Carnaby Street in the 1960s was more like a catwalk than a shopping area. Loud music played from brightly coloured shops and people would wear the latest trends from mod gear to mini skirts. The street attracted a new demographic – teenagers – who wanted to imitate the famous faces that shopped there, such as model Twiggy, Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones. The Kinks have namechecked the street in Dedicated Follower of Fashion, it had its own stage show Carnaby Street: The Musical and featured in the hit fi lm Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.
Carnaby Street – and its 13 surrounding streets – will be swinging once more with the Carnaby Style Night (4 May; 5pm-9pm; p. 79). Join the party as shops have DJs playing in store and plenty of exclusive off ers: get a haircut for free at Johnny’s Chop Shop; enjoy live music at Moscot; Illamasqua has a drag queen-inspired ‘Men in Make-up’ event; there are free yoga classes at triyoga; free food and drink at Fred Perry and you can customise your trainers at Superga. The best-dressed fashionistas will be rewarded with a goodie bag worth £200. If all that shopping makes you hungry, head to one of the many nearby restaurants and bars, which are off ering discounts as part of the event. Long may Carnaby Street swing!
MAJOR SHOPPING AREAS
CARNABY STREET
Once the domain of 1960s mods and rockers, these days the area appeals to the fashionable set, with sports-inspired stores and independent boutiques. Station: Oxford Circus. B5.
COVENT GARDEN
This former vegetable market is now a popular centre for arts, crafts stalls, plus restaurants, cafés and pubs. Station: Covent Garden. B/C6.
KING’S ROAD
High-street names and boutiques, plus adjacent Duke of York’s Square is great for fashion and antiques. Station: Sloane Square. Off map. KNIGHTSBRIDGE A designer shopping area including iconic department stores Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Station: Knightsbridge. Off map.
OXFORD STREET
Europe’s busiest shopping street has major department stores and popular high-street chains. Station: Oxford Circus/Bond Street/ Marble Arch. B4/5/6.
NOTTING HILL
A serious shopping spot filled with excellent boutiques ranging from fashion and antiques through to jewellery, and the famous Portobello Market. Station: Notting Hill Gate/ Westbourne Grove. Off map.
REGENT STREET
Prestigious retail area with stores including Apple, Liberty, Swarovski, Burberry and the first British Ferrari shop. Station: Oxford Circus/ Piccadilly Circus. B/C5.
SAVILE ROW
One of London’s most famous and exclusive streets, great for gentlemen and full of bespoke tailors. Station: Piccadilly Circus. C5.
MARKETS
BOROUGH MARKET
A popular destination for foodies. Food stalls Mon- Tue 10am-5pm; full market Wed-Thur 10am-5pm; Fri 10am-6pm; Sat 8am-5pm. 8 Southwark St, SE1 1TL. T: 020-7407 1002. www.boroughmarket. org.uk. Station: London Bridge. C8.
BRICK LANE
Vintage shops and weekend stalls selling everything from antique furniture to books. Some shops open daily; market Sun 10am-5pm. Brick Lane, E1 6PU. T: 020-7364 1717. www.visit bricklane.org. Station: Aldgate East. Off map.
CAMDEN MARKET
Find retro clothes, jewellery and antiques and a range of street food. Open daily 10am-6pm. Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8AF. T: 020-3763 9999. www.camdenlockmarket.com. Station: Camden Town. Off map.
GREENWICH MARKET
Charming covered market and courtyard. Daily 10am-5.30pm. Church St, SE10 9HZ. T: 020-8269 5096. www.greenwich marketlondon.com. Station: Cutty Sark. Off map.
LONDON SILVER VAULTS
The world’s largest retailer of fine antique silver. Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm; Sat 9am-1pm. Chancery Lane, WC2A 1QS. T: 020-7242 3844. www.the silvervaults.com. Station: Chancery Lane. B7.
OLD SPITALFIELDS MARKET
Indoor market with a mix of stalls, including fashion on Sat 11am-5pm. Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; Sun 10am-5pm. Brushfield St, E1 6AA. T: 0207247 8556. www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com. Station: Liverpool Street. B9.
PICCADILLY MARKET
Stalls in the church courtyard sell food (Mon), antiques (Tue) and arts and crafts (Wed-Sat). Mon 11am-5pm; Tue-Sat 10am-6pm. St James’s Church, 197 Piccadilly, W1J 9LL. T: 020-7734 4511. www.piccadilly-market.co.uk. Station: Piccadilly Circus. C5.
PORTOBELLO ROAD MARKET
Browse stalls specialising in antiques, curiosities and art. Busiest on Sat. Fri-Sat 9am-5pm. Portobello Rd, W10 5TA. www.portobelloroad. co.uk. Station: Notting Hill Gate. Off map.
