Information
Landmark: HarrodsCity: London
Country: United Kingdom
Continent: Europe
Harrods, London, United Kingdom, Europe
Overview
Harrods, tucked into the bustling heart of Knightsbridge, London, ranks among the world’s most famous department stores, its green awnings a familiar sight to shoppers from everywhere.Harrods, with its marble floors, lavish displays, and century-old charm, has come to embody British elegance, sophistication, and sheer extravagance.Whether you’re after a silk dress, a box of rich truffles, or a hand-carved table, Harrods turns shopping into something unforgettable.Back in 1834, Charles Henry Harrod opened a small grocery shop on Brompton Road, when the street was still a sleepy corner of London.Over the years, the store flourished, drawing in wealthy customers with its fine leather bags and warm, attentive service.A fire tore through the original store in 1883, but Richard Harrod-who’d already broadened its shelves to showcase fine silks and other luxuries-oversaw its swift rebuilding.By the late 19th century, Harrods had grown into a bustling department store, its tall building stacked with floors devoted to everything from silk dresses to fine china.In 1905, Mohamed Al-Fayed, an Egyptian businessman, bought the store and pushed ahead with expansions and renovations, adding new wings and the now-famous Egyptian escalator with its gleaming brass rails.In 2006, the Qatar Investment Authority, a state-backed fund, bought Harrods, yet the store still bustles with polished marble floors and high-end luxury goods.Since QIA took over, Harrods has kept its shelves-and glass display cases-stocked with some of the most exclusive finds in fashion, food, and lifestyle.Harrods stretches across more than a million square feet-room enough to wander past glittering jewelry cases, gourmet food halls, and endless aisles-earning its place as one of the world’s largest department stores.The store stretches across seven bustling floors, each buzzing with shoppers, and packs in more than 300 distinct departments.Inside, the shop dazzles as much as its wares, with soaring arches, glittering chandeliers, and intricate carvings that whisper of a bygone era’s luxury.On the Ground Floor, you’ll find a luxury food hall filled with gourmet treats, from glossy pastries to fragrant cheeses.Harrods’ Food Hall is a highlight of the store, brimming with artisanal cheeses, glistening piles of fresh seafood, vibrant exotic fruits, and rich, tempting sweets.The department features elegantly crafted counters showcasing the finest gourmet ingredients, and in one corner, you’ll find a section devoted to Harrods-branded treats-chocolates with glossy shells, crisp biscuits, and rich, fragrant sauces.On the first floor, luxury takes center stage, with gleaming displays from Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada-names that define prestige.The space showcases designer accessories, shoes, and jewelry, from gleaming gold bangles to sleek leather heels, creating a luxurious shopping experience with attentive, personalized service.Second Floor: Here you’ll find more fashion and luxury pieces-women’s dresses that catch the light, sharp menswear, and curated designer collections.You’ll also find a mix of cutting-edge labels and couture pieces, along with bespoke tailoring that can perfect every stitch.The department is known for handpicking bold, cutting-edge fashion straight from top designers around the world, like a silk jacket fresh off a Paris runway.On the third floor, you’ll find everything from sturdy oak tables to soft cotton bedding, along with a mix of stylish home décor.On this floor, you’ll find exclusive homeware collections-everything from plush, velvet-covered armchairs by luxury furniture makers to gleaming copper pots and elegant decorative accents.Harrods is famous for its bespoke services, helping customers craft interiors down to the fabric on a single chair.On the fourth floor, you’ll find shelves of luxury goods and a lively toy section where kids giggle over model trains and adults linger just as long.You’ll discover high-end gifts, sleek tech gadgets, and unique specialty finds-plus Harrods’ iconic toy department, where shelves brim with everything from soft, velvet-eared bears to buzzing interactive playsets.Fifth Floor: Here you’ll find beauty at its finest-exclusive cosmetic lines, silky skincare creams, and fragrances that linger like a fresh bouquet.You’ll also find the Harrods Beauty Hall here, a place where visitors sink into plush chairs for luxury skincare treatments and other indulgent services.On this floor, you can book a beauty consultation tailored just for you, then settle in for the full experience-soothing treatments, expert tips, even the soft scent of lavender in the air.Sixth Floor: Here you’ll find restaurants and cozy cafés, perfect for grabbing a bowl of hot soup or a quick coffee when you need a break from shopping.On this floor, you’ll find The Georgian Restaurant, where afternoon tea comes with fine dining and sweeping city views, and The Seafood Bar, known for its plates of fresh, briny oysters.You’ll also find plenty of laid‑back spots to eat, from cozy corner cafés to snack bars serving warm pretzels.On the seventh floor, you’ll find a spa with exclusive health and wellness services, from soothing massages to calming herbal teas.This floor offers guests a range of wellness experiences, from soothing massages and refreshing facials to tailored fitness sessions where you can feel the hum of the treadmill beneath your feet.After a full day browsing shops and weaving through busy aisles, it’s the ideal spot to unwind-sink into a soft chair, breathe deep, and feel the stress fade away.One of Harrods’ best-known sights is the Egyptian Escalator on the second floor, its golden panels gleaming under soft lights.Built in 1929, the escalator-its panels etched with Egyptian-style motifs-has become a striking emblem of the store’s lavish design.It gives the store a touch of grandeur, and shoppers often stop there to snap pictures beside its gleaming marble counter.Harrods is impossible to miss, wrapped inside and out in its signature deep green trimmed with gleaming gold that catches the light even on a cloudy London afternoon.At night, the store’s historic facade glows under warm lights, turning Harrods into a striking landmark in the heart of London.The Harrods mascot-a proud lion-appears all over the store, from gold-trimmed signs to plush toys, and has come to embody its regal, luxurious charm.At Harrods, the lion stands as a bold symbol of strength and quiet elegance, much like the gleam of gold on a polished crest.Harrods isn’t just a department store-it’s a global luxury brand, known from London to Dubai for its gleaming marble floors and impeccable displays.Travelers from every corner of the globe step through Harrods’ grand doors, drawn to the thrill of browsing its gleaming halls and centuries-old luxury.The store shapes more than just what people buy-it leaves its mark on global luxury culture and the way people live, from the sleek handbags on runways to the champagne served at openings.Harrods has turned into a magnet for anyone chasing a truly rare shopping experience, drawing in celebrities, royalty, and style lovers who might wander past glittering window displays.You’ll find Harrods at 87–135 Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, London, its grand green awnings stretching along the busy street.You can hop off the Piccadilly Line at Knightsbridge station, then stroll a few minutes past the scent of roasted chestnuts to reach Harrods.It’s usually open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with longer hours over the holidays.Entry’s free, though the high-end treasures inside might make your wallet wince.
