Certain London streets are like magnets for the young and the wealthy. The centuries-old history or sundry shops could be responsible. Then again, perhaps it has something to do with the energetic nightlife, or even the diverse cuisine. Either way, the fact remains: Whether London's visitors come to see Hyde Park or Hamleys, Theatreland or Soho Square, everyone is guaranteed an unforgettable time.
Oxford Street (1.5 miles, est. circa 1729)
Oxford Street is London's main thoroughfare, and with over 300 shops, it's also the busiest. It houses massive department stores like Selfridges and John Lewis, two of the largest in the UK. Then there are other stores, like Schuh, that contribute to the 5,000,000 sq. ft. of retail space on Oxford Street. Not only is Schuh the largest shoe store there, but it carries more brands than any other in London! Considering its reputation, it's surprising that Oxford Street wasn't known for shopping until the early 1900s. Over a century before that, it was part of the famed route on which Newgate Prison inmates traveled, making their way toward the TripleTree gallows.
Though this legendary street can be explored any time of year, vibrant lighting gives it extra flair during the Holidays. At least one celebrity comes to switch on the Christmas lights each November. This attracts a great deal, but not nearly all, of the over 200,000,000 annual Oxford Street visitors. The ones who reserve a room at the Radisson Edwardian Berkshire Hotel will find themselves in the lap of luxury, surrounded by contemporary decor. Nearby, the award-winning Ascots Bar and Restaurant awaits, where visitors can enjoy generous helpings of seasonal British cuisine. They'll need the fuel before heading back onto bustling Oxford Street.
Nearest tube stations: Marble Arch, Bond Street, Oxford Circus
Oxford Circus (station est. 1906)
Oxford Circus is the teeming intersection that connects Oxford Street to Regent Street. This area is home to the largest fashion store on Earth: Topshop. Both Topshop Oxford Circus and its male fashion counterpart - Topman - are notorious in London. Young ladies may also want to explore Miss Selfridge, whose first mannequins were based on sixties fashion icon Twiggy. Once visitors are ready to travel elsewhere, they can stroll down to the Oxford Circus tube station, which lies directly below ground. The Central, Victoria, and Bakerloo lines all meet at this point, which make the Oxford Circus tube station the third busiest in all of London.
Regent Street (.75 miles, est. 1825)
Named after George IV, who was formerly called Prince Regent, this street has countless claims to fame. The innovative curved road and striking architecture led to Regent Street being called a masterpiece of town planning. Developed by John Nash, it attracted the social elite of London immediately. The local Cafe Royal was even graced by Oscar Wilde and T.S. Elliot on a regular basis. To allow for the construction of larger units, the Regent Street terraces were demolished and in 1902 and refinished by 1927. Now the only work by Nash that's still standing is All Soul's Church. The rest of the buildings imitate his style, but were not built by Nash himself.
Regent Street is a major shopping hub on London's West End. Here stands the six-story building called Hamleys, which was the world's largest toy store until 2001. For those more interested in shopping for work than play, the finest high-end suits can be found at Aquascutum. The classic looks of Austin Reed can also be found on Regent Street, complete with an eco-friendly dry cleaning service inside the store. When it's time to retire for the night, visitors should head straight to the five-star Langham, a renowned Victorian-style hotel. The attached Palm Court Restaurant, with its extraordinary glass ceiling, happens to be the ultimate tea-time getaway. Nearest tube stations: Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus
Bond Street (.75 miles, est. 1700)
Streets New Bond and Old Bond comprise what most refer to simply as "Bond Street". One of the world's most expensive streets, it's bursting with haute couture, from Chanel to Asprey. The Bond Street Antiques Centre is a must-see for vintage jewelry lovers. For art enthusiasts, there's Sotheby's. This is the oldest art auction house in the world (est. 1774). "Danseuse au Repos" by Degas sold there for a record $27,930,020! Bond street is one of the green properties on the British Monopoly board, along with Regent and Oxford; these are truly famous thoroughfares. Well-known past residents of Bond Street include Jonathan Swift and Lady Emma Hamilton. Nearest tube stations: Oxford Circus, Bond Street, Green Park
Jermyn Street (.5 miles, est. circa 1667)
Jermyn street was named after its creator, Henry Jermyn, Earl of Saint Albans. Shirt makers, boot makers, and hatters have thrived here over the centuries. Jermyn is still known as the street whose shops specialize in gentleman's fashion - customized shirts especially. That's not to say it doesn't boast other attractions. Numerous art galleries, along with a 70-seat studio theatre, guarantee art aficionados will have a grand old time. There are also shops that carry cigars, wine, and assorted cheeses dotting the street. This is the place where visitors can check into 22 Jermyn Street, an award-winning boutique hotel that will surpass even the greatest of expectations.
The restaurants on Jermyn Street are just as remarkable as the hotels. Rowley's is known for its entrecote steak topped with top-secret herb butter sauce, and it even has a dining area that used to be Wall's Butcher Shop! Wiltons, on the other hand, has been the quintessential fine English restaurant since it opened in 1742. Long after dinnertime, the upscale nightclub "Tramp" gets packed. Its nightlife has attracted celebrities from Kate Moss to the Rolling Stones. People like Sir Isaac Newton and highwayman Sir William Plunkett spent even more time here than the club-hopping celebs, but of course; they were full-time residents of Jermyn Street. Nearest tube station: Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Street (1.25 miles, est. circa 1600)
Piccadilly Street begins at the Southeast corner of prominent Hyde Park, where visitors can see such historic landmarks as the Marble Arch, the Tyburn Gallows, and Rotten Row. The width of this street makes it more popular among drivers than pedestrians. One of its few notable shops is Fortnum and Mason; the one most closely associated with British Royalty. Along with fashion and beauty supplies, it contains a remarkable two stories full specialty foods, wines, and gift hampers. Another place that's definitely worth visiting is the Royal Academy of Arts. This charity was founded in 1768, and to this day, only the finest works are allowed for exhibition.
Piccadilly Circus (est.1819) is actually the busiest section of Piccadilly Street. It was a massive circular intersection until Shaftesbury Avenue was built in 1886, which is how it got its name; "circus" is derived from the Latin word for "circle". It was absolutely smothered with advertisements during the early twentieth century. Now only one building displays bright neon lights and gigantic electronic billboards. Passersby will also notice a statue called Anteros, the first ever to be cast in aluminum, as well as the Shaftesbury Monument Memorial Fountain. Visitors who would like to stay in the area should consider settling at the elegant Ritz London. Nearest tube stations: Green Park, Piccadilly Circus
Air Street (.2 miles, est. unknown)
Though Air Street isn't all that lengthy, people still swarm to it after sunset, thanks to its nightclubs. The first is Chinawhite, where Chinese daybeds and artful Sumatran carvings embellish the rooms. Then there's Dolce London, which is much more exclusive. It's a members-only establishment whose bouncers aren't hesitant to turn people away if they don't project the right image. The Play Room bar and cabaret club is the most fun of all. Depending on the night, visitors might be offered live music, comedy shows, burlesque dancing, or perhaps all three. It's reasons like this that make Air Street is the place to let loose every night of the week.
For the people who would prefer to stay in a hotel close to Air Street, the contemporary Cavendish London is only a few minutes' walk away. Modern deco, glimmering skyline views, and attentive service that's been customary at the Cavendish since Edwardian times make this hotel a surefire choice. It even includes the Piccadilly London, an eatery that touts palatable homemade meals, along with an elevated dining room. Mar I Terra is the ideal place to head for a change of pace. The interior design is severely understated, but the Spanish dishes make up for it, which is to be expected. The Mar I Terra chef hails from Spain's La Coruna, after all. Nearest tube station: Piccadilly Circus
Leicester Square (est. circa 1635)
Named after the second Earl of Leicester, this 4-acre plot of land caused a great deal of controversy for centuries. Men were constantly debating over public usage and development rights. Finally, Albert Grand bought the land himself 1874 and donated it to the Metropolitan Board of Works. Now it belongs to the City of Westminster. The main draw of the Leicester Square area is Theatreland, which boasts the world's largest theater screen and highest seating capacity - 2,358 seats at the London Coliseum. Not only are major movie premiers often held at vibrant Leicester Square, but the area is used for the London Film Festival each year. Nearest tube station: Leicester Square
Soho Square (1 mile, est. 1681)
Soho Street is the short thoroughfare that connects Oxford Street to Soho Square. It was initially named King's Square after King Charles II. The name was later changed by his son and Soho Square resident, the Duke of Monmouth, who had a habit of shouting, "Soho!" during hunting trips. Nowadays, Soho Square houses the most highly regarded and priciest units in London. Companies that can handle the financial demands include 20th Century Fox, Bloomsbury Publishing, and the Football Association. Partially because it's the most fashionable place on the continent to do business, Soho Square has been called the advertising capital of Europe.
Concerts and Festivals are commonly held at Soho Square in the summertime, but there are plenty of other reasons to check it out. There's the French Protestant Church - the only one in all of London. Tourists are usually a bit more interested in seeing St. Patrick's Roman Catholic cathedral, all because of what lies beneath: far-reaching catacombs built centuries ago. At night time, nearby bars, pubs, and clubs are what contribute to high Soho Square foot traffic. An Indian restaurant called "Chowki" is popular among the younger crowd. For the young at heart, The Edge is a trendy cafe/bistro/bar that plays a major role in the Soho Square gay community. Nearest tube station: Tottenham Court
Carnaby Street (.3 miles, est. circa 1687)
The Carnaby shopping district was all the rage during the 1960s, when independent fashion boutiques attracted masses of hipsters. Now shoppers can find nearly anything on Carnaby Street - or the 11 other pedestrianised roads nearby. Carnaby Street's first boutique shop was opened in 1958 by John Stephen. His bold threads helped spark the uprising of mod fashion in London. Now his name is synonymous with Carnaby Street, and he's credited as a leading initiator of Swinging London. Now there are over 150 shops and plenty of new faces each day in Carnaby. Its unique stores range from Buffy's Bead's & Monty the Cat to the much naughtier Tabooboo.
When it's time for a lunch break, visitors should head to the road that runs parallel: Kingly Street. It's home to the quiet Japanese diners DonZoko and Ramen Seto, not to mention Red Onion, an unpretentious Mediterranean restaurant. There's also the exclusive Kingly Club, which has saltwater aquariums and a solid glass bar, which add to its already chic postmodern look. 24:London is an even better place to head for a late night jaunt. At this interactive bar, the walls can turn the backdrop into anything from a fashion show to a fire pit. The screens even react to movement, as does the bar; people who touch it will have light beams shot at them. This shows the bartender who wants another drink at any given time. Now that's futuristic. Nearest tube station: Oxford Circus
Berkeley Street (.25 miles, est. unknown)
Berkeley Street is the short thoroughfare that leads to Berkeley Square. It's on this street that sightseers will find the Fleming Collection, a gathering of works by Scottish artists, painted from 1770 to the modern day. Anyone glamorous enough to get into Nobu, which Robert De Niro helped open, can try the restaurant's innovative Japanese fare afterward. Once it's late enough, many will surely end up on the dance floor at the Funky Buddha club. Berkeley Street boasts surprisingly diverse businesses for its size; in addition to what was already mentioned, West Indies Airways and the MWB Business Exchange also have addresses on Berkeley Street.
Berkeley Square is an upscale residential area with some of the most highly sought after homes in London. It's named after the noble family from Gloucestershire who occasionally stayed in their local Berkeley House. Nowadays, having a Berkeley Square residence is a sign of prosperity and impressive social standing. Outside looms trees that were planted in the late eighteenth century, as well as Gunter's Tea Shop, which opened in 1757 under the name "Pot and Pine Apple". Unit 50 is perhaps the most intriguing part of the area, being the most notorious haunted house in the entire city. Winston Churchill lived close by as a small boy, in unit 48. Nearest tube station: Green Park
Wardour Street (.5 miles, est. circa 1872)
This street was named after Sir Archibald Wardour, who developed a number of its buildings. Wardour Street used to be recognized for its antique shops and slapdash furniture stores. Now it has a variety of restaurants; picky eaters can always find what they're in the mood for on Wardour Street. Mr. Jerk - also known as Jerk City - is the place to go for traditional Caribbean meals. Floridita has strong Latin American spirit, so head there for cocktails and Cuban food served by waitresses in black backless dresses. Anyone who's only a little hungry should stop by Pure California, where people flock for tasty smoothies and healthy snack-wraps.
As with restaurants, Wardour Street has no shortage of taverns. La Casa del Habano is one of the few places in London that maintains its smoking area. It also offers an extremely vast selection of Cuban cigars and to-die-for tapas. For those who have too much energy to relax, Camouflage is a club that gets rather chaotic during the weekends, when it's open until 4a.m. Good news for weary club-hoppers: The old-fashioned Hazlitt's Hotel is mere minutes away from Wardour Street. No two rooms are identical in this eccentric Georgian Palladian-style building. It's a great escape; both from the busy streets of London and from hackneyed hotel concepts everywhere. Nearest tube station: Tottenham Court