Oxford Street is one of the most popular shopping districts in London.
This West End boulevard is a little over a mile in length and flanked with shops and department stores selling everything from perfumes to smartphones and couture. Restaurants, cafes, bars, and pubs dot the street and the sub-districts of Soho, Carnaby Street, and Bloomsbury.
Here’s how to plan a shopping spree while in residence at the best hotels near Oxford Street for shopaholics.
Best time to shop at Oxford Street
Oxford Street is quieter in the mornings. It’s recommended to visit the area in conjunction with when the shops open for trade. The shops are busiest from lunchtime and the early afternoon until the early evening.
Oxford Street is busiest at the weekends, especially Saturdays. It’s extremely busy from late November and the weeks leading up to Christmas as well as over the New Year shopping sales.
It’s still pleasant to visit the boulevard on a December evening while staying locally at hotels near Oxford Street, purely to bear witness to the festive lights.
Where to shop on Oxford Street
Oxford Street is home to department stores, flagship brands, and high street staples. These are some of the highlights.
- Selfridges is a hub for designer fashion, luxury accessories, homeware, pet products, cosmetics, fragrance, books, and gifts. Complete the experience with a cocktail on the rooftop or a coffee in the food court.
- John Lewis is the backbone of British shopping! This department store stocks clothing, accessories, homeware, and gifts for all budgets.
- Liberty London features an elegant Tudor-style facade. It stocks a variety of clothing, accessories, and gifts but is famous for its fabrics line and haberdashery.
- Lush is a cosmetics brand dedicated to cruelty-free, handmade, and organic bathing and beauty products. It’s a wonderful place to purchase gifts.
- Whittard of Chelsea specialises in luxury tea, coffee, and hot chocolate products and gift sets.
- Barbour is a British clothing brand known for its farm-to-city waxed jackets.
- Le Jeune Chocolatiers stocks high-quality Swiss chocolates including pralines, truffles, and drinking chocolate.
You will find more or less every brand typical of the British high street represented on Oxford Street. If you’re travelling from overseas, these are some highlights:
- Boots for pharmacy items, beauty products, baby essentials, and even budget-friendly lunches to go.
- Clarks for premium footwear and fantastic seasonal sales.
- Claire’s Accessories for children’s jewellery, fashion apparel, and playful gifts.
- Pandora and Swarovski for luxury jewellery.
- TK Maxx for heavily discounted designer clothing, homeware, technology, and accessories.
How to find Oxford Street shopping deals
The shops on Oxford Street have sales immediately after Christmas and at the end of every season. Sales also run during Easter and around important national events such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
Best hotels near Oxford Street
The best hotels near Oxford Street are located at the Marble Arch end. The Hyde Park and Bayswater areas are quiet at night and well-connected via public transport.
Tube stations near Oxford Street
The Central Line runs below Oxford Street calling at Marble Arch, Bond Street, Oxford Circus, and Tottenham Court Road.
