
It's the annual Daily Constitutional Christmas Shopping Guide!
Every year the London Walks guides round-up their fave shops and stalls along (or near) the routes of their London Walks tours.
Today we've got some great advice from Beatles
expert Richard. His recommendation… simply join him on his Beatles tour then,
when the tour is finished, turn around and retrace your steps to find all the
fancy shops you've passed on the tour.
Seemples!
Over to Richard…
The Beatles Magical Mystery tour can easily
be substituted for the London shopping tour – we go down some of London’s most
famous shopping streets, which this time of year have the best Christmas
lights.
Carnaby Street was the heart of what became
known as ‘Swinging London’ in the the 60s, because of its boutiques, where the
likes of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and the Kinks used to shop.
It is still
very vibrant to this day, and is known for the funkiest Christmas lights in
London. This year is no exception, as they are based on a Christmas carnival!
At the end of Carnaby Street we pass the
amazing mock-Tudor building of Liberty’s – world famous for its fabrics.
Liberty received an unexpected boost
in the 60s when the Beatles went to India. They were seen wearing Indian
clothes, which became very fashionable, and sales of Liberty’s Indian fabrics
rose enormously.
We then go down Regent Street, one of the
most elegant streets in London, with many great stores, probably the highlight
being Hamley’s toy shop, which has just celebrated its 250th anniversary!
If you think Regent Street is grand, wait
to you see Savile Row, world famous for tailoring. Some of the shops have been
on the street for 200 years, and have royal warrants, which mean they supply
the royal family. This was a rather bizarre location for the Beatles’ ‘Apple’
group of companies.
While it is popular to buy suits in Savile
Row, the best dressed gentleman completes his wardrobe by buying his shirts and
shoes from nearby Jermyn Street, which we also visit on the tour. We then
through the Piccadilly Arcade, which has some of the best Christmas decorations
in London.
Phew! Thanks Richard!
And there's a part two tomorrow – it's a double album!
Here's Richard in action leading one of his
Beatles tours…
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For full info on The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour click HERE.
About Your Correspondent…
Richard P
"The Pied Piper of Beatlemania", Richard is the author of The Beatles' London, a consultant on the Hard Day's Night DVD
and holder of the Beatles Brain of Britain title.
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Christmas 2017 With London Walks…
On Christmas Day there are TWO London Walks:
Walk up an appetite with The Christmas Morning 1660 Walk – meet at 11:00a.m by the big tree in Trafalgar Square

Walk off the pudding with The Christmas Day Charles Dickens Walk – meet by the big tree in Trafalgar Square at 2:00pm
A London Walk costs £10 – £8 concession. To join a London Walk, simply meet your guide at the designated tube station at the appointed time. Details of all London Walks can be found at www.walks.com.









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