Going to London tomorrow with DD (13) should we avoid Oxford Street - if so where?

[daisie4]

Am a bit concerned its going to be manic, but not sure where else to go to get a good selection of shops for us both? High Street Ken maybe?

Agree with corygal's schedule. Plus cov gard has some great shops now along Longacre. I hadn't been there for a couple of years and there are some lovely new little bits opening up along there.

Thank you all so much for your replies, I've just gor in so will read through and plan route while we're driving. It all sounds manic!

I think Top Shop actually opens at 9 one of the few that does

Oxford St to me consists of several Next shops, Gap shops, New Looks, M&S , H&Ms, Mc Donald's, Subways, Cheap sports shops, crap shops, same same same same...

Oxford St to me is meh meh meh. And far too busy, dirty, tacky.... full of buses and traffic and madness.

I'm old

Hi, not sure if you are still reading... but here goes (stumbled on this by chance):

"On Saturday 1 December, 10am ? 6pm Cheapside, Leadenhall Market, One New Change, Paternoster Square and Bow Lane are teaming up to host a traffic-free shopping event providing a truly unique way for Londoners and visitors alike to enjoy Christmas 2012 in the City.

The whole of Cheapside will be pedestrianised for the day, creating a route stretching from St Paul?s to Poultry. The special day will be brought to life by a combination of family entertainment, music, a Christmas market in Guildhall Yard and unique offers from many of the stores.?

More information can be found on www.cityoflondon.gov.uk and also on the leaflet attached."

Otherwise I would vote for Covent Garden - although I think with a Teenager you cannot not go to Topshop...

Have a great day!

Monty But she's 13- she'll like all that stuff (New Look, H&M etc).- presumably she's not really in the market for Reiss and Hobbs. Plus there's John Lewis, House of Fraser, Urban Outfitters (or did they go bust??) and the whole of Regent Street and Bond Street to do.

If the shops are the main focus then Canary Wharf is great plus you'll park no problem.
Shops include Oasis, Warehouse, Topshop, Zara, French Connection etc... You can park in Waitrose and get ticket stamped to have it reduced ( still expensive!).
Nice selection of restaurants too. The Reebok gym above Waitrose has a nice restaurant which non members can use.

Is she looking for clothes or buying presents?

Oxford St will be mad- but there is Top Shop.

It all depends on why you are going! If sh e is not buying clothes then anywhere BUT Oxford St will be best.

She likes the clothes shops, Primark, New Look, H&M etc, but we live in a large city so it seems a bit of a waste of the day to visit what we already have. She also wants to Christmas shop for presents for friends, and we just want a pleasant potter (if you can do that in London!)

There's more than one Westfield - which is the one are you all recommending? I think we'd prefer to stay outside as the day looks cold but lovely, has the Kings Road got enough to interest a 13yo? Are the shops more individual / one offs?

I don't think the Kings Road is for young teens unless they are very rich ones!

My advice would be to go for High St Ken, and if you feel up to the walk you could wander down to Harrods via Exhibition Road and Brompton Rd/ Knightsbridge- will take about 30 minutes. There's a super ballgowns through the decades exhibition on at the V&A ( not been mind you) then you might want to try Harrods or Harvey Nics just for fun!

Where are you coming from? Does she know London at all or will it be a thrill just see Harrods etc?

Second Merlinswife advice get off at South Kengsington tube walk through the tunnel to the V & A, first museum on the right. I have been to the ballgown exhibition and there are some amazing dresses through the decades. I love the coffee and cakes there and sit in the the piano room with the wonderful decor. I walk to Knightsbridge and pop into Harrods and Harvey Nichols and have my nails painted at the Nail inc. nail bar. There are all the teenage shops there Top Shop, H&M, Gap etc. It is busy but not as hellish as Oxford street.

i think that last idea is a good one in the circs.

Hi, just wanted to let you all know how our day went. We had such a lovely time, started at Piccadilly and went via Gilly Hicks (which we've never seen before) Zara home and a few other shops, went up Carnaby Street so missed the rush at the top of Regent Street, into Liberty's for the Christmas decoraions and Choccywoccydoodaa to drool over the creations. Onto Top Shop, which dd has never been into before - big hit, H&M and John Lewis (for me). Then met up with dh and ds (who were at rugby) and went to Bills off Piccadilly to eat. Christmas decorations were gorgeous and managed to miss most of crowds.
Thank you for all your help and advice. I think we have loads of ideas for our next trip too.

Sounds like a wonderful day daisie4 .... Love Liberty's one of my favourite shops. Daily mail had a feature on the Christmas window displays in London, they look amazing.

Choccywoccydoodaa is amazing! We couldn't quite believe that the displays in the window were made of chocolate.

Glad to hear you had a good day Daisie, apparently Westfield London was horrendous on Saturday (a colleague went) !