In shopping terms, London is the centre of the universe. Well, OK, New York may have the edge, but London is giving it a run for its money.

Everyone knows that Oxford Street is the place to find most chain stores and department stores, but it can be a teeming, noisy, even unpleasant experience. It’s also increasingly full of tat, especially at the northern end. Head to the quirkier parts of London - there are plenty of interesting boutiques selling designer ‘street’ fashion around Hoxton and Spitalfields to the east and Westbourne Park in the west.

Marylebone High Street has a good mix of homewares, independent food shops and salons. Head for Covent Garden or Knightsbridge for expensive designer fashion, Soho for music and funkier clothes, Charing Cross Road for bookstores (new and antiquarian) and the King’s Road for (expensive) homewares and kids’ stuff. Your adolescent children may want to skulk around Camden, but most adult Londoners avoid this tourist attraction.

Central London shops are open late one night a week, usually till 7pm or 8pm. Those in the West End (Oxford Street to Covent Garden) are open until late on Thursdays, while Wednesday is late opening in Chelsea and Knightsbridge.

For more listings and reviews, buy the extensive Time Out Shopping Guide.