London has over 40,000 shops, around 80 street markets
(including Walthamstow Market, Europe's longest street market) and about ten
Farmers' Markets.
Street Markets are always vibrant and busy places, giving a true taste of
the city, but be warned; if the kids have a tendency to go `free range' they
can be a nightmare!
This is London's famous (and busiest) high street. It features over 300 shops and many department stores. Running from Tottenham Court Road to Marble Arch this street is great for families with department stores such as Debenhams, House of Fraser, Selfridges, John Lewis, BHS, Marks&Spencer and shops like The Disney Store, HMV, Niketown, Game, Mothercare, Waterstones, Gap and lots of cafes.Boots have a number of stores along its length, ideal for when you run out of face wipes. Venture down a side street to find somewhere a bit quieter, Try the tiny opening to St. Christopher's place and find an area with lots of restaurants and coffee shops (Near Bond Street tube and Debenhams). Very cool musical instrument section in the basement of Virgin Megastore.
Tube: Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Rd, Bond St, Marble Arch (zone 1)
Kensington High Street
Home to lots of popular fashion and accessory stores, High Street
Kensigton is used equally by local well-to-do people and tourists. For
families there are Jigsaw, Boots, Virgin Megastore, W H Smith,
Childrens Books, Odeon cinema, Game, Waterstones and various cafes.
Tube: High Street Kensington (zone 1)
Regent Street
Running from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly Circus this elegant street has
heeps of pavement space and famous shops. Designed in 1825 in honour of
the Prince Regent, it is now home to many high street stores and
international designers. Great for families it features Hamleys and
Liberty’s. At Picadilly Circus end you can find Lillywhites sporting
goods store.
Tube: Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Rd, Bond St, Marble Arch (zone 1)
Greenwich Market
This covered market in Greenwich is one of London's best source for
hand crafted items, different art work, unique gifts, crafting trends,
fashion designs, and rare collectables and antiques. Be inspired and
buy British and international arts & crafts or collectables &
antiques from a wide range of over 120 stalls.In the heart of Maritime
Greenwich, it is surrounded by world famous sights and tourist
attractions.
Open: Thursday 7:30am - 5:00pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays 9:30am - 5:00pm
BR: Greenwich Station DLR:Cutty Sark or Greenwich Station Bus:177, 180, 188, 286, 386Greenwich Market, London, SE10 9HZ Website
Harrods
This must be one of the most famous stores in the world! It employees
6,000 staff and it’s one of the top ten London visitor’s attractions.
On the 4th floor you’ll find everything for children, from designer
clothes and shoes to toys, bears, dolls and baby accessories. There is
also a children's hair salon too.
Trading since 1760, Hamleys is a huge and world famous toy store in the
West End. There is a café and events and promotions run throughout the
year. You can also book birthday parties. Open: Mon-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 9.30am-8pm, Sun 12pm-6pm Tube: Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus (zone 1) Address: 188 - 196 Regent Street, London, W1B 5BT Tel: 0870 333 2455 Website
Forbidden Planet Ltd
This is the UK's largest and best-known science fiction, fantasy and
cult entertainment shop. It is the best place to buy merchandise from
favourites like Lord of the Rings and Star Trek. Discover the
role-playing section, which has guidebooks on the worlds of White Wolf
and Dungeons and Dragons and be amazed by the huge range of science
fiction books.
Probably the oldest and most famous street markets in London, it’s bigger on Sundays as it flows over into Middlesex St. You can find bargains of all kind, from new clothes of well-known chain stores to leather goods, watches and toys!
Open: Mon-Fri & Sun 9am-2pm Tube: Liverpool St, Aldgate East (zone 1) Address: Wentworth St, London, E1 7TB
Website
Borough Market
Historically a fruit&veg market this award winning establishment is
now a fine food retail market with more than 70 stalls. The local cafés
complete the hive. Open: Fri 12-6pm, Sat 9-4pm Tube: London Bridge (zone 1) Address: 8 Southwark St, London, SE1 1TL Website
Old Spitalfields Market
This grade II listed building in East London, on the edge of the City and on the site of the old Fruit&Veg market, now houses a vibrant eclectic mix of fashionable clothing, furnishings and food. There are also a number of themed days, check website.
Open: Mon- Fri 10am-4pm, Sun 9am-5pm Tube/BR: Liverpool Street; Bus 8, 242,149 and 67 (zone 1) Address: The Horner Building, 105a Commercial St, London, E1 6BG Website:www.spitalfields.org.uk
Brick Lane Market
This sprawling market off the Bethnal Green Road is an East End institution. In medieval times bricks and tiles were manufactured here and in the 18th Century, farmers sold livestock and produce. In today's Brick Lane you'll find leather jackets, jewellery, bric-a-brac, furniture, tools, clothes, fruit & veg and jellied eels. Cheshire Street has indoor warehouses full of second hand and household goods, collectables, books and music. In Sclater St there's a predominance of pet food, provisions, electrical goods and tools. Cygnet Street has bicycles, meat, fruit, vegetables and frozen food. Tie in with a trip to Petticoat lane and Club Row. Also, Columbia Road flower market is nearby. I visited recently and thought the place still has a real vibe of what London is about - a big mix of different people that make the place really special. The market in the Old Trueman Brewery has a wonderful diverse range of food from around the world at reasonable prices. If you want to keep it simple go for a bagel at the bagel bake at the end of brick Lane toward Columbia Road.
Columbia Road flower market (Sun 8am-2pm, web: www.eastlondonmarkets.com) is also within a short walk of Brick Lane. Also check out Old Spitalfields Market.
Portobello Road Market
During the week the market is used mainly by the local community and has a mix of fruit and vegetable produce, new goods and hot food stalls. On Friday the second hand market is open and on Saturday the famous antiques market is held. In addition to the antique stalls there are a whole host of arcades, galleries, shops and cafes open to cater for tourists and visitors. A recent addition to the Saturday market is the Arts & Crafts section, located just off Portobello Road on the Tavistock Piazza.
There are loads of great little shops, cafes and places to pick up a quick bite to eat. These range from Cockney's Pie & Mash at the Ladbrook Grove end to others that caught my eye like the Falafel King, the S&M Cafe (that's sausage and mash btw) and Banger Bros.
Open: Daily 8am–6.30pm, Thur half day, Sun closed Tube: Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill Gate (zone 1&2) Address: 72 Tavistock Road, London, W11 1AN Tel: (020) 7727 7684 Website
Covent Garden Market
Famous for its street entertainers and lively atmosphere, Covent Garden is an essential place to go for anyone visiting London. It is packed with interesting shops - see the traditional toys at Benjamin Pollocks famous toy museum or venture toward Neal'sYard and the London Graphic Centre (16-18 Shelton Street, WC2H 9JL, Tel: 020 7759 4500).Plenty of places to eat around there too. Have a look at these Panaramas of the piazza and the apple market.
Tube: Covent Garden (zone 1) Address: The Market, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8RF Tel: (020) 7836 9136 Websites:here and here
A new addition to Covent Garden is London’s answer to Hollywood’s walk of fame with plaques on the avenue of 100 stars (The Beatles amongst others) on the pavement outside St Paul’s church in Covent Garden’s piazza!Nearby Attractions: West-End shows
Camden Lock Market
Camden Lock Market, Camden Stables Market, Buck Street Market and Inverness Street Market are all open, at least in parts, every day, but it is at the weekend that the market scene jumps fully into life. The indoor fashion market at the Electric Ballroom opens on Sunday only. Multitudes of shops and restaurants spill out on to the busy main streets. Always a hit with a cooler indie crowd and now packed with tourists. Have A look at this Panorama of the lock on the Mayors website! Open: Daily 10am-6pm Tube: Camden Town, Chalk Farm; BR: Camden Town, Kentish Town (zone 2) Address: Camden Lock Place, Chalk Farm Rd, London, NW1 8AF Tel: (020) 7284 2084 Website
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Nearby Attractions: London Zoo, Regents Canal, London Canal Museum
Walthamstow Market
Europe's
longest daily street market, with over 450 stalls and three hundred shops. It
stretches from Hoe Street to St James's Street and is only 30 minutes away from
central London. Saturday is the busiest day.
Open:Mon - Fri: 9am - 4pm, Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Tube:Walthamstow
Central (zone 3) BRSt. James's Street
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This covered market in Greenwich is one of London's best source for
hand crafted items, different art work, unique gifts, crafting trends,
fashion designs, and rare collectables and antiques. Be inspired and
buy British and international arts & crafts or collectables &
antiques from a wide range of over 120 stalls.In the heart of Maritime
Greenwich, it is surrounded by world famous sights and tourist
attractions.
This grade II listed building in East London, on the edge of the City and on the site of the old Fruit&Veg market, now houses a vibrant eclectic mix of fashionable clothing, furnishings and food. There are also a number of themed days, check website.
Open: Mon- Fri 10am-4pm, Sun 9am-5pm 
This sprawling market off the Bethnal Green Road is an East End institution. In medieval times bricks and tiles were manufactured here and in the 18th Century, farmers sold livestock and produce. In today's Brick Lane you'll find leather jackets, jewellery, bric-a-brac, furniture, tools, clothes, fruit & veg and jellied eels. Cheshire Street has indoor warehouses full of second hand and household goods, collectables, books and music. In Sclater St there's a predominance of pet food, provisions, electrical goods and tools. Cygnet Street has bicycles, meat, fruit, vegetables and frozen food. Tie in with a trip to Petticoat lane and Club Row. Also, Columbia Road flower market is nearby. I visited recently and thought the place still has a real vibe of what London is about - a big mix of different people that make the place really special. The market in the Old Trueman Brewery has a wonderful diverse range of food from around the world at reasonable prices. If you want to keep it simple go for a bagel at the bagel bake at the end of brick Lane toward Columbia Road.
Open: Sun 8am-2pm 
During the week the market is used mainly by the local community and has a mix of fruit and vegetable produce, new goods and hot food stalls. On Friday the second hand market is open and on Saturday the famous antiques market is held. In addition to the antique stalls there are a whole host of arcades, galleries, shops and cafes open to cater for tourists and visitors. A recent addition to the Saturday market is the Arts & Crafts section, located just off Portobello Road on the Tavistock Piazza.
There are loads of great little shops, cafes and places to pick up a quick bite to eat. These range from Cockney's Pie & Mash at the Ladbrook Grove end to others that caught my eye like the Falafel King, the S&M Cafe (that's sausage and mash btw) and Banger Bros.
Open: Daily 8am–6.30pm, Thur half day, Sun closed 
Famous for its street entertainers and lively atmosphere, Covent Garden is an essential place to go for anyone visiting London. It is packed with interesting shops - see the traditional toys at Benjamin Pollocks famous toy museum or venture toward Neal'sYard and the London Graphic Centre (16-18 Shelton Street, WC2H 9JL, Tel: 020 7759 4500).Plenty of places to eat around there too. Have a look at these Panaramas of the 