With more than 300 retail outlets Oxford Street is Europe's busiest shopping street - 200 million people visit Oxford Street every year. From Marble Arch at the north eastern corner of Hyde Park, Oxford Street passes through Oxford Circus to St Giles' Circus at the Charing Cross and Tottenham Court Road intersection. Oxford Street is one and a half miles almost two and a half kilometres in length.
Most shops on Oxford Street open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 or 7 pm, with late night shopping on Thursday. Those operating on Sunday open their doors to the public between 12 noon and 6 pm. Although not the most expensive street in London, Oxford Street is considered a fashionable and very popular area. The actual arch that lends its name to this area is located close to the underground tube station, and is also close to the famous Hyde Park Speakers' Corner.
Many leading departmental stores have branches in Oxford Street. Some British stores consider their Oxford Street branch to be the company's flagship store, using it for promotional launches and celebrity appearances. Perhaps the most famous Oxford Street retailer is Selfridges, the second largest shop in the United Kingdom after Harrods. Situated at Marble Arch it is one of the most photographed buildings in London, and offers designer products from fashion houses like Alexander McQueen, Dior and Paul Smith as well as brand names like Zanotta and B&B Italy.
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Other flagship stores on Oxford Road include Debenhams, House of Fraser, and John Lewis. The largest branch of Marks and Spencer is located on Oxford Street next door to Selfridges on the corner with Orchard Street. Oxford Circus is host to the flagship stores of H&m, United Colours of Benetton and Niketown.
The London Marriot Hotel near Marble Arch is within walking distance to Hyde Park, theatre land and museums. This casual and elegant boutique hotel offers a fine health and leisure club, and the Chats Cafe Bar is an ideal place to relax with friends during afternoon tea or early evening drinks.
http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/lonma -london-marriott-hotel-marble-arch/
The Radisson Edwardian Berkshire hotel offer 140 tastefully designed and classically decorated rooms with free Wi-Fi. Close to Bond Street station it is ideal for access to the West End theatres and is central to Oxford Street shops and places of interest. The Mandeville Hotel at the Marylebone end of Oxford Street is close to famous auction houses such as Sotherbys and Christies.
http://www.radissonedwardian.com/londonuk_ berkshire
The Plaza Shopping Centre, situated at 120 Oxford Street between Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Circus tube stations, offers four levels of retail outlets, as well as an excellent food hall with a broad selection of cafs and restaurants. The ground floor hosts many top fashion shops and renowned outlets like WH Smith are represented, as well as travel agents, hair salons, newsagents and stationers.
http://www.plaza-oxfordst.com/
West One Shopping Centre is located above Bond Street tube station, and boasts an impressive total of 19 million visitors a year, mainly tourists. Boots and Superdrug pharmaceutical retailers, Dorothy Perkins and accessories shops like Tie Rack, Xsess Accessories have outlets at this shopping complex, which includes hairdressers, dry cleaners and a variety of food outlets, including Marks and Spencer Food. Theatre tickets for all West End and London shows are available from a booth operated by Encore Tickets.
http://www.west1shopping.co.uk/Home
There are three HMV music retail stores on Oxford Street, and its main branch at 150 Oxford Street is Europe's largest music shop. The largest shoe shop on Oxford Street is Schuh, and it also stocks the widest range of branded footwear in London. The international bookshop Borders has an outlet on Oxford Street, while Zavvi formerly Virgin Megastores is situated at the Tottenham Court Road Intersection.
The Tottenham, situated close to Tottenham Court Road tube station, is not very prominently advertised, but it is well worth visiting. Not only does it offer excellent food and drink at very reasonable prices, it was built almost 200 years ago, and is an excellent example of Victorian architecture. Its dcor is part of the appeal of this pub, which attracts an eclectic crowd of tourists and Londoners.
TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD
A plethora of electronics shops operate along Tottenham Court Road, together with many home furnishing stores. Habitat offers a range of tasteful and affordable items for the home at their branch located at 196 Tottenham Court Road, while HIFI Experience operates a well stocked branch at 227 Tottenham Court Road. A little further along at number 248 is Ask, offering four floors of the latest electronic equipment, including cameras, GPS, DVD players and MP3 players.
http://www.habitat.co.uk/pws/Home.ice
http:// www.askdirect.co.uk/uview?call=ask.Page&p=stores
The British edition of GQ magazine describes The Sanderson Hotel as "the hippest hotel in the world. Situated on Great Russell Street, just two minutes walk from Tottenham Court Road Station the Sanderson is a unique hotel. The fantastic decor is a combination of a fantasy dream world and a futuristic science fiction environment blended harmoniously with casual, every day detail.
http://www.sandersonlondon.com/
REGENT STREET
The BBC's headquarters are in Broadcasting House, clearly visible from Regent Street and next door to All Souls Church, which features a stone spire and unique circular portico. The world's largest Apple retail store is also situated on this street, as is Hamleys, one of the world's largest toy stores.
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http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/regentstreet/
http://w ww.hamleys.com/
LEICESTER SQUARE
Leicester Square is the centre of London's West End theatre world. All main film premieres are held at one of the modern cinemas, which include one of London's largest cinemas, the Odeon Leicester Square. It's not uncommon to see crowds of fans waiting for their favourite stars to arrive at a major film premiere. There's a small green garden area in the centre of the square, with plenty of benches overlooked by statues of Charlie Chaplin and William Shakespeare. Leicester Square is surrounded by floor mounted plaques containing film stars names and handprints. The charmingly named pub, The Moon Under Water, is close to Charing Cross, and offers reasonably priced food and drink, accompanied by efficient service.
Theatres such as the London Palladium, the Apollo Theatre, the Piccadilly Theatre and the Queen's Theatre are all stalwarts of London's West End. In 2007 more than 13 million people watched shows at West End theatres. Much of the success and popularity of Oxford Road is owed to London's entertainment industry.
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JERMYN STREET
The four star deluxe Cavendish Hotel on Jermyn Street, in the heart of Piccadilly, is central to London's theatre district. The hotel dates back to Edwardian times, and as well as offering excellent accommodation the Restaurant is renowned for traditional British food. The Lobby Bat and The Lounge are popular venues for pre-theatre drinks.
http://www.thecavendish-london.co.uk/
Rowleys has a relaxed atmosphere, making it a perfect pre-theatre restaurant. A good selection of modern English food is on offer, and its entrecote steak is highly recommended. One of the most exclusive nightclubs in the world is Tramps, located at 40 Jermyn Street. Since 1969 the exclusive, private club Tramps has been a popular place for celebrities, socialites and royalty.
http://www.rowleys.co.uk/
http://www.trampmag azine.com/clubs/guestlist.php
Nigel Milne established his jewelry store at 38 Jermyn Street in 1979, and today the business has a reputation for discreet and personal service. The company's unique, high quality jewelry is produced from 18-carat gold and gemstones, and a selection of top quality European jewelry brands, including Marco Bicego, Schoeffel and Villa cufflinks. They are the exclusive agents of the exquisite Vhernier collection from Milan. A selection of antique jewelry from 1850 to 1950 is also available.
http://www.nigelmilne.co.uk/
The entrance to the Criterion Theatre at 2 Jermyn Street is almost indiscernible amid the traffic, crowds and advertisements, but it leads to one of London's most charming theatres. The walls and ceilings are decorated with murals of cherubs and clouds, turning the underground theatre into a visual paradise. Although the Criterion has become synonymous with bawdy comedy, it is currently playing "39 Steps" until September 2009.
http://www.criterion-theatre.co.uk/
WARDOUR STREET
Wardour Street, the busiest street in Soho, passes through London's China Town, so there are a number of excellent Chinese restaurants, all offering a variety of dishes. It's also an excellent venue for that country's cultural festivals and arts, and is a reflection of the vast world of the oriental people.
http://www.chinatownlondon.org/
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The O Bar's cocktails are legendary, as is the friendly and efficient service. Situated in the heart of the chic and trendy Soho, the prices are very competitive and Happy Hour operates between 4 and 8 pm every day. The colourfully decorated Freedom describes itself as London's first "metro sexual" club, and is popular with patrons looking for a place to relax before embarking on a night out.
http://www.the-obar.co.uk/
Floridita is a basement restaurant, offering Cuban food and culture, including cigar rollers and Cuban cultural events like music and dancing. Hummus Bros' excellent secret recipe hummus and delicious pita bread, together with crisp and freshly prepared salads have made this a very popular restaurant for health-conscious patrons. Berwich Street Market is just off Wardour Street, and sells fruit, vegetables, fabrics, household items and clothes. Open from 09.00 to 18.00 from Monday to Saturday, the best time to experience the market is during the lunch hour. The Odeon cinema chain owns a small cinema in The Swiss centre, which shows a selection of independent and foreign films.
http://www.floridita.co.uk/london/
http://www.h bros.co.uk/
http://www.uktravel.com/londoncontent.asp ?cat=11&catName=Markets
PICCADILLY CIRCUS
Piccadilly Circus, at the junction of five busy streets, is believed to be the most visited site in London. The famous statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus is one of London's most recognizable symbols. Designed in the 19th century as a symbol of Christian charity the aluminum statue rises above a bronze fountain. Although it was supposed to represent the angel of charity in honour of the Victorian philanthropist the Earl of Shaftsbury, the statue retains the name of the Greek God of Love.
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Soho and Trafalgar Square are both within walking distance of Piccadilly Circus, which is close to the fashionable stores of Carnaby Street. Europe's largest bookstore, Waterstones, is located at 203 Piccadilly. Designed to add pleasure to the shopping experience, the shop includes comfortable sofas, a cafe and a French restaurant. The 5th View Bar affords patrons wonderful views of the London skyline, while sipping choice cocktails and perusing a selection of books from the authors' table. Sir Christopher Wren designed St James' Church, which opened in 1684. Free lunchtime musical recitals are hosted every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as well as an array of paid evening concerts. An antiques market operates every Tuesday, and an arts and craft market takes place from Wednesday through to Saturday.
http://www.urbanpath.com/london/books/water stones.htm
http://www.streetsensation.co.uk/carnaby/c s_intro.htm
The gleaming windows of the bow-fronted shops of Piccadilly Arcade evoke a feeling of stepping back to the Georgian era. Built in 1910, Piccadilly Arcade is a respite from the everyday business of the surrounding area, with a number of small shops and exclusive boutiques specialising in traditional and luxury gifts. Budd shirt-makers, Favourbrooks and Waterford Wedgewood have outlets in Piccadilly Arcade.
http://www.piccadilly-arcade.com/Piccadilly_A rcade_Directory.htm
The Thistle Piccadilly is a traditional Victorian hotel close to Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. It's perfect for those spending the night in town for a theatrical show or to experience London's excellent nightlife. Since first opening its doors to the public in 1906, The Ritz Hotel has gained a reputation for being the world's greatest hotel. Situated at 150 Piccadilly, a formal dress code is observed in all the public rooms, and afternoon tea in the prestigious Palm Court is highly recommended. The hotel's Rivoli Bar and the Ritz Restaurant are also popular, particularly during weekends, so booking is advised, sometimes up to twelve weeks in advance.
http://www.thistle.com/hotels/piccadilly/
htt p://www.theritzlondon.com/
(include photograph of front of The Ritz Hotel)
AIR STREET
Located in Air Street, Lush specialises in handmade natural cosmetics. A myriad of scents lures shoppers into the premises, which sell a variety of fizzing bath bombs for all moods and occasions. There are also pots of fresh face, body and hair creams to be kept in the fridge smell great, and a vast selection of soaps and soap shampoo sold in assorted wedge shapes.
http://vegozest.wordpress.com/2007/10/21/lush -fresh-handmade-cosmetics/
The key to great Japanese food is fresh ingredients, and because it's located above the Japan Centre's popular supermarket, the restaurant Toku offers lovers of Japanese food affordable, traditional Japanese cuisine prepared and cooked on site. Situated at 212 Piccadilly, two minutes from Air Street, Toku's red walls and abundance of tables adds to the Japanese eating experience. The sushi and stir fries are highly recommended.
http://www.toku-restaurant.co.uk/
DENE STREET
The Groucho Club on Dene Street opened in 1985, and is popular with people working in the arts. Model Kate Moss and artist Damien Hurst are amongst the clubs regular clientele. Open to men and women, it is primarily a private members' club, but accommodation for overnight guests is available. Rooms can also be hired for private parties, weddings and meetings.
http://www.thegrouchoclub.com/
Dene Street's Soho Theatre is one of London's best venues for stand up comedians, having attracted names like Lucy Porter and Mark Thomas to tread its boards. It's also home to the Soho Theatre Writers' Centre, which develops new writing and encourages the discovery of new voices. It frequently reflects ideas and thoughts on contemporary politics, gender and racial issues.
http://www.sohotheatre.com/
BERKELEY STREET
Chef Nobu Matsuhisa's London restaurant at 15 Berkeley Street is a veritable magnet for international celebrities. Nobu's simple and tasteful first floor dining room is surrounded by floor to ceiling windows around a sushi bar where diners can sample Nobu's distinctive and unique sushi. The stunning downstairs bar allows patrons the chance to relax while sampling a wide selection of wines and champagne from all over the world.
http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/restaurants/resta urant-3956.php
Prices at Berkeley Street's Funky Buddha may be high, but this eastern-themed club is popular with celebrities from the world of premiership football and reality show stars. It's one of the best places to meet people, dance and share a few drinks with friends.
http://www.feneo.com/links/Funky_Buddha.html
BERKELEY SQUARE
The centre of Berkeley Square features a cluster of 200 year old plane trees, which have become an iconic symbol of London. Since 1853 Maggs Brothers has been dealing in rare books from their shop at 50 Berkeley Square. Today they are the world's oldest and largest dealers in autographed, first edition, rare and antiquarian books.
http://www.maggs.com/
Nicky Clarke's internationally renowned hair salon is located just off Berkeley Square at 130 Mount Street. With regular television appearances and an internationally recognised range of hair care and styling products to his name a visit to his salon is a rewarding experience. His team of cutters and stylists are guaranteed to provide customer satisfaction.
http://www.nickyclarke.com/salons_londo n.asp
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SOHO STREET
Mahiki in Dover Street is a favourite venue for the young royals as well as celebrities like Paris Hilton and Scarlett Johansson. Despite the massive publicity attracted by the celebrity guest list there are no guest lists, but it is advisable to get there early if no prior booking has been made. Its Polynesian-inspired cocktails are highly recommended.
http://www.mahiki.com/
Madame Jojo's in Soho's Brewer Street was once a strip club, and it has retained its aura of sleezy glamour with mirrors, heavy velvet curtains and private booths. A variety of cabaret acts, including burlesque and belly dancing, add to the unusual and exotic atmosphere.
http://www.madamejojos.com/
Soba in Soho Street offers excellent Oriental cusine, making it an ideal place to stop for a light snack during a shopping trip along Oxford Street. Both meat eaters and vegetarians will enjoy the menu, which offers generous portions at very reasonable prices. Govinda's vegetarian restaurant is run by the Hare Krishners, and its olive bread is highly recommended.
http://soba.co.uk/
http://www.viewlondon. co.uk/restaurants/govindas-info-29176.html
The Hazlitt's Hotel in Frith Street near Soho Square is an excellent blend of the past and the present, with its Georgian panelling and 18th century design merging perfectly with modern amenities like air-conditioning, internet access and well fitted bathrooms. No two rooms are the same in this fascinating hotel, popular with writers and artists.
http://www.hazlittshotel.com/