There are so many iconic London streets for visitors to explore. From Knightsbridge to Oxford Street and Piccadilly, here are the most famous streets in London.
Famous Streets in London
There are over 60,000 streets in London! Although it’s a large city, many of the most famous London roads are located within the West End, right in the centre. You’re likely to see quite a few of them when you travel around London.
There are a few streets of London that are further from the centre, such as Abbey Road and Portobello Road. Brick Lane and Columbia Road are just a few minutes away from each other and good to visit on a Sunday for the market.
17. Baker Street
The fictional home of detective Sherlock Holmes, Baker Street is a bustling road in Marylebone. The Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221b Baker Street is an interesting tribute to this famous literary character. You can reserve tickets to the museum in advance online.
Baker Street is also known for the song by Gerry Rafferty, with its iconic saxophone riff. It is also known for its tube station and the Metropolitan Line, thought to be the oldest underground railway in the world.
The road takes its name from the builder William Baker who laid out the street in 1755. Well known residents include the singer Dusty Springfield, who lived here in the 1960s and Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger. He lived at 120 Baker Street, where a blue plaque now commemorates him.
16. Savile Row
Head to this iconic shopping street in London for the best men’s tailors in the capital. From traditional outfitters such as Gieves & Hawkes and Huntsman & Sons to contemporary favorites such as Ozwald Boateng, there’s plenty of choice.
Savile Row is named after Lady Dorothy Savile and was laid out in the 1730s. Gentlemen flocked to the tailors on Savile Row for bespoke suits. Famous clients of Savile Row included Charlie Chaplin, Horatio Nelson, Napoleon III and Winston Churchill.
These days, this famous London street is also home to art galleries such as Hauser & Wirth, and restaurants such as Sartoria.
15. Abbey Road
This leafy street in St John’s Wood is immortalized by The Beatles in their album recorded here and named Abbey Road. You’ll recognize the pedestrian crossing from the Beatles album cover. Since 2010, the crossing has Listed Building status, so it cannot be altered or demolished.
Abbey Road is one of the most popular streets in London. In the afternoons there’s often a queue of people looking to recreate the famous scene by crossing the road in single file. If you visit in the morning, you’ll usually have the place to yourself.
The recording studios aren’t open for guided tours, however in August, Abbey Road studios hold a series of pre-bookable lectures. Throughout the year, the Abbey Road Shop is open from 9.30am – 6pm Monday to Saturday and 10am- 6pm on Sundays.
14. Oxford Street
This is the busiest shopping street in Europe, with around half a million visitors per day. There are sometimes even more when the Christmas lights are on display.
There are several department stores including Selfridges, Marks & Spencer and John Lewis. On Oxford Street you’ll find many international brands such as Zara and H&M.
There are also some British fashion brands such as AllSaints, French Connection, Jigsaw and River Island. The Topshop flagship store is at 214 Oxford Street.
Possibly the most famous street in London, Oxford Street stretches for 1.5 miles. Take a break from shopping at the glamorous Brasserie of Light within Selfridges department store.
13. Columbia Road
This East London famous street has an amazing flower market. Held every Sunday, it’s a popular place to pick up plants and bouquets. Columbia Road Flower Market is open from 8 am until 3 pm.
There are some lovely little shops along the street. Head to Mason&Painter for vintage furniture and cute gifts. Milagros London specializes in colorful Mexican items while Angela Flanders makes gorgeous bespoke perfume.
Eat at Brawn if you’re a meat lover or head to Laxeiro for North Western Spanish dishes. Cake Hole Cafe at Vintage Heaven is the place to go for sweet treats.
12. Portobello Road
Rising to fame after being featured in the movie Notting Hill, Portobello Road is a colorful street with many antique shops. There’s a flea market each Saturday selling everything from clothes to vintage trinkets.
Each August Bank Holiday, Portobello Road and the surrounding streets play host to Notting Hill Carnival. It’s the largest street party in Europe.
Fans of the Notting Hill movie can see the location of the Travel Book Company owned by Hugh Grant’s character, William Thacker. Although 142 Portobello Road is now a gift shop, the store sign reads “Notting Hill, The Travel Bookshop”.
Another fictional character, Paddington Bear, visited Portobello Road daily. His friend Mr Gruber owned an antiques store there. In real life, the writer George Orwell lived at number 22.
There are quite a few hidden Notting Hill spots. If you’re in need of refreshments, Farm Girl is a charming London cafe with a cute courtyard, at 59a Portobello Road. They do some cool latte artwork!
11. Bond Street
One of the most upmarket London shopping roads, Bond Street is actually two streets, Old Bond Street and New Bond Street. They take their name from Sir Thomas Bond, who developed the land.
This central London street became popular in the 18th century for its luxury shops such as Asprey, a jeweler which has a Royal Warrant. You’ll also find some interesting art galleries. Halcyon Gallery, Galerie Bartoux and Opera Gallery are all open to the public. Sotheby’s auction house is at 34-35 New Bond Street. Sotheby’s Cafe is open from Monday to Friday.
Horatio, Lord Nelson lived at 147 Bond Street in 1797. You can see a Blue Plaque commemorating him on the outside of the building, which is now an art dealership.
Fenwick is a high-end department store at number 63 New Bond Street. Inside, there’s Bodyism Cafe, Carluccio’s restaurant and Bond Street Kitchen as well as several spas and personal shopping services.
Check out the Allies statue of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, close to the Chanel store. This unusual sculpture depicts the two leaders on a bench having a chat and was designed by Lawrence Holofcener and unveiled by Princess Margaret in 1995.
10. Kings Road
This West London street rose to fame in the 1960s when Mods and Rockers hung out in its quirky bars and stores. The designer Mary Quant had a popular fashion boutique here.
Today, the Kings Road still has some independent boutiques such as R.Soles, a cowboy boot shop. Peter Jones department store is a good place to buy stylish homeware.
One of the most Instagrammable London cafes is at number 219. Peggy Porschen makes delicious cakes and their pastel pink bakery is picture perfect.
Just off the King’s Road, Duke of York Square has several fashion boutiques and restaurants with outdoor terraces. The Saatchi Gallery Bar & Brasserie has a nice al fresco terrace.
9. Brick Lane
This iconic East London street is known for its Sunday street market and curry houses. Close to Spitalfields, there are some popular vintage clothing stores including Beyond Retro and Rokit.
Brick Lane is also a good place to buy sari fabric and other textiles. At 124-126 Brick Lane, don’t miss Dark Sugars, one of the best artisanal London chocolate shops.
One of the most famous lanes in London, the area was notorious in 1888 as being the scene of the Jack the Ripper murders. Today, Brick Lane is a trendy melting pot. People flock to Brick Lane Market on Sundays, as well as the stalls in the Old Truman Brewery.
Have lunch at Blanchette East, a cute restaurant with some tasty small plates. Tucked away inside the Tea Rooms, a collection of antiques traders, you’ll find Long & Short Coffee Roasters.
However, the most famous Brick Lane delicacy is the humble bagel. Beigel Bake has been going strong since 1976 and they’re open 24/7 – perfect if you get late night munchies.
8. Pall Mall
Not to be confused with The Mall which leads up to Buckingham Palace, Pall Mall runs from Trafalgar Square to St James’s Street. The unusual name comes from the ball game all-Male that was played here in the 17th century.
At 106 Pall Mall, you’ll find the Institute of Directors, a beautiful Georgian building designed by John Nash. The Royal Automobile Club is at number 89. This private members club isn’t open to the public but you can admire the Grade II listed building exterior.
The Royal Opera Arcade is close to Trafalgar Square and is home to an art gallery, a wine bar and one of the smallest pubs in London. With just one tiny room, drinkers at London Beer House often spill out into the arcade.
Look out for the blue plaques at number 80 and 82 Pall Mall. They commemorate former residents Nell Gwyn, mistress of King Charles II and Thomas Gainsborough, the British portrait painter.
7. Carnaby Street
This cool London road became well known in the 1960s for its hip fashion boutiques. Today, Carnaby Street is still a hub for London shoppers.
Check out Irregular Choice for unique women’s shoes at number 35 and Lambretta Clothing at number 29 for stylish men’s outfits with a retro vibe. Streetwear brands such as PUMA are also popular with visitors.
Although there is only one Carnaby Street in the world, the Carnaby area gathers together 14 streets, known as the Newburgh Quarter. Just off Carnaby Street, Kingly Court is a fun place to eat with many restaurants such as Dirty Bones and Pizza Pilgrims spread over three floors. Cahoots is an underground bar modelled on a London tube carriage.
6. The Strand
Taking its distinctive name from the old English word strond meaning edge of a river, The Strand is one of the most famous roads in London. Leading from Temple Bar to Trafalgar Square, it became popular with the aristocracy in the 17th century due to its strategic position connecting the City of London with Westminster,
The Twinings Flagship Store at 216 Strand opened in 1706. This historic tea room and shop is one of the oldest businesses in London still operating at its original premises.
Somerset House is a stunning Georgian art museum with several restaurants and cafes. The Royal Courts of Justice, also known as the Law Courts is a beautiful Gothic Revival style building.
The Savoy was built in 1889 by Richard D’Oyly Carte, the theatrical impresario. This luxurious hotel is one of only a few places in London where traffic enters on the right.
Close by at number 100, Simpson’s in the Strand has been serving British cuisine since 1828. The restaurant is popular with theatregoers dining before performances at the Vaudeville and Adelphi Theatres.
5. Jermyn Street
One of the best London shopping streets for men is Jermyn Street. This luxurious road in St James is home to prestigious gentlemen’s outfitters such as DAKS and Hackett.
You’ll find many men’s shirtmakers here, including Thomas Pink and Turnbull & Asser. There’s also a large La Martina polo clothing store and shoe makers John Lobb and Foster & Son.
At number 93, there is the oldest cheese shop in Britain, Paxton & Whitfield, while at number 89, Floris is a beautiful perfumery store. Dine at Franco’s for delicious Italian food or 45 Jermyn Street in Fortnum & Mason for its caviar trolley.
One of Jermyn Street’s most famous characters is the dandy Beau Brumell. He frequented the street in the early 1900s and there’s a statue dedicated to him in front of Piccadilly Arcade. Inside this shopping gallery, you’ll find Jeffery West men’s shoes and Favourbrook, who make designer waistcoats.
4. Downing Street
You can’t actually visit Downing Street, one of the most famous London roads. That’s because number 10 Downing Street is the office and London residence of the Prime Minister of Great Britain, as well as the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
A gate and police force guard the entrance but you are allowed to take photos behind the railings. Famous past residents include the UK Prime Ministers, as well as Larry the cat, a stray who has seen several PMs come and go.
If your heart is set on getting a photo at Downing Street, there’s a very good stand in door at number 10 Adam Street near the Strand. It looks very like its more famous counterpart!
3. Regent Street
Another upmarket London shopping road, Regent Street is named after George, the Prince Regent. It was laid out in 1819 by the architect John Nash and property developer James Burton.
For those visiting London at Christmas time, the festive illuminations on Regent Street are always a delight. There are many luxury stores here, including Mappin & Webb and Mulberry.
The famous department store, Liberty London has Regent Street as its postal address, although the main entrance is actually on Great Marlborough Street. Burberry is located in a stylish building at 121 Regent Street – Thomas’s Cafe inside is a good place for a coffee.
If you have children, Hamley’s toy store should definitely be on your list of places to visit. You may find it hard to get them out of there again!
Hotel Cafe Royal is a great place to stay on Regent Street. The original building dates from 1863.
2. Piccadilly
This street’s unusual name comes from a seventeenth century collar called a piccadil. The tailor Roger Baker who made these frilled collars lived in the area. He constructed a shop and a house here, and the residence soon came to be nicknamed Piccadilly Hall.
Among London famous streets, Piccadilly is one of the most popular with overseas visitors, thanks to its central location. The road stretches all the way from Piccadilly Circus in the east to Hyde Park Corner in the west.
On Piccadilly Circus you’ll notice the famous Eros statue. This is actually a sculpture of Eros’ brother Anteros, named the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain. Next to it, there’s a huge electronic billboard displaying adverts.
Also on Piccadilly Circus is Granaio at The Criterion, an ornate restaurant specializing in Italian dishes. The Wolseley is a chic all day bistro located in the former Wolseley car garage.
St James’s Church has a courtyard with several market stalls selling souvenirs. Hatchards, at 187 Piccadilly, is a popular London bookstore with knowledgeable staff.
Fortnum and Mason is the place to go for food gifts, while Maison Assouline has some gorgeous coffee table books. The Royal Academy of Arts hosts many interesting exhibitions. There are sometimes food stalls in the courtyard during Summertime.
There are three historic shopping galleries leading off the street:
- Burlington Arcade
- Piccadilly Arcade
- Princes Arcade
You can also find an entrance to Green Park on Piccadilly.
The charming area known as Shepherd Market lies just off Piccadilly. Its pedestrianized streets are popular with local workers for a drink in the Summer months.
If you’re looking for a place to stay here, The Ritz needs no introduction as one of the most famous London hotels. Alternatively, book their afternoon tea for a special treat.
At 21 Piccadilly, Le Meridien is another luxurious 5 star London hotel. There are several other five star hotels on Piccadilly, including The Athenaeum and The Sheraton Grand.
1. Knightsbridge
Rather confusingly, Knightsbridge isn’t just one of the best London streets. It’s also an area of West London stretching from Hyde Park to Chelsea.
In this exclusive London district, you’ll find the beautiful Brompton Oratory church, as well as the famous Victoria and Albert Museum. The street itself is famous for its upmarket department stores, Harrods and Harvey Nichols.
Knightsbridge is just a few minutes walk from Hyde Park. The largest of the four Royal Parks in London, it was the former hunting ground of Henry VIII.
If you’d like to stay in Knightsbridge, there are several luxurious hotels including The Park Tower, The Berkeley, The Mandarin Oriental and The Bulgari. As for restaurants, San Lorenzo on Beauchamp Place and Harry’s Bar on Basil Street are both popular.
Here’s a recap of the most famous streets in London:
- Knightsbridge
- Piccadilly
- Regent Street
- Downing Street
- Jermyn Street
- The Strand
- Carnaby Street
- Pall Mall
- Brick Lane
- Kings Road
- Bond Street
- Portobello Road
- Columbia Road
- Oxford Street
- Abbey Road
- Savile Row
- Baker Street
How many of these famous London streets have you visited? Which one would you say is the best street in London?
As well as these well known London streets, make time to explore the lesser known parts of the capital too.
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Read all our London travel features here.
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