Not many people can come to London and resist the allure of its near-infinite shopping districts. From captivating boutiques tucked away in backstreets, to bustling markets that have stood in place for centuries, right up to world-leading shopping metropolises, this city has it all.
And just because you stay in London centre around work, that’s no reason not to embrace the shopping opportunities (shopportunities..?) on offer.
In this article, we’ve rounded up some of the best shopping hotspots (shopspots..? We’ll stop now) for you to lose yourself in.
The best shopping hotspots near Pimlico London
Pimlico is an unsung area of London, defined by beautiful Regency architecture, and nestled neatly between Westminster and Victoria. It’s a great place to explore on its own merit and is also well-connected to the rest of the city. All of the shopping destinations listed below can be reached in thirty minutes or less via public transport.
1. Pimlico Road farmer’s market
For a glimpse into the rustic market history of Central London, what better place to start then the Pimlico Road farmer’s market. Here you’ll find all manner of delicious and tempting produce, from fruit and poultry, to seasonal game and shellfish, to artisan bread, cheeses, and chutneys.
Whether you’re hungry or not on arrival, we can practically guarantee that you’ll come away with something delicious. And what’s more, you’ll get to soak up the unique Pimlico ambience: The market stands under the watchful gaze of a statue of Mozart, alluding to the visit on which he composed his first symphony.
The Pimlico Road farmer’s market is about a mile away from Dolphin Square and should take around twenty minutes on foot.
2. Cardinal Place
Just up the road from Westminster is Cardinal Place, an 11-floor paradise for people who want to shop. No expense was spared with the creation of this shopping centre: The £200 million contract went to EPR Architects, with Sir Robert McAlpine overseeing the project. Inside the stylish glass-and-steel structure you’ll find shops to delight every visitor, regardless of what they’re looking to buy.
On offer in Cardinal Place are high-end fashion boutiques, technology stores, lifestyle shops, and much, much more. There’s also a food court replete with some truly delicious cuisines: Perfect for when you need a break between bouts of shopping.
Cardinal Place is about twelve minutes from Dolphin Square. Head to Pimlico and catch a Victoria Line train for one stop, then alight at Victoria and walk the rest of the way.
3. Princes Arcade
Tucked between Piccadilly and Jermyn Street in the bustling heart of the capital, you’ll find Princes Arcade. Where Cardinal Place offers a sheer volume of stores that invites hours of browsing, Princes Arcade offers a curated selection of boutiques designed as an “antidote to a world of endless choice.”
For the discerning shopper, these boutiques, ranging from bespoke Italian menswear to health and wellness vendors, present a truly enticing shopping experience. Browse products you won’t find elsewhere, chat to proud and knowledgeable staff, and lose yourself in the exquisite variety on offer.
Princes Arcade is about twenty minutes from Dolphin Square. Head to Pimlico, then jump on a Victoria Line train to Green Park. From there it’s about ten minutes to the arcade.
4. St Christopher’s Place
Just off the iconic-but-hectic Oxford Street, you’ll find St Christopher’s Place. This street, named after the patron saint of travellers, offers visitors to London an opportunity for some truly memorable shopping.
On the street, you’ll find boutique shopping with brands like Jigsaw, Astrid & Miyu, and Mulberry. Dotted between boutiques are myriad options to wine and dine in style, from famous chains like Pizza Express to independent eateries like Cocochan. Whatever you choose, you’re sure of a gourmet pitstop between bursts of shopping.
It’s especially intriguing to learn that as Oxford Street surged in popularity, St Christopher’s Place almost fell out of favour. It’s down to the visionary developer Robin Spiro that the street holds such esteem today.
It’ll take you about twenty minutes to get here from Dolphin Square. Just head to Pimlico, take the Victoria Line to Oxford Circus, and walk from there.
5. Oxo Tower Wharf
The Oxo Tower stands proudly on the bank of the Thames, drawing the eye from miles around, and attracting visitors with its unique magnetism. At the Tower Wharf, you’ll find a delightful sprinkling of boutiques offering incredible artisan goods, including homeware, jewellery, art, gifts, and more.
As with the very best shopping destinations in our capital, Oxo Tower Wharf offers more than just shopping. It’s easy to spend a whole day here, poking around shops, soaking in the scenery, checking out the exhibitions, and enjoying a coffee or three as you go. No visit to London is complete without a visit here, so whack it on your itinerary today.
The Oxo Tower Wharf is just over twenty minutes from Dolphin Square. You’ll need to catch the Victoria Line to Green Park, then change to the Jubilee Line and stay on until Southwark. From there it’s a short walk through streets, or you have the option of a long detour along the bank of the Thames.
6. Duke of York Square
If you love chic boutiques and al fresco dining, then the Duke of York Square is for you. From health & beauty brands like Aesop and Dermalogica, to fashion brands like Eric Bompard, Joseph, L.K Bennett, and Links of London, the square offers an unparalleled series of sumptuous shopping treats.
Then, once you’ve tired yourself out browsing the collections of some of the most exciting fashion brands in London, you have a wide array of exciting restaurants to choose from. The Saatchi Gallery Bar & Brasserie offers a unique cultural backdrop for an enlivening snack, or restaurants like Comptoir Libanais and Polpo are on hand to serve you up three courses of delight. If you’re only peckish there is a selection of exciting tidbits available at the fine food market, from cakes to cannolis, and from sushi to dumplings.
Duke of York Square is just shy of twenty minutes from Dolphin Square. Catch the Victoria Line to Victoria Station, then switch to District until Sloane Square.
7. Victoria Place
We return again to Westminster, where Victoria Place offers a wide variety of health, beauty, fashion, homeware, and lifestyle stores. While less boutique-y than some other destinations on this list, Victoria Place captures everything we love about a day spent shopping.
Here you can stock up on the latest trends, and fill a bag with the very best products to pamper yourself. It’s very much about self-care, and on emphasising the therapeutic aspect of the phrase ‘retail therapy’. Victoria Square is also replete with food and drink vendors to keep your energy levels topped up while you shop.
It’s just ten minutes from Dolphin Square to Victoria Place. Simply hop on the Victoria Line for one stop, and walk a short way to the shops.
8. Seven Dials
Sometimes you need a shopping destination that’s conducive to a slower pace. A place where you can stroll and browse slowly, rather than feeling rushed off your feet. While the energetic side of shopping does often appeal, it’s good to take the time to relax into it. Seven Dials is here to help with that.
The location’s name refers to seven streets which converge on a central point, each of which was originally named to attract affluent residents to the area. The geography of the area is unusual and its origins fascinating: An MP in the early 1690s figured out that triangle blocks would allow landlords to make more from housing because the rent was charged based on frontage rather than area inside.
Despite exploitative origins, his decision means that you’ll now find tons of shops tucked neatly into one convenient area. It’s easy to spend a whole day here, poking around the fashion, lifestyle, healthy, and beauty boutiques. Take it slow and enjoy yourself.
It’ll take you about 25 minutes to get here from Dolphin Square. Take the Victoria Line to Piccadilly, then switch to that line until Covent Garden.
Shop til you drop?
No matter how much you shop, and no matter how many bags you need to wrangle into the taxi on the way home, there’s nothing quite like returning to a Dolphin Square apartment with your haul. With plenty of space to spread out and survey your purchases, and plenty of comfortable places to sit (or lay down) after a busy day stomping pavement, we’ve got you covered.
Then, downstairs, our Bar & Grill has an extensive wine list to help you relax and recharge for another day out.
Why not book a viewing now, and start planning for your next shopping extravaganza.
