More Shopping in London…
London
is a shoppers’ paradise. Continuing from my previous post on my visit to Bicester Village by Chiltern Railways,
we also visited a few other shopping places that travelers should visit when in
London. Sometimes it’s not just about shopping but there are plenty of places
with more to offer than just shopping. Thanks to UK Visit Britain, we had the opportunity to visit two more places
that one should visit while in London for shopping in style at Burlington Arcade and Westfield London Shopping Centre plus
some history of London as well as every little kid’s paradise in Kidzania London!
BURLINGTON
ARCADE
It
started for a number of reasons. It is also England’s oldest and longest shopping
arcade. Lord George Cavendish had his architect Samuel Ware designed the now
famous covered promenade of shops of Burlington
Arcade which opened officially in 1819. While it was said that the 72
small-storey was built for the public, it was also said that this arcade was
meant to provide jobs to industrious females after the war. Lord Cavendish also
wanted a place where his wife could shop nearby and to keep her entertain and
made sure the arcade had plenty for all of her and her friends.
To
fully know Burlington Arcade, one
should sign up for their bespoke experience through a Beadle Tour. We had the honors of having Mark Lord, Head Beadle,
who took us through an amazing and informative experience through Burlington Arcade. The Beadle Guard is
a liveried member of the smallest private police force who guards the arcade
and who also acts as an informative historical guide of the Burlington Arcade. Mark, with his 13
years of experience, was certainly very knowledgeable and informative
throughout our tour.
Burlington Arcade is now a luxury landmark in London.
With over 40 exclusive shops and luxury designer brands, it is long been
favored by distinguished Royals, mega celebrities and of course, the cream of
the British society. The whole arcade is always maintained and kept to its
original architecture and interior as much as possible. There are new updates
that include new flooring to counter the weather conditions and a new ramp as
well to make it friendly for the disabled.
While
high end and premium brands made up the tenants at Burlington Arcade, there are
also affordable items for purchase. Jewelry made headlines here. From antique or
vintage jewellery to modern pieces, it’s all about the glitter, the bling and
the gold. Milleperle houses some of
the most gorgeous pearls I have ever seen. Strings of lustre pearls in every
majestic shades of cream to pink and grey, the thought of owning one is
certainly not impossible…
Nourbel & Le Cavelier is another one to seek when one looks
for exquisite pieces of or antique or vintage jewellery. Other jewelers are Michael Rose, Carat London, Tessier,
Hancocks and more.
Hancocks, a distinguished jeweler by royal
decree, was commissioned to produce the Victoria Cross after only eight months
since it opened. Today, Hancocks is still entrusted to the design and the production
of the Victoria Cross medal, the highest military medal awarded to military individuals
in honor of their recognition of acts of gallantry and bravery.
Fashion
houses carrying high end fashion such as Chanel,
House of Cashmere, Harrys of London, Lulu Guinness and more are also some
of the tenants at Burlington Arcade. When one carries a Kwanpen handbag, one is assured of premium handmade crocodile
leather handbags made with the finest quality leather and 18K gold or palladium
hardware components and craftsmanship. Kwanpen, originates from Singapore,
offers limited handcrafted designs so when one is carrying a Kwanpen, you’ll
know you’ll be the only few in the world who has this Kwanpen bag.
Handcrafted
gentlemen shoes from Harrys of London
and Church’s provides bespoke
experiences during and after sales services with their personal one-to-one
fitting services, professional advice on fit and style as well as complimentary
shoe shine on their footwear. There is also a traditional shoe shine service at
the arcade where Romi and team uses 100% horse hair brushes with the finest
creams and polishes in their service so your shoes leave gleaming and looking
brand new!
Fragrances
from luxurious houses of fragrances like Chanel,
Penhaligon’s, Frédéric Malle, Roja Parfums and more continue to inculcate
confidence and beauty in the women who wear it. One-to-one fragrance
consultation provides the bespoke experience together with beauty as well.
Bottles after bottles of fragrances dressed the window, tempting many to go in
and purchase these lux fragrances.
Watch
lovers will be pleased with the exclusive and prestige century renowned
watchmakers who offer pieces of antique or vintage as well as the latest pieces
of the finest crafted watches in the world from David Guggan, Bell & Ross, The Vintage Watch Company, Armour
Winston, Almar Watches and Somlo
Antiques. One can really find excellent and rare watches at Burlington Arcade and the people who
owns these stores have been serving here at the arcade for decades.
The
only edible store at the arcade is the much-raved around the world and famed Ladurée from France. It all began in
1862 when Louis Ernest Ladurée founded the bakery in Paris and the now famous
French Macarons from Ladurée had every dessert lovers succumb to its tempting
sweet crisp and lightly chewy macaron shells filled with various delectable
fillings. Once you have seen these gorgeous macarons, you’ll know that you
simply must try one!
Burlington Arcade carries history as well as exquisite
shopping experience. Make sure to sign up for the in-depth 45 minutes Beadle
Tour for a full and informative experience here at the prestige arcade.
Burlington Arcade is located adjacent to the Royal Academy, between Bond Street
and Piccadilly.
BURLINGTON
ARCADE
51 Piccadilly
London W1J 0QJ.
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7493 1764
Website: www.burlington-arcade.co.uk
Business Hours:
Mon to Sat: 09.00 - 19.30
Sunday: 11.00
- 18.00
WESTFIELD
LONDON SHOPPING CENTRE
Located
only 5 minutes away from Dorsett
Shepherds Bush hotel in London is Westfield
London, the capital’s ultimate shopping destination housing over 300
stores. From high street to high end brands, it is a huge mall that really is a
shopper’s paradise. Opened in 2008, the centre has a retail floor area of
150,000
m² (1.615m ft²). To get there, simply head to the nearest underground rail
station which is Shepherd's Bush station.
Westfield London is sectioned into various spaces with
high end retails as well as section for the regular high street brands. There
is also VUE Cinema, Europe’s most
high-tech cinema as well as over 60 places to indulgence in local and
international cuisines.
The
mall was already dressed up for the festive holidays and glittery trees are
spread all over the mall to ring in the Christmas cheers. Some of my favorite
must-visit stores are Marks and Spencer,
Debenhams, Waitrose and more. For haute couture fashion, visit The Village
space for luxury brands of Louis Vuitton,
Prada, Jimmy Choo, Tiffany & Co, Gucci, Burberry and more. We also had
a delicious dining experience at Jaime’s Italian restaurant at Westfield mall
which I will post on separately.
Westfield London offers tax free shopping services,
bespoke shopping services and many more services that allows shoppers to
indulge in their hobby at ease and comfort.
Dining
at Westfield London is segregated
into four main areas of The Balcony, The
Loft, The Southern Terrace and The Village.
Dining on the basic snacks, fast food and cafes or go full lux with champagnes,
oysters and caviars.
There’s
plenty to do at Westfield London
that one may even need days to be able to fully visit all the stores. So check
out the website and plan your time there if you only have limited time as it is
truly a shoppers and entertainment paradise as well as a delectable space for
indulgence.
WESTFIELD
LONDON SHOPPING CENTRE
Ariel Way,
London W12 7GF,
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 3371 2300
Website: www.uk.westfield.com/London
Facebook: www.facebook.com/westfieldlondon
KIDZANIA
LONDON
For
those who have little ones, Westfield
London also houses Kidzania London.
Kidzania is a world where kids can
take on their dream to try out real life role-play activities in Kidzania world. Design with kids in
mind, the world of Kidzania allows
kids To Be, To Know, To Create, To Share,
To Care and To Play. It is a nation where kids take on our daily real world
activities as an adult. Kids learn to concept of money, time, responsibilities
and many more that goes on when they grow up.
Kidzania London is one of the larger outlet in the
world with a staggering 75,000 sq.ft child size city. One checks in through the
airport and is taken into the Kidzania
world where they will use their Kidzania money, KidZos. Kids above 8 years old may explore Kidzania unaccompanied.
Imagine
a world where your little one can be a fire fighter, a police officer, a DJ in
a radio station, an actor in the entertainment stage, an artist, a hotelier, a
business owner, a chocolatier, a tour guide, a dentist, a paramedic, a news
reporter and so much more.
Taking
a spot in the Kidzania London is Dorsett Shepherds Bush miniature
reception cum check-in and a bedroom modeled exactly to our hotel room in our
stay at the hotel. Kids can experience what it’s like to work at the front desk
of the hotel and also how to perform housekeeping in the room.
Each
role play has information where kids will be able to plan their activities as
well as earn KidZos salary. Other activities available are as follows…
Visit
Kidzania London website to plan with your little one to ensure they utilized
their time well inside!
Head on over to Kidzania London’s website for more information
to plan your trip with your little one…
KIDZANIA
LONDON
1st Floor, Westfield
London Shopping Centre,
Ariel Way, London W12
7GA,
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 330 131 3333
Website: www.london.kidzania.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KidZaniaLondon
VISIT
BRITAIN
Website:
www.visitbritain.com
This
trip was made possible by Malaysia
Airlines, UK Visit Britain and Dorsett
Shepherds Bush London. All stories and comments in my posts are purely
derived from my own experiences through the trip.
*Next up, sightseeing places to visit
in London!
London Stories
