Is there a Walgreens in London or the UK? (2024)

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Walgreens is seriously my jam.

I am with you, people of the internet who have searched, “Is there a Walgreens in the UK?” or “Is there a Walgreens in London?”

I am with you.

I love Walgreens so much that as a child, I waited during the holidays for the Walgreens ad and then did my Christmas shopping for my family from it.

Also, Walgreens is good for normal people who buy toiletries and other drug store items there instead of waiting all year for the Christmas lights and singing Santas, but you know.

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Anyway, the question is…

“Is there a Walgreens in the UK or England or London?”

And the answer is no.

There isn’t a Walgreens in the UK or London, however Boots is a UK drug store now owned by a parent company connected with Walgreens.

Before I try and unravel the history of Walgreens in the UK or why there isn’t a Walgreens in London, we’ve got some other things to tend to.

Firstly, no matter your reason for being here, you need the best book on living in the UK for Americans ever written – the book is called “Girl Gone London: An American’s Guide to Surviving Life in the UK” and you should click here and check it out.

I also may have written it, so I’m biased.

But truly, if you’re coming to the UK as an expat, a study abroad student, or even a visitor, my guide to life in the UK contains both personal anecdotes and maybe too-honest experiences, as well as resources and advice on topics ranging from homesickness in the UK (or how not to rage book a flight to America like I did), driving in the UK, being a student in the UK, and more practical advice about bank accounts, buying houses, and more. 

It’s truly a one stop shop for all of the weirdness and wonderfulness (is that a word?) that comes along with life in the UK, and also there is plenty of opportunity to laugh at me as I share all of my expat fails so there’s that. 

Secondly, I’ve put together some great articles for anyone interested in moving to the UK or visiting the UK for a short amount of time.

Expats in the UK will love the resources on learning how to drive here, while study abroad students need to read the tips on understanding UK money ASAP so you don’t look too embarrassing sitting at the counter counting change that you’ve never seen before.

No matter who you are or why you’re coming to the UK (or maybe you won’t now after you learned there is no Walgreens…) I’ve got the perfect slightly awkward, mostly hilarious anecdotes of my own mistakes so you won’t make your own!

Anyway, moving along to Walgreens in the UK.

History of Walgreens

As you very well may know, Walgreens is a huge name in the American drug store business.

It’s actually the second largest in the US behind CVS (check out this article on whether there is a CVS in the UK).

There are almost 10,000 locations across the US, though it started in 1901 with just a single drug store in Chicago.

In the 100+ years in between, it has grown leaps and bounds and acquired lots of different stores and franchises (which we’ll talk more about in a second).

Walgreens fills prescriptions, sells over-the-counter drugs like cold medicine, and sells toiletries, snacks, seasonal items, beauty items and also has photo services.

There are Walgreens in all 50 states, meaning that anyone from the US will have one in your state (and will likely have passed one in your travels even if one is not directly by you!)

Walgreens and Boots Merger

In December of 2014, Walgreens decided to expand by purchasing 55% of an existing drug store company, named Alliance Boots.

This meant that two companies came together to form a new global business, known as the Walgreens Boots Alliance.

This new company has businesses in over 25 countries and includes the UK drug store, known as Boots.

Boots mostly operates under the International branch of the Walgreens Boots Alliance, though there are Boots in other countries besides the UK.

Equivalent to Walgreens in the UK

Just because there are no Walgreens in the UK doesn’t mean you can’t access prescriptions and toiletries (and in my case Christmas supplies) whenever you need.

Boots

As discussed, Boots is the closest thing to Walgreens in the UK and is actually part of a larger Walgreens alliance.

If you want an equivalent to Walgreens, you can’t get closer to Boots.

They do essentially the same thing as Walgreens does, including prescriptions, toiletries, baby items, snacks, make-up and other “around the house” items like plug converters, batteries, and more.

You can find them both in London and across the UK.

London has some particularly large ones with multiple floors that are perfect for a doing a one-stop shop in, but you can find them almost anywhere.

Superdrug

Superdrug is another drug store that you can use instead of Walgreens.

I like Boots better, but if you just need something basic and aren’t too concerned about your shopping experience (Boots tends to be brighter and roomier, in my opinion), then you’re good to go!

Read more in my full guide comparing UK and US stores and restaurants.

Coming to London Soon?

Hey!

Since you’re here I’m assuming you’re intent on visiting this amazing city soon!

Getting the lowdown on the hottest spots in town can be time consuming so I took the liberty of picking out some great ones below. Hope you enjoy!

Open Top Bus London Tour: Double Decker buses are not only a way of transportation in London, but a definitive pastime of the city dwellers.

This tour lets you see London by night and experience a true right of passage that every Londoner must complete. A two for one YAY! 

Kew Gardens: If you want to explore some of the calmer areas of the city, I highly recommend exploring the botanicals at Kew Gardens.

London’s largest World Heritage site boasts acres of gardens in a royal glass palace because, yes, everything here gets the royal treatment. 

Afternoon Tea Cruise on River Thames: Oh so you’ve come to London looking for tea?

Lucky for you theres literally MILLIONS of options to choose from… it can actually get overwhelming. So I made it easy for you and found one of the best teas in town, complete with the best setting as well!

Want to know more about US stores in the UK? Check this list out!

1 thought on “Is there a Walgreens in London or the UK? (2024)”

  1. Don’t forget Boots is 50 years older than Walgreens. Boots was also a real pharmaceutical company – they invented Ibuprofen

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