The Insider's Guide to the Best Souvenirs from London

You can’t travel to a place without buying gifts for your friends and family, so we offer you a complete guide to the best souvenirs from London.

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Some people might think that buying souvenirs is a waste of money, but that’s far from the truth. Especially if you’re staying in a historic and fascinating city like London, you’ll see that it’s not about buying trinkets, but about capturing moments and sharing those experiences with the people we care for.

That’s exactly why we wrote this article: to guide you through different categories of souvenirs that can perfectly adapt to the people in your life. We go beyond iconic sights like Big Ben and Tower Bridge, and delve deeper into quirky and unique gift ideas.

But before you start buying souvenirs in London, you’ll need a way to stay connected and share the photos and memories with your friends and family. And a trip to London is the perfect moment to try Yoho Mobile’s free eSIM. Afterwards, you can use the promo code YOHO12 for 12% off your next purchase.

Why buy souvenirs?

Let’s start with a very simple question: Why do people buy souvenirs? The reasons vary from person to person, and can go as simple and superficial as “it was something cute that I saw” to something more personal and meaningful like “it reminds me that you always said that you wanted to have a London mug for your tea collection”.

Here are some uncommon reasons people get souvenirs:

• They are great story starters: When you give somebody a souvenir, you can attach a funny story to it. And start a very interesting conversation about all the things you did and saw in London. Perfect if you’re trying to get closer and share more.

• It’s a great way to support local culture and artists: These days, a lot of people prefer massively produced gifts. So, for them, a handmade item that you bought at a local market in London will have infinitely more value, since it was made with love and care for a single person with a dream.

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The Best Souvenirs from London

Souvenirs make great gifts, but the secret to the art of gift-giving is knowing what the recipient will appreciate and like. For example, your minimalist friend will not appreciate another trinket that gathers dust on a shelf. Still, they might like a set of tea towels with iconic London images, meaningful and practical.

Souvenirs for the nostalgic historian

If you have any friends who are obsessed with old places and historical sites, they will love London. And if they haven’t visited themselves, here are a few ideas to give them to motivate them.

• Replica of historical artifacts: You probably can’t buy the real thing, but in the British Museum or the Museum of London, you can get oddities like Roman coins, pottery replicas, medieval seals and swords, and many more interesting artifacts.

• Antique maps and prints: What’s a better addition to the walls than a reproduction of a map of London from the 17th to 19th century. A similar option can be architectural sketches of the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey.

• Historical books: If your friend likes history, they probably will love a historical book, and there are plenty of libraries to find in London. If you want something quirky, you can find illustrated editions of Pepys’s diary, Churchill speeches, or even London plague journals.

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Souvenirs for the underground explorer

Almost everyone has a friend who is a massive fan of the occult and the macabre. You know, the kind of person who’s drawn to tunnels, crypts, plague pits, and all the fascinating underbelly of any big city like London. For someone like that, a cutesy magnet of a two-story bus won’t do. Here are some ideas that they might enjoy more.

• London underground memorabilia: You can find a lot of these items in the London Transport Museum or even their online shop. That’s how you can get your friend a decommissioned tube signage.

• Secrets of London books and guides: Another great option for a gift is a guidebook to the underbelly of London, with little-known facts that even locals don’t usually know, and plenty of stories

• Crypt and catacomb mementos: Less famous than Paris ones, but London does have catacombs, and you can get souvenirs! Your weird friend will love a postcard or a print of skull-lined crypts.

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Souvenirs for the literary flâneur

Let’s go now to your romantic friend who is always with a book in their hand. Of course, your first idea will be a book, and indeed, a beautiful edition of a classic you know they want is a great idea, but here are some more that are not necessarily books.

• Literary maps of London: This is a great idea, especially if they are planning to visit London in the future. With this map, they will know exactly where their favorite author lived, wrote, or set their novels.

• Writing tools and stationery: A lot of people who are great readers dream of being a writer themselves, so they will probably love a leather-bound journal, or a quill with an inkwell. Even bookmarks are really appreciated!

• Cafe-book inspired objects: Whether they like tea or coffee, a mug with a literary quote can be a nice addition, perfect for a quiet moment, especially if your friend is the kind of person who romanticizes a rainy afternoon, with a hot cup of tea and a book.

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Souvenirs for the aesthetic collector

You probably know at least one person whose house seems like it was brought to life from a magazine. Considering a gift might seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re not close. That’s why we offer you a curated list of elegant, artful, and meaningful souvenirs that will satisfy their aesthetic soul.

• Miniature art prints and postcards: It may be classic, but it’s still a very good option. They are easy to frame, affordable, and highly versatile, allowing you to match the colors and themes to your preferred aesthetic.

• Handcrafted ceramics and studio pottery: You can get really beautifully glazed espresso cups, asymmetrical vases, and speckled bowls, all objects that, while beautiful, have a very defined practicality.

• Textiles and wearable art: Instead of putting the art on the wall, you could put it on yourself and wear a beautiful silk scarf with botanical art, or go to a fancy dinner with a hand-embroidered handkerchief, or to the market with a block-printed tote!

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Souvenirs for the edible enthusiasts

Now, for people who explore different cultures through food, London has quite a few surprises. The city offers a blend of Royal tradition, multicultural vibrancy, and artisanal revival, with plenty to explore.

• Luxury tea blends: If there’s a beverage that Englishmen know a lot about, it’s tea, and in London, you can find a lot of interesting and luxurious tea blends to buy for yourself, your family, and friends. For example, you can try Smoky Earl Grey in a decorative tin, or a rare loose-leaf Darjeeling First Flush.

• Traditional biscuits and shortbread: You can find this in a number of markets and specialized shops. Try the clotted cream shortbread and the chocolate stem ginger biscuits. If you eat too much, digestive biscuits and camomile tea are a must.

Best places to find souvenirs in London

Now that you have a better idea of what kind of souvenir you want to buy on your trip to London, here are some great places where you can find those and plenty more.

• Popular tourist spots: It might seem quite obvious, but places where a lot of tourists go tend to have gift shops, markets, or stalls, selling memorabilia from the place and London in general.

• Museums and cultural shops: If you want to buy something more historical or related to another culture, you can find it, for example, in the British Museum shop.

• Popular markets: People who prefer handmade items, vintage objects, designer pieces, or rare collectibles can find them in places like Spitalfields Market or Portobello Road Market.