Stretching from the corner of Hyde Park all the way down to Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Street is the granddaddy of all London shopping streets. At nearly one and a half miles long, if you can dream it, chances are you can buy it on Oxford Street
Lace up your favorite pair of walking shoes and get ready for a workout! Stretching from the corner of Hyde Park all the way down to Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Street is the granddaddy of all London shopping streets. At nearly one and a half miles long, if you can dream it, chances are you can buy it on Oxford Street.
Throughout its history this sizeable thoroughfare has always been home to traders and shops. However, it wasn’t until American entrepreneur Harry Selfridge opened his department store Selfridges in 1909 that Oxford Street earned top billing as a shopping destination. More than 100 years since first opening its doors, Selfridges still proudly occupies the same storefront near Bond Street Station. Lucky for shoppers, these days it’s not the only department store on Oxford Street. British retailers John Lewis, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer and Primark all have flagship stores here. Brand names and bargains abound on Oxford Street, as do the crowds. Not to worry though, if it all gets to be too much you can slip away to St. Christopher’s Place. Located between Selfridges and Bond Street, it is a remarkably quaint space offering boutique shops and al fresco dining
Primark
Fashionable teens and bargain shoppers alike love Primark. The Irish retailer is well known in London for offering the latest fashion trends for less. This is where locals go to pick up their holiday wardrobes. Expect to find flip-flops, t-shirts, accessories and even handbags for less than a fiver. Primark’s flagship store on Oxford Street is enormous and offers a full range of menswear, womenswear, beauty products, children’s clothing, home decor and accessories.
Selfridges
With its row of Greek-inspired columns and prime location at the center of Oxford Street, Selfridges is hard to miss. The luxury department store opened in 1909 and has been a favorite with Londoners and tourist alike for the better part of a century. Voted the best department store in the world, Selfridges carries name brands and boutique labels for men, women and children. The store also boasts a fabulous food hall, an impressive selection of tech and home wares and a Wonder Room, which showcases fine jewelry, watches and accessories.
Debenhams
Debenhams is yet another iconic UK department store that calls Oxford Street home. Recently revamped, it now comprises of seven separate floors. Inside are four eating areas and cafes, expansive beauty and shoe halls and five floors dedicated entirely to fashion. Debenhams offers a mix of British and international labels, making it a one-stop shop for fashion enthusiasts.
Top up your tank with a coffee from Coffee Republic. Located just off Oxford Street on nearby Molton Street, the cafe serves a variety of gourmet brews in addition to light snacks and sandwiches.
For a more filling lunch or dinner, head to Lamb & Flag on James Street. This gastropub is located in St. Christopher’s place and offers up traditional pub experience alongside delicious British fare and signature cocktails. Sunday shoppers won’t want to miss the Sunday Roast, a weekly British tradition.
While Oxford Street certainly offers enough shopping to keep you occupied for the day, you might want to take a detour onto Regent Street, which is home beautiful department store Liberty London and historic toyshop Hamleys. Just west of Regent Street are the luxury boutiques and bespoke tailors of marvelous Mayfair. To the east, an eclectic mix of independent shops await in Soho.
Oxford Street runs along the Central Line. Alight at either Oxford Circus (Central, Bakerloo and Victoria Lines) or Bond Street (Central and Jubilee Lines) and you’ll find yourself in the center of the action. Guests coming from West London can expect a 10 to 20-minute journey depending on the originating station. Double-decker red London buses also run up and down the length of Oxford Street and are a great way to get from one end to the other quickly.
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