London Souvenirs: 20 Distinctively British Products for Travelers

Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs for yourself or gifts for family and friends, here are some ideas that may give you inspiration!

(To visit the venues mentioned in this article, check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London)

1. Liberty Print Knot Watch

A great way to own and wear a fabulous Liberty fabric is with this modern multi-colored Liberty print knot watch. Stylish yet eye-catching in a range of contemporary designs it is a great way to give a truly British gift from this iconic London landmark store. Built in the 1920s from timber from HMS Impregnable and HMS Hindustan, the Liberty building is now as much a London icon as Harrods. Liberty prints continue to be developed by up and coming London designers and are instantly recognizable. The Liberty print knot watch is made from a twist of fabric and has a small circular gold watch face with neat gold fingers. It can be twisted, tied or doubled up, however you wish to wear it, and it looks stunning with a matching Liberty scarf or coordinating outfit.
Price: £55

Where to find it:

Liberty Store
Great Marlborough Street
London W1B 5AH
Business Hours: Mon-Sat 10am - 9pm; Sunday 12 - 6pm

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2. Sherlock Holmes Pub Sign

One of London’s main attractions are the old coaching inns and pubs which serve cheap pub food and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day. This Sherlock Holmes pub sign is one of a series of London prints and is the ideal gift to thrill any British pub fan. The colorful print measures 12 inches by 8 inches and has a high-quality giclee finish to give added texture and durability. It is ready to frame or to just hang on a wall as is. The high-resolution image was taken from the sign which hung above the door of the Sherlock Holmes pub on Northumberland Street in London in the 1960s. It has since been replaced with a more modern sign, but the original image lives on in this delightful print. It shows the well-known detective, Sherlock Holmes, wearing his trademark deerstalker hat and smoking his pipe while examining a clue through a magnifying glass. This poster makes a great gift for Sherlock Holmes fans or real ale aficionados, capturing the essence of London history.
Price: £9.38

Where to find it:

Fancy That Emporium
3-4 Station Approach
Marylebone Road
London NW1 5LD
Business Hours: Daily 9am – 7pm

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3. Tower Bridge Cufflinks

These classy cufflinks are actually made in Deptford, Southeast London and exude a touch of classic luxury and sophistication without being flashy. They feature a beautifully detailed photographic image by Allison Wiffen of the iconic Tower Bridge. These contemporary ceramic accessories make a beautiful fashion statement with their subtle black and white image and glossy finish. The cufflinks are entirely hand-crafted and measure 0.7 inches square. Suitable for any age of recipient, they will add a finishing touch to any dress shirt. The cufflinks are made from lightweight white earthenware clay with nickel plated backs to make them light but durable. They are easy to pack in their beautiful black velvet presentation box, which features the maker’s signature inscribed on the white satin liner.
Price: £55

Where to find it:

The British Museum
Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DG
Business Hours: Open daily 10am - 5.30pm; Fridays 10am – 8.30pm

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4. Commemorative Pillbox

This tastefully designed and decorated pillbox is part of a collection of items produced by Buckingham Palace to celebrate the wedding of Prince William to Katherine Middleton on April 29, 2011. The official Royal Wedding china collection is only available from the Buckingham Palace shops and makes a very special souvenir and collectible gift. The pillbox measures 2½ inches in diameter and stands one inch high. The removable lid has the couple’s initials entwined in gold and silver with the royal coronet above. The collection is handmade in the Potteries, Stoke-on-Trent using methods unchanged for over 250 years. After being decorated and embellished, the pillbox has several layers of burnished gold and platinum added before a final layer of 22-carat gold is applied by hand. For safe keeping, the box is supplied in a presentation box and wrapped in tissue with designs inspired by wall hangings in Clarence House, one of the royal households. This lovely piece makes a thoughtful souvenir which is sure to become a family heirloom.
Price: £25

Where to find it:

The Royal Mews Shop
Royal Mews
Buckingham Palace Road
London SW1A 1AA
Business Hours: Daily 9.30am – 5 pm

Buckingham Palace Shop
7 Buckingham Palace Road
London SW1W 0PP
Business Hours: Daily 9.30am – 5 pm

5. Die Cast Original Mini Cooper

Boys of all ages will love this die cast metal Mini Cooper model which comes in racing red or black. Just like the original, it has a union jack painted on the roof and on both the driver and passenger doors. This scale model is 1:36 and is highly collectible. The model car measures 4½ inches long and the doors really open. It also has pull-back-and-go action wheels for even more fun. First produced in 1967, the Mini Cooper has been a favorite with the British public ever since, being both economical and fun. The sportier full-size version of the classic Mini even won the Monte Carlo Rally four times. The car marque was reintroduced by BMW in 2000 and continues to be a British symbol. This model makes a novel gift to take home as a souvenir of London’s crazy traffic and narrow streets.
Price: £4.16

Where to find it:

Fancy That Gift Shop
34 Haymarket
London SW1Y 4HA
Business Hours: Daily 10am – 11pm

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6. Images of London Teapot

Novelty teapots, decorated with images of London, are a great souvenir idea. They can serve as an ornament, a novel collection of London images and a practical tea pot for tea drinkers, as well as being a great talking point. There are numerous designs to choose from on the various London markets, although they're made by slightly flawed “seconds”, so check them carefully. This one is made by the Great British Pottery Company. The teapot is decorated with a montage of colorful London landmarks, such as the Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. It is finished with a gilt knob which matches the decoration on the spout and handle. The teapot is 6 inches high and 8 inches from the handle to the tip of the spout. It is designed to make two cups of tea. Even on the market, the traders will box the teapot for you to ensure it arrives home intact.
Price: £25

Where to find it:

Various stalls on Portobello Road Market
Portobello Road
London W11 1LL
Business Hours: Mon-Thurs 9am - 6pm; Fri-Sat 9am - 7pm

Various stalls on Camden Market
Camden High Street
Primrose Hill
London NW1 7BT
Business Hours: Daily 10 – 6pm

7. Harrods Coffee in an Exclusive Tin

Image Courtesy of: Wessel Bloem

To celebrate its 150th anniversary in business, Harrods Emporium has produced a fine ground Blend 49 coffee in a heritage gold and green tin. As you would expect from this high-class grocers, the coffee is blended from the very best pure Arabica beans to produce a rich and aromatic coffee with a smooth nutty finish. Ideal for cafetieres and percolators, the coffee comes in a 250g size. Only available at Harrods, the Heritage collection tin is one in a series of favorite food and beverage gifts from Harrods' famous Food Hall. The dark green design on the front of the tin shows the Harrods building, inspired by the extensive archives. It sports the words “Purveyors of Fine Coffee since 1849”. This lovely tin of coffee will make a high-quality gift to take home and the sought-after Harrods carrier bag, provided with your purchase, will be equally appreciated.
Price: £10.95

Where to find it:

Harrods Ltd
87-135 Brompton Road
Knightsbridge
London SW1X 7XL
Business Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am - 8 pm; Sunday 11.30am - 6 pm

8. Notting Hill Shopping Bag

Ever since the romantic comedy movie "Notting Hill", starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, Notting Hill has become the cult place to live, shop and eat. The film featured the Notting Hill Travel Bookshop among other local scenes, which are now immortalized on a number of trend-setting Notting Hill shopping bags. The idea captured the eye of global style network Lookbook who have created the practical shopping bags. They have since become must-have items. The bags come in a variety of designs drawn by local school children. A particular favorite is this bright pink and yellow cupcakes design by Natalie Imbruglia with the notation “Cupcakes in Notting Hill” in girly pink script. The durable and sustainable shopping bags are made from 100% cotton, which is ethically sourced. It makes a lightweight souvenir of the area and a welcome gift for those who prefer to have reusable eco-friendly shopping bags, rather than plastic supermarket carrier bags.
Price: £5

Where to find it:

Mo and Jay’s Household Stall
In front of the Garcia supermarket at 248-250 Portobello Road Market
London W11 1LL
Business Hours: Mon-Thurs 9am - 6pm; Fri-Sat 9am - 7pm

9. No. 3 London Dry Gin Gift Set

This distinctive dry gin is made to a secret recipe by Berry Brothers and Rudd, London’s oldest wine and spirit merchant. Established in 1698 at No 3 St James’s Street London, hence the No. 3 in the name, it is the perfect spirit for making the ultimate dry martini. Made from juniper berries with three fruits and three spices and distilled in the age-old traditional method in copper stills, the gin makes the perfect souvenir of London quality for a spirits connoisseur. It has an unmistakable hint of orange citrus with a zingy edge from the grapefruit peel. Moroccan coriander seeds add a slightly peppery bite along with the earthy angelica root and aromatic cardamom pods. The set includes a 700 ml green glass bottle of No.3 London Dry Gin with a 46% volume. It is fittingly paired with a half bottle of Dolin’s premium Vermouth which is 17.5% volume. The bottles are gift-boxed for safety and are the ideal gift to make the perfect classic martini - the most British drink for cocktail hour.
Price: £50

Where to find it:

Harvey Nichols
109-125 Knightsbridge
London SW1X 7RJ
Business Hours: Mon-Sat 10am – 8pm; Sundays 11.30am - 6pm
The No.3 London Dry Gin is also widely available at supermarkets and off-license liquor stores around London.

10. Stella McCartney Pembridge Zip Wallet

This signature zip wallet is created by London fashion designer Stella McCartney, daughter of musician Paul McCartney. Simple yet chic, the eco cotton fabric is beige with a simple monogram design. Bound with a faux leather trim, it will look good with any outfit. The zip is finished with a logo disc with the designer’s name embossed around it. Once unzipped, the brown interior opens flat to reveal a credit card organizer for up to 9 cards. It has a further zip interior pocket and a gusseted wallet for tucking other essentials. This Pembridge zip wallet measures 8 inches by 5 inches and is less than one inch deep. Spot cleaning is recommended for the eco cotton fabric exterior. This is a beautiful gift from an established London designer which would look great when teamed with the matching Monogram tote bag.
Price: £335

Where to find it:

Stella McCartney store
30 Bruton Street
London W1J 6QR
Business Hours: Mon-Sat 10am - 6 pm; late night Thursday until 7 pm.

Harvey Nichols
109-125 Knightsbridge
London SW1X 7RJ
Business Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am - 8 pm; Sunday 11.30 am - 6 pm

11. London Umbrella

Unfortunately, London gets more than its fair share of rain showers, so this umbrella may find itself being put to good use before it gets a chance to be given away. Sporting the neat logo "I love London" with a bold red heart and white letters, it is made of black nylon. This quality umbrella has a chrome telescopic handle, making it ideal for folding up and tucking in a pocket when not in use. It comes with a matching sleeve and has a cord carry handle. The compact-size umbrella has a lightweight frame and collapses down, folds neatly away and is secured with a wrap-around Velcro fastener. Weighing just 1.3 pounds and suitable for men or women, this London umbrella is a perfect accessory for tourists and makes a great souvenir of your trip.
Price: £5.21

Where to find it:

Fancy That of London
48 Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3PA
Business Hours: Mon-Sat 9am - 6.30pm; Sunday 10am - 6.30pm

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12. Wedgwood Vera Wang Napkin Rings

British Wedgwood is a classic gift of good taste, but taking a piece of bone china home may be a little tricky. This set of four Wedgwood Grosgrain napkin rings, designed by Vera Wang, may be just the answer. Vera Wang dinnerware is highly collectible and reflects the attention to detail used in her world-famous bridal gown designs. These contemporary rings are made from sterling silver and intricately detailed with beading and reeding to match the Grosgrain dinnerware collection. They are sure to be a talking point and make an elegant yet stylish accessory to any dinner table. The highly polished, gleaming silver will look perfect with any color table linen. The set of napkin rings are gift-boxed for easy packing and would make a lasting souvenir gift from London or the ideal wedding or housewarming present.
Price: £42.40

Where to find it:

Selfridges & Co.
400 Oxford Street
London
W1A 1AB
Business Hours: Mon-Sat 9.30am - 10 pm; Sunday 11.30 am - 6pm

13. K2 Phone Box Bookend

What could be a better souvenir and a more useful gift than this red telephone box bookend? Designed in the 1920s specifically for the London area, the K2 telephone box was commissioned by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, better known for designing London buildings, such as the Bankside Power Station, now housing the Tate Modern. This London icon is now recreated in a two-dimensional design to secure books against a wall or shelf end. The bookend is made from red powder-coated steel and the footplate slips beneath the books which hold it securely in place. This is a great novelty gift for men and ladies of all ages and is sure to look good in any contemporary or traditional setting. The bookend stands 7 inches high, 5 ½ inches wide and 4 ¾ inches deep, and is very lightweight and easy to pack.
Price: £20

Where to find it:

Liberty Store
Great Marlborough Street
London W1B 5AH
Business Hours: Mon-Sat 10am - 9pm; Sunday 12 - 6pm

14. English Tea Time

Another quaint English custom is afternoon tea which can be recreated in style with this English Tea Time gift set. The collection includes three different teas: Earl Grey, English Breakfast and English Afternoon tea with 10 tea bags of each of these classic favorites. They are combined with a 200g pack of scrumptious Walkers Pure Butter Shortbread. Made from the finest ingredients with no artificial color or preservatives, the shortbread fingers are suitable for vegetarians and are kosher. The delicious shortbread is made by Walkers, a company started in 1898 by great grandfather Joseph Walker, whose mission was “to make the world’s finest shortbread”. It seems he achieved his aim as the shortbread was recently awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for the fourth time – you can’t get much more British than that!
Price: £6.99

Where to find it:

Fancy That of London
3-4 station Approach
Marylebone Road
London NW1 5LD
Business Hours: Daily 9am – 7pm

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15. Sanctuary Spa Products

You may not have the time or funds to spend on a day of indulgence in the world-famous Sanctuary Spa in Covent Garden, but you can treat yourself or a special friend to a do-it-yourself pampering set of products. The Sanctuary Spa was the original Day Spa to open in London’s Covent Garden 30 years ago. It was designed for dancers from the neighboring Royal Opera House Ballet to relax and unwind. Nowadays, it is renowned as the ultimate ladies-only London spa. There are a range of spa products, which the famous Sanctuary Spa is known for, available for purchase from the spa shop. They are supplied in full or 75ml travel-size bottles and make perfect gifts for anyone going on vacation. Designed to cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize your body, choose from a foaming bath soak, body wash, body lotion or body scrub for top-to-toe pampering.
Price: From £2.40- £5.10 each

Where to find it:

Sanctuary Spa
12 Floral Street
Covent Garden
London WC2E 9DH
Business Hours: 9.30am - 6pm; Saturday and Sunday 9.30am - 8pm

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16. Buckingham Palace Hand Towel

Live like royalty with this Buckingham Palace Hand Towel, part of a range of towels that are all boldly decorated in gold thread with the Buckingham Palace lion and unicorn emblem. This is the official royal coat of arms of the British monarch. The rampant lion with its crown represents England, while the heraldic unicorn comes from the royal coat of arms for Scotland. Made from 100% cotton, this high-quality hand towel is finished to a very high standard with deep plush pile and a woven trim. It measures a generous 33 inches long by 19 inches wide and is sure to add a little touch of elegance to any bathroom. The pure white towel with its regal gold design will match any existing color scheme and makes a thoughtful gift to take home as a souvenir of your trip to Royal London.
Price: £19.95

Where to find it:

The Queen’s Gallery Shop
Buckingham Palace Road
London SW1A 1AA
Business Hours: Daily 9.30am – 5 pm

Buckingham Palace Shop
7 Buckingham Palace Road
London SW1W 0PP
Business Hours: Daily 9.30am – 5 pm

17. DVD Set: Masterpieces of the British Museum

It is impossible to take in all the exhibits within the British Museum in one visit, as there are over 7 million items! This beautiful set of DVDs allows you to concentrate on some of the highlights of the museum and will be a thoughtful and welcome gift for anyone who loves ancient history and archaeology. Each DVD highlights a particular item, such as the Sutton Hoo Helmet and the beautifully crafted Aztec double-headed serpent which was made of turquoise over 500 years ago in Mexico. Other featured items are the Lewis Chessmen pieces which were carved over 800 years ago from walrus ivory and featured in the film "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone". Durer's Rhinoceros, which is one of the museum’s most famous artworks, is portrayed in another DVD as are the Assyrian Lion Hunt Reliefs, created over 2600 years ago. The final DVD in the set highlights the Head of an Ife King of Nigeria. The DVDs are all formatted to play worldwide and are beautifully gift-boxed.
Price: £35

18. Dartington Crystal Drinking Glasses

The ultimate Beer Glass, or UBG for short, is a beautifully shaped glass made by Dartington Crystal, one of the finest crystal manufacturers in England. The classic glasses epitomize the British pub culture and come in their high colorful gift carton which ensures that these fragile glasses will arrive home in one piece. The cartons are decorated with a host of trivia about British beer to delight drinkers of real ale. The glasses have a short stem and are ergonomically shaped to be cupped in the hand while listening to tall stories at the bar. Taller cider glasses are also available for those who prefer a glass of “scrumpy”, as it is known in England. Dartington Glass started manufacturing quality glassware in Torrington, Devon in 1967 and has become one of the leading names in English crystal. Its hand-blown glassware and crystal is highly regarded and very collectible.
Price: £12.77

Where to find it:

Portobello China Shop
85A Portobello Road
London W11 2QB
Business Hours: 10am - 5.30pm 7 days a week

Hickmet Fine Art
Gallery Eighty Five
85 Portobello Road
London W11 2QB
Business Hours: 10am - 5.30pm 7 days a week

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19. London Memory Game

This clever game in a Union Jack-style box is an ideal gift even for those who have never visited the city of London. The game has 25 pairs of photographic images of London landmarks, such as Big Ben, museums, pubs, bridges and famous architecture. Players have to match the cards into non-identical pairs by theme, such as food, pubs, newspapers or railway stations. Suitable for youngsters as well as adults, it is a great way to enjoy 50 first-class scenes of London while getting to know the city a little better from a local perspective. The game will prove to be a delight to anyone who loves London or who wants to know it better. It is also the ideal gift to share with family and friends back home for hours of fun matching pairs of typical London sights.
Price: £14

Where to find it:

Foyles Bookshop
113-119 Charing Cross Road
London WC2H 0EB
Business Hours: Mon-Sat 9.30am - 9pm; Sundays 11.30am - 6pm

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20. Harrods English Butterscotch Biscuits (Cookies)

Sold as an exclusive gift, these English Butterscotch All Butter Biscuits are deliciously more-ish. They are presented in a souvenir Harrods tin which is ideal for transporting the cookies home safely undamaged. The tin is sure to be useful, once empty, for storing other food items with its airtight seal. The tin is in a classy gold finish with embossed detail, and is decorated with a picture of the Harrods store. It is sealed with a gold lid which is decorated with the Harrods logo. The biscuits are made from the finest ingredients, including cow’s milk, oats, wheat, eggs and gluten with delicious crunchy butterscotch chips in the all butter biscuits. They make a perfect gift for the person who has everything, and the Harrods brand marks it out as a high-quality gift.
Price: £7.95

Where to find it:

Harrods Ltd
87-135 Brompton Road
Knightsbridge
London SW1X 7XL
Business Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am - 8 pm; Sunday 11.30am - 6 pm

Other Interesting Souvenirs from United Kingdom

If traveling to Britain is not an option for you right now, or you simply can't afford extra space in your luggage, fortunately, these days, you can find a wide selection of authentic and truly interesting British souvenirs online. Presented here are some of the British products sought by foreign visitors, now available online for your convenience.

1. Buckingham Palace Gifts - The seat of the British monarchy, Buckingham Palace, and all that is associated with it, has long become a brand luring tourists in their numbers. The palace itself, the guards, and even the afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace, all are up for grabs now in the form of cute little things, such as Christmas ornaments, dangling clip-ons, or sets of tea bags.

2. Sweets - Britain's foothold in the realm of chocolate has a name, and the name is Cadbury. These British-made dairy milk chocolate bars and candies have been popular worldwide for decades. Recently, though, the top-selling dominance of Cadbury in the UK has been challenged by a rival chocolate brand, Maltesers. How long for, time will show.

3. Harry Potter Items - To date, Harry Potter legacy has spilled out of literary pages into the daily life of Britishers in the form of outdoor landmarks (in London or elsewhere) and gadgets. Marauder's Map is one of them, a magical document reportedly showing every nook and corner at Hogwarts, able to keep track of every person on the grounds, portrayed by a dot. Another item, quite useful at every household, is the Harry Potter Remote Control Wand, magically giving the user integral control of TV, Blu-Ray player, and speakers for an ultimate entertainment experience. And, of course, a full set of Harry Potter saga books brought together in a cute chest is a memorable gift, “one for the ages”.

4. London’s Scent: Jo Malone - This British fragrance brand has been in place since 1983, renowned for its high-end perfumes, luxury candles, bath products, and room scents, each of which combines effortlessly so you can create your own aroma with ease.

5. Football (Soccer) Items -In the homeland of football, football reigns over other sports. For true fans, it is a good tradition to carry names and colors of their favorite club outside the stadium – inscribed on clothing, backpacks, tea mugs, etc.

6. Biscuits -A British tea is unthinkable without a biscuit, some crunchy thing combining oat and wheat in a perfect blend, such as internationally-adored McVitie's original or milk-chocolate covered Hobnobs, or the hard-to-resist dark chocolate and orange Jaffa Cakes, all of which make a perfect accompaniment to an afternoon tea.

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