Harrods in London

Welcome to heaven on earth for shopping aficionados! With its hundreds of boutiques, each more luxurious than the last, Harrods is the largest of London’s department stores!

Follow the guide!

Brief history of Harrods in London

The origins of Harrods

The history of Harrods begins in the early 19^th century. In 1834, Charles Henry Harrod, a tea wholesaler, opened a grocery store in the East End, a poor district of London.

In 1849, he moved his store to Brompton Road in Knightsbridge. Over the years, he gradually bought up the commercial premises in the vicinity to expand his store. In 1861, his son, Charles Digby Harrod, succeeded him at the head of the company.

On November 6, 1883, Harrods was destroyed in a fire. The following year, a larger store was built on the same site.

Expansion and modernization

In 1889, the company was sold to Alfred James Newton, who quickly took it public. At the turn of the century, major renovations and enlargements were carried out. In the late 19^th century, Newton had an “inclined rolling plan” installed (the ancestor of the modern escalator): it was a first in a department store!

In 1914, the company opened a new store… in Buenos Aires! (The Argentinian store closed in 1998 and no longer exists) The company also bought up a number of other London department stores.

Harrods from the 50’s to the 80’s

In the late 1950s, the company was acquired by the parent company of House of Fraser. It continued to expand the store and grow its reputation around the world.

In the 70’s and 80’s, the store was the target of several attacks by the IRA (Irish Republican Army).

Harrods since the 1980s

In 1985, Harrods was bought by the Al-Fayed family and separated from House of Fraser. The new owners further expanded the store and created theEgyptian Hall, adorned with bas-reliefs and statues in marble and bronze rococo!

In 1998, Dodi Al-Fayed, son of the CEO of Harrods, disappeared in the car accident that also caused the death of his companion, Lady Diana. Her father had a memorial installed in the Knightsbridge store in honor of the couple.

In 2010, Harrods was acquired by the investment fund Qatar Holdings, owned by the Emirate of Qatar. They installed a new Art Nouveau style escalator and continued to develop the now legendary store.

A few figures

Harrods:

• is spread over a surface area of 92,000 m²
• is spread over 7 levels (2 in the basement + the first floor + 4 floors)
• counts a total of over 330 boutiques
• counts 32 bars, pubs and restaurants
• has more than 3,500 employees
• receives approximately 15 million visitors per year
• registered revenues approximating £1.5 billion in 2015

Visiting Harrods in London

Whether you’re in a spending mood or not, Harrods is a must-see in London! What to see in the famous store? Be sure not to miss:

👉 Harrods façade: first stop before even entering the store to admire its imposing terracotta-colored Victorian façade. At nightfall, it is lit by… 12,000 bulbs: impressive to say the least!

👉 The Egyptian Hall: created by the Al-Fayed brothers, Harrods’s Egyptian Hall is quite unique, with its impressive display of marble and gilding in the purest Egyptian style…

👉 Lady Di and Dodi Al-Fayed Memorial: upon the death of his son in the car accident also responsible for the disappearance of his partner, Lady Di, Mohamed Al-Fayed had a monument erected in memory of the couple. You’ll find the memorial in the basement of the Knightsbridge store.

👉 Shopping at Harrods: clothes, perfumes, jewelry, beauty products, luggage, home decor, etc. Harrods truly is heaven on earth for shopping aficionados. If you’re running on a tight budget, you can stick with the store’s git shop. Why not splurge on the legendary teddy bear which is a symbol of the brand? For the record, Winnie the Pooh was inspired from Harrods’ teddy bear!

👉 Cuisine & gastronomy: Harrods counts dozens of cafes, bars and restaurants, as well as a vast delicatessen department. But be warned, like everywhere else in the store, the prices are somewhat prohibitive!

👉 Harrods Christmas parade: the Christmas parade has become an unmissable event for kids (and adults)! The event includes a parade presided over by Santa Claus aboard a horse-drawn sleigh, followed by a photo session with the children. Be warned, the event is a victim of its own success: remember to book at least three months in advance if you want to meet Santa Claus!

👉 The sales at Harrods: as in any department store, the sales are a highlight of the year. Discounts can reach up to 80%: a great opportunity to treat yourself without (completely) breaking the bank!

Access

Getting to Harrods

Harrods is located at 87-135 Brompton Road, in the upscale Knightsbridge neighborhood, just a stone’s throw from Hyde Park in central London.

The nearest public transports are:

• metro: Knightsbridge station (Piccadilly line)
• buses : lines 9, 10, 14, 19, 22, 52, 74, 137, 414 and C1

Hop-on hop-of sightseeing buses also stop near the store and are quite handy for getting around the capital’s major sites and monuments.

👉 Book your hop-on hop-off bus tour + Thames cruise

Opening hours

Harrods is open:

• Monday to Saturday: 10am to 9pm
• Sunday: from 11:30 am to 6 pm

Admission

Admission to the store is obviously free of charge. If you want to do some shopping, be prepared to break your piggy bank, unless you’re visiting during the sales! Most visitors are content to buy a teddy bear or an oilcloth shopping bag from the gift store.

👉 Skip the lines: book your tickets and visits in London!

Credits
Pixabay | Pewels