Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
sq. m (35,004 sq. ft.) of floor space. You'll find the biggest
Susie Cooper
(a well-
known designer of tableware and ceramics for Wedgwood) collection in Europe here.
A whole antiques district has grown up around Alfie's along Church Street.
13-25
Church St., NW8.
&
020/7723-6066.
www.alfiesantiques.com. Tube: Marylebone or Edgware Rd.
Grays Antiques & Grays Mews
These markets have been converted into walk-in
stands with independent dealers. There are two floors, two buildings, and more than
200 dealers selling everything you could imagine, from all over the world. If it's
antique, you'll no doubt find it here. There's a cafe in each building too—shopping
for priceless finds is thirsty work.
58 Davies St. and 1-7 Davies Mews, W1.
&
020/7629-7034.
www.graysantiques.com. Tube: Bond St.
ART, CRAFTS & MUSEUM SHOPS
Blade Rubber Stamps
This unique little shop has gained itself a bit of a following
in the crafty and stationery-loving camps. They sell all things stamp (the rubber kind,
not postage) and ink related. Their selection is huge and if you're into handwriting let-
ters and scrapbooking, head here after a trip to the nearby
British Museum
(p. 86).
It's only been open since 1993, but it feels like it's been part of London for centuries.
12 Bury Place, WC1.
&
0845/873-7005.
www.custom.bladerubberstamps.co.uk. Tube: Holborn.
Contemporary Applied Arts
This association encourages traditional and pro-
gressive contemporary artwork. Many of Britain's best-established craftspeople, as
well as promising talents, are represented within their space. The gallery houses a
diverse display of glass, ceramics, textiles, wood, furniture, jewelry, and metalwork—
all by contemporary artisans.
2 Percy St., W1.
&
020/7436-2344.
www.caa.org.uk. Tube: Tot-
tenham Court Rd.
Drink, Shop & Do
The title of this shop sums up its ethos. Get yourself a
drink, do some shopping, and then do some... doing. This is the latest crafty venue in
the city, but the focus is on the cafe and shopping with this one—although they also
run regular craft classes.
9 Caledonian Rd., N1.
&
020/3343-9138.
www.drinkshopdo.com. Tube:
King's Cross.
Gabriel's Wharf
Lying 2 minutes by foot from Oxo Tower Wharf, this South Bank
complex of shops, restaurants, and bars is filled with some of London's most skilled crafts-
people, who turn out original pieces of sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, art, and fashion. From
food to fashion, from arts to crafts, it awaits you here. It is open Tuesday to Sunday 11am
to 6pm (dining and drinking establishments are open later).
56 Upper Ground, SE1.
&
020/7021-1686.
www.coinstreet.org. Tube: Blackfriars, Southwark, Waterloo, or Embankment.
Grosvenor Prints
London's largest stock of antique prints, ranging from the 17th
to the 20th centuries, is on sale here. Views of London are the biggest-selling items,
which is perfect if you're looking for a reminder of your trip. Some prints depict sig-
nificant moments in the city's history, including the Great Fire. The British are great
animal lovers, so expect plenty of prints of dogs and horses as well.
19 Shelton St., WC2.
&
020/7836-1979.
www.grosvenorprints.com. Tube: Covent Garden.
Science Museum
If you're looking for a museum shop to keep the kids
happy, head to the Science Museum. This is the museum shop that makes shopping
and souvenir buying fun. Enjoy all those buttons, press everything you can, pull every
lever, and pester the staff, who all play with the toys (for kids and grown-ups) and look
like they have the most fun Saturday jobs in London.
Exhibition Rd., SW7.
&
020/7942-
4000.
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk. Tube: S. Kensington.
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