enclosed market hosts various vendors that change regularly. The market is a great way to connect with locals. We went to the market four times during our visit. On Sundays, various art vendors set up and we visited with a local fossil dealer and purchased a couple fossils. We loved our dinner in one of the nearby cafes. On Mondays, antique dealers set up and sell various treasures. My husband bought me a vintage bracelet. We also watched a quintet play in the atrium. We found a few reasonably priced souvenirs to take home for gifts. Plenty of great restaurants surround the Market. We ate at several places and enjoyed our meals. The Market always seems to be new and people were friendly.

Covent Garden is an area in West End with a collection of shops and restaurants. This is considered…read moreto be in the city of Westminster. All of the shops are high-end, luxury. Think Rodeo Drive in London. It's a fun area to visit and check out all of the amazing offerings that most probably can never afford lol. Another must-see for hitting tourist areas in the West End.

One of my absolute favorite places to shop when in London. I'll never pass up a chance to trek down…read moreto Carnaby street as the shopping and dining options are elite. For any one of my friends traveling into London I always recommend veering off a little to Carnaby. Over the years some shops have come and go but some of my favorites remain open. I'm a huge Great Frog lover and their shop is nearby, also for us rock n rollers I can't help stopping into The Rolling Stones Uk store. Lots of major branded stores but also cute local vendors and stores. It's a very walkable street and safe. Plenty busy so come earlier in the day to beat the crowds. Another pro tip is catching a reservation at dishshoom down here as I've found it easier to snag a reservation here than at their other locations. Plenty of dining options though and local stalls like Starbucks and Joe & the juice. It's a touristy street of shops but I love it - definitely bookmark this area on your must shop / see list when on this side of town.

Fun one mile shopping area and eating area in SOHO located in the west end of Westminster. No cars…read moreallowed, only pedestrians. After having a tasty snack at Pizza Pilgrims, went to the two story Rolling Stones store which was my favorite place on Carnaby Street. A bunch of boutique shops and found one bathroom and a drinking fountain. There was an old English style red phone booth containing an unspeakable object on the floor inside, good conversation piece for the rest of my trip. Welcome to London.

We had time to kill and wandered in here from the Victoria station. Not a lot to do here and the…read morestores were OK. The food court was meh. But time was killed and I am thankful for that.

It is a very convenient shopping center by the coach and train stations. It is big and it is very…read morecrowded to start this review. Either you may find the place handy ( especially if you want to kill time while waiting for your departure) or a bad suggestion if plan is to meet a date. It has the whole second floor of fast food dining options. You will see different kind of retail stores on its ground floor. Anything that you may need for your travel (out of emergency situation) can be found here. We came in here ( a walk from our hotel)as my sis -in law had rushes due to an allergic reaction and me for a replacement for the lost prescribed eye glasses reasons. We were able to see a pharmacy store that served to both our needs. Like a typical commuter station center, it also offers services like massage in a chair service, shoe shines service, flowers , etc. Only one thing that turned me off about this place, I did not like that I need to pay a coin to get into their restrooms.

I was looking for a free rooftop view of London and learned about this place from YouTube travel…read morevideos. It does not disappoint. All you have to do is find the elevator and go to the highest level, and since the elevator is mostly glass, you can get amazing views of St. Paul's Cathedral just on the way up. When we went around 10am on a Saturday in late August, there was barely anyone there. Maybe it was a combination of it still being early and not that many people knowing about it. It's also only about a 3 minute walk from St. Paul's Cathedral which you can get amazing views of from the rooftop as well as other notable sites like The Shard and The London Eye. And since it's outside with low panes of glass, you can take unobstructed photos. You can even get amazing shots on the ground floor because of the contrast between old vs. modern architecture.

Spectacular view of St Paul and surroundings from the rooftop terrace. There is a glass elevator to…read morethe 6th floor of this new office building shopping center that takes one to this hidden gem of a place. On a clear day the views are awesome of St Paul's Cathedral Dome and the rest of London. One can distinguish several key buildings and landmarks from above.

This was one of my bookmarked shopping destinations while I was in London. Mostly because I…read morediscovered Vendula (purses, wallets, fabulousness) a few years ago and this is where their bricks & mortar shop is located. I'm so glad I made it! I arrived late in the day so many shops had already closed for the day, but I was able to shop at Vendula (yay for sales) and then I discovered Southbank Printmakers. OMG so many beautiful pieces. Definitely a area to peruse and relax a bit. Next time I'll allow for more browsing.

Good for something quick to eat and some little shops with nice stuff for gifts and artsy…read moreboutiques. The wooden sculptures are fun. Gabriel's Wharf has become highly popular with local workers, residents and visitors on the South Bank. The buildings in this intimate spot are actually old garages but now frequented by restaurants, cafes, shops and a whole lot more, overlooking the river - indeed, they offer a relaxing step back for local employeesa chance to escape the office. With Studio 6 providing the liquid refreshment. With great food from pizza to crepe, and some fabulous shops specialising in jewellery, art, sculpture this small area on the South Bank will inspire all who visit. Walk past, wander round..have a snack or a drink and take it all in.

Hi-end brands both international and local brands with trendy stuff; specialised niche products on…read moredisplay. Seems very sought after especially during the holiday season. Try visiting if in London at Piccadilly street next time!

Very high end!! A row of speciality shops but nice to duck into to get out of the mass crowd on the…read moreMain Street.

This was such a fun spot! Lots of great eateries from pizza to cocktail bars to pub style fare, the…read morecourtyard was vibrant and casual. Great atmosphere and many choices! The restaurants span three floors, so be sure to look up to see the additional choices before deciding. We loved our visit here and how alive and happy it was.

This is a lovely food court in Soho, near Carnaby street. I visited a restaurant called Paradiso…read morefor a scrumptious burger and coke. I visited on a Tuesday at 4:30pm so it wasn't busy and staff were all very nice and friendly. Kingly court has many different restaurants and is a great hang out place.

Cardinal Place is a small shopping and dining complex just outside Victoria Station's Underground…read morelifts on Victoria Street and of course opposite the stunning Westminster Cathedral., it consists of a few shops, places to eat and banks including Bill's, Marks and Spencer and Lloyds, to name one of each. The complex did seem quite modern, well laid out and staffed well for a small complex of its' size, and the location being in Victoria, central London and a short walk away from Westminster (or one stoop on the tube right next to it) is pretty handy too. It might not be a huge building, and it might not offer much which can't be found not too far away (which is actually quite typical of London) but it is a cool, albeit bang-average place. 3* - Useful but doesn't particularly stand out as special.

I love that Cardinal Place has just enough of everything that you need in one place…read more I know it sounds lazy, but I only get 1 hour of lunch break and I'd rather not have to spend 20 minutes walking from shop to shop with little browsing time. Cardinal Place = problem solved! Want a Birthday card? M&S will sort you out. Wrapping paper too. Present? Thorntons Chocolates and L'Occitane - fab Lunch? Boots (meal deal £3.50) or M&S (yum) - sweet Clothes/shopping spree? Topshop is 10seconds around the corner - awesome! I sound a bit sad, but really this is a cool shopping centre when you are tight on time (or just really lazy)! (Also - much as it annoyed me at first - you cannot smoke under there any more, so it's clean too :D )

Sitting here in the March sun, yes sitting outside a cafe in London in March!…read moreStore street is a perfect place for a lunchtime browse.

Surprised to see how this small Bloomsbury street has improved, used to work near (Alfred Place)…read moreand there wasn't much around. Store Street now has a good selection of cafes and bars and some unique little shops. Nice and calm away from Tottenham Court Road.