The most fashionable streets in London
From street-style spotting on Lamb's Conduit Street to exploring brand-new shops in Westbourne Grove, here's our round-up of the coolest streets in London
Upper Street and Camden Passage, Islington: for feeling at home
Busy and bustling, The Angel's Upper Street is covered in restaurants and cafés. It slopes from Upper Street down to higgledy-piggledy Camden Passage, with an array of antiques shops and cobbled narrow walkways to stumble upon on the way. Look for treasures in Mary's Living and Giving Shop and shop for the kids at Petit Bateau, the colourful fashion at Igloo Kids and the charming toys playing among the antique furniture in After Noah.
Insider tip: If you don’t want to take your kids, there’s plenty of clothes and interiors shop browsing to be had, too.
Marylebone High Street: for interior design magpies
It's only a little way north of Oxford Street, but the tourists haven't yet found it. Marylebone High Street is rich in character and excellent shopping. Find covetable Nordic interior design at Skandium, then pop next door for Matches (again). For something with a bit more history, visit John Bell & Croyden on nearby Wigmore Street. Founded in 1798, it's described by one Google reviewer as: 'What Hamley's is to kids, this place is to hypochondriacs.' Sounds sinister? It's actually full of beauty treats. The Conran Shop fills multiple shopfronts with furniture design classics alongside contemporary pieces, and then you have Lululemon for sportswear so cool it makes SweatyBetty sweat.
Insider tip: Want to mix it up? Check out William Vintage, which also has a pioneering online shop. Amal Clooney once wore black vintage YSL from these rails on the red carpet. Also serves mortals.
Lamb's Conduit Street: for street-style spotting while sipping wine
This laidback (but luxurious) partially pedestrianised street in Bloomsbury boasts some of the most in-the-know spots in the capital. The real art of Lamb's Conduit Street lies in its lack of chain-stores – apart from the presence of Aesop, which can be forgiven with ease. Find interior gems in Ben Pentreath while rubbing shoulders with London's coolest tastemakers, then lose yourself in the works of forgotten female authors in Persephone Books before hunkering down at Noble Rot Wine Bar. What's more, for whatever reason, you're bound to see some of London's best-dressed folk here.
Insider tip: Head to authentic Italian restaurant Ciao Bella for a plate of steaming pasta when you've had your shopping fill.
Redchurch Street, Shoreditch: for street art and art galleries
Shoreditch High Street is just around the corner but Redchurch Street has its own buzz, partly thanks to its artistic history. Tracey Emin once co-rented a shop here and you’ll still find art on and off the road: in street art and in the nearby Calvert 22 Gallery. On Redchurch Street proper is the great store, Labour and Wait, with its unusual workaday layout. It’s like the best organised shed in London and you’ll also find appealing menswear. For emerging menswear brands check out Hostem. A.P.C. and Aesop cosmetics are nearby, as is Nudie Jeans for jean repairs and/or doubling up on your double denim.
Insider tip: Vogue calls Redchurch Street design heaven. Check out, at either end of the spectrum: busy Finnish folklore design Klaus Haapaniemi & Co and then the stylish shop Monologue, for more modern interiors.
Rye Lane, Peckham: the hipster hub that gives and gives
From spitting, sizzling food markets and modish restaurants and cafés to the giant Bussey Building, Rye Lane is the beating heart of Peckham. It's diverse and noisy, and a hub for a hundred different cultures. The side streets are just as fun, with cast-iron billboards made by Antony Gormley, craft beer houses and secondhand books aplenty.
Insider tip: Copeland Gallery, behind the Bussey Building, has a strong programme of events and exhibitions to spark your imagination.
Lexington Street, Soho: for a curation of the coolest shops
With the smiling angels of Fiorucci peering down at you from one end, the enticing smells of Le Labo at the other, and an array of sartorial gems in between, there's plenty of reasons that Lexington Street is one of our favourites in Soho. Alex Eagle is our top reccommendation for style seekers – with covetable of-the-moment womenswear, accessories and objets d'art and plenty of interiors inspo from the shop itself.
Insider tip: Head downstairs at Alex Eagle to get one of the best facials in London at SkinWorks.
Ledbury Road and Westbourne Grove: for those fresh from Portobello
You’re just around the corner from Portobello Road market and Ledbury Road, so why not stop here? Westbourne Grove is a proper shopping destination in its own right with all your favourite shops from the higher end of high-street fashion. Our favourite stretch? Weekend MaxMara next to LA supercool cottons for men and women from James Perse, next to Smythson, next to Daylesford Organic, next to Orlebar Brown swimwear – all lined up in a row on the north side of the street. What's more, Reformation has just opened its first European store on the road.
Insider tip: Is it just us, or are those the most glamorous public loos we’ve ever seen?
Best florists in London
Stoke Newington Church
Street: for time off
Search and Rescue shop interior
Oh, Stoke Newington, saved from tourists by having no local Tube. Once you’re there 'Stokey' (nickname optional) is a proper neighbourhood, with a friendly vibe and local shops. Try Nook, one of the best-ranked gift and homeware shops in London for Scandi brands such as Hay and Marimekko, although you’re in danger of buying yourself some nice handy string. Visit nearby Search and Rescue for homeware, too. For clothing boutiques, try Hub, founded by two sisters, which stocks Denmark’s coolest brand, Ganni, as well as other designers, alongside their own range.
Insider tip: Visit The Jolly Butcher, the highly popular local pub, for a roast or refreshment.
Regent’s Park Road: for books, cupcakes and celeb-spotting
Running through Primrose Hill, this is a pleasant shopping parade to explore, with the delightful Primrose Hill Books and plenty of other independent shops such as the curious beer seller Bottle Apostle. A definite pitstop on the way down from climbing the hill.
Insider tip: We love The Contemporary Garden fair, GROW London, at Primrose Hill in July.
Neal's Yard, Covent Garden: for buzz and bustle
Magical Neal's Yard
For small outposts of big stores, come to Covent Garden, where the branches are on quiet streets, perfect for popping in and out. There's an Apple here, plus chic designers like Cos and Camper, and classics like stately perfume house Penhaligon's. At Neal Street, visit Aram for contemporary furniture and then drop in to magical Neal's Yard for a spot of respite: Homeslice Pizza or 26 Grains.
Insider tip: At Covent Garden, pop in to the market building itself: there's often live opera and classical music echoing up from the ground floor and you can look down over it – a culture fix for free.