With over 200 million visitors a year, more than 300 shops and 5 million square feet of retail space, Oxford Street lays claim to being London's busiest street. The opening of Debenhams and Selfridges in 1909 marked the beginning of the street's dominance as a shopping centre. Amongst the chaos and bustle, retail therapists will find an oasis of calm in the area's unrivalled collection of department stores. Debenhams has a great line in designer garments at more affordable prices. Look for Jasper Conran and Lulu Guinness. Who doesn't love John Lewis? From fabric to feather boas, children's toys to cutlery this store stocks the lot. They have a 'lowest price' guarantee so you can buy with confidence and the simple lay out means you won't spend hours searching for it either! Less intimidating than Harvey Nicks and more down to earth than Harrods, Selfridges is the department store of Londoners. There's an incredible selection of British and International designers available and plenty of great restaurants and cafes to chill out in if you get a bit tired. Oxford Street also offers some of the best choice in terms of High Street fashion, if you can fight your way through the crowds. Among the best shops are inexpensive but stylish Spanish favourites Zara and Mango, up to the minute trends at Topshop's flagship store and its male counterpart Topman, Benetton and French Connection or cheap and chic Swedish store Hennes (H & M). Hot on their heels is Niketown - several floors dedicated to sports wear in every conceivable guise and colour. Oxford Street is one and a half miles end to end. Most shops open from 10am to 6 or 7pm. Many also open on Sundays from 11am or 12 noon to 6pm with late nights on Thursdays.
Pride London 2009
Trafalgar Square, WC2H 7BP
4th July 2009
For the past few years London's Pride Parade has been growing in scale and ambition. Now they've got... More
Jurys Hotels
The Irish owned hotel group Jurys has undergone significant changes in recent months with their luxury Doyle Collection (formerly Jurys Doyle) rebranded and consolidated. In London, the three... More
The Wallace
Hertford House, Manchester Square, W1U 3BN
Combine an afternoon of browsing The Wallace Collection - one of the capital's most impressive collections of... More
John Lewis
278-306 Oxford Street, W1A 1EX
If you're running out of time and you still need chocolates and champagne to impress your Valentine's date, we suggest... More
Pride London 2009
Trafalgar Square, WC2H 7BP
4th July 2009
For the past few years London's Pride Parade has been growing in scale and ambition. Now increasing numbers... More
Coming across the pretty, pedestrianised streets off St Christopher's Place is like discovering an oasis of Continental cafe culture in the most unlikely place - ... More
Free art classes and workshops, talks and tours, bring alive to visitors the varied works of art contained in the Wallace Collection, on display in ... More
Discrete, muted shades, wood-panelled walls, over 140 carefully designed rooms with free Wi-Fi and a number of airy public spaces in which to relax typify ... More
At the Oxford Street end of pretty Marylebone village, this hotel earns its ‘boutique’ label due to its uniquely designed funky interiors. The swanky deVigne ... More
Heston Blumenthal, the renowned chef and patron of The Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire, tells of his 'Search for Total Perfection' in his latest book ...More
Carluccio's are springing up all over the place, from Bluewater to Brent Cross, spreading the gospel of good fresh superior Italian food. Each restaurant is ... More
An old-fashioned, sugary-sweet, treat temptation Mrs Kibble's Olde Sweet Shoppe offers pure, unadulterated, candy-filled fun. Forget Flying Saucers, Rhubarb and Custard is the current, No ... More
This members-only club, restaurant and nightclub has a loophole – you can book a table for dinner. The intimate and nostalgic bistro and garden on ... More
The Caldesi family first set up a cooking school in Giancarlo's native Tuscany. His 'Return to Tuscany' was captured by BBC cameras and dished up ... More
Cordwainers, specialists in leather, accessories and footwear, have now merged with the London College of Fashion. Among the very best specialist textile and fashion courses ...More
More than just a spa, the Elemis is a temple of touch, taste and smell. Using therapies from Bali, Tibet, Polynesia, Japan, Morocco and Thailand ... More
Presided over by the outrageous, extravagant artist Michael Charalambous, Nyumba is not so much a unisex salon as a place of rest and relaxation, boasting ... More
This boozer in Marylebone is the first pub from prolific restaurateur Claudio Pulze, the man behind such famous eateries as Aubergine and Zafferano. The cross-over ...More
Between the Victorian elegance of Berkley Square and the Imperial magnificence of Piccadilly, you might be surprised to find a club that oozes with Eastern ... More
A favourite with young royals - Princes Harry and William, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have been spotted here... all at the same time. And where ... More
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With over 200 million visitors a year, more than 300 shops and 5 million square feet of retail space, Oxford Street lays claim to being London's busiest street. The opening of 
