The Knowhere Guide

Shops and Hobbies in Orpington, Greater London*

Orpington, Greater London Clothes, Magazines, Art, Galleries, Hobbies

Clothes Shops, Shoe Shops, Fashion and Bargains

• a new clothes shop has opened in the walnuts by the florists. they sell snowboarding/skate/surf brands and its cheap for the brands involved. probably wont last long though as most people who shop in orpington wont everything for less than a fiver! i know i used to work there.
• Not unless you like Oxfam retro chic.
• Mark One in Orpington is the only one in the area now, but it is good for cheap clothes as is Tone in the Walnuts and Priya on the highstreet
• Fine if you like charity shops, or cheap-and-nasty. For middle aged fogies who want bargains for work, then the Edinborough Woollen Mill will suit. Otherwise, go to Bluewater.
• None of any interest.
• Why would anyone bother to go to Orpington to shop for clothes? Go to Bromley, actually go anywhere else. Unless of course you like the worst charity shops in the world.
• New Look is as classy as we get (not that I won't admit to a large selection of clothes from that particular chain -labels cut out of course!)
• Gap - no. Oxfam - yes.
• Errr... Mark One? Quality Seconds? The market? Orpington is not a place for designer shopping!!
• The favourite place to get clothes for all the gypsie's in Orpington seems to be washing lines in the back of peoples gardens.
• There are plenty of cheap and poor quality shops across Orpington. Peacocks, Mark One, etc.
• They're rubbish in Orpington - just cheap and cheerful
• The Market is good for cheap sweatshirts, jeans etc on a Saturday, M&S and Burtons are still there for old fogeys.....otherwise, no!
• Peacocks (not that good, but it is a clothes shop).
• Marks and Spencer often has a wider range of casual stuff than Bromley, and Burton's bigger than the one on Victoria Street, London. Not Just Kids on Eldred Drive has just opened, but I haven't been in there yet to see what it's like.

Arts, crafts and such (Anything from pukka art galleries to craft shops. Trendy and twee both welcome.)

• the picture frame shop woopdiddoo
• Chelsfield Town Hall?
• The Priory School Crafts Fair every year.
• well there is retrospect at the end which is great - i bought some candles from there once. They sell bits and bobs and also beanie babies. Lorimers sells great arts materials and partners is great for stationary. Whsmith is the classic for a whole new Back to School set. They sell a pak of ink erasers for a £1!
• there is only one that is next to a libery but they keep the same thing in there for years and years.
• oh yes, the very artistic and deeply meaningful art work of pikeys and other dilinquents.
• Not a lot in Orpington proper. Kind Regards in Locksbottom has some nice (but pricey)stuff. Best bet if you're looking for a good range of stuff (plus excellent coffee and food) is to drive out to Ide Hill (20 - 30 minutes)!
• A good little junk shop is up at the top of Green Street Green High Street,just before you get to the main road. It's really little, on the right hand side as you're headed towards the A21. It's on of those jammed up to the windows shop, thats so full of junk you can barely move, but it's nice.
• orpington has a museum at the library.
• Great art materials shop opp Mc Donalds, I think its called Lorimer or something like that (if it hasn't closed down by now), good for art students and those with the creative bent.
• Retrospect is the place mentioned earlier - it's great for gifts and some crafts. Has the(dubious) distinction of being the Official Beanie Baby centre of Orp. Also has tiny tea room, probably the cheapest and best in the High St, if you only want tea/coffe/sandwich/cake, and would like change from a fiver.
• There is a nice antique and crafts shop at the end of the high street near to the library with lots of different stalls in it. They do hand made cards and toys, china, collectibles etc.
• there is a little art gallery (or at least used to be) in the old Priory buildings attached to the library.
• I think there's a Kent Wool Shop, or something. And a branch of Singers. They do sewing machines - that's a craft!?!
• I suppose there is a craft fair at the Town Hall occasionally.

Magazine and Comic Shops

• tons of those ere... Martins by The Priory sells comics.
• KENT COMICS RULES!
• The sweet shop next to McDonalds, the couple who own it are really nice! Always really friendly, and helpful.
• Well there are plenty of newsagents if that counts.
• Comic shop next to the chemists near the war memorial. It's not that extensive. Go to the Forbidden Planet in Oxford Street, London, instead.
• Archives in the one way system has most of the top US titles, and some specialist magazines (ie Starburst), but Time Trek in Bromley (10 minutes on the train) has more, and The Forbidden Planet in London (about 45 minutes by train and then tube) has absolutely everything so you shouldn't miss out.

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Last updated: 2008-05-15