My hometown has some of the most recognisable streets on the planet. From Abbey Road’s zebra crossing to the neon glow of Piccadilly Circus, these roads have shaped London’s identity for centuries.
I’ve walked these streets countless times over the years, and what makes them special isn’t just their fame. It’s the stories they tell, the experiences they host and the way they capture different sides of this city I love.
You’ll know some of these famous streets in London from films, songs or history lessons. Others deserve more attention than they get. All of them are worth your time.
This isn’t an exhaustive list (London has thousands of streets, after all). Instead, I’ve chosen the ones that best show you what makes London London.
London’s Most Iconic Streets
1. Abbey Road
The world’s most photographed zebra crossing sits outside Abbey Road Studios in St John’s Wood. The Beatles walked across it for their 1969 album cover, and people have been recreating the shot ever since.
I’ve watched tourists dodge traffic here for years (please be careful). The studios are still working, so you might spot a famous musician slipping in or out. The graffiti-covered wall outside has become an unofficial guest book.
What to see: The zebra crossing, Abbey Road Studios (exterior only), studio shop
Nearest Tube Station: St. John’s Wood
2. Oxford Street (London’s most famous shopping street)
Love it or loathe it, Oxford Street is Europe’s busiest shopping street. I’ll be honest: it’s not my favourite place in London. Too crowded, too many discount shops at the eastern end, too much chaos.
But it’s home to Selfridges, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer. The Christmas lights are spectacular. And if you want to experience the sheer energy of London retail, this is where to do it.
My advice? Visit early on a weekday. Avoid Saturdays at all costs. And consider walking Regent Street instead (see below) for a more pleasant shopping experience.
What to see: Selfridges, John Lewis, Christmas lights (November-January)
Nearest Tube Station: Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Bond Street or Marble Arch
3. Regent Street
John Nash designed this sweeping curve between Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus in the early 19th century. Every building is Grade II listed and finished in Portland stone, creating one of London’s most elegant streetscapes.
Liberty London’s Tudor revival building is the star here. Hamleys toy store spans seven floors. And the Christmas lights transform the street into something magical.
Unlike Oxford Street, Regent Street still feels special. It was built to be beautiful, and it succeeds.
What to see: Liberty London, Hamleys, Burlington Arcade (just off Piccadilly)
Nearest Tube Station: Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus
4. Piccadilly
Stretching from Piccadilly Circus to Hyde Park Corner, Piccadilly has been a main route since medieval times. The name comes from piccadills, the ruffs worn by 17th-century dandies.
For years, people have congregated beneath the statue of Eros at Piccadilly Circus, London’s answer to New York’s Times Square. But you might be surprised to learn that this famous statue isn’t Eros at all, but his brother Anteros.
Fortnum & Mason has been selling luxury food here since 1707. The Royal Academy, Burlington Arcade and several of London’s grandest hotels line the street. St James’s Church (designed by Christopher Wren) is worth ducking into.
What to see: Fortnum & Mason, Royal Academy, Burlington Arcade, St James’s Church
Nearest Tube Station: Piccadilly Circus or Green Park
5. The Mall
This sweeping boulevard lined with iconic London plane trees leads from Trafalgar Square, via Admiralty Arch, to Buckingham Palace. The Mall has seen innumerable Royal processions, including coronations and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, and is the stage for the Changing of the Guard (dates and times here) and Trooping the Colour.
The red surface isn’t a deliberate red carpet effect (disappointing, I know) but a type of tarmac that naturally weathers to that colour. Visit on weekends or public holidays when it’s closed to traffic.
What to see: Buckingham Palace, St James’s Park, Admiralty Arch, Changing of the Guard
Nearest Tube Station: Green Park or Charing Cross
6. Bond Street
Old Bond Street and New Bond Street together form one of the world’s most expensive shopping streets. Every luxury brand you can think of is here: Tiffany, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo.
Sprinkled amongst these designer goods shops is an eclectic selection of galleries and the world-famous Sotheby’s auction house.
I love the “Allies” sculpture of Churchill and Roosevelt sitting on a bench having a chat. It’s tucked near the Chanel store and easy to miss, but it perfectly captures the spirit of their friendship.
What to see: Luxury boutiques, Sotheby’s, Churchill-Roosevelt sculpture
Nearest Tube Station: Bond Street or Green Park
7. The Strand
The Strand is one of London’s oldest and most interesting thoroughfares. It once ran along the Thames (the name comes from the old English for river edge) before the Victoria Embankment was built.
Somerset House dominates the street. Its courtyard becomes an ice rink in winter and hosts open-air film screenings in summer.
St Mary-le-Strand and St Clement Danes, two of London’s historic churches, are marooned on islands in the middle of The Strand. The latter is referred to in the famous nursery rhyme “Oranges and lemons say the bells of St Clement’s.”
Built in 1889 by the theatrical impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte, The Savoy Hotel is one of London’s most famous luxury hotels. The hotel’s American Bar is THE place in town to sip a martini.
The Savoy is one of only two places in the UK where you drive on the right-hand side of the road, not the left (if you’re interested, the other is reportedly Hammersmith bus station).
Twinings tea shop at 216 Strand opened in 1706, making it one of the oldest businesses in London operating at its original premises. Its small museum is worth a visit and is free.
What to see: Somerset House, The Savoy, Twinings
Nearest Tube Station: Charing Cross, Embankment or Temple
8. Brick Lane
centuries of immigration have shaped Brick Lane. Huguenots, Jews and Bangladeshis have all made this East End street their home.
The curry houses are an important part of London’s food landscape, but I’m more interested in Beigel Bake (ridiculously cheap and delicious). Sunday’s market brings vintage clothes, art, food and crowds.
Brick Lane is also the epicentre of street art in London. Building walls, hoardings, doors and shop shutters form the canvas for frequently changing artworks, from massive murals to small paintings to stickers and posters.
What to see: Street art, Beigel Bake, Sunday market, curry houses
Nearest Tube Station: Liverpool Street or Aldgate East
9. Portobello Road
Running through the heart of Notting Hill, this was once a rural lane leading to Portobello Farm. Its famous market began in the mid-19th century when local gipsies gathered here to trade horses and herbs.
Saturday is market day, especially for antiques at the southern end. The pastel houses, independent shops and multicultural energy make this one of my favourite streets in London.
The Notting Hill Carnival takes over the entire area on the last weekend of August. It’s one of Europe’s biggest street festivals.
What to see: Portobello Market (Saturday), antiques, independent shops, 142 Portobello Road (the Notting Hill bookshop location)
Nearest Tube Station: Notting Hill Gate or Ladbroke Grove
10. Camden High Street
If you’re after Doc Martens, vintage vinyl or a piercing, take the Northern Line to Camden Town.
Camden Market by the lock is the main draw, open seven days a week. But the whole area has exceptional street art (check out my guide to Camden’s murals if you’re interested).
This is North London at its most eclectic and energetic.
What to see: Camden Market, street art, vintage shops, live music venues
Nearest Tube Station: Camden Town
Historic Streets Worth Finding
11. Fleet Street
Once the beating heart of British journalism, Fleet Street lost most of its newspapers in the 1980s. But the history remains.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, rebuilt after the Great Fire of London, served Dr Johnson, Dickens and Mark Twain. St Bride’s Church has the tiered spire that inspired wedding cakes. The Art Deco Daily Express building is a masterpiece.
The dragon statues marking the City boundary still guard the street.
What to see: Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub, St Bride’s Church, Daily Express building, boundary dragons
Nearest Tube Station: Blackfriars
12. Downing Street
You can’t actually walk down Downing Street (security gates were installed in 1989), but you can see it from Whitehall.
Number 10 has been the Prime Minister’s official residence since 1732. It’s probably London’s most famous address.
If you want a photo with a fake Number 10 door, there’s one at 10 Adam Street just off the Strand. To the untrained eye, this imposter looks like the real thing.
But did you know you can take a peek inside 10 Downing Street from the comfort of your armchair? It is one of the best virtual tours of London.
What to see: View from Whitehall, Horse Guards, the Cenotaph
Nearest Tube Station: Westminster
13. Baker Street
Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes lived at 221b Baker Street. The address was fictional when the stories were written, but there’s now a museum at that spot.
Gerry Rafferty’s saxophone solo will probably play in your head as you walk down it (or is it just me?). The street dates from 1755 and was built for affluent Londoners.
What to see: Sherlock Holmes Museum, Madame Tussauds (nearby)
Nearest Tube Station: Baker Street
Famous Streets of Soho
14. Greek Street
Named after the Greek Christians who settled in Soho in the 17th century, Greek Street runs from Shaftesbury Avenue to Soho Square and crosses Old Compton Street. It is home to two famous pubs.
The Coach & Horses, on the corner of Romilly Street, is more of an institution than a pub. Established in 1847, it is famous for its political and journalistic associations, notably with the columnist Jeffrey Bernard.
In May 2019, the Coach and Horses was granted a nudist licence, allowing patrons and employees to be naked while in the pub. I am happy to report that I have been there many times since this licence was granted, and all occupants were fully clothed.
A bit further up Greek Street, the Pillars of Hercules boozer dates back to the early 18th century. In its day, this was a well-known literary haunt, favoured by the likes of Clive James, Julian Barnes, Martin Amis and Ian McEwan. After closing for refurbishment, it reopened as Bar Hercules.
Greek Street is crammed with a great selection of restaurants and cafes, including Maison Bertaux, the place to go for French patisserie delights in London.
What to see: The Coach & Horses, Maison Bertaux, independent restaurants
Nearest Tube Station: Leicester Square or Tottenham Court Road
15. Frith Street
Running parallel to Greek Street, Frith Street is another popular Soho hangout.
It deserves a place on my list purely as the home of one of London’s most cherished caffeination joints. Bar Italia has been a Frith Street fixture since 1949 (I’ve had many a late-night coffee here over the years).
Look out for the blue plaque above its front door. This commemorates the first public demonstration of television in this building by John Logie Baird in 1926.
Across the road at number 47 is Ronnie Scott’s. This famous club has been entertaining jazz lovers in Frith Street since 1965.
What to see: Bar Italia, Ronnie Scott’s, Soho atmosphere
Nearest Tube Station: Leicester Square or Tottenham Court Road
16. Old Compton Street
Crossing both Frith Street and Greek Street is Old Compton Street, the heart of London’s LGBTQ+ scene.
Rainbow flags brighten the exteriors of the Admiral Duncan pub and G-A-Y nightclub. Lively at any time of year, Old Compton Street explodes with colour and vitality during London Pride, usually held the last weekend of June each year.
Old Compton Street has Algerian Coffee Stores for the best coffee beans in London, I Camisa & Son for Italian deli goods and a great selection of restaurants.
It’s always lively, always welcoming.
What to see: LGBTQ+ venues, Algerian Coffee Stores, cafes and restaurants
Nearest Tube Station: Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus or Tottenham Court Road
Streets for Specific Interests
17. Savile Row (Tailoring)
As the home of London’s finest bespoke tailors, Saville Row is synonymous with style.
Henry Poole & Co at number 15 made clothes for Winston Churchill, Charles Dickens, Napoleon III and General de Gaulle. This is also the birthplace of the dinner jacket; a tuxedo, as it was later known, was designed for the Prince of Wales in 1860.
In the late 1960s, The Beatles opened their Apple Corps Headquarters at 3 Saville Row. Their last ever concert, captured in the documentary film Let it Be, was filmed on the roof of this building.
The Royal Geographical Society was based at number one next door between 1870 to 1912.
Nearest Tube Station: Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus or Bond Street
18. Denmark Street (Music)
Welcome to London’s version of Tin Pan Alley.
Denmark Street was developed on the edge of the West End in 1689 and is named after Prince George of Denmark. This was the scene for one of the drawings in Hogarth’s series Four Times of the Day.
Later, Denmark Street became famous as the home of music publishers’ offices. With the decline of this market in the 1960s, music shops and independent recording studios moved in.
The Rolling Stones and Elton John recorded or wrote their songs here. It is also credited with being punk rock’s ground zero.
Today’s Denmark Street houses mainly guitar shops, and it has eight Grade-II listed buildings. Although the Crossrail project has forced a major redevelopment of the area, the developers of the new site have stated they are “committed to preserving and enhancing the rich musical heritage of Tin Pan Alley”.
Let’s hope that is the case.
Nearest Tube Station: Tottenham Court Road
19. Harley Street (Medicine)
Are you looking for a quick nip-and-tuck? If so, Harley Street is the place to come.
Despite its reputation as a mecca for cosmetic surgery, only a small fraction of the private medical professionals on Harley Street specialise in this work. Whatever your medical condition, there is a Harley Street clinic to deal with it.
Taking its name from Thomas Harley, who was Lord Mayor of London in 1767, people have been consulting Harley Street’s practitioners since the 19th century. It is thought that doctors were attracted to the area by the development of spacious housing and its proximity to several London railway stations.
Nearest Tube Station: Regent’s Park or Great Portland Street
20. Shaftesbury Avenue (Theatre)
Shaftesbury Avenue is the epicentre of London’s theatre district. It is home to six of London’s theatres: Lyric, Apollo, Gielgud, Sondheim, Palace and Shaftesbury theatres.
It takes its name from the Earl of Shaftesbury (1801 – 85), who was instrumental in improving housing conditions for the local poor.
Nearest Tube Station: Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus
My Advice for Exploring London’s Streets
The best way to experience these streets is on foot. London is an excellent walking city, and you’ll spot things you’d miss from a bus or tube.
Don’t try to see everything. Pick an area and explore it properly. Combine a few streets with nearby landmarks or bridges.
Be prepared to wander. The most memorable discoveries often happen when you turn down that interesting-looking side street.
Finally, if you’re interested in London’s older thoroughfares, I’ve written a separate guide to the best old streets in London that covers historic roads from Roman pavements to Georgian terraces.
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman is a Londoner and has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.