(please note, all these pics were taken with my iPhone) 
I thought I would take a little break from decorating tonight, and take you along on a little tour of a little shop.
In England.
London, England, that is.
This time last year, The Hubbs and I were preparing for a 10-day Christmas trip to England. We rented a car and drove
through the Cotswolds. You can read about some of the towns we visited HERE and HERE and HERE, Hever Castle
(my fave!).
After touring for eight memory-filled days in the countryside of England, we headed back to the city to spend Christmas
Eve and Christmas Day in London. Can you imagine waking in the morning after a full English breakfast, and your
husband asking “what do you have planned for the day?”
In which I replied, “Oh, I am going to go shopping and have tea at Harrods.” 🙂
And that’s just what I did. This trip was the 7th or 8th time we had been to London. I’ve really lost count. But,
there is something about Harrods that always brings me back.
So while The Hubbs did some sight-seeing on his own, I explored seven floors and over 1 million square feet
(yes, I said million!) You can easily understand how:
a) you can get literally lost in the store, and you need a map to figure out where things are.
b) you could spend all day there and still not see it all.
c) you could spend a small fortune there.
Luckily for my debit card, I only did A and B.
Now some of you would no doubt spend a lot of time here…
(that’s me, self-portrait time.) 😀
…and you may wander within this section…
– or this section…
…and shop for this –
– or maybe this…
But, not me. No, not me. The area of Harrods that thrills me the most – the area which enthralls me to no end, is…
The Grocery Store. Yes, the food market.
(sorry about these pics, by the way. They were taken with my iphone.)
Did you even know Harrods had a grocery store?
It’s the most fascinating place I have ever seen. It is huge. Beyond huge. It is HUGE!
And I have never seen food displayed so beautifully. I could imagine setting up an easel and painting some of these displays. 🙂
It is arranged in sections within massive rooms.
Within each section, there are small eateries and cafes. For example, there is this section…
Seafood. Cooked or fresh. Just mouth watering.
Anything you can imagine – from yummy smoked fish and shellfish to caviar.
And I love how all of the attendants are so darned handsome in their uniforms.
You could partake of the yumminess from the sea if desired.
The part that fascinated me was that there were lots of people that day shopping for their Christmas Eve and Christmas Day feasts. And also for Boxing Day, which is the day after Christmas and also when all shops are closed.
(Imagine that! Retail stores closed on holidays.)
Everyone was bustling about with small
hand-carry baskets (no buggies). Even I could not resist picking up a few things to take back to our hotel.
Like some yummy pastries and breads.
You cannot imagine how magnificent this section smelled. Scents of warm, freshly baked bread just emanated all around.
I also bought some paté. Ohhhh, do we love paté.
There was also foíe gras.
I loved reading the signs. “Stuffed Forest Duck with Pistachios.” I don’t know about you, but our local Piggly Wiggly doesn’t carry this item. 😀
And my butcher doesn’t wear these cute hats.
And look at these beautiful hams.
I love this charming area where you could have lunch…
I forgot to mention how beautiful these spaces were. Not only was there a visual feast at every turn, the scenery above wasn’t too shabby, either.
Then, there were all the fruits and veggies…
And when shopping for your Christmas dinner, you need pretty flowers, too.
…berries anyone?
Then, there were mini sections within the sections…
Candy or chocolates, anyone?
Maybe you need some tea? It is England, after all.
Or, maybe you prefer some fine coffees from around the world.
Got Jam?
I spent way too long just walking around, taking it all in. I hurriedly paid for my small basket of items so I could go enjoy my “Tea at Harrods.” Before I left, I made a little trip down the Hall of Bears…
In case you cannot tell how large these are….
I am 5’4. They were taller than me. 🙂
I bought the smaller ornament versions in The Christmas Shop.
I met Bill at a local pub for a lunch of Bangers and Mash with Guinness Gravy (our fave)…and later that evening we spent the most memorable and moving Christmas Eve at Westminster Abbey.
The boy’s choir with their angelic voices cannot be described. And hearing these songs, some of them sang in Latin, surrounded by the century old walls of this beautiful Cathedral where Kings and Queens are buried… was more than surreal.
We have a silly tradition. We always take a
“self-portrait” wherever we go. Here we are getting ready to go inside for the Christmas Eve Service.
“self-portrait” wherever we go. Here we are getting ready to go inside for the Christmas Eve Service.
(Big Ben at Night)
I hope you enjoyed this Christmas Eve tour of Harrods. Tomorrow, we are back to Christmas decorations.
In a few days, I will share our trip to Selfridges and show you our London hotel room, too. 🙂
xxoo
As always, please feel free to pin any of these pictures, with my permission. Just click on the “Pin With Barb” button below.
I had ice cream at Harrod’s. In retrospect, that was stupid — with all of the wonderful food there, I could have waited to get home to have ice cream. I’m telling you — STUPID!! Sally
View CommentOh my goodness, what a fabulous, FABULOUS trip. And…Westminster Abbey on Christmas Eve? Definitely a bucket list item! Thank you for sharing this with us!
View CommentNancy
What a wonderful post, I feel like I’ve been there!
View Commenthello,
View CommentYour blog is very cute. I’ve just made a post about harrods window displays . I’ll be happy if you check out my blog too=)
Barb, so glad you shared these pictures with us!! We did not have a chance to go to Harrods while in London so this is extra special to me. It reminds me so much of the Bon Marche in Paris. The food store was one of my favorites too. Everything is so beautifully displayed. I feel extra special having some Earl Grey tea from Harrods even though I did not get to go myself! xo Kathysue
View CommentOh, I always wanted to go to London and go the the famous Harrods..among many other places!!! 🙂
View CommentI felt like I was right there with you. What a wonderful tour. I had no idea they had a grocers and eatery inside the store! What a great experience and I can only imagine Christmas Eve in that cathedral. xo Diana
View CommentOh my word, I would love to have been there. I could almost smell all the wonderful breads and food. It is totally amazing. Thanks for the tour. Hugs, Marty
View CommentGreat post. I enjoyed every minute. Hopefully I’ll get to go to England one day. I finally got to go to Paris last fall and am going back to France twice this year.
View Comment