Not sure this is going to help many but I am flying to South Africa for work in March but I have a 10 hour layover at Heathrow. I land at 8am and take off at 6:50pm.
Here come my questions:
Can I get to a decent record shop if I wanted to? I realized I have never used LHR for anything more than a layover on my way to Manchester or all over Europe.
The Elizabeth Line will.whisk you from LHR to TCR in around 45 mins, and the shops of Soho are approx 5-10 minutes walk away - Sounds of the Universe, Sister Ray, Reckless, Phonicq, etc.
Alternatively, you can do Eliz Line then Windrush Line (overground), which will.get you to Love Vinyl in around 70 mins. Not much else around there though.
Then here’s the next question:
What store in London has the best new TP-friendly selections?
What store has the best second hand TP-friendly selections?
was going to say same
Also Keep on Eliz Line to Liverpool St & walk to Rough Trade East
After a good dig in Love Vinyl, you could jump back on the Windrush line at Hoxton Station and head north towards Dalston Junction. You have Hidden Sounds on Ridley Road Market about 10 mins walk away, but then allow yourself plenty of time to go through the overflowing racks and bins at Eldica which is about 15 mins back the way you came. If you still have time, Kingsland Records on Kingsland Road in nearby Haggerston. Swift pint in the Duke Of Wellington pub to admire your newly acquired bounty, then back on the Windrush Line southward bound at Haggerston Station.
A military scale precision mission required I see.
There are a couple of other places not too far a walk from Love Vinyl near Brick Lane. Flashback which is mainly second hand stuff and Rough Trade East. Neither of them are amazing though. World of Echo has also just moved near there.
I would probably say the Soho option is better for a quick visit and covering all the TP friendly bases easily. Phonica for the new/electronic stuff, Sounds of the Universe for soul/reggae/world etc. (although I feel it’s gone down hill in recent years), and Reckless for second hand stuff which is hit or miss but I did find a couple of nice bits in there recently. Loads of good spots to eat around there too, Kiln is my main tip.
Haven’t rough trade also opened up a store on Denmark street recently?
I’d agree, Soho got the best spots in a condensed area, plus it’s also just a nice vibe to hang out in. Only thing I’d say is that I think Reckless is really good ha. Almost always find something really good in there, good range of all sorts of genres and fairly priced (if you don’t look too hard at some of the stuff on the walls)
Soho also seems closer and more direct from Heathrow.
If any of you are about we can grab lunch and I’ll pretend you work for me so I can expense it.
using the corporate credit card to buy your pals lunch is one of the few corporate joys out there.
It also makes lunch taste better somehow.
Another Soho vote for easy accessibility/vibe.
Any further seems like a faff with limited time, though probably all good spots.
Notting Hill is a short hop but is MV Exchange still worth a look these days?
Im guessing much smaller than Brick Lane (?)
Personally dont find RT very inspiring based on the Nottingham one, they try to cover too many bases
Agree. Rough trade west used to be great but it’s nowhere near as good now. Also very expensive but I occasionally used to get an unofficial discount because I was in there most lunchtimes
Sadly, Notting Hill MVE would be way down my list of second hand record shops to squeeze in on a quick visit.
The LHR to TCR on Elizabeth Line for the Soho shops is the one.
Is there still a small Honest Jon’s next to King’s Cross? I got some great dub and Sotofett stuff in there a couple of years back. But I don’t know if it was just a temporary shop.
I find reckless pretty good, but do bear in mind they don’t have listening stations, so make sure you’ve got a pair of headphones and use ur phone to check things online.
music and video exchange in notting hill is pretty good too (second hand only). the upstairs section you could probably fit that in too on the tube if you wanted…
All done under the pretence of “just popping out for a bit of a walk.”
Always refuse carrier bags when asked, makes it easier to get stuff back in the house.