Fenwicks (London)

Advantages: Brilliant clothes range, kitchen goods, excellent quality
Disadvantages: Can be a little expensive for my tastes, men buying perfume can be a dangerous experience

This is most probably the best department store in London and maybe in England. Not because they sell absolutely everything, nor because they are the cheapest, but what makes this store different from all other stores is their merchandise is of super quality, presented beautifully, and at a price that you feel comfortable paying. The staff are courteous, not pushy, not too friendly either, but I don't go shopping to make new friends. Most staff are ...
...one valuable commodity, namely product knowledge, this gives validity to the products they sell and instils confidence in the buyer. That’s why I shop there. Now about the store itself: The Basement ------------ Looking around there are so many gift and house ideas I don't even know where to start. There is all manner of top quality kitchen utensils, china range for the dinning room cupboard, Wedgwood for guests and a large selection of ... Read review

Advantages: Brilliant for children, and everything for adults too.
Disadvantages: Easy to get lost.

I have visited Fenwicks of Newcastle all my life, have purchased everything from pocket-money toys to big ticket electricals, have negotiated its aisles on foot, with wheelchair and with pushchair. And I still get lost! Its a maze. Not that I really mind - you always find something interesting when you're lost in Fenwicks! They really do stock everything - although its often difficult to find specific items without collaring an assistant. On Saturdays ...
...push- or wheel-chair through. Fenwicks has many wonderful departments, too many to review comprehensively here, so a brief list of the best... Food Hall - with everything from everyday essentials to expensive luxuaries, and often cheaper than the supermarkets. Lingere - best visited on quiet days, a very accurate bra measuring service, helpful staff and a wide range of products. Toys - what childrens dreams are made of. Its wonderful. Its also ... Read review

Advantages: True Aladdin's cave full of helpful staff
Disadvantages: Not enough shops in the country

Fenwicks in Newcastle-upon-Tyne is the best department store I've ever been into - no matter what I went in to buy, I can guarantee that I will come out again with a bag containing that very item. No need to compromise - they always seem to have just what I'm looking for, no matter which department I go into - clothing, toys, newspapers, household - you name it, they stock it! But best of all, behind all the fancy beauty counters there's a secret ... Read review

Advantages: They sell (almost) everything
Disadvantages: Can be difficult finding things

Fenwicks has two branches, one in Newcastle upon Tyne and another, smaller branch in Leicester. The Newcastle upon Tyne branch has the most wonderful Food Hall. In it can be found all sorts of food from the very basic to luxury goods. Its cheese department is amazing, with varieties even I hadn't heard of before. As a man I noticed that women's apparel was devoted a lot more space than men's. This is a general phenomenon in all stores of this type. ...
...excellent quality, and they also have all those traditional mens' accessories such as tie pins, cuff links and hip flasks. Fenwick's toy department has always been a favourite of mine since childhood, at Christmas it is even better. the Newcastle branch is very large and often difficult to navigate with a pushchair due to narrow aisles and lack of direction signs. It is a true department store. ... Read review

Advantages: Smaller and in turn more personal.
Disadvantages: You won't want to leave

Fenwicks of Bond Street is the place to go for any serious shopper. It is smaller than most of the other London department stores and so the service is much more personal. It stocks everything from gifts to wonderful pieces of style.I can come out of the store very quickly having spent insane amounts of money. You can make up your own mind whether that is a good or bad aspect of the store. One of the nicest parts of the building is the restaurant ...
...your in a rush. Or if you have a bit of time on your hands you can have a pasta, which really is quite divine. There after sales service is the best in the whole of London. This probably because it is quite a small store. If you find anything with a fault in it, although this is highly unlikely, the will not hesitate in giving you a full refund. You're not a serious shopper untill you've esperienced the charm of Fenwicks. ... Read review

Advantages: calm and central
Disadvantages: oasis interrupted if it's too busy... but if you like people-watching then that's cool...

...Joseph Ettedgui, emperor of fashion emporiums, owns several glorified cafes across London - there's one on draycott avenue, another in Fenwicks on Bond Street... My favourite though is the cafe, previously called L'Express, beneath one of the several Joseph stores, just next to Gucci, on Sloane Street.... This is a perfect urban oasis - all crisp white tablecloths, minimalist design and comfortable brown leather chairs. The menu is fabulously wide-ranging - with a particularly large and tantalising selection of salads which appeal to the ladies who lunch - the nicoise is particularly good. Attentive, speedy service allows you to relax and enjoy a brief respite from the shopping. Lunch for two would probably set you back £30 - the care and attention are worth every penny.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful