Harrods

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How does what is essentially a department store selling mostly the same products as other department stores become a travel destination? How about be a one-off for starters. And being known for selling premium brands can’t hurt either. A historic façade and carefully designed rooms and ‘galleries’ certainly make the experience of shopping there feel a bit different to the mall, as do the smells which waft invitingly from the plentifully and richly stocked Food Hall. How about an annual Boxing Day sale known for its beyond belief discounts – who wants to buy a TV for 1 penny? Me! but is it worth queuing for two days for the pleasure over a London Christmas? To some people yes.

Is the Boxing Day Sale one of those things we should all do once? Probably.

Harrods is a part of London’s history. It had the world’s first moving staircase – us modern people would call it an escalator – the pioneer travellers on it were given brandy at the top to stave off a potential shock or fear, sadly not a practice still practiced. Its walls also house two memorials to Princess Diana.

If you want to shop like the royal family there is probably no store with more guilt and gold paint. The Egyptian escalators aren’t the easiest to navigate but they’re awfully opulent and the wood on each floor has an expensive gleam. As do the tiles in the Food Halls.

A Harrods hamper or its branded or premium food products are probably the best things to walk away with pacted in the signature green and real gold. Their other departments have some unusual brands and some very desirable 'items' your materialistic tongue will loll over, but you’ll probably pay more than you strictly need to.

Best tip: the bakery – a delicious selection a pastries and fresh breads that almost anyone can afford.

Review by editor Kat Mackintosh

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