Shopping in the local area

Butlers Wharf sits in an area that caters for tourists, residents and local businesses. Fortunately this means that the local shops satisfy all needs. In Tower Bridge Piazza next to Butlers Wharf and all along Shad Thames (running between the residence and the river) there are a range of shops selling an exciting array of items. Also, with the gastronomic influence of Terence Conran's famous restaurant Le Pont de la Tour nearby, there are a number of exclusive delicatessens which sell an enticing selection of (mainly imported) foodstuffs.

Check  http://butlerswharf.lseplaces.com/  for directions

Antiques and bric-a-brac

Bermondsey Antiques Market

General

Hay's Galleria, Tooley Street - the development at Hay's Galleria is a fine example of how money and imaginative design have combined to transform a redundant Victorian dock into an impressive and unusual commercial and business centre. Beneath a towering vaulted roof, a selection of shops, bars and restaurants nestle together with an assortment of craft stalls. Between them there is a particularly unusual fountain, which, depending on taste, upstages the Tower Bridge Piazza fountain.

Shops include Boots (chemists), Next (fashion), Ryman (office equipment and stationary), the Riverside Bookshop and Absolutely Starving (delicatessen and bakery).

Because of its setting and ambiance, Hay's Galleria is an excellent place to browse around, particularly if passing to or from London Bridge station. Throughout the summer, free live jazz concerts are held at the Galleria during the week.

Surrey Quays Shopping Centre - Although transport will be needed, Surrey Quays provides the best value and range of choice for local shopping. This large shopping mall consists of a string of familiar high street shops including Tesco (supermarket), WH Smiths (large newsagents), H Samuels (jewellers), Our Price (record shop), Top Shop, River Island (both high street fashion outlets) and BHS (large department store selling clothing and household goods). There is also a variety of fast food restaurants.

To reach Surrey Quays by car, drive to the end of Jamaica Road to the roundabout at the mouth of the Rotherhithe tunnel. Take the third exit from the roundabout (the one after the tunnel), follow the road about 200 metres and branch off to the left just before the traffic lights (Surrey Quays should be signposted). Free car parking is available.

By bus, take the eastbound 47 or P11. Buses can be caught from the corner of Tooley Street and Lafone Street, or at most stops along Jamaica Road. There is also a free minicab telephone located in Tesco.

Local markets

Columbia Road Flower Market, E1 - fabulous range of flowers and plants, alongside quirky shops selling every thing from furniture from the Far East to handmade bags and candles. Great place for a leisurely Sunday brunch! Why not try the old East End speciality of jellied eels. Tube - Shoreditch or Bethnal Green.

Greenwich Market - situated on at least five different sites, this offers an exciting range of bric-a-brac, clothing (mainly second-hand), jewellery and household ornaments. Open Saturday and Sunday only. Bus 188 or DLR to Greenwich Maritime.

Spitalfields Market, E1 - organic fruit and veg, off-beat designer clothing, vinyl albums, arts and crafts and a fabulous range of food stalls. The art gallery and club venue/ bar Spitz is well worth a visit for breakfast or a snack/ dinner. Open every day except Saturday, Sunday is by far the best day to visit - why not combine it with a trip to Columbia Road Flower Market or Brick Lane. Tube - Liverpool Street, Aldgate or Aldgate East.

Supermarkets and food stores

Le Pont de la Tour Food Store and Bakery, Shad Thames - if ever there was a place to buy designer groceries, including wonderful bakery products, this is it. It is certainly worth a visit to admire the shop's traditional 'Olde Worlde' décor. The walls are stacked to the ceiling with exciting wares, mainly of continental origin. If you fancy a meal with choice ingredients this shop could offer you the inspiration. Watch your pocket, however, it can be expensive! Open Monday-Friday 10am-8.30pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-6pm.

Le Pont de la Tour Wine Merchant, Shad Thames - no ordinary off-licence but one for the wine connoisseurs among you! Although beer's sold at roughly normal prices, you would be hard pressed to find many bottles of wine for under £7, although several are in the £10-15 range. With certain bottles retailing at over £400, this is definitely a shop for the connoisseur.

The Oil and Spice Shop, Shad Thames - another specialist delicatessen, this time selling exclusive olive oils, flavoured cooking oils, vinegar, cookery books and an interesting range of spices.

For those planning on home-cooking, the food stores and minimarkets closest to the residence (listed below) are all, unfortunately, rather expensive. However, across the river within reasonable walking distance there is a large Morrisons supermarket. In addition, for those prepared to take a short bus ride or quick journey by car, the Surrey Quays Shopping Centre contains an extensive range of stores including a large Tesco supermarket.

The Circle Store, Unit 22 Queen Elizabeth Street - fairly well-stocked minimarket located at the eastern end of the street which runs parallel to the south of Gainsford Street. Open Monday-Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday 10am-7.30pm.

Waitrose, Thomas More Street E1 - a large well-stocked, newly reopened supermarket with a particularly good delicatessen counter serving freshly made sandwiches and salads. This should offer you all you need at a competitive price. The pleasant 20 minute walk to the supermarket takes you over Tower Bridge and through St Katherine's Dock. Car parking is available. Open Monday-Saturday 8am-10pm, Sunday 10am-4pm.

Dry cleaners

Arcade dry cleaners, Unit 21, Queen Elizabeth Street, SE1 (+44 (0)20 7357 0099)

Pharmacies

Dockhead Chemist - small outlet selling both over-the-counter and prescribed medicines. For more competitively priced cosmetics and toiletries it would be best to head for a large supermarket or store.

Boots - the country's best-known chain of chemists has a small store at Hays Galleria. There is also a much larger store at the Surrey Quays Shopping Arcade.

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