Harrods : London

Just a brief recap on the previous post, in case I didn't make it screamingly obvious enough, I LOVE LONDON.  One of my favourite shops in London is Harrods.  I know, I can hear you sigh and say "Not Harrods!  She's such a tourist!".  Well, yes, in fact, I am a tourist, but I'm a tourist who knows what she likes, and I like Harrods.

I don't know if anyone who lives in London actually shops at Harrods, but I know that tourists certainly do, and I think it's a "must visit" for anyone who's going to London.

If I'm there, you can find me haunting the cake hall, the pet department, the equestrian department, the Harrods hall (where you can buy everything with Harrods printed on it), or, occassionally, the shoe department, where I gaze at the regiments of Louboutins, Guccis and Choos with a mixture of delight and impracticality.

Harrods Cupcakes - bring them to me!

Harrods first opened in 1824 in a different location, by the Thames in Southwark, and moved the current location in Knightsbridge in 1849, where it spreads over 5 acres.  It's the only store I've ever heard of that has a dress code.  Yes, seriously.  So if you're thinking of wandering in wearing your bike shorts, a midriff top that reveals your tattoos and no shoes, well, you'd best think again.

The store does have a dress code. We would kindly ask all visitors to ensure all clothing is clean and presentable and that the appropriate footwear is worn whilst in the store. We would also ask that visitors refrain from wearing clothing which may reveal intimate parts of the body, or which portrays offensive pictures or writing, as well as refraining from wearing crash helmets in the store. In particular the code does not permit any person entering the store who is wearing high cut, sports or beach shorts, swimwear, bare midriffs, athletic singlets, cycling shorts or general sporting attire, bare feet or any extremes of personal presentation.

You can get everything at Harrods, that what they pride themselves on.  If they don't have it, they'll order it for you.  Back in the 1960s two Aussie lads even bought a lion cub from the pet department.  Check out the story of Christian the lion here.

Don't worry, after spending a few years living with the lads and spending his days either in their antique shop or exercising (with permission) in a local graveyard, the boys reintegrated Christian (with the help of the Adamsons) to the African bush.  Check out the absolute tear jerking reunion of the lads and Christian above (and if you don't get a tear in your eye, then you're harder than I thought!).  I just watched the video again before linking it, and have happy tears coursing down my face - it's fantastic.

Christian & The Lads

Anyway, I'm pretty sure you can't get lions there anymore, but you can hire a plane, buy a house, eat a whoopie pie, drink champagne, buy something for your horse, have a massage, eat a lobster, buy some fabulous souvenirs, and pretty much get anything that takes your fancy.

And I know this will bother some of you, but Harrods has already opened their Christmas store!  Yes, it's August, and I know that's rather early.  But I'm one of those people who rejoice at early showings of Easter Eggs and Hot Cross Buns at supermarkets, so I'm 110% all for Christmas decorations being available all year.  And if you love Christmas, the Harrods Christmas store will really get your tail wagging - it's glorious.

So, even if you think Harrods is just for tourists, go along, enjoy walking around and looking at everything, even if you don't buy.  I think you'll find that you love Harrods too (except, maybe, if you're a man, and then you might want to sit in a bar whilst the womenfolk go at it)!