Oxford Street is London's busiest shopping street: about 1.2 miles of chain stores, flagships and department stores running from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road. It is best for big brands and practical shopping, and much more pleasant if you start early on a weekday and escape into the side streets when the crowds build.
Most visitors expect something grand. What they find is a long, straight, very busy high street where international fashion chains, sports brands, phone shops and a few large department stores stand side by side. The buildings are often handsome, but the pavements are crowded and the shops are mostly names you can find at home.
That does not mean it is not worth your time. The flagship stores here are among the largest their brands run anywhere, Selfridges and John Lewis are proper destinations in their own right, and several of the quiet streets just off Oxford Street are among the nicest places to shop in the West End. The trick is to use the main street as a spine and step off it often.
Oxford Street at a glance
- Where
- West End, from Marble Arch in the west to Tottenham Court Road in the east
- Stations
- Marble Arch, Bond Street, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road
- Elizabeth line
- Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road
- Typical big-store hours
- Around 10:00-20:00 Monday to Saturday; six trading hours on Sunday (the legal limit for large shops)
- Best time
- Weekday mornings; Monday to Thursday rather than Saturday
- Change in 2026
- The western section is being prepared to become traffic-free by late October 2026
How the street is laid out, from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road
It helps to think of Oxford Street as three stretches, each with its own feel. The western end, from Marble Arch to Bond Street, is where you find Selfridges and a run of large fashion stores. It is slightly calmer and closer to Hyde Park.
The middle section, from Bond Street to Oxford Circus, is the busiest. Oxford Circus is the crossroads with Regent Street, and on a Saturday afternoon the pavements around the station can be close to standstill. John Lewis stands just west of the Circus, and the biggest fashion flagships cluster here.
East of Oxford Circus, towards Tottenham Court Road, the street becomes more mixed: sports shops, cheaper chains, souvenir shops and cafés, with Soho just to the south. Tottenham Court Road station at the far end was rebuilt for the Elizabeth line and is a good place to finish.
Walking the whole length without stopping takes roughly half an hour. With shopping, most people spend half a day and still only cover one or two stretches. Our guide to getting around the West End on foot explains why walking between these stations is often faster than taking the Tube.
The traffic-free plan and the works of autumn 2026
Oxford Street is in the middle of a major change. In March 2026 the Mayor of London confirmed that the section between Orchard Street (near Selfridges) and Great Portland Street (just east of Oxford Circus) will be pedestrianised. Once the scheme is in place, that stretch will be closed to private vehicles, buses, taxis, private hire vehicles, cycles, scooters and pedicabs, with delivery vehicles allowed in only between midnight and 07:00.
Transport for London (TfL) says that preparation works began in September 2026 and that the aim is for the street to be traffic-free between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street by late October 2026. The works cover the surrounding streets too, including Regent Street, Bond Street and Great Portland Street, and many are done overnight.
The eastern half, from Oxford Circus to Tottenham Court Road, is treated differently. Westminster City Council says that buses will continue to run along that section, with separate improvements planned for it.
Bus routes around Oxford Street are changing in phases this autumn. TfL says some routes will be altered at different times while the street is prepared, and pick-up points for taxis and minicabs may move. The Tube and rail lines are not affected. If you rely on a bus, check the route in TfL Go or on the TfL Oxford Street works page on the day.
For visitors the long-term result should be good news: more space, seating and trees, and events on the street itself. In the short term, expect barriers, temporary crossings and some noise, especially around Oxford Circus and Bond Street.
Flagships and department stores worth the walk
If you only have time for a few stops, choose the big stores that do something you cannot easily find elsewhere.
- Selfridges, near the western end, opened in 1909 and is still the street's grandest store. It is strong on designer fashion, beauty and its food hall, and its window displays are part of the show.
- John Lewis at 300 Oxford Street, near Oxford Circus, is the practical all-rounder: homeware, electricals, children's clothes and a haberdashery department that is useful if you are visiting for longer. On level 6 there is a rooftop bar and kitchen.
- Liberty is not on Oxford Street itself but a few minutes' walk south of Oxford Circus, just off Regent Street, in its mock-Tudor building. It is worth the detour for fabrics, prints and gifts.
We compare these and London's other great stores in more detail in our guide to Selfridges, Liberty and the capital's department stores. Around them are flagship stores for many international fashion, beauty, sports and technology brands. Their size means a wider range of sizes and colours than in a smaller branch, which is often the real reason to shop here.
| Store | Best for | Nearest station |
|---|---|---|
| Selfridges | Designer fashion, beauty, food hall, window displays | Bond Street or Marble Arch |
| John Lewis | Homeware, electricals, children, everyday essentials | Oxford Circus or Bond Street |
| Liberty (off Regent Street) | Printed fabrics, scarves, gifts, beauty | Oxford Circus |
| Big brand flagships | Wide choice of sizes and new collections | Oxford Circus |
Quieter side streets to escape the crowds
Many Londoners avoid Oxford Street itself but happily shop in the streets around it. When the main pavement becomes tiring, turn off. These are all within a few minutes' walk.
North of the street: St Christopher's Place and Marylebone
Opposite Bond Street station, a narrow passage leads into St Christopher's Place, a small pedestrian area of boutiques and restaurants with outdoor tables. Keep walking north and you reach Marylebone High Street, which has the feel of a village high street, with independent fashion, food shops and the beautiful Daunt Books. Our Marylebone neighbourhood guide covers the area in more depth.
South of the street: South Molton Street, Mayfair and Bond Street
South Molton Street, a pedestrian lane next to Bond Street station, has fashion and jewellery shops in a much calmer setting. Beyond it lies Mayfair, where New Bond Street is home to the major luxury houses and fine jewellers. Browsing is free, even if the prices are not; read more in our guide to Mayfair and St James's.
Regent Street and Carnaby Street
Regent Street runs south from Oxford Circus in a long, elegant curve and has wider pavements and some of the best-designed flagship stores in London. Just east of it, Carnaby Street and the lanes around it are known for smaller fashion brands and a younger feel, and they lead straight into Soho for food and coffee.
Use Oxford Street as a corridor, not a destination. A good plan is to shop one big store on the main street, then spend the next hour in St Christopher's Place, South Molton Street or Carnaby Street, and come back out near the next station. You see the flagships without spending the whole day in the crowd.
When to go, and when to stay away
The difference between a quiet and a busy day on Oxford Street is huge. Weekday mornings, soon after the shops open, are the calmest time. Lunchtimes are busier because of office workers, and late afternoons fill up again. Saturdays are the most crowded day of the week, especially in the afternoon.
Sundays have their own rules. Under the Sunday Trading Act 1994, a large shop in England (more than 280 square metres of sales space) may open for only one continuous period of six hours between 10:00 and 18:00. That is why most big stores open late on Sundays, often around 11:30 or 12:00, and close at 18:00. Some let you browse for half an hour before the tills open. Large shops must also stay closed on Easter Day and on Christmas Day. Our page on bank holidays, Sundays and opening hours explains how this affects the rest of your trip.
On other days the big stores usually open around 10:00 and close around 20:00 or later, and many stay open later on one evening a week. John Lewis, for example, listed 10:00-20:00 Monday to Saturday, 10:00-21:00 on Thursdays and 11:30-18:00 on Sundays in September 2026. Every store sets its own hours, so check the store's website before you go.
Christmas and the sales
From November the street is decorated with its famous Christmas lights, and the shops are at their busiest in December. The post-Christmas sales bring big crowds too. If you visit then, go early in the day and be patient. Our guide to Christmas in London covers the lights, markets and what closes on which day.
Getting to Oxford Street by Tube, Elizabeth line and bus
Four Underground stations lie along the street, so you can start at one end and finish at the other:
- Marble Arch (Central line), at the western end, near Hyde Park.
- Bond Street (Central and Jubilee lines, plus the Elizabeth line), best for Selfridges and St Christopher's Place.
- Oxford Circus (Central, Victoria and Bakerloo lines), in the middle and often very crowded.
- Tottenham Court Road (Central and Northern lines, plus the Elizabeth line), at the eastern end.
The Elizabeth line is a quick way in from Paddington, Liverpool Street, Canary Wharf or Heathrow, with trains calling at both Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road. Oxford Circus sometimes closes its entrances for short periods when it becomes too crowded, so on busy days it can be easier to use Bond Street or Tottenham Court Road and walk.
A journey entirely within Zone 1 by Tube costs £3.10 at peak times and £3.00 off-peak with contactless or Oyster (September 2026), and the daily cap for Zones 1-2 is £8.90. Many buses serve the area, but routes are changing while the street is prepared; see our guide to London's buses and night buses for how fares and the Hopper fare work.
Staying safe and shopping wisely
Crowded shopping streets attract pickpockets and phone thieves, and the West End is no exception. Keep your phone in a front pocket or zipped bag when you are not using it, be careful when you step to the kerb to check a map, and do not put your bag on the back of a café chair. Our guide on staying safe in London has more practical advice.
Oxford Street also has a number of souvenir and sweet shops with bright signs and sale banners. Some are fine; others charge high prices for very ordinary goods. Compare prices before you buy, and do not assume that a large "sale" sign means a real bargain. For better ideas, see our list of souvenirs that are actually worth buying.
VAT and tax-free shopping
Prices in British shops already include VAT, which is 20% on most goods. Visitors often ask whether they can claim this back. In Great Britain the old VAT refund scheme for tourists was withdrawn on 1 January 2021. Today you can only buy goods VAT-free if the shop sends them directly to an address outside the UK. Stores are not required to offer this, so ask before you buy. Our guide to tax-free shopping in the UK explains the details.
Breaks, food and toilets along the way
The big department stores are the easiest places to take a break. Selfridges and John Lewis both have cafés and restaurants, and department stores usually have customer toilets, which is useful on a street where public toilets are scarce. Our guide to public toilets in London lists other options.
For better food at fairer prices, step off the main street. St Christopher's Place and Marylebone to the north, and Soho to the south, have far more independent cafés and restaurants than Oxford Street itself. If you need green space, Hyde Park is right next to Marble Arch; our guide to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens suggests where to sit.
If your shopping list is more about character than brands, spend a morning here and the afternoon somewhere different, such as the boutiques and market halls of Covent Garden and Seven Dials or one of London's excellent independent bookshops.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oxford Street worth visiting?
Yes, if you want big brands, a wide choice of sizes, or department stores such as Selfridges and John Lewis. If you prefer independent shops, spend only a short time on the main street and more time in Marylebone, St Christopher's Place, Carnaby Street or Covent Garden.
What time do the shops on Oxford Street open?
Most large stores open around 10:00 and close around 20:00 or later from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays large shops may trade for only six hours between 10:00 and 18:00, so most open around 11:30 or 12:00. Each store sets its own hours, so check its website.
Is Oxford Street pedestrianised?
It is in progress. TfL says works started in September 2026 to make the section between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street traffic-free by late October 2026. The eastern section, from Oxford Circus to Tottenham Court Road, will keep its buses.
Which Tube station is best for Oxford Street?
Bond Street is best for Selfridges and the western half, and it is also on the Elizabeth line. Oxford Circus is central but very crowded at busy times. Marble Arch and Tottenham Court Road are useful for starting at either end.
Can tourists get a VAT refund on Oxford Street?
Not in the old way. The VAT Retail Export Scheme for visitors ended in Great Britain on 1 January 2021. You can only buy goods without VAT if the shop delivers them directly to an address outside the UK, and not every shop offers this.
Sources
- Transport for London - Oxford Street (checked September 2026)
- Transport for London - Oxford Street area works (checked September 2026)
- London City Hall - Mayor confirms next steps to make Oxford Street traffic-free (checked September 2026)
- Westminster City Council - Latest on Oxford Street (checked September 2026)
- John Lewis - Oxford Street shop (checked September 2026)
- legislation.gov.uk - Sunday Trading Act 1994, Schedule 1 (checked September 2026)
- GOV.UK - Tax-free shopping (checked September 2026)