The spending money for this outing was provided by Hotels.com but all views are of course, my own.
Oxford Street is synonymous with Christmas shopping. And honestly, there is nothing more tedious than the Oxford Street Christmas hustle. Its always so crowded, you are fighting with people to get your shopping done and you never manage to get any service. Compared to that Covent Garden is heaven!
There are a couple of reasons I prefer Convent Garden for my shopping. although I love Oxford Street most of the year, Christmas shopping time is just a crazy frenetic vibe. I just find it too stressful and its never a pleasant experience so I always turn to Covent Garden, which is probably my favourite place in London. Since Covent Garden is a more touristy area (there are a lot of hotels around) its not full of stressed Londoners trying to finish their shopping. Its full of tourists who are out for a good time and this gives it a more relaxed vibe.
Also, I like my Christmas shopping to be an outing – I don’t go only for the purpose of shopping. Oxford Street is just for the shopping while I see Covent Garden as a complete outing.
HIDDEN SHOPPING GEMS
I started my shopping at Long Acre which is a long street with a line of stores just outside Covent Garden station. You will probably find everything you need there – from clothes to jewellery to makeup.
If you turn towards the Convent Garden piazza you will find scores of stores (including my favourite skincare brand, the Ordinary) all around it as well as inside. I won’t be listing out every store in the area but will definitely mention a few places you need to absolutely check out.
The first one I have is not a store but the Jubilee Market. Although its right on the piazza I have met so many people who had never heard of this market! If you are tourist its a nice place to pick up some cheap (in price, not quality) souvenirs and honestly, this beats the plastic stuff from Primark any day. If you are not a tourist this is a good place for some stocking fillers.
Vintage stores like Rokit: vintage shopping is all the trend now and Rokit is a goldmine. Its such a fantastic place for fashion. Make sure to go to the shop next to Rokit as well – especially if you are an All Stars fan.
The other store I recommend is the Shop At Bluebird which is beyond gorgeous. Honestly, its definitely on the expensive side so not really a store I have ever bought anything from (yet!) but its such a lovely store I recommend a visit even if its just for inspiration.
If you look you will find less expensive brands and I love how carefully it is curated. Its quite obvious from the brands and items they stock theres a lot of love behind it! Its also a store where you will probably discover the next ‘IT’ brand as well as find items from brands you thought were only available online.
Outfit details: white jeans, black turtleneck, black boots and red faux fur coat.
AND ONCE THE SHOPPING IS DONE
After we were done with our bit shopping we decided to get a drink. The good thing about Covent Garden is you can get a drink at your traditional pub, fancy cocktail bar or even a cute like tea bar. All tastes are catered for.
We were actually in Covent Garden the evening earlier and made sure we walked around the piazza to check out the Christmas lights that were up.
We ended the night with a comedy show and this is what I love about Covent Garden – the variety and choice available within a 15 minute walk!
I really hope you enjoyed this post. I’ll be honest – there is not going to be a lot of Christmas content on my blog. I am not a fan and I am personally bored of seeing so much Christmas stuff. You will see a mix of round up posts, some fashion stuff and travel stuff and I hope you enjoy it!
– Anisha
Looks like you had a great time. Those were really nice high end stores you visited. I would go there too just to look around. I will be coming back to your blog to read more about travel articles. I like reading about places I want to visit in the future.
Haha same! I was mostly window shopping honestly. But also these fancy stores are actually quite good just for inspiration and outfit ideas and its just fun walking around.
I love Covent Garden but not been there yet this Christmas, we are planning a trip up there in the next week hopefully, Looks like you had a great day
What are you planning to do? Either way you will have fun!
Covent Garden is always worth a look if you are in London. There is a restaurant/cafe that has musicians outside and we go there every time to have a glass of mulled wine at Christmas
I love shopping in London but we just don’t get the chance to go often enough for my liking! It looks like an amazing time!
I’m going to Covent Garden on Sunday and I can’t wait to see the lights and Christmas trees x
I do like Covent Garden and I hope to make it there next week to see the Christmas lights. It’s such a beautiful part of London.
Hope you make it too! The decorations and the vibe is so fun this time of the year.
Covent Garden looks like a great place for Christmas shopping. I like the fact that it’s quieter than Oxford Street. Love the Christmas decorations.
I really like how quiet it is compared to Oxford Street. Also lot of options to plan other things around Christmas shopping!
I love Covent Garden! It’s so lovely at Christmas too; I haven’t been for ages since having a baby but can’t wait to go again!
It would be fun to go even between Christmas and New Year – will be so relaxed!
It sounds like you had a lovely day shopping in Covent Garden! I love how amazing and festive London looks in December.
This looks much more festive than the Christmas shopping in Newcastle! Looks like you had a lovely day.
Katie xoxo
Would actually love to go to Newcastle honestly! Grass is always greener on the other side. I love Covent Garden but it gets crowded too!
First I love all your pictures! Covent Garden is one of my fav London areas for sure xx
Looks like a wonderful day. I keep meaning to go Christmas shopping in London as I am not that far away but I haven’t managed it yet!
Lovely post, I haven’t been to London for a few years now and it’s tricky with kids, but some great tips for the next time my husband and I get a date weekend!
Thank you! Yes definitely – just go for a day date!