I have a free afternoon in London - where to go?

[redfacebigdisgrace]

I am in London this week (I live a long way away) for an appointment. I’ll be in East London (Bethnal Green) and have the afternoon after midday free, before flying out of Heathrow at 8pm.

Where should I go for shopping? I live in another big UK city so I’m not interested in high street chains as I can go to those at home. I’m more interested in vintage and London only shops.

Any ideas that would work? I fancied a wander around Notting Hill as I’ve not been, but I imagine it’s super pricey. Not checked logistics…

Thanks!

Spitalfields/Brick Lane! You're in the perfect area for this, lots of smaller shops (with a few chains tbf).

I second Brick Lane. For interesting shops and vintage.

Liberty (Oxford Circus) have their Christmas floor which is always a lovely browse!

As others have said already, the best place for vintage is Brick Lane which is an easy walk from Bethnal Green (just walk along Bethnal Green Road and Brick Lane will be on your left). Spitalfields market has some interesting stalls although most of the shops have become more corporate as rents have increased. Also don't miss Redchurch Street (just north of Brick Lane) and Shoreditch High Street as there are some good independents there including the East London branch of Browns (usually has something interesting going on and despite the hipness, the staff are lovely). There's also Goodhood just over on Curtain Road.

All super-easy and afterwards from Liverpool St station either get the Central line to Notting Hill if you have time and still want to go there or get the Elizabeth line straight to Heathrow.

Before/after your appt in Bethnal Green, if you need coffee The Beehive (across the road from the Young V&A) is good and very friendly.

I like Spitalfields and Brick Lane. I think there's a good mix of shops and Spitalfields Market, although very gentrified as a pp has said, is still interesting, with different themes on different days of the week. However for vintage, I think it depends on what you want. You say you live in a big UK city and, in terms of quality, you might not find the Brick Lane vintage shops to be very different from what you'll already know - there are just a lot more of them and they're big. I'd make an exception for Hunky Dory - don't forget to go downstairs - and there also used to be a good one called (I think) House of Vintage on (I think) Cheshire St, but the last time I went, a couple of years ago, it seemed to have changed and was mostly graphic T shirts.

This suggestion will be harder to get to (I'm not in London) so you may not have time but, for vintage that I'm increasingly unlikely to see anywhere else days, I head for Alfies Antiques especially a stall on the ground floor selling pre WW2 clothing. It's keenly priced so you're unlikely to grab any bargains but they have some stunning and unusual clothes, including 1920s and 30s. As well as clothing there are also vintage furniture sellers - and a decent cafe. It's not open every day of the week though so check before you go! I think the nearest tube is Edgeware Rd (at least that's how I got there).

Wow thanks soooooo much!!!! Really appreciate that.

Agree Spitalfields is a good bet because you can then get the Elizabeth line direct from Stratford to Heathrow.

yes definitely agree with this.

Better to get the Elizabeth line from Liverpool St or even Whitechapel if the OP is at Spitalfields. No point going east to Stratford when she needs to get to Heathrow.

If you're doing Brick Lane, be sure to check out Redchurch st - runs from the top of Brick Lane west towards Shoreditch. Some lovely independent-ish shops there - I like Folk - and higher-end ones like APC that are worth a browse. Plus it has a Jolene which is amazing for coffee & pastries.

Placemarking because I haven't been to Brick Lane for years and have just been reminded that I should go there in the run up to Xmas. Spitalfields is lovely and as everyone's said, it's hugely convenient for both the East End and Heathrow.

Yes, definitely. I wasn't thinking when I posted that. Liverpool Street is what I meant to say! Perimenopause brain.

Great tip. I know that area quite well but I don't think I've been down this street.

I always think when you’re shopping in London, the main thing is to pick an area with maybe a mile mile and a half radius, and stick to it. Although tube journeys can look deceptively quick in theory, in practice they can end up being a massive black hole in terms of time and energy and just sort of break up the vibe of the day.

That’s me sorted for tomorrow! Thanks everyone.

Please come back and let us know how you got on.

Hi all. Back home now.

Thanks so much for all your advice. I had a fantastic afternoon.

I walked from my appointment in Bethnal Green to Broadway market. Looked at a vintage shop there then walked along the canal for a bit. So nice with moorhens and geese.

I then walked down to Brick Lane stopping at Redchurch street on the way. Had a great browse there. Lots of lovely shops that they don’t have at home. Particularly liked Sessun. APC were very snooty.

Brick Lane was wonderful. Had a good rummage around some of the vintage shops. I prefer the more expensive hand picked ones to be honest! Don’t have the patience for rummaging for hours….The basement vintage mall was fun too.

Then onto Spitalfields market. Liked American Vintage and the huge All Saints. Had some delicious Ethiopian vegan food there.

Then up to Liverpool St and the Elizabeth Line to Heathrow.

loved loved loved it all. Thanks again!

So glad you had fun! 🌞

Ooh I did not know there was a Sessun shop there. That's good to know. Glad you had a good time OP.

Glad you had a good time op. Out of interest (well for the next time I visit) did you find any of the 'more expensive handpicked' vintage shops around Brick Lane? That's what I prefer too.

@Floisme yes there were definitely a few between Redchurch St and Brick Lane. Also the Brick Lane vintage mall place downstairs had some nice stalls. As did Spitalfields market.

Thanks redface, I've been round the vintage mall a few times and although it's impressively big, I've never been blown away by anything I've seen there. But I don't think I've explored around Redchurch St before so I'll branch out there next time.

@Floisme I think you’d like the Broadway Market one. The owner was lovely. Fab little area.