Biggest Shopping Street in the World (Oxford Street (W1))

Member Name: Zmugzy

Product:	Oxford Street (W1)
Date:	29/12/07 (129 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great Shopping

Disadvantages: Very Long

Oxford Street is simply one of the best places to go shopping in London. It is the main thoroughfare located in the City of Westminster. The people you meet on Oxford Street come from all walks of life. You are likely to walk past businessmen in bowler hats, angry faced farmers with pigs under their arms, bare footed Egyptians, distraught mothers with babes in arms, Chinamen wearing slippers, German jugglers, Scottish immigrants, skipping ladyboys, Frenchmen in wigs and obese punk rockers strutting their stuff. You might even bump into the odd famous person such as Boy George, Noel Edmonds or a Spice Girl. The one problem I find though are the countless beggars pestering you for scraps of food and those dirty faced street urchins trying to pick your pockets.

Some claim it to be the largest shopping street in the world. It is about a mile and a half in length from Marble Arch at the north east corner of Hyde Park, through Oxford Circus to St Giles' Circus, located at the intersection with Charing Cross Road and Tottenham Court Road. To the east is New Oxford Street running into High Holborn. To the west is Bayswater Road at Marble Arch. Oxford Street intersects with other famous London roads such as Park Lane, New Bond Street and Regent Street.

It's easy to get there by any means of transport and from anywhere across London, but probably the best way is by tube. There are a number of lines and stations that will get you there. Bond Street via the Central Line / Jubilee Line and Marble Arch via the Central Line are possible options but Oxford Circus via the Bakerloo Line / Central Line / Victoria Line is probably the best option as it leads out into the middle of the street.

There is every type of shop and store along this street including sports shops, jewellers, hairdressers, electrical goods, travel shops, speciality stores and a multitude of fashion shops. There is the grandiose Selfridges, John Lewis, HMV and Marks & Spencer's at 458 Oxford Street is an excellent if expensive place to fetch your groceries. If you want to take refuge from a busy shopping routine, you are spoilt for choice regarding the number of eating places available. My favourite place to go for a cup of coffee is Café Nero at 48 Oxford Street. It was here that I once had the privilege of witnessing Pat from East Enders eating a hot cross bun.

Summary: Famous London thoroughfare