Oxford Street in Soho

Oxford Street is one of the most familiar names in London. It takes its name from the old route that once carried travellers west towards Oxford. That path turned, over time, into a centre of trade and activity, and it grew in importance through the 18th century as the city pushed outwards and more people moved in.

Today the street is lined with retail, from global fashion chains to the big department stores. Names like Selfridges bring in visitors from around the world. It is more than a shopping run, though. You can feel the pace of central London on it, and it is well connected, with Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street stations all close by.

Over the years the street has been a backdrop for events and the odd appearance by cultural figures, though none made it a home worth noting, and the records are thin on that front. Its pull on the area is plain enough all the same. The places listed on this street below are a good place to start.