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Oxford Street Shopping

Oxford Street is in the heart of central London’s busiest shopping district, which runs from Marble Arch all the way to Regent's Street and through St Giles’ Circus, crossing Tottenham Court Road enroute to Charing Cross Road. Charing Cross main station is here where the major train lines and underground merge at this location. Charing Cross Station is about a two minute walk to Trafalgar Square, a major London tourist attraction.

Oxford Street is also home to the many designer
shops such as; Debenhams which has an excellent coffee shop on the lower floor. Close by is John Lewis, another fine retail establishment, and closer to Marble Arch is my favourite; Selfridges. Plan on spending several hours here just browsing the many floors, then take in afternoon tea before moving up the street to Marks and Spensor, which I think is a British institution.

Close by is the Marble Arch underground station, you can get to Marble Arch using the tube Central Line. All the above department stores are within walking distance of Marble Ach, Bond Street, and Piccadilly underground (tube) stations. Although you will save time using the underground, you'll see so much more by taking the double decker busess, where you can hop-on and hop-off.

The Street has some interesting history too. For 500 years up until the late 18th century Oxford Street was known as Tyburn Street, a name that struck fear into the hearts of condemned prisoners of the day. This was the final road for men on their way to the gallows at Tyburn from the nearby Newgate Prison.

The Street’s present name comes from the Earl of the same name who, in the 18th century, bought up much of the surrounding land in order to develop it. This development continued until the early 20th century and resulted in the thriving shopping area of high end designer labels shops we see today.

With neon lights everywhere in the area there is a commericial buzz of activity in the West End with plenty of businesses just ready to relieve you of your cash, so spending wisely, and buyer beware is the golden rule.

You may remember that the Street also takes it’s place on the British Monopoly board as part of a set with Bond Street and Regent Street.

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