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Bond Street Shops
Step into the world of luxury and elegance as you explore the iconic Bond Street, the ultimate destination for high-end fashion and designer boutiques in the heart of London’s West End.
Bond Street London
Bond Street, London’s most prestigious shopping street, is claimed to have the highest concentration of haute couture salons in Europe and is home to an impressive number of royal warrants.
Formerly fields belonging to the town mansion Clarendon House were developed by Sir Thomas Bond in the 18th century. It still maintains many original Georgian features above the glossy storefronts, dazzling at Christmas with a beautiful light display.
This iconic shopping destination is, in fact, two streets. Old Bond Street, the original thoroughfare built in the 1720s to the south, and New Bond Street, developed approximately 14 years later, is to the north.
Read MoreUpon its reveal, it quickly became Mayfair’s premium shopping spot with the social elite, who flocked to buy fine goods like tourists to Gucci, Cartier, Prada, and the like today. Its popularity rose when Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, called for a boycott of Covent Garden for voting against politician Charles James Fox, and this fine street provided the perfect alternative.
As well as fashion, the West End favourite is known for its art dealers, spearheaded by two major auction houses, Bonhams and Sotheby’s, which have resided on the street since 1793 and 1917, respectively. The Egyptian sculpture of the goddess Sekhmet above the entrance of Sotheby’s, is the oldest outdoor sculpture in London, dating back to 1600 BC.
However, a more famous sculpture sits on the pedestrianised section between Grafton Street and Clifford Street. Depicting Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, ‘Allies’ was created by Lawrence Holofcener to mark 50 years since the end of WWII.
This high fashion street is synonymous with the finer things in life. No shopping trip in London is complete without indulgence at this unique destination in London’s Mayfair.
FAQ
When did Bond Street first become popular?
Old Bond Street and New Bond Street, commonly referred to as simply Bond Street were built between 1720 and 1734 and soon became a shopping hub for the wealthy tenants of the area.
Bond Street anticipated a dip in the 19th century as Regent Street was built, piggybacking on the success of Bond Street as a luxury shopping destination while offering a broader street that was more pleasant for shopping on. However, it just attracted more shoppers to the area, boosting trade for Bond Street. As the years have progressed, it has only grown in popularity, and people come from around the world to shop here, with international tourists accounting for 41% of shoppers today.
Are there any flagship stores on Bond Street?
Bond Street is the epitome of London’s luxury shopping scene, boasting flagship stores from some of the most famous brands in fashion. Visitors can find Loewe’s only full-price standalone UK store and Cartier’s recently renovated five-storey boutique, which has been there since 1909. Additionally, Victorinox opened its first store outside Switzerland in 2008, giving Bond Street an impressive array of high-end retailers for shoppers.
Why shop on Bond Street?
With beautiful architecture, international luxury brands and unparalleled VIP services, Bond Street is luxury shopping at its best. It has the highest concentration of haute couture in Europe, and numerous brands along it hold royal warrants, including Gieves & Hawkes, Johnstons of Elgin and Cartier, one of the few non-British brands to hold one.
If you’re unsure where to start, custom shopping tours are available to introduce you to the best of the best or help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Many stores also go above and beyond for their customers, offering personal shopping, VIP rooms and custom and bespoke options.
What’s the nearest tube station?
To visit New Bond Street and Old Bond Street, the nearest tube station is Bond Street on the Central and Jubilee lines.
Alternatively, to start your shopping spree from the south end of the street, alight at Green Park on the Victoria, Piccadilly and Jubilee lines.
Bond Street station was almost called Selfridges after the department store campaigned, unsuccessfully, in 1909 to have the name changed. You can see why they tried. If it had passed, they’d have been able to advertise to 35 million passengers who use Bond Street station every year!
What is Bond Street famous for?
As one of the most upmarket neighbourhoods in London, Bond Street is famed for its luxury shopping. The haunt of celebrities, prominent business figures and royalty from around the world, the average shopper spends £902 on a trip to Bond Street.
While it’s the location of flagship stores for many of the world’s most renowned fashion houses, including Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander McQueen and Dior, the street is also well known for its jewellery and art.
Alongside the street’s art galleries and jewellery boutiques, both regularly go up for auction at Bond Street’s two prestigious auction houses, Bonhams and Southeby’s. The two auction houses attract bidders from around the world and have set many records between them.