Taking home something you can only buy in London means your trip keeps giving long after you’ve unpacked.
Some of it’s beautiful, some of it’s genuinely useful, and a few things are just delicious.
I’ve pulled together a list that covers every budget, from a stuffed Paddington Bear to a full Fortnum’s hamper.
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Here’s a list of the top London Gifts and Souvenirs!
1. An Umbrella from the James Smith & Sons
England is famous for its drizzle, so it makes sense there’s a shop dedicated entirely to umbrellas. James Smith & Sons has been selling them since 1830, out of an original Victorian shop near Tottenham Court Road and Holborn tube stations.
They still use traditional methods to build these long-lasting umbrellas. My two picks:
- Pencil Umbrella with Cat Handle, because I love cats, if that wasn’t obvious already
- London Umbrella with Lion Handle, for something a bit fiercer
2. Hampers from Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum & Mason has played a huge part in London’s history since it opened in 1707, originally selling on Queen Anne’s half-used candle wax for a profit before turning into the grocery store, then department store, it is today.
Hampers can be large, and bringing one home depends on your luggage space and how tempted you are. Their tea hampers are always my go-to gift, but browse their latest hamper selection here for the full range.
For a special occasion you can customise one too. A friend did this for my 30th birthday and it’s still one of the best gifts I’ve had.
3. Tea Whittard and Twinings
The English love their tea, and there’s no more classic souvenir than this. Whittard and Twinings are the brands I’d recommend.
From traditional British tea to an assortment of flavours, there’s something for everyone. Not a tea person? Whittard also does incredible hot chocolate, perfect for a cold winter night.
Their shops are scattered around London and the tea itself is lightweight and easy to pack.
4. Pick Up Some Biscuits to Go with Your Tea!
The Brits love a good biscuit with their cuppa, and you can grab the classics cheap. The best packets to pick up:
- Custard Creams
- Digestives
- Jammie Dodgers
- Jaffa Cakes
Head to any supermarket, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Marks and Spencer or Waitrose, and you’ll find plenty of stock.
5. An Oyster Card
Chances are you’ll end up buying one anyway while you’re in London, which makes it a great souvenir, iconic to the city and genuinely useful. That said, most Londoners now just tap in with a contactless bank card or phone rather than buying a physical card. An Oyster card’s shifted from “necessity” to “nice memento” because of it. It’s a flat, non-refundable fee rather than a deposit these days, worth knowing before you buy one purely as a keepsake.
Go to the Visit Britain shop to pick up a visitor’s Oyster card before you travel, or just grab one when you land.
6. A House of Commons Notebook
At the Houses of Parliament shop you can buy branded items with the official UK Government stamp. As someone who loves a good bullet journal, this is a genuinely cool souvenir. You can buy online, but there’s a good chance you’ll walk right past while visiting Big Ben anyway.
7. A Hat from Lock & Co.
Lock & Co is the oldest hat shop in the world, and it wears that history well. It’s said Lewis Carroll based the Mad Hatter on the shop’s manager.
“You can draw water out of a water-well,” said the Hatter, “so I should think you could draw treacle out of a treacle-well, eh, stupid?”
Alice in Wonderland
Heading to Paris after London? Grab a stylish beret from Lock & Co. On a tighter budget, the canvas bag or Lock keyring makes a perfect London souvenir.
8. Potter Merchandise
Head to King’s Cross Station, find Platform 9¾, and you’ll magically be swept through the barriers to the Hogwarts Express. Step into Ollivanders to choose your wand, or pick up some school uniform along the way.
Primark is another solid spot for Potter merch at a cheaper price point. And if you’ve got extra time, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London (the Making of Harry Potter) is where you’ll find every souvenir your heart desires.
9. London’s Print: Cath Kidston
Cath Kidston is a quintessentially British lifestyle brand. Their iconic prints are stocked in 16+ countries now, but buying one in London just feels more authentic. Cath Kidston does some cute luggage accessories, and my favourite pick is this luggage tag.
10. Authentic English Souvenirs – Mind the Gap, Union Flag, Big Ben or The Buckingham Palace
The classics: anything featuring Mind the Gap, the Union Flag, Big Ben or Buckingham Palace. Central London is full of shops selling exactly this. A few ideas:
Union Jack Decorative Pillow
Add a bit of British flair to your living space with a Union Jack decorative pillow.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace has an official gift shop with a huge range of palace-themed gifts, including a Cuddly Corgi, the breed Queen Elizabeth II famously kept for decades and remains closely associated with the Royal Family.
Mind the Gap or Transport for London
The second you arrive you’ll hear the tube announcer say “mind the gap” between the platform and train. It’s pure London, and you can pick up souvenirs featuring the phrase easily. The London Transport Museum shop is also worth a browse for transport-themed gifts.
Big Ben
Big Ben’s restoration wrapped up back in 2022, so the tower’s fully visible again and back to bonging on the hour, its clock faces restored to their original Victorian blue and gold. Get your iconic photo, then bring a bit of it home with this pop of colour from Embarcadero Prints.
11. Benjamin Pollock’s Toy Shop
Benjamin Pollock’s is a traditional British toy shop in Covent Garden. Don’t expect anything kids play with today, think retro toy theatres and shadow boxes instead.
As an Alice in Wonderland fan, I love their shadow boxes. They take a bit of assembling, but that’s half the fun.
12. Museum Merchandise
Museum gift shops always have the predictable stuff, but also some genuinely cool finds. My favourite is the Wildlife Photographer of the Year merchandise: the photos make incredible prints, and you’ll find them at the Natural History Museum.
The British Museum and the V&A also run limited-edition pieces tied to current exhibits, worth checking whatever’s on while you’re there.
13. London Gin
Londoners love their gin, and a bottle from a micro-distillery makes a proper souvenir. Some are right in the heart of the city, others a bit further out:
- Fifty-Eight, Hackney Downs
- Half Hitch Gin, Camden
- Bimber London Dry Gin, North Acton
- SW4 London Dry Gin Batch 47, Clapham
- City of London Dry Gin, The City of London
- Sipsmith VJOP, Chiswick
- Jensen’s, Bermondsey
14. Craft Beer
London’s craft beer scene is genuinely great. Not the easiest souvenir if your luggage’s already tight, but worth stocking up on a few bottles if you’ve got the room. Some favourites live along the Bermondsey Beer Mile, plus Gipsy Hill, Southey, Beavertown and Camden.
Want to dig deeper into the scene? Add the Bermondsey Beer Mile to your London to-do list.
15. Fabric from Liberty of London
Liberty opened its doors in 1875 and has been a London institution ever since, famous for fashion, interiors, luxury goods and its own in-house fabrics and textiles.
If you love sewing or quilting, this is heaven. Buy some of their famous fabrics for a dress, skirt, top, or a beautiful addition to a quilt.
16. Beatles Memorabilia
The Beatles weren’t from London, but one of their most iconic album covers was shot on Abbey Road in St John’s Wood. Near Baker Street Station you’ll find the London Beatles Store, selling everything from postcards to original tour programmes.
17. Vintage knick-knacks from Portobello Road Market
Head to Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill for antique glass, cutlery and old books. Saturday’s the big day for the full market and its famous antiques stalls, Friday’s the quieter second-best option, and Sunday’s mostly closed outside of seasonal markets, so plan around that.
It’s not just a shopping trip either, it’s genuinely one of the most iconic things to do in London full stop.
18. Bulbs or Seeds
Columbia Road Flower Market is one of my favourite weekend mColumbia Road Flower Market is one of my favourite weekend markets. Head there on a Sunday and wander through the flowers and plants, a tradition that’s been running since the 1800s.
You’re probably not taking a full plant home, so bulbs or seeds are the next best thing, and they come with a story attached. Just double-check your home country allows plant imports first; Australia, for one, will confiscate them.
Even without buying anything, Columbia Road is a gorgeous Sunday out, and consistently one of the prettiest of London’s Sunday markets.
Watch the quick video I made here.
19. Football Scarf
A scarf from a famous team like Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal or Chelsea makes a proper gift. Visit the club shops directly, Arsenal and Chelsea are both London-based, or hit one of the souvenir shops on New Oxford Street or around Piccadilly Circus.
20. Penhaligons Perfumes & Colognes
Penhaligon’s is a British perfume house with beautiful gift sets for both men and women, ideal if you’re travelling with hand luggage only.
They’ve got boutiques across town, or shop online if you can’t get to one in person. My top picks:
21. Molton Brown Hand Wash & Moisturizer
Molton Brown is the fancy stuff you actually want in your stocking, a proper step up from the everyday hand wash and moisturiser you’d normally grab.
They’ve built a reputation as a luxury bath, body and beauty specialist, and you’ll find their products in five-star hotels and department stores across the country, including a boutique at Heathrow if you’re short on time before your flight.
As someone who loves travelling light, I love their refined wanderer drawstring travel pouch for hand luggage. To cut down on plastic, I keep the little bottles and refill them with other toiletries later.
22. Pimm’s No 1 Cup
Pimm’s is the drink of British summer, you’ll find it on nearly every menu. A classic Pimm’s Cup is Sprite, strawberries, orange, apple, cucumber and mint, though you’ll also find versions with champagne, prosecco or extra spirits mixed in. I prefer soda water over Sprite if you struggle with sweetness like I do.
Impress your friends back home with a bottle and whip up some summery London cocktails once you’re there.
There are other Pimm’s flavours out now, but Pimm’s No. 1 is the classic and the one I’d recommend trying first. You’ll find it at any supermarket or duty-free.
23. Paddington Bear
Paddington Bear is as iconic to London as it gets, and a perfect gift for kids. Drop by the Paddington Bear shop at Paddington Station for stuffed toys, key rings, mugs, T-shirts and the books themselves.
For a free souvenir, head to Platform 1 and pose for a selfie with the bronze Paddington statue under the clock, right near where the Brown family first found him in the books.
24. London Christmas Ornament
If you’re in London around Christmas, which is genuinely magical, stop by a market stall or department store and pick up a classic icon: Big Ben, a red phone box, the Underground roundel, or a London bus.
This cute set of London Baubles on Etsy is perfect for the tree.
Swing by a London Christmas market, or a department store like Fortnum & Mason, and make an afternoon of picking out decorations.
25. Teapot & Cups
London runs on afternoon tea. Why not recreate it at home with a proper tea set? A few places worth checking:
- Harrods, for high-quality designer teapots
- John Lewis, for well-designed teapots at a more affordable price
- Any of the tea shops, like Whittard’s
Museums also sell unique tea sets if you want something a bit more unexpected.
26. Arts and Crafts
I love filling my house with art and crafts, and Backyard Market in Shoreditch is where I’ve picked up some real favourites, including several pieces from UK artist Alice Tam, whose cute prints and Birds in Hats collection I’m obsessed with.
Stalls rotate, and you’re not guaranteed the same artists every visit, which is half the fun. Crafty Fox Market is another favourite of mine; they move locations regularly, worth checking their site for current dates before you go.
Map of Store Mentioned
To make shopping easier, I’ve mapped every store above with an icon to match.
This is just a selection of things you can only buy in London. Let me know in the comments what you picked up, or any other unique finds worth adding to the list. Want more? I’ve got a whole list for England too.
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Kat
Hi, I’m Kat, an Australian that moved to London in 2013 to start a new adventure. What a roller-coaster that was! I love helping others move to the UK and people explore the world! I’d be honoured if you’d say, “Thanks!” with a £3 coffee on Ko-fi.
