Harrods is a world-renowned luxury department store located in Knightsbridge, London, England. Its history dates back to the 19th century, and the store has become an iconic symbol of luxury and opulence.

It was founded by Charles Henry Harrod and remained in the hands of the Harrod family until 1889. In 1985, it was acquired by the Egyptian businessman billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed until 2010. He was the father of Dodi Al-Fayed, who perished alongside Princess Diana in that fateful car accident in 1997. In 2010, the Qatari royal family’s Qatar Holding company acquired Harrods from Mohamed Al-Fayed for a reported £1.5 billion.

Harrods is certainly among the most prestigious and luxurious department stores in the world and has become more than just a retail establishment; it is a symbol of luxury, tradition, and British heritage.

• Lower Ground Floor

  The Harrods Bookshop

  At the Harrods Bookshop , you’ll find new releases, all-time classics and limited editions books that will make perfect gifts.

  The Harrods Gift Shop

  Step into a traditional British arcade where experts are on hand to make your gifting experience truly magical with hot stamping, embroidery, initialled ribbons or Swarovski crystals. Create a bespoke gift with in-store personalisation services.

  The Flowers, Cards & Gift shop has fresh floral bouquets by Neill Strain Floral Couture.

  Christmas World

  Visit Christmas World during the festive season where you will find overflowing boxes of jewel-like decorations to shelves upon shelves of Louie, Harrods’ Christmas Bear.

  Beauty Events & Services

  Head down the spectacular golden staircase from the Ground Floor to Beauty Events & Services, exclusive events, treatments and the Beauty Concierge.

• Ground Floor

  The Food Halls

  The Harrods food emporium boasts a rainbow of gourmet delicacies from truffles and patisserie to ready-to-eat dishes, sourced and prepared by experts. Harrods has 150 chefs creating daily menus in the Fresh Market Hall and there are over 100 loose-leaf teas to choose from.

  The Beauty Halls

  The Beauty Halls are world-class immersive spaces where you’ll find prestigious cosmetic brands and cult products.

  Fine Jewellery

  Fine Jewellery at Harrods houses Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co, Graff, Piaget, Chaumet, Harry Winston, Lorraine Schwartz and Dior.

  Fine Watches

  Fine Watches at Harrods houses Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, Cartier, Jaeger-Lecoultre, IWC Schaffhausen, Tudor, Audemars Piguet and Tag Heuer.

• 1st Floor

  Womenswear

  The Womenswear Hall houses designer collections for Eveningwear, Swimwear, Lingerie, Hosiery & Nightwear including Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, Zimmerman, Agent Provocateur and many more.

• 2nd Floor

  Men’s Wear

  The Men’s Wear Hall houses designer collections for Sports, Essentials, Swimwear, Grooming , Shoes & Accessories including Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, Versace, Rick Owens, Hugo Boss and many more.

• 3rd Floor

  Homeware

  Bring a touch of Harrods into your home with luxurious Furniture & Accessories, Cookware & Appliances, Bed & Bath including Fornasetti, Baccarat, Miele, Harrods in-house brand and many more.

• 4th Floor

  Children’s Department

  The home to Harrod’s Toy Hall, Nursery Goods, Baby Gifts and Children Wear including Burberry, Dior, Dolce & Gabanna, Fendi and many more.

  It also includes services from Maria Tash Piercing and a Toy Concierge.

• 5th Floor

  Tech

  The Fifth Floor is home to technology from the latest smartphones and TVs to what’s new in gaming, home fitness, audio, and imaging. Includes an Apple Store and Samsung in-store.

• 6th Floor

  Salon de Parfums

  Ascend the escalator into Salon de Parfums, where you will be greeted by a striking crystal chandelier. Experience some of the world’s finest and rarest creations from 25 hand-selected brands including Bond No. 9, Xerjoff, Roja Parfums and Henry Jacques – the latter so private, it’s tucked behind a decadent velvet curtain.

Where to Eat in Harrods

• Harrods Roast & Bake, Basil Street (Takeaway Only).
• Baccarat Bar, Lower Ground Floor (access via street level).
• Harrods Social by Jason Atherton, Lower Ground Floor.
• The Tiffany Blue Box Cafe, Lower Ground Floor (access via street level).
• The Coffee Bar, Food Halls, Ground Floor.
• Caviar House & Prunier, Ground Floor (access via street level, Door 8).
• Kama by Vineet, Ground Floor (access via street level, Door 8).
• Kerridge’s Fish & Chips, Ground Floor (access via street level, Door 8).
• Moët & Chandon Champagne Bar, Beauty Halls, Ground Floor.
• Pasta Evangelists, Ground Floor (access via street level, Door 8).
• The Grill, Ground Floor (access via street level, Door 8).
• Em Sherif, 2nd Floor (access via street level, Door 10).
• Pizzeria & Pasqua, 2nd Floor.
• Harrods Cafe, 3rd Floor.
• Angelo Musa, 4th Floor.
• Gordon Ramsey Burger, 4th Floor.
• Harrods Garden Terrace, 4th Floor.
• The Harrods Tea Rooms, 4th Floor.
• The Lebanese Bakery, 4th Floor.
• Chai Wu, 5th Floor (access via street level, Door 10).
• Studio Frantzén, 5th Floor.
• The Sushi Bar, 5th Floor.

Must-Do in Harrods

Shop in The Food Hall

Photo from Elle Decoration UK

The Food Halls at Harrods are a gastronomic delight. Explore the various sections offering gourmet foods, fresh produce, delicacies, and international cuisine. It’s a feast for the senses, and you can pick up some unique and luxurious food items.

Ride on the Egyptian Escalator

Photo from TripAdvior

The grand Egyptian Escalator is one of the most famous features of Harrods. Adorned with intricate Egyptian-themed decorations, it’s a stunning piece of architecture.

Fun Fact: In 1986, Mohamed Al-Fayed, the then owner of Harrods, installed a pair of large bronze statues of sphinxes near the escalator in Harrods. These sphinxes were modelled after the ancient Egyptian sphinxes and symbolised Al-Fayed’s Egyptian heritage. However, after the Qatari royal family’s Qatar Holding company acquired Harrods in 2010, the sphinxes were removed during a renovation and redesign of the store.

Have Afternoon Tea at Tiffany’s

Photo from Dailymail

What’s a trip to London without Afternoon Tea? Make that at Harrods and in Tiffany’s at Tiffany Blue Box Cafe.

Best Souvenirs from Harrods

• Harrods Teddy Bear: The iconic Harrods teddy bear is a classic and beloved souvenir. These bears come in various sizes and styles, often adorned with a Harrods ribbon or logo.
• Harrods Shopping Bag: The classic green and gold Harrods shopping bag is an iconic symbol. You can purchase bags in various sizes and styles, including reusable tote bags, for a practical and stylish souvenir.
• Harrods Tea or Coffee: Harrods offers a wide selection of premium teas and coffees. Elegant packaging makes them great gifts, and you can find exclusive blends that are synonymous with the Harrods experience.
• Harrods Food Hall Treats: Pick up some gourmet treats from Harrods’ Food Halls, such as chocolates, biscuits, or preserves. These make for delicious and luxurious gifts.
• Harrods Christmas Ornaments: If you’re visiting during the holiday season, consider a Harrods Christmas ornament. These ornaments often feature the iconic Harrods building or other festive designs.

Things to Note

Photo from Harrods

• Harrods is huge and it has several entrances/exits so it’s advisable to check the hall you are heading to and check with the doorman before winging it.
• It is crowded all day during peak seasons particularly at the Children’s Department, Christmas World and the Gift Shop. So if you see something you like, grab it because it will get snapped up very fast.
• If you’re a foodie, you’re going to die and go to heaven in the Food Hall. You can buy food to-go and jams and spreads as souvenirs.
• To dine in the cafes or restaurants in Harrods, it’s best that you make a reservation first as they tend to get fully booked fast.

Address:
Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7XL, United Kingdom.

Opening Hours:
1000 – 2100 (Mon-Sat)
1130 – 1800 (Sun)

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Reference:
Harrods London

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