From Roman Markets to Modern Boutiques: Your Anglo Pass Guide to Shopping in London
- IChad Esteves
- Jun 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 27
🎧 Listen to the full recording of this blog post below, or check out the Anglo Pass Podcast on Spotify.
🎙️ From Roman Markets to Modern Boutiques. A Journey Through Time
Category: British Culture
Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
What you will learn: Improve your shopping vocabulary. Learn about London’s shopping districts.
🏛️ Shopping Through the Centuries
Hello Anglo Passers, it’s Tom here!
Today, we’re heading to one of the world’s great shopping cities — London. From Roman market stalls to designer brands, this city has been selling, trading, and dazzling shoppers for over 2,000 years.
This post takes you through the history and charm of London’s best shopping streets, from Bond Street’s elegance to Portobello Road’s vintage flair. It’s perfect for learners who love culture, fashion, and picking up some real British English along the way.
🛍️ After reading or listening to this post, don’t forget to...
🎥 Watch the video
📄 Download your worksheet to practise new words and quiz yourself
Now, let’s go shopping.
London has been a centre for trade and shopping for over two thousand years. Back in Roman times, when London was known as Londinium, archaeologists believe there were well-organised market stalls and even early-style shops with counters and wooden shelves. Traders sold leather sandals, jewellery, pots, and imported goods like olive oil, items that showed London was already connected to the wider world.
By the Elizabethan period (late 1500s to early 1600s), shopping had become more sophisticated. Cheapside, in the City of London, developed into one of the first true shopping streets. There, wealthy Londoners could buy luxurious fabrics, spices, gold, and even books, long before the arrival of online shopping!
During the Victorian era in the 1800s, shopping became a popular leisure activity. Large department stores like Harrods and Selfridges opened, offering a wide range of products under one roof. Window shopping (looking at items without buying) became a fashionable way to spend time.
Today, London remains one of the most exciting cities in the world for shopping, combining historical charm with modern luxury. Let’s explore six of its most popular shopping areas.
🗺️ Oxford Street – Big Brands and Bright Lights
Oxford Street is one of Europe’s busiest and most famous shopping destinations. With more than 300 shops, it’s the ideal place for anyone who loves high street fashion.
You’ll find flagship stores for popular brands such as Zara, H&M, and Uniqlo. Don’t miss Selfridges, one of the UK’s most iconic department stores, especially if you're visiting during the festive season, when the Christmas lights are switched on.
📍 Nearest Tube Station: Oxford Circus
🗺️ Regent Street – Classic Elegance
A short walk from Oxford Street, Regent Street is more upmarket and offers a calmer, more elegant shopping experience. The stunning architecture and wide pavements make it a pleasant place to browse. Top attractions include the enormous Apple Store, the world-famous toy shop Hamleys, and Liberty, a historic shop in a mock Tudor building known for its designer collections and luxury goods.
📍 Nearest Tube Station: Piccadilly Circus
🗺️ Covent Garden – Shopping with Street Style
Covent Garden has a long history, originally serving as a fruit and vegetable market in the 1600s. Today, it’s a lively area filled with boutiques, independent shops, and entertaining street performers. The area’s historic market hall has been beautifully preserved and is now home to stylish stalls, cafés, and gift shops.
📍 Nearest Tube Station: Covent Garden
🗺️ The King’s Road – Chelsea’s Fashion Hub
In the affluent neighbourhood of Chelsea, The King’s Road is a great destination for high-quality shopping. You’ll find a mix of chic fashion stores, home décor boutiques, and designer brands. Be sure to stop at Peter Jones, a well-known department store, and explore the Saatchi Gallery Store for modern gifts and art-related items.
📍 Nearest Tube Station: Sloane Square
🗺️ Bond Street – Exclusive and Elegant
Bond Street is where you’ll find London’s most exclusive fashion houses, jewellery shops, and art galleries. It’s the perfect place if you’re looking for something truly special - or if you just want to do some window shopping in style. Famous names include Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Tiffany & Co., as well as Sotheby’s, the world-renowned auction house.
📍 Nearest Tube Station: Bond Street
🗺️ Notting Hill & Portobello Road – Quirky and Colourful
If you prefer somewhere a bit different, try Notting Hill. Known for its pastel-coloured houses and relaxed charm, the area is also home to Portobello Road Market, one of the world’s most famous antiques markets. Saturdays are best for market shopping, where you’ll find everything from vintage clothing to rare books and handmade gifts. Be sure to explore nearby streets like Westbourne Grove and Ledbury Road for independent fashion and homeware.
📍 Nearest Tube Station: Notting Hill Gate
Shopping in London 🎒 Final Thoughts:
Shopping in London isn’t just about buying things, it’s about discovering stories, cultures, and history. Whether you’re wandering through a historic market or stepping into a designer shop, you’re walking through centuries of style and commerce. So, pack your shopping bag, grab your Anglo Pass, and head for London!
👉 Click below to get the free Practice Pack
And, if you’d like to practise your English in real time, why not subscribe to one of our live online courses, where you can make rapid improvement to your English in order to help you move forward in work and education.
Thanks for listening or reading today.🎙️ I appreciate you being here. Until next time, keep speaking up. And keep moving forward. 💬👣
