Fly Me To London: Shopping at Burlington Arcade & Westfield London Shopping Centre + Kidzania London

More Shopping in London…

London is a shoppers’ paradise. Continuing from my previous post on my visit to Bicester Village by Chiltern Railways, we also visited a few other shopping places that travelers should visit when in London. Sometimes it’s not just about shopping but there are plenty of places with more to offer than just shopping. Thanks to UK Visit Britain, we had the opportunity to visit two more places that one should visit while in London for shopping in style at Burlington Arcade and Westfield London Shopping Centre plus some history of London as well as every little kid’s paradise in Kidzania London!

BURLINGTON ARCADE

It started for a number of reasons. It is also England’s oldest and longest shopping arcade. Lord George Cavendish had his architect Samuel Ware designed the now famous covered promenade of shops of Burlington Arcade which opened officially in 1819. While it was said that the 72 small-storey was built for the public, it was also said that this arcade was meant to provide jobs to industrious females after the war. Lord Cavendish also wanted a place where his wife could shop nearby and to keep her entertain and made sure the arcade had plenty for all of her and her friends.

To fully know Burlington Arcade, one should sign up for their bespoke experience through a Beadle Tour. We had the honors of having Mark Lord, Head Beadle, who took us through an amazing and informative experience through Burlington Arcade. The Beadle Guard is a liveried member of the smallest private police force who guards the arcade and who also acts as an informative historical guide of the Burlington Arcade. Mark, with his 13 years of experience, was certainly very knowledgeable and informative throughout our tour.

Burlington Arcade is now a luxury landmark in London. With over 40 exclusive shops and luxury designer brands, it is long been favored by distinguished Royals, mega celebrities and of course, the cream of the British society. The whole arcade is always maintained and kept to its original architecture and interior as much as possible. There are new updates that include new flooring to counter the weather conditions and a new ramp as well to make it friendly for the disabled.

While high end and premium brands made up the tenants at Burlington Arcade, there are also affordable items for purchase. Jewelry made headlines here. From antique or vintage jewellery to modern pieces, it’s all about the glitter, the bling and the gold. Milleperle houses some of the most gorgeous pearls I have ever seen. Strings of lustre pearls in every majestic shades of cream to pink and grey, the thought of owning one is certainly not impossible…

Nourbel & Le Cavelier is another one to seek when one looks for exquisite pieces of or antique or vintage jewellery. Other jewelers are Michael Rose, Carat London, Tessier, Hancocks and more.

Hancocks, a distinguished jeweler by royal decree, was commissioned to produce the Victoria Cross after only eight months since it opened. Today, Hancocks is still entrusted to the design and the production of the Victoria Cross medal, the highest military medal awarded to military individuals in honor of their recognition of acts of gallantry and bravery.

Fashion houses carrying high end fashion such as Chanel, House of Cashmere, Harrys of London, Lulu Guinness and more are also some of the tenants at Burlington Arcade. When one carries a Kwanpen handbag, one is assured of premium handmade crocodile leather handbags made with the finest quality leather and 18K gold or palladium hardware components and craftsmanship. Kwanpen, originates from Singapore, offers limited handcrafted designs so when one is carrying a Kwanpen, you’ll know you’ll be the only few in the world who has this Kwanpen bag.

Handcrafted gentlemen shoes from Harrys of London and Church’s provides bespoke experiences during and after sales services with their personal one-to-one fitting services, professional advice on fit and style as well as complimentary shoe shine on their footwear. There is also a traditional shoe shine service at the arcade where Romi and team uses 100% horse hair brushes with the finest creams and polishes in their service so your shoes leave gleaming and looking brand new!

Fragrances from luxurious houses of fragrances like Chanel, Penhaligon’s, Frédéric Malle, Roja Parfums and more continue to inculcate confidence and beauty in the women who wear it. One-to-one fragrance consultation provides the bespoke experience together with beauty as well. Bottles after bottles of fragrances dressed the window, tempting many to go in and purchase these lux fragrances.

Watch lovers will be pleased with the exclusive and prestige century renowned watchmakers who offer pieces of antique or vintage as well as the latest pieces of the finest crafted watches in the world from David Guggan, Bell & Ross, The Vintage Watch Company, Armour Winston, Almar Watches and Somlo Antiques. One can really find excellent and rare watches at Burlington Arcade and the people who owns these stores have been serving here at the arcade for decades.

The only edible store at the arcade is the much-raved around the world and famed Ladurée from France. It all began in 1862 when Louis Ernest Ladurée founded the bakery in Paris and the now famous French Macarons from Ladurée had every dessert lovers succumb to its tempting sweet crisp and lightly chewy macaron shells filled with various delectable fillings. Once you have seen these gorgeous macarons, you’ll know that you simply must try one!

Burlington Arcade carries history as well as exquisite shopping experience. Make sure to sign up for the in-depth 45 minutes Beadle Tour for a full and informative experience here at the prestige arcade. Burlington Arcade is located adjacent to the Royal Academy, between Bond Street and Piccadilly.

BURLINGTON ARCADE

51 Piccadilly

London W1J 0QJ.

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)20 7493 1764

Website: www.burlington-arcade.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Burlington-Arcade-218175554914104

Business Hours:

Mon to Sat: 09.00 - 19.30

Sunday:      11.00 - 18.00

WESTFIELD LONDON SHOPPING CENTRE

Located only 5 minutes away from Dorsett Shepherds Bush hotel in London is Westfield London, the capital’s ultimate shopping destination housing over 300 stores. From high street to high end brands, it is a huge mall that really is a shopper’s paradise. Opened in 2008, the centre has a retail floor area of

150,000 m² (1.615m ft²). To get there, simply head to the nearest underground rail station which is Shepherd's Bush station.

Westfield London is sectioned into various spaces with high end retails as well as section for the regular high street brands. There is also VUE Cinema, Europe’s most high-tech cinema as well as over 60 places to indulgence in local and international cuisines.

The mall was already dressed up for the festive holidays and glittery trees are spread all over the mall to ring in the Christmas cheers. Some of my favorite must-visit stores are Marks and Spencer, Debenhams, Waitrose and more. For haute couture fashion, visit The Village space for luxury brands of Louis Vuitton, Prada, Jimmy Choo, Tiffany & Co, Gucci, Burberry and more. We also had a delicious dining experience at Jaime’s Italian restaurant at Westfield mall which I will post on separately.

Westfield London offers tax free shopping services, bespoke shopping services and many more services that allows shoppers to indulge in their hobby at ease and comfort.

Dining at Westfield London is segregated into four main areas of The Balcony, The Loft, The Southern Terrace and The Village. Dining on the basic snacks, fast food and cafes or go full lux with champagnes, oysters and caviars.

There’s plenty to do at Westfield London that one may even need days to be able to fully visit all the stores. So check out the website and plan your time there if you only have limited time as it is truly a shoppers and entertainment paradise as well as a delectable space for indulgence.

WESTFIELD LONDON SHOPPING CENTRE

Ariel Way,

London W12 7GF,

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 20 3371 2300

Website: www.uk.westfield.com/London

Facebook: www.facebook.com/westfieldlondon

KIDZANIA LONDON

For those who have little ones, Westfield London also houses Kidzania London. Kidzania is a world where kids can take on their dream to try out real life role-play activities in Kidzania world. Design with kids in mind, the world of Kidzania allows kids To Be, To Know, To Create, To Share, To Care and To Play. It is a nation where kids take on our daily real world activities as an adult. Kids learn to concept of money, time, responsibilities and many more that goes on when they grow up.

Kidzania London is one of the larger outlet in the world with a staggering 75,000 sq.ft child size city. One checks in through the airport and is taken into the Kidzania world where they will use their Kidzania money, KidZos. Kids above 8 years old may explore Kidzania unaccompanied.

Imagine a world where your little one can be a fire fighter, a police officer, a DJ in a radio station, an actor in the entertainment stage, an artist, a hotelier, a business owner, a chocolatier, a tour guide, a dentist, a paramedic, a news reporter and so much more.

Taking a spot in the Kidzania London is Dorsett Shepherds Bush miniature reception cum check-in and a bedroom modeled exactly to our hotel room in our stay at the hotel. Kids can experience what it’s like to work at the front desk of the hotel and also how to perform housekeeping in the room.

Each role play has information where kids will be able to plan their activities as well as earn KidZos salary. Other activities available are as follows…

Visit Kidzania London website to plan with your little one to ensure they utilized their time well inside!

Head on over to Kidzania London’s website for more information to plan your trip with your little one…

KIDZANIA LONDON

1st Floor, Westfield London Shopping Centre,

Ariel Way, London W12 7GA,

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 330 131 3333

Website: www.london.kidzania.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KidZaniaLondon

VISIT BRITAIN

Website: www.visitbritain.com

This trip was made possible by Malaysia Airlines, UK Visit Britain and Dorsett Shepherds Bush London. All stories and comments in my posts are purely derived from my own experiences through the trip.

*Next up, sightseeing places to visit in London!

London Stories

Fly Me To London Part 1 - Malaysia Airlines Berhad + KLIA Golden and Platinum Lounge

Fly Me To London Part 2 – Dorsett Shepherds Bush, West London

Fly Me To London Part 3 - Good Eats at Dorsett Shepherds Bush

Fly Me To London Part 4 – Asian Art Exhibition at Dorsett Shepherds Bush

Fly Me To London Part 5 - Bicester Village Outlet Shopping by Chiltern Railways +Lunch at The Farmshop

Fly Me To London Part 6 - Shopping at Burlington Arcade & Westfield London +Kidzania London

Fly Me ToLondon Part 7 – Sightseeing at Blenheim Palace + Charlie & The Chocolate Factory