Oxford Street

Oxford Street and the streets running from it, form London’s main shopping district. It is home to flagship stores for major brands, as well as hundreds of smaller shops, specialising in all kinds of goods. From fashion and jewellery to electronics and media, on Oxford Street there is something for everyone.

The use of Christmas lights on Oxford Street began in 1959. In 1967, as the recession hit London, the Christmas lights were turned off and only turned on again in 1978 with a spectacular laser display.

Oxford Street follows the route of a Roman road, which linked Hampshire with Colchester and became one of the major routes in and out of London. Between the 12th and 18th centuries it was known as Tyburn Road, after the River Tyburn that ran just to the south of it, and now flows underneath it. Tyburn Road became notorious as the route taken by prisoners on their final journey from Newgate Prison to the gallows at Tyburn; which is now Marble Arch. In the late 18th century, many of the surrounding fields were purchased by the Earl of Oxford, and the area was developed. At that time it became popular with entertainers, including tiger-baiters. It was not until the 19th century that the area became known for its shops. Today Oxford Street contains flagship stores for brands including Debenhams, House of Fraser, John Lewis, Selfridges, Disney, Top Shop, Gap and HMV.

Oxford Street around 1875

A branch of Marks and Spencer’s, located between Regent Street and Tottenham Court Road, stands on the site of the famous Pantheon building. The Pantheon was a place of public entertainment, designed by James Wyatt and opened in 1772. The main rotunda was one of the largest rooms built in England and had a central dome somewhat reminiscent of the celebrated Pantheon in Rome. It was built as a gathering place for members of the higher social classes, but was later converted into a theatre, a bazaar and a wine merchant’s show room, before finally being demolished in 1937.

The Pantheon Building around 1816

Regent Street crosses Oxford Street at Oxford Circus and was designed by John Nash in 1811. It had been commissioned by Prince Regent, who was later to become King George IV, as a grand scheme to connect the Princes home at Carlton House with his newly acquired property at Regents Park. Nash designed a wide boulevard with a sweeping curve that became a clear dividing line between the less respectable Soho and the fashionable squares and streets of Mayfair. Today Regent Street contains famous stores including Hamleys, Liberty, Austin Reed and the Apple Store.

Regents Street and Hamleys Store

Oxford Street together with Regent Street and Bond Street form the green property set in the famous board game Monopoly. First patented in 1935, approximately 750 million people have played the game; making it the most popular (commercial) board game in the world. In 1941, the British Secret Service had the manufacturer of the game create a special edition for WWII prisoners of war held by the Nazis. Hidden inside these games were maps, compasses, real money and other objects useful for escaping. They were distributed to prisoners by the International Red Cross.

Bond Street features "Allies", an unusual statue by Lawrence Holofcener of Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who are portrayed sitting on a park bench in conversation.