Shopping is one of the great experiences in the United Kingdom. However, on the whole prices aren’t cheap. Fortunately, discount sales are frequent, virtually a British institution. And if you’re from outside the EU, you can get a VAT refund more easily in the United Kingdom than any other EU country.

London is full of stylish shops and grand department stores but for real shopping pleasure, you can’t beat the city’s many street and flea markets. They’re noisy, crowded and you have to bargain hard, but you can’t beat them for sheer shopping fun. Here are some of the most famous. Covent Garden is the grand dame of them all. With a long and colourful past, this West End mainstay is now made up of several markets. Apple Market sells collectible nostalgia including ceramics, leather goods, toys, clothes, hats, and jewelry. Jubilee Market specialises in antiques market on Mondays; the rest of the week it offers budget garments and books.