Harrods
87–135 Brompton Road Kensington London SW1X 7XL
The world's most famous department store has been selling luxury goods from its Victorian building on Brompton Road for more than 100 years. You may not be able to afford to shop here, but anyone can enjoy the imposing brick-built facade, which lights up every winter with one of London's best displays of Christmas lights. Harrods was also the first place in the UK to have a so-called "moving staircase" installed, in 1898. It is alleged that nervous shoppers were revived with smelling salts and brandy on reaching the top. Today, the East Dulwich Deli and Urban Retreat spa on the store's top floor fulfill much the same purpose for frazzled shopaholics.