How could anyone visit one of the world’s greatest shopping cities and come away with nothing to show for it? Souvenirs in London are suitably British, that being simultaneously stylish and bizarre, and these are five of the best.
Few things scream ‘BRITAIN!’ louder than a bottle opener with The Queen’s face on it, or a pair of Prince Charles socks, or a packet of condoms featuring an image of Buckingham Palace. London is full of royalty-centric merchandise, and we challenge you to go out and find the tackiest of the tacky.
Every country has their own favourite spirit, and there is nothing more English than gin. Once the drink of choice for depressed housewives and the homeless, the distilled juniper drink has been embraced by hipsters all across the world.
Okay, an umbrella might not sound like the most obvious of souvenirs, but then you are visiting the land of eternal drizzle. James Smith & Sons is a shop on Oxford Street that sells only umbrellas, a most-London souvenir to take back to your sunnier home.
You are likely going to need an Oyster Card to get around London, and the little blue wallets double up as a fine souvenir to take home. The London Underground is often more of a hellhole than a transport network, so the memories might not be entirely sweet. Still, a souvenir is a souvenir.
Does it get any more English than a cup of tea? Putting aside the whole ‘stolen culture’ thing, London is full of shops selling speciality tea and quaint little tea-sets. Fortnum and Mason is your best bet on this front.
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