Number one leisure activity

The British are country of a shoppers. They love to shop! It is their number one leisure activity and accounts for around 37% of all money spent in England.

High Street – the main shopping street in every city and town

The main shopping street in many towns is called the High Street, where you should head for if you want to go shopping. A few small shops are owned by local people. Most are owned by national 'chains' of stores. This makes many town centres look the same. Some towns also have street markets where fresh food and cheap goods can be bought Away from the town centre, small 'corner' shops provide groceries to local customers.

Time to go shopping Peak shopping days are Saturdays and Sundays. Shops are generally open on Holidays. Holidays are a great time to shop as there are many sales on especially around Easter and Christmas.

Shopping Hours In England, most retail shops are generally open 6 or 7 days a week.

Types of Shops in England

Department Stores Marks & Spencers (for clothes and food) Debenhams and John Lewis and British Home Stores (for clothes and household items), WHSmith (newsagents, stationers, CDs and DVDs). Liberty's department store Harrods - the famous department store that every tourist wants to visit. You can find anything from the cheapest to the most expensive things.

Shopping in London London has over 40,000 shops and 26 major street markets to choose from. Oxford Street (Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus) Oxford Street, London's busiest shopping street, is in the heart of the city's West End. It is the place for buying souvenirs, clothes, and so on.

Tottenham Court Road The best place for electronics shops and furniture stores. Knightsbridge (Nearest Tube: Knightsbridge) Fashion / Designer boutiques

Selfridges (Nearest Tube: Marble Arch) This store has an extensive designer section for both men, women and children.

Hamleys. (Regent Street. Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus ) Hamley`s is every child`s dream come true. It offers seven floors of toys for all ages – from traditional soldiers, dolls and trains to high-tech computer games and robots.

London Markets Petticoat Lane Market is a great place for bargain clothes and shoes. Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street Portobello Market a place to buy, clothes, shoes, and organic fruit and vegetables all in one place. Nearest Tube: Notting Hill Gate / Ladbroke Grove Camden Market has become one of London's top attractions. You can find hippie cloths, craft stalls, 70's nostalgia and vegetarian food. Nearest Tube: Camden Town / Chalk Farm

Supermarkets Supermarkets tend to be open 7 days a week with longer opening hours - usually until 8pm or 10pm most evenings, with reduced hours of 10am- 4pm on a Sunday. Some in larger town stores now open 24 hours