London is the shopping capital of the world. Every year millions of overseas visitors shop here. But what makes shopping here so great? There’s only one way to find out. I’m off to do some shopping – follow me!
At Harrods
Knightsbridge is famous for upmarket shopping. This is where the rich and famous come to buy… their socks. And this is the one and only Harrods… the ultimate in luxury. Even royalty shop here. If I’m lucky, I might see someone famous.
If only they had it in my size. Lovely! Thank you!
Done quite well there – what’s next? Taxi! Harvey Nichols, please.
At Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols – or ‘Harvey Nicks’ for short – is a great place for designer fashion.
Well, I had to buy couple of things… What?
At Hamleys
The biggest toy shop in the world – now you’re talking!
So cute… err… it’s not for me.
Oxford Street
London’s Oxford Street is retail heaven. It’s got over 2 kilometres of shops to choose from… and, of course, Selfridges for shopping with style. Taxi!
Could you drop all this off home for me, please? I’m off to explore a different sort of shopping in Britain.
If you like shopping all under one roof, then there are big shopping centres all over Britain. The Olympic-sized shopping centre at Westfield, Stratford, is huge. With over 300 shops, it’s one of the largest shopping centres in Europe.
At Lock's
Great shopping isn’t just about big shops. Smaller shops can offer something special too. Tucked away in the heart of Piccadilly is a great shopping gem. Lock’s sell that must-have in gentlemen’s fashion: the hat! Lock’s opened in London in 1679. Their hats can be seen across the world. They pride themselves on their personal service.
Richard: Sue Simpson is a hat specialist. Hi Sue.
Sue: Oh, hi Richard.
Richard: Wow, a bowler hat, you don’t see many of those these days, do you?
Sue: Well, we don’t call it a ‘bowler’ here at Lock’s, we call it a ‘coke hat’ because it was invented in 1850 for Thomas Coke…
Richard: …by this very shop.
Sue: …by this very shop and we still call it a ‘coke’ to this day.
Richard: Ah, the classic top hat. When would I wear that?
Sue: That’s a beautiful silk top hat. You would wear that for a society wedding, or the time you see most of them is at Ascot, which is the famous race meeting in June.
Richard: So what’s your best-seller here at Lock’s?
Sue: Our best-seller would be a classic tweed cap or this trilby here, which is called a ‘Voyager’, and the novelty of this one…
Richard: …is it folds up so you can pop it into your luggage.
Sue: …pop it into your luggage.
Richard: Excellent. Is that a deerstalker?
Sue: Similar to a deerstalker, but this is a country cap with a fastening that goes over the top. And this was invented originally for wearing in open-top cars, but now it’s more commonly worn on the hills out shooting and this keeps the ears warm and stops it blowing away.
Richard: I like it; I’ll take this one.
Comments
Hello,
Yes, when we are describing the inventor we use 'invented by', but here Thomas Coke is not the inventor, but instead the name of the customer who asked for a new type of hat.
Best wishes,
Adam
The LearnEnglish Team
Could you tell me please what do ( to go on a shopping spree ) and ( to shop someone ) mean ? I searched in the dictionary and I couldn't find them. These expressions are in shopping is great worksheet of the teaching site . Thanks
Hi littlemoon86,
If you look up just the word spree in the dictionary, you'll find a definition and example. I've never heard the other expression you mention. Are you sure that it's correct? I couldn't find it in either of the worksheets.
Best wishes,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
interesting ! I enjoyed watching it . I like shopping :)
Hello,
Here, Richard uses "Done quite well there". I think it is the inversion of "Quite well done".
So how many expressions are there like this which are short and reversed in order? Can you please give me a link?
With regards,
Hello Aung Thet Naing,
I think the best way to think of this is not as an inversion, but rather as an example of ellipsis - missing words out. What Richard is really saying is 'We have done quite well there' - but he omits the 'We have...' when he says it. It's quite a popular feature of informal spoken English.
Best wishes,
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
I like shopping in Greece too.There are many department shops in big cities, like Athens and Thessaloniki. People here aren't able to buy things because of the economic depression.Certainly the shops in London seem to be more luxurious and shopping there must be a fantastic experience.I wish I could visit London in the near future!!!
this video reminds me of the best moments of my life in this places its unforgetable
I am going to London on 18th May 2013 and have a travel in London about 2 days and visit the Guernsey island about 4 days. I really want to do some shopping in London. Could anyone please give me some advices on where I can buy some very traditional England things. I cannot buy very expensive and luxury things. I just want to shop some presents for my parents ,friends ,colleagues and my lovely students. So where in London should I go to do shopping? Please. I need all of your help.
Hello tSAQI ,
I found a good video you can watch and find more about shopping in London
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3g8_XSTIig
so Enjoy and Hope for you best time in London and Enjoy your stay:)))
Best regards,
littlemoon
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