Every major city in the world has one, a reference street when it comes to shopping. And what's 5th Avenue in London? Nothing less than Oxford Street; it is one of the world's largest shopping streets.
The most famous brands, the biggest multinationals, the biggest clothing chains and many others want to set up shop in the most popular streets in the world and Oxford Street is the street they have chosen to make their nests in the British capital. You cannot get lost, you can use many store locators to find the shops, like
www.the-shops.co.uk for instance.
In this article we give you all the information you need to make the most of your shopping day in Oxford Street.
How do I get there?
Underground: Oxford Circus, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and Marble Arch stops on the Central, Northern, Jubilee, Bakerloo and Victoria lines.
Bus: Lines 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 23, 25, 73, 88, 94, 98, 113, 137, 139 and 159.
Timetables
As you can imagine, since this is Oxford Street, the street is always open to the public and what is important to look out for are the shopping hours. Generally speaking, they are open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm and Sunday from 12pm to 6pm.
Oxford Street
Oxford Street is located in central London, in the Westminster district. With over 300 shops, it is one of the most commercial streets in the world. It's a bargain for compulsive shoppers who can rush into this artery that stretches over 2km between Marble Arch at Hyde Park and Tottenham Court Road Station.
For a few years Oxford Street lost a bit of its superb appearance, which allowed some of the more modest shops to set up shop. Today, it is home to some of the most prestigious shops in the city.
At the time, Napoleon was right to call the United Kingdom a "Nation of Shopkeepers", knowing that the largest foreign counters were already in London.
As a result, today on Oxford Street you'll find everything from the latest fashionable trousers to the first edition of a classic literary classic, and you can sip an old-fashioned beer or go and get dressed up in the latest fashions by the top designers.
Also, during the Christmas holidays, Oxford Street is a street worth a visit. Shop windows, boutiques, entrances, pavements, balconies... Everything is adorned with lights and colourful decorations representing the Christmas spirit. All the tourists love it.
The shops
Some of the best known shops are listed below. But you'll find many more lined up on the pavements of Oxford Street and we recommend that you check the official street website to locate the ones you are most interested in.
The most important shops on Oxford Street
Department stores
Some of the UK capital's biggest shops are on Oxford Street and if you're a fan of shopping you can't miss one.
House of Fraser: Coming straight from Scotland and founded in the middle of the 19th century, this store moved to London in 1945. The number of brands it carries is simply staggering and the possibilities are endless.
John Lewis: Established on May 2, 1864, the leading clothing retailer in the United Kingdom began as a small haberdashery on Oxford Street. Today, this store is a model of working conditions and personal treatment.
Marks & Spencer: M&S is a British multinational company specialising in the sale of clothing and household goods as well as high-end food. Originally based in Leeds, the company is now known worldwide.
Selfridges: The best warehouses in London and perhaps the world. Just walk through the door and find out.
Harrods: London's department stores, one of a kind. Their slogan: Everything, for everyone, everywhere. The size and decoration of the building is stunning and has something beautiful about it. And if you're wondering: yes, there really is something for everyone.
Liberty London: With a medieval and traditional façade, the interior is a real surprise. They sell sophisticated products of all kinds. The aesthetics of the shop is a marvel.
Fenwick: Often considered a shopping mall when it's just a huge fashionable clothing store. Always on top of trends, its five floors are filled with the latest fashions.