Our last full day in London and it was shopping day. Apart from quick trips to Harrods (couldn't even get close to the ornaments) and Liberty (managed to score two but not the third one I wanted so that just means I'll have to go back!), Thursday's list included the Harry Potter Store, John Lewis, Selfridge's, and Fortnum and Mason. Why, oh why, didn't I have Marks and Spencer on that list? Again, I'll have to make another trip!
Sadly, this was the closest we got to St. Paul's Cathedral, in the Uber ride to King's Cross Station.
The Harry Potter 31-foot-tall Christmas tree has a Honeydukes confectionery counter built into the tree, where visitors can purchase the iconic Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, Chocolate Frogs, Butterbeer Cookies, and bottled Butterbeer. The base of the tree is made up of model buildings, inspired by the shops in the snow-covered village of Hogsmeade. The tree stretches up and out from behind the storefronts. Amongst its branches, you’ll spot hundreds of baubles (in Harry’s beloved Gryffindor colours), letters from Hogwarts addressed to Harry Potter, and presents for the franchise’s beloved characters. And perched at the very top is the familiar snowy owl Hedwig, clutching a delivery of her own.
The back view of Honeydukes
We're here - Platform 9 3/4
This is the line we would have stood in but as we took our places at the end of the line, an attendant came over and took us right to the front - so considerate - we posed for the souvenir photo and then went into the shop
Slytherin and Ravenclaw
Passing through to the other side of the shop
New lunch box, perhaps?
Our souvenir photo - not only did we get a physical copy, but we also received a QR code to download digital versions (with different backgrounds) the following day
Time to head to the Tube - someone has lots of fun Christmas gifts in that Harry Potter shopping bag!
Waiting for the Tube - the step-free access at King's Cross was excellent
First stop, John Lewis
Beautiful decorations as we rode the escalator
John Lewis is home to the Quality Street chocolates Pick 'n Mix
You purchase the container and fill it with your favorites
So many amazing gift ideas
There was a Monty Bojangles pop-up, and they were giving out handfuls of their chocolate truffles
Penelope Chilvers boots, a favorite of The Princess of Wales, with the signature tassel - I would have been in big trouble if Sophia had been with us on this trip $$$$
Next stop, Selfridge's
Kicking myself for not buying a box of crackers although I'm not sure how I would have gotten it home intact as we already had the Battle of Waterloo chess set as a carry-on
More beautiful decorations
I was looking for this ornament - I asked one of the customer service staff and he said that they were sold out. I spotted a tree that had a lot of yellow (Selfridge's signature color) ornaments and out of the corner of my eye as I went to leave, there was a shopping bag, tucked among the branches at the back! Yippee, it went straight into my basket!
Off to Fortnum and Mason next and I had to rely on a photo from the Internet as the exterior resembles an Advent calendar and is best seen after dark
A biscuit tin in the shape of the store
Beautiful Christmas china
We really saved the best afternoon tea for last - Fortnum's Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, beautifully decorated in the reception area
Complete with pianist
And a variety of tea caddies for decoration
The tea salon's china is Fortnum's Camellia White
Scone and sandwich tiers (not a piece of fruit in sight!)
Amazing desserts - the apple (chocolate and cranberry bavarois) and the bauble (mandarin mousse) were my favorites
Preserve and curd for the scones
And a pot of clotted cream
Look at this to-go box for leftovers!
We headed down to the china department for a browse - here is the Camellia pattern, a compliment to Camellia White
Stunning
A tiny lift - it really was built for two
Our last photo - we didn't make it to a pub this trip, but we passed The Ship on our way home and I couldn't resist a quick photo
Time to pack and be ready for our taxi at 6:00am the following morning.
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