Looking for something different this Christmas
Throughout the borough from the boutiques of Fulham to the vibrant market in Shepherds Bush, Hammersmith & Fulham is home to a host of small and specialist shops, providing welcome relief from the usual selection of high street names. Here are some of the best to help you find something unusual to give this Christmas:
Great gifts
Patrick's Toys
107-111 Lillie Road SW6. www.patrickstoys.co.uk
Two floors of fantastic toys from Scalextric and Hornby, to film related products including Lord of the Rings, Hulk and Spiderman.
Fulham Island, Vanston & Jerdan Place.
This development includes M&S Simply Food and provides a host of original present ideas from shirts in Italian fabric by Adesso, made-to-measure furniture from 'Unto This Last'. There is also a gourmet stop at 'Del Aziz' deli & cafe. For a posh Christmas frock or designer gear try 3 Tribes.
Shepherds Bush Market.
The buzzy street market is open Monday to Saturday from 10am. There is ethnic food from around the world, fresh fish, a wide range of fruit and vegetables, meat, groceries and fabrics. It is also a good place to pick up Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, wrapping paper, Christmas cards and stocking fillers.
Expressions
92 Fulham Palace Road, W6 9PL.
www.worldofexpressions.com
One stop party shop where you can stock up for all your Christmas and new year bashes, with a huge range of balloons and party products.
Indian Summer
624c Fulham Road, Parsons Green, SW6 5RS
An assortments of Candles, cushions, accessories and gifts. www.indiansummershop.com
Candle Makers Supplies
28 Blythe Rd Olympia, W14 0HA.
www.candlemakers.co.uk
Located next to Olympia Exhibition Hall, this is Europe's largest and best-stocked source for all candle making equipment and supplies - including handcrafted candles.
Evolution
65 King Street, W6 020 8741 7673
Amazing gifts from around the world at very affordable prices.
Great grub
One of the best things about Christmas is the food, so why not pick up something special from one of the boroughss many independent food stores and delis.
HG Walter
51 Palliser Road, W14.
Voted top small butcher shop in Great Britain 2002, H.G Walters is renowned for its quality food and friendly service. Owner Peter Heanen strives to bring his customers the very best in British produce, specialising in organic and free range.
Stenton Family Butcher
55 Aldensley Road, Hammersmith W6 9PL.
Traditional butcher, run for nearly 40 years by owner John Stenton, specialises in free-range and organic meat (including Welsh Black Beef, Gloucester Old Spot, Blue pork and game, Orkney pates, Rannoch Smokery products).
Nutcase
352 Uxbridge Road, W12 7LL.
A treasure trove of nuts, coffee, exotic dried fruit and Arabic sweets all roasted on the premises. Great aroma!
Elizabeth King
34 New Kings Road, SW6 4ST.
An impressive delicatessen in the heart of Fulham, with a mouth-watering range of French and European cheeses, saucissons, bread, olives and meals-to-go.
Buchanan's Organic Delicatessen
22 Aldensley Road, W6 ODH.
Owned and run by the Buchanan family, most of the foods on offer are organic. There is a coffee shop inside with comfy sofas, newspapers and great pastries.
Hammersmith Farmers Market
Lyric Square, King Street, W6 9JU.
This very popular market is hosted every Thursday from 11am to 4pm offering a range of organic delights. In December there will be farm-fresh turkeys, Christmas puddings, Christmas cake and Christmas trees on offer as well all the favourite fruits, vegetables, cakes and breads.