London, United Kingdom

London, United Kingdom

London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom It is the most populous city in the United Kingdom, with a metropolitan area of over 13 million inhabitants. Standing on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its founding by the Romans, who named it Londinium London's ancient core, the City of London, largely retains its 1.12-square-mile (2.9 km²) mediaeval boundaries and in 2011 had a resident population of 7,375, making it the smallest city in England. Since at least the 19th century, the term London has also referred to the metropolis developed around this core. The bulk of this conurbation forms the Greater London administrative area(coterminous with the London region), governed by the Mayor of London and the London Assembly.

London is a leading global city,with strengths in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism, and transport all contributing to its preeminence. It is one of the world's leading financial centres and has the fifth-or sixth-largest metropolitan area GDP in the world depending on measurement. London is a world cultural capital. It is the world's most-visited city as measured by international arrivals and has the world's largest city airport system measured by passenger traffic. London's 43 universities form the largest concentration of higher education institutes in Europe. In 2012, London became the first city to host the modern Summer Olympic Games three times.

London contains four World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London; Kew Gardens; the site comprising the Palace of Westminster,Westminster Abbey, and St Margaret's Church; and the historic settlement of Greenwich (in which the Royal Observatory, Greenwich marks the Prime Meridian, 0° longitude, and GMT). Other famous landmarks include Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, and The Shard. London is home to numerous museums, galleries, libraries, sporting events and other cultural institutions, including the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, British Library and 40 West End theatres.The London Underground is the oldest underground railway network in the world.

 

Oxford Street

The heart of London shopping, bustling Oxford Street has more than 300 shops, designer outlets and landmark stores. Home to the legendary Selfridges, it also boasts a range of famous department stores such as John Lewis and Debenhams scattered among every well-known high street chain imaginable. Get off the beaten track by slipping into a side street, such as St Christopher's Place and Berwick Street, where you'll find some real treats.

 

Vintage Shopping in the Fashion City of London

London has been named Europe’s best shopping city, and is in a class of its own when it comes to vintage fashion and shopping. Few cities, if any, are better at vintage than London. New vintage stores, markets and stall are opening constantly. The biggest problem would be to find time and energy to cover everything, so here is a short presentation of the hottest vintage stores, recommended by real Londoners living and working in the city.

London has been named Europe’s best shopping city, and is in a class of its own when it comes to vintage fashion and shopping. Few cities, if any, are better at vintage than London. New vintage stores, markets and stall are opening constantly. The biggest problem would be to find time and energy to cover everything, so here is a short presentation of the hottest vintage stores, recommended by real Londoners living and working in the city.

The Vintage Emporium

If you are inspired by 1920s style, this is the place for you. This unique store really sells vintage, where everything is picked out from the Victorian era up to the 1950s. Here you can find classic, beautiful clothes and accessories. When you enter the store, you enter their Victorian Tea Room located on the ground floor, where they offer a wide variety of delicious tea and herbal drinks as well as cakes and sweets.

The store itself is located downstairs. The atmosphere is friendly and cosy and this is definitely a place you will want to return to, either to look for more vintage treasures or relax with friends or a good book in the tea room. If you have some spare time in the evening, you can pop by to attend one of the events they put on every night.

Absolute Vintage

This is claimed to be London’s best vintage store, and one of the top 100 stores in the world you should visit. The store has the largest range of shoes and purses in the UK and all the items have been handpicked for its design and style. If you can’t find the shoe you are looking for here, it doesn’t exist. If you are not able to get to London, or don’t find enough time to visit the store, don’t panic! You can easily order your new favourite shoe and purse from your own living room through their web shop.

Berwick Street is a vibrant and diverse community in the heart of London's Soho, teeming with traditional London pubs, vinyl shops, bespoke tailoring, colourful textile shops, vintage clothing, original restaurants, coffee shops and independent fashion boutiques.

As home to one of the capital's oldest markets that dates back to the 18th century, Berwick Street has a rich heritage. Fast paced, day and night, the bustling market is open from early morning selling cheeses, cakes, street food, artisan bread, fresh flowers and more. Often visited by local chefs, Berwick Street Market is known for its seasonal fruit and vegetables. Two traditional London pubs; The Blue Posts and The Endurance are both favourites with the locals and add to the buzz of Soho's late night lifestyle.

Berwick Street has been a destination for vinyl record collectors since the 1980s when it became known as ‘The Golden Mile of Vinyl’. This corner of Soho is still home to central London’s largest concentration of independent record shops; Reckless Records, Sister Ray and The Music and Video Exchange as well as Sounds of the Universe around the corner on Broadwick Street and Black Market Soho on D’Arblay Street. Berwick Street was the location for the cover shoot of the 1995 Oasis album '(What's The Story) Morning Glory.'

Bond Street

London’s famous Bond Street is revered throughout the world for its wealth of elegant stores, exclusive brands, designer fashion, luxury goods, fine jewels, art and antiques. London’s famous Bond Street is revered throughout the world for its wealth of elegant stores, exclusive brands, designer fashion, luxury goods, fine jewels, art and antiques. Set in the heart of historic Mayfair, in London’s popular West End, Bond Street has become a haven for gracious living.

Since its foundation in 1700, Bond Street has been a playground for society’s wealthiest, most stylish and influential people. Past residents of the street have included Admiral Horatio Nelson and Lady Emma Hamilton as well as a number of renowned authors and poets. Today, over 300 years on, Bond Street remains a much-loved destination for celebrities, socialites and the international jet set. Home to some of the world’s most prestigious retailers including Asprey, Bulgari, Burberry, Chanel, Cartier, Dolce Gabbana, Hermès, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Mulberry, Ralph Lauren and Tiffany & Co. Bond Street offers an unrivalled mix of history, traditional elegance and modern luxury. Bond Street and its surrounding area boasts a impressive number of Royal Warranties and is home to some of the world’s most individual and unique hotels and restaurants, including Claridge’s and The Ritz, as well fine establishments such as The Royal Academy of Art and the world famous auction house, Sotheby’s.

BY : Nur Ardilla bt Pauzi
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