Shopping recommendations
London has some great shops for kids, here are my favourite boutiques and shops for clothes, toys and furniture. (Pictured above: Their Nibs).
Caramel Baby & Child This exquisite shop is growing, there are branches in Brompton Road, Pavilion Road (Sloane Square) and Ledbury Road (Notting Hill). The store prides itself on very individual items, and paired down everyday clothing with a touch of luxury. www.caramel-shop.co.uk
Green Baby, Notting Hill My babies may have grown up a bit but they spent their early years in cotton baby grows and pyjamas from this cute environmentally sound store. www.grenbaby.com
Igloo, King’s Road The ‘it’ boutique for kids in the King’s Road. A branch can also be found in Islington. Expect to find brands such as Ikks, Petit Bateau, Mookie, even Hunter Wellies. www.iglookids.co.uk
Jigsaw Junior, 190 Westbourne Grove I have a very fond memory of this store in Notting Hill as this is where I took my bridesmaid Lucia to choose her outfit for my wedding….back in 2002. The shop is as wonderful today, with particular emphasis on fashions for girls, and the all important party dress or frock as my grandmother would have called them. www.jigsawonline.com/collections/1001284/junior
Habitat Home ideas and accessories for kids such as baskets for practical, fun storage to encourage tidying up. Also love the kid’s bedding and wooden toys here. www.habitat.co.uk
Marie Chantal Beautiful upmarket classics for children. Luxurious therefore pricey, but there are lots of lovely accessories and it’s a great place to look for outfits for special occasions. www.mariechantal.com
One Small Step One Giant Leap An easy place to shop for shoes for kids. They are used to toddlers tearing around the store and they will ensure your kid’s get the right shoe sizes with a bit of room so that mummy comes away feeling that the shoes will last a bit! Expect to find brands like Start Rite, Ecco, Geox and Kickers. www.onesmallsteponegiantleap.com
Sasti, Quirky clothes for little ones, in the heart of Portobello at Portobello Green. Fantastic knitted hats for babies. www.sasti.co.uk
Science Museum Shop I always make a detour here for Christmas or birthday presents and I always know that I’ll find something new to occupy my busy children. We love the night vision goggles and my 8 year old adores his homemade room alarm and he still laughs each time I set it off. www.sciencemuseumshop.com
Their Nibs (pictured above at 214, Kensington Park Road) One of London’s classic boutiques offering distinctive children’s clothing including their own wonderful vintage line. Quirky and totally fun! www.theirnibs.com
Where to shop for high-quality kid’s eyewear brands….
Adam Simmonds www.adamsimmonds.co.uk
Auerbach & Steele www.auerbach-steele.com
Arthur Morrice, London (Hampstead and Knightsbridge) www.arthur-morrice.com/
Leightons, Putney www.leightonsopticians.com/branches
And one really special place to thrill and amaze…
Toy Theatres and Traditional Toys from Pollock’s Toyshop and Pollock’s Toy Museum
This is where I shop for little unusual, quirky presents for my boys…my favourite purchase to date is a miniature battery powered violin which plays old-fashioned tunes….when you take the bow to the strings…I can’t come away without a small toy from here or one of their “making” kits or old-fashion cut out books. It’s a treasure trove for real; my mum used to buy me the paper theatres which you have to build from sheets of printed card, they are amazing and brilliant fun. CN
www.pollocks-coventgarden.co.uk/