can you help me plan my day trip to london?

[fairycakes]

hello, just wondering if any one out there that's from/knows london well could help me...
last year we went to london to do our xmas shop - (from manchester) but we didnt have a clue where any of the shops we wanted were and spent most of the time wandering up and down oxford street a bit lost!! so this year we are going on thursday and want to find out where the shops we need are so we can enjoy it a bit more and not have the headache of searching for things...
we need (large stores of all these please)
Marks and Spencers
Boots (could not find this last time at all!!)
Waterstones (or another book shop)
John Lewis
Selfridges
Monsoon/Accessorise
Paperchase
Oasis
Next
Early learning centre

i dont have a clue about london or what tubes etc to get so any info would be much appreciated - we will be getting the train to kings cross thank you so much......

Okay you should still hit Oxford St
This site will help as it lists all the shops and has a map of where they are

linkything

There is a new big Boots store on Oxford St - near to the Bond St tube

Sorry gotta go baby crying

thanks blondeinlondon xx

fairycakes, i personally would never ever in a million years go into london for shopping any more.
go to the trafford centre its near you. im sure you will find what you need there. or buy online. youll save yourself the train fare. or go to the gazillionish factory outlet places in the north. there is a lovely one near poulton le fylde i used to got ot a decade ago.
if you really must come down to london, then go to bluewater. its got all the shops, except selfridges, its covered, its warm, there are things to do their. and food to eat as well.

I agree, you would have to have a pack of wolves after me to get me to Oxford St! Other than the odd quick duck into Selfridges that is.

Or you could go to an out of town shopping centre like Brent Cross or somewhere. Isn't there one in Manchester though?

If you start at Marble Arch end of Oxford Street and walk up to Oxford Circus end, you will hit most of those shops. Next is the First you will come to (corner of Oxford Street and Gloucester PLace). The very large Marks and Spencer is on one side of Baker Street where it intersects at Oxford St (But there is no tube there (nearest is Marble Arch).This is a very short walk from the Next. Selfridges is across the road. If you continue down oxford Street after you come out of Selfridges, past Bond St, you will find a very very large Boots (brand new on 3 or 4 floors) and a large Waterstones very near to the John Lewis. I know there is Monsoon somewhere along, but couldn't tell you excatly where. There is no ELC on Oxford Street. I think one of the main department stores may have some of their stuff, but can't remember which one. I am not sure about the others you mentioned - sorry!

Don't be put off by what other people are saying. Oxford Street is my local shopping and I think it is great. Also, if you come out of Marble Arch tube, on the same side of the road walking away from the Arch, there is a fabulous (small) discount book shop. Has some lovely kids books, gifty books and also stationary,. Also, if you want to stop somewhere for lunch, just after Selfridges, on the same side of the road, look for Bird Street. Turn left on this Road and walk to the corner. There is a fabulous and cheap (for london) restaurant called Basabu. Really nice japanese/Thai style and my kids love it too! Alternatively, from the same corner as that restaurant, you will see St Christophers PLace which is a square with a lot of different restaurants on. The large Waterstones also has a cafe Nero it.`

When it was my local shopping place I used to grit my teeth and go but never liked it

Debenhams on Oxfor street have an Early Learning in it but it is just a concession, not a proper store. Don't think they have a store in central London - there is a Disney Store on Oxford Street if that helps???

thanks for all the messages - we are going to london for a wedding fayre and although i agree that all the shops are the same at the trafford centre etc, i go almost every week and as we never get to spend any time together doing anything different, doing our xmas shopping in londond is actually a nice treat for us!! i know if you go there all the time it wouldnt be the same, so thanks for replying to thread anyway, but i will definitely be braving it!
and thanks also for the answers about where the shops are, soiunds like i need to stick to oxford street but just set my sights on where i am going. i will try that restaurant you mentioned ilanaK it sounds fab, thanks for the advice!

xx

Huge big Paperchase in Tottenham Ct Rd, which is then very handy for Heals (which has some great cheaper things amongst the fantasy-only!), Purves&Purves (ditto), habitat and a couple of others. Tottenham Ct Rd is at right angles to Oxford St...some buses (like the 73 to Stoke Newington - or is it the 43??) go along Oxford st and then up Tottenham Ct Rd, if your legs are giving out!

Check out www.streetsensation.co.uk. This shows you all the shops on Oxford and Regent Street.

Some of us cynical Londonesrs have been swayed by the comfort of Bluewater etc but honestly, a day shopping in London at Christmas can be magical and I used to love it.

Have a great time.

Everything on Oxford St as per previous posters bar Paper Chase as per previous poster, gignatic shop on Tottenham Cout Road. ELC only ones i know of other than concession in Debenhams on Oxfrod Street are kensington high street or kings road, the latter right next to Peter Jones which is a John Lewis sister store... There's always Hamleys of course...If you need it good baby facilities at Mothercare opposite Next in Marble Arch end (also next to an H&M with big kids department, I love H&M Kids) or also in John Lewis. Also have you thought about Liberty on regent street, xmas department to die for.

I love London at Christmas, specially shopping, though recommend early mornings and Mondays and Tuesdays as better/less busy days to shop.

Just to add - John Lewis has a fairly good toy section on the 4rth floor. Selfridages also has a toy section, but quite pricey. Mothercare's toy section is small and rubbish. If you go as far as Regent Street (All the way at the end of Oxford Street) you could make it to Hamley's. But to be honest, I don't think you will make it through half of what you ahve mentioned already!

well, i am back and just wanted to say thanks for the advice about wher the shops were etc, it certainly made it a lot less stressful and more enjoyable. we had a really good time, but one thing i have to say is i have A LOT of respect for you mums out there who go on the tube with buggies - how the hell do you do it?! i was ok as had dp with me and he carried the buggy up and down but to do it on you own i just dont know how you manage!!