Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Make A Dash For London's Shopping Scene

Anyone who's after a bit of retail indulgence in the UK needn't look far. After all, big cities - such as Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester - all have an endless array of shops to choose from. But for anyone looking to make a proper attempt at satisfying their craving for retail bliss, there can only truly be one UK city which can provide: London.

London is known for its eclectic offerings - from its diverse cuisine to its distinctive neighbourhoods - and it's no different in the realm of shopping. Every type of shopper will find his or her niche in London - from the bargain hunter to the high-end fashionista. So it's no wonder that so many flock to London's renowned shopping districts to get a taste of the best in retail therapy.

A few districts in central London are particularly renowned for their shopping and entertainment attributes - for instance, Covent Garden, Oxford Street, Strand and Holborn. And anyone who's interested in taking a short break to indulge in a bit of shopping is sure to have their work cut out for them!

Situated on the easternmost district of Westminster, Covent Garden is dominated by an array of shopping and entertainment venues such as the Royal Opera House and the Covent Garden Piazza - which, having stood as a covered fruit, vegetable and flower market from the 1500s until 1974, is now filled with shops, bars and restaurants. You'll find everything from high street shops to independent boutiques - ensuring a worthwhile shopping experience. Covent Garden is also close to Soho, St. James' and Bloomsbury, and is bound by high Holborn to the north and Strand to the south.

Located in Westminster, Strand starts at Trafalgar Square and runs east to join Fleet Street and Temple Bar. It's also home to various entertainment establishments, such as the Savoy Theatre and the Adelphi Theatre. Having once been a popular gathering spot for seminal writers and thinkers, including Charles Dickens, Thomas Carlyle and John Stuart Mill, Strand holds an air of historic grandeur alongside modern magnificence. 216 Strand is also home to Twinings, the first known tea room, which was opened in 1706 and still sells tea today. And while you're on Strand, don't forget to pay a visit to the nearby Oxford Street. which, at 2 km long, is the longest shopping street in the world.

If you're thinking about booking a short break to experience London's shopping splendours, you may want to consider making accommodation arrangements via one of the many specialists in arranging London short breaks. That way, you'll get accommodation that's based in the very centre of all the retail excitement and you'll gain access to a range of special deals that short break specialists can offer. London's shopping and entertainment scene awaits - so make a break for it today!

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