Must visit shops in London and what to buy

[AutisticLegoLover]

I'm looking to buy a birthday gift for my lovely mum on our trip tomorrow. Shes in her 80s and likes pretty things, garden things, but no ornaments. A tacky fridge magnet is essential to add to her collection though. I'll be getting her some chocolates from Fortnum and Mason but where to go and what to buy for something a bit different that I could only get in London? It's not her only gift so around the £50 mark?
I'm not familiar with London and don't know what's there beyond the obvious. Thanks 😃

Liberty

I came to add Liberty as well.
I love that shop, full of unexpected treasure in the basement

London is not that different from anywhere else, tbh.
Try a good museum shop - V&A, Courtauld Gallery or National Gallery would be my choices.

For perfume & other gifts, Penhaligon's is lovely - I think they are still in the Burlington Arcade, which is just across the road from Fortnums.

100% Liberty!

How about a cup/mug from Fortnums? They have some nice ones with initials on, or coronation F&M mugs. Cath Kidston have a shop a few doors along from Fortnums and have ‘London’ prints on tote bags tea towels etc. Buckingham Palace has a gift shop, as so Westminster abbey, St Paul’s etc.

Yes to gallery shops. Or else Covent Garden Market. Tottenham Court Rd was always good for homeware but not sure what's there anymore. Floral St in Covent Garden if you want perfume. (Bloom is a good independent and Floral St shop itself for reasonably priced lovely perfume).

What's Liberty's?
Thank you for all the suggestions. A fancy mug might be a good idea because she doesn't have a particularly favourite or special one anymore.

V&A museum shop is full of unusual and beautiful gifts. Not sure what you’d get at Liberty other than their print stuff.

Came here to say liberty too. Even a sample of fabric is just gorgeous!

https://www.libertylondon.com

It’s an upmarket store but with lots of cheaper lovely things to be found. Worth a visit.

Is she a tea drinker? I got my DP some fruity/herbal tea from Harrods when I went in April, and he loved them so much that I ordered some more for him from Harrods.

Also - ladurée macarons are to die for!

The have a shop in convent garden, or counter in Harrods food hall

Liberty has lots of gifty bits and pieces on the ground floor. It's just a beautiful shop to spend some time in too.

Don't bother with Harrods.

Liberty is a lovely shop to explore, with its creaky staircases and beautiful fabrics.

This ^

I'm sure you'll find something your mum will love in Liberty can you tell it's my favourite shop?!

Fortnums do amazing Chocolossus biscuits in beautiful tins. The biscuits are incredible (and I'm not usually a biscuit eater) and the tins are stunning. Best present ever!

Harrods Food Hall is always worth a visit (and I write this as a Londoner). I love their chocolate covered raspberries (and they make a lovely gift).

Liberty, as already mentioned is good for gifts in Liberty prints (so washbags, eye masks etc).

The Buckingham Palace gift shop also has some nice things, especially food and wine, plus Coronation memorabilia etc if you're into that sort of thing. I usually buy mince pies from the Buckingham Palace shop as they're the best mince pies ever (and my spoiled family have got used to that standard now).

Museum gift shops are also good - have a look at the London Transport Museum if you're in Covent Garden anyway. The V&A shop is good, as is the British Museum one.