A trip to Harrods in London

BY ONEIKA RAYMOND

Something about autumn weather here in London arouses in me the unmistakable urge to go (window) shopping.  Last week I spent part of an afternoon in Harrods and feasted my eyes on all the pretty little things my modest chequebook cannot afford.

I tend to stay away from department stores, finding them stuffy and boring.  However, as Harrods is world renowned, I decided to take a look.  I wasn’t disappointed. Harrods provided a full sensory experience.

We started on the main floor where Liebling attempted to give me a brief tour since he had been here before.  His memory being a bit hazy, we promptly found ourselves a bit lost. No matter. While Liebling tried to get his bearings, we spent a few moments in this hallway where we came upon an Egyptian statue standing guard at an escalator.  Only at Harrods…

  We negotiated a maze of hallways and I noted that the holiday cheer was in full effect. We arrived on the section of the building devoted to men’s apparel and I felt my spirits lift as I happened upon this Christmas tree.

Make no mistake about it, Christmas has already descended on London, and many of the stores and streets in the centre are already fully decked out in holiday regalia.  While some protest that it is too soon for Xmas decorations, they make me really happy. For this reason I felt as though I was in my element when we stumbled upon the housewares department,which was a veritable winter wonderland of tinsel, glitter, and fake icicles.

A crowd gathered around this tree taking pictures and I couldn’t resist bugging Liebling to take one of me in front of it.  Thankfully, he begrudgingly obliged.
  
 

We left the crowded area and stumbled through some more very opulently decorated hallways until we found ourselves in the ladies’ apparel section.  I salivated over some high heels that my fallen arches would never allow me to purchase.


Next, we were off to the food court, which Liebling expressed was quite a sight to see. Lost again, we ended up doubling back through the housewares section and took the time to peruse some of the offerings.

We briefly flirted with the idea of getting the table and panther statue for our new flat, but decided that they were just a little out of our price range. Darn.

The food court was busy with patrons and fragant with the smells of a wide range of delectable treats for sale.  With food counters where one could get pastries, pastas, seafoods, and even steak, this food market offered a safe, if packed, haven where one could restock and replenish their energy after an exhausting day of shopping.


While the offerings were tempting, eating was not on the agenda.  We quickly left the market, a bit longing but resolving to come back to try something soon.  After all, the food in Harrods is one of the few things that we can afford!

Do you enjoy, stomach, or totally dread going shopping during the holiday season? And do you ever shop at luxury stores? 

Psst! Don’t forget to “like” me on Facebook if you haven’t already! Your support is much appreciated!

SHARING IS CARING

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72 Comments

  • Wow, you are certainly doing the rounds. I have lived in London all my life but have only been to Harrods once or twice. Just can't be doing with the crowds.

    Did you get to enjoy the British tradition of Bonfire Night at the weekend?

    Enjoy exploring the rest of London.

    Victoria

  • I was there 2 years ago and loved it. I plan on going in 2012 and want to really walk around and look more and this time I will buy some food. Great souveneir gifts-their jam/preserves. They come in jars with pictures of famous London landmarks and they are very inexpensive. Hey Oneika since you will be there in Sept, you should partake in the Jane Austen festival. We did it 2 years ago, it was a blast.

  • I am SO excited for Harrods! Rodolfo's never been since we skipped it last time, and I plan to lure him there with stories of the food halls. Of course, if I happen to come across those Jimmy Choos before we get to the food then it's not my fault if I stop to try them on, right?

  • I really enjoyed Harrod's. It's just PURTY there. They do a good job with the merchandising. 🙂 I don't know how I would take so much Christmas stuff so early. U.S. Thanksgiving is coming up in a few weeks, and I hate the fact that I am seeing a few holiday things already. The day after though, I am fair game. Bring it on.

  • I hate shopping nearly ALL seasons, but christmas is particularly horrible!

    Leibling is such a good sport!

  • I loooove shopping!!! Especially if I find something really cute on sale.

    I'm not sure about other countries, but here in the US, the day after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday and just about every store in the country has super, mega sales. Last year was my first time shopping on Black Friday because Macys had a 5 piece luggage set originally priced $200 on sale for $50!!! Macys and several other stores were opening up at 4am, so my brother and I woke up at 3 to drive down there.

    There was soooo people standing at the doors, EXCEPT for the one we stood at and thank goodness too. As soon as the doors opened, people did a mad dash for the appliance area. I'm glad my brother was there because we found the luggage set, he picked it up and we were the 2nd people in line!!! (^_^)

  • I generally hate shopping period. The crowds, picked over items. It makes me moody and irritable. I have been in London for Christmas a few times so add the usual last-minute frenzy with loads of tourists (myself included)and it's a recipe for a migraine.

    But I did park myself at Harrod's Food Court instead of actually shopping so it made what normally would be a painful trip much easier to stomach.

  • Never been but hear great things! We don't have one here…what is it comparable to?

  • I guess a trip to London would not be complete without a visit to Harrods..:)
    It is an experience for sure and hey..there is affordable stuff there- chocolate, coffee, lol! Seriously though I have been treated to lunch at the Oyster Bar and it was amazing. The Oysters weren't too bad either.;)
    I can see that table and the panther? are riduculously pricey and all but they are also fugly. Sorry:)

  • Yeah the crowds in & around Harrods plus the Knightsbridge area are unbelieveable.
    Do not attempt a visit during sales or in the run-up to Christmas…
    Oddly enough, take a quick stroll to Harvey Nicks and it's a lot quieter.

  • I'm not a fan of department stores or shopping in general either but the Harrod's experience was fun. I think I like the food court the best. The owner's are Egyptian by the way, which is why they always display the Egyptian elements. I'm also not a fan of luxury, super-fancy stores but I feel like Harrod's is more of a landmark than just a fancy store.

  • I've never shopped at Harrod's. but I've gone to visit when in London. It's funny how it's become an attraction of sorts 🙂

    For the longest time I had this London taxi cab keychain. Twas all I could afford at Harrod's 😉

  • Hate Christmas shopping but I may drop into Harrods. While I hate the forced early xmas this year I seem to be up for it. Also want to check out the lights on Oxford street. You totally are making the rounds. Inspiring me to keep it up even though the weather has turned on us 🙁

  • awww…you are so making miss london! when we went into Harrods…my sister had to get dolled up to go in there because it's so fancy!

  • Ooh you are giving me the travel bug! But I know what you mean about the pocketbook.

  • I am traveling to London/Paris for New Years 2012 and Harrods is definitely on the agenda. Thanks for posting and taking pictures. Wow, it looks so crowded. At least I'll be prepared.

  • I detest shopping and shopping centres at the best of times!!! I love your first photo and the last photos of the food court had me salivating. I might have to drag the Husband to the steakhouse!

  • Come ON Oneika…everybody needs a L33,000 panther for their living room. Needs, not wants!

    Also sparkly Jimmy Choos = soooooo pretty!!!

  • I love the Christmas season, even though everyone complains its too early, I'm happy seeing everything up already.
    I chuckled at him needing to find his bearings. That's something my BF has to do if he's turned around.

    Love the picture of you in front of that tree!!
    Emily at Amazing Grapes

  • LOVE Harrods! How lucky you are to be there when the holiday decor is up. Thanks for giving me this little glimpse!

  • aww Harrod's! I remember they had a Krispy Kreme shop and you could immediately tell who was american because you'd randomly hear someone say "KRISPY KREME!" in a loud excited tone every once in awhile. I was one of those people!

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