26 Famous Streets in London Every Visitor Must Walk Down At Least Once
Do you know all the most famous streets in London, UK? Here are 26 of the most popular street and roads to visit on your next trip to London!
London is filled with hundreds of famed and historical locations that are known worldwide, like Buckingham Palace, The House of Parliament, and London Bridge.
But did you know that the city has some of the most famous streets in the world?
From politics and music to the best shopping in the city, this guide gives you a complete list of the most famous streets in London.
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You may have heard of many of these streets in London, but you may not know much about them.
Since I live in London (and have for over a decade), I’ll not only tell you where to find the most famous streets in London but also a little bit about their historical and political significance.
1. Baker Street
Baker Street in London is named after the builder William Baker, who designed the street in the 18th century.
Baker Street was made famous by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional TV series “Sherlock Holmes”. Sherlock lived at 221b Baker Street in the TV show.
The address never existed, but you can visit the Sherlock Holmes museum, a café and a hotel named after the hero.
If you’re a fan of Sherlock Holmes, visit Baker’s Street when you’re in London. The street was once mostly residential but is now more of a commercial district.
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2. Downing Street
Downing Street is known the world over for its political significance. This is the street that houses the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The road has also housed the equivalent of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor for over 300 years. They are believed to be living at No. 10 and 11 respectively.
Downing Street is fast becoming a top London tourist attraction. The street is within walking distance of the House of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.
3. Bond Street – Best Street in London For Luxury Shopping
This famous road in London was built in the 1720s and became a sensation in the 18th century for socialisation. This is the place to go if you are planning on shopping as it’s lined with every high street shop imaginable, along with the luxury department store Selfridges.
I used to work at Selfridges as a weekend sales assistant when I was at University. I learned a lot about the store, and I think they do the most creative window displays among the luxury department stores in the city. Yes, impressive window displays are a thang!
Bond Street is one of the main streets in London for shopping, and you should make sure to see each end (Old Bond Street and New Bond Street). It’s also one of the most expensive real estate areas in Europe, and it is greatly sought after.
4. Harley Street
In the city, Harley Street is known as the cosmetic street in London due to the street being lined with many medical practitioners and cosmetics practices.
It’s the place where you can go for a simple face peel to a whole new face. The street is named after Thomas Harley, who was the Lord Mayor of London in 1767.
Since then, the number of medical personnel on the street has grown tremendously.
It is rumoured that they are drawn to this street because of its spacious houses and proximity to some of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in London.
So, if you need a little beauty treatment while visiting, then Harley Street is a street in London you’ll want to visit.
5. Piccadilly Street – Buzzing Famous Street, London
This is one of the busiest central London streets, as it’s home to Piccadilly Circus, which is basically the Times Square of London.
The street gets a lot of foot traffic every day, with selfie queens, black taxis, and buses moving through the street continuously into Hyde Park Corner.
The street is home to the Royal Academy of Arts, the Burlington Arcade, the Ritz Hotel and Piccadilly Circus.
Piccadilly Circus is the main feature of this street, and many tourists use the statue of Eros at the centre of Piccadilly Circus both as a meeting point and backdrop for holiday photos.
6. Oxford Street – The Most Famous Street in London For Shopping
This is one of the busiest streets in London because it’s the city’s largest and most famous shopping street.
The street is about a mile long and is home to every designer and high street shop you can imagine. The street sees approximately half a million tourists daily!
Oxford Street and Regent Street are considered the most famous streets in London for shopping.
This street has been referred to in several Charles Dickens novels, and the London College of Fashion also has a campus on Oxford Street.
If you like shopping in Oxford Street, then check out my guide on things to do in Soho.
7. Regent Street
Regent Street is named after George the Prince Regent. When you visit London, you’ll somehow find yourself on Regent Street, whether by choice or being dragged kicking and screaming by a fashion addict to pursue all the luxury and high street shops that line the curvaceous Regent Street.
Regent Street also hosts a lot of events, including the street festival and the London Pride Parade.
8. Carnaby Street
This is the street that began as a fashion street in the swinging 60s when John Stephen opened the first-ever ladies’ fashion boutique called Trecamp.
It has been leading the fashion pack in London ever since with its quirky brands, beauty bars, pubs, restaurants, and even yoga studios. Carnaby Street is not to be missed on your first visit to London.
9. Old Compton Street
Old Compton Street is a road that runs East-West through Soho in the West End of London. Old Compton Street was home to French Protestant refugees who were given asylum in England in 1681.
Today the street is lined with bars and restaurants and is a central focal point for London’s LGBTQ community.
During Pride Weekend in London, the street is closed and becomes a pedestrian-only zone. It’s also a great area to just hang out and grab drinks at the fabulous bars.
10. Shaftesbury Avenue
Shaftesbury Avenue is named after Anthony Ashley Cooper, the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury. It is one of the most well-known avenues in London because it is home to all the hottest theatres.
If you want to see any play or musical, then this is the place to go. There’s always something showing in the West End.
11. Kings Road
This street runs through Chelsea and Fulham in West London.
Are you wondering about this regal London street name? This London street’s name comes as a result of what it was used for in the past, as a private road used by King Charles II.
Kings Road is one for royal lovers and people watchers. You can spend a day on Kings Road to see how the other half of London lives, and you will not be disappointed. This street is rumored to be the most expensive street in the city.
Tip: Find out more about West London’s main streets in this guide on the best streets in Chelsea.
Kings Road is also great if you like luxury boutique stores as it offers a more upscale shopping experience in comparison to Oxford and Bond Street.
To find more wonderful shopping experiences, read this guide on the best and busiest high streets in London.
12. Portobello Road – The Most Popular Street in London For Market-Lovers
This street is home to the renowned Portobello Street Market, and it attracts tourists from all over the world.
The road passes through the heart of Notting Hill. Every weekend you can purchase second-hand antiques and clothes from the stalls that line the street.
The street is about 2 miles long, and the market takes up most of it. Portobello Road Market is a top tourist attraction in London, and you’ll certainly want to explore it. However, the street is not just home to the market but also artisan coffee shops, pubs, and restaurants.
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13. Abbey Road
This London street owes its fame to the Beatles. The four-man band had inadvertently popularised the street when they took a picture walking the zebra crossing on the street for their Abbey Road studios album in an attempt to save cost.
Since then, fans of the band have flocked to Abbey Road to recreate the iconic photo on the zebra crossing.
The zebra crossing has since been given a special listing by the government because of its cultural and historical significance. This is an example of how music can significantly impact a place and people.
14. The Strand
You’ll often find a fascinating story behind the street names in London. The Strand’s street name is from the old English word ‘strond’, which has been known to mean the edge of a river. This was a significant street centuries ago and dates back to Roman times.
The Strand is situated along the Thames River and was once the hub of Victorian nightlife. The Strand is now mainly occupied by office buildings and restaurants.
It is, however, still home to the Twinings Teashop, which opened in 1906 and is the oldest business still operating in its original place in London.
Many philosophers and poets have lived on the Strand, some of which include Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf, and many more.
It’s also home to one of the most beautiful (and one of my favourite) places in London, the Somerset House.
15. Brick Lane
This street got its name from the brick and tile manufacture, which started in the 15th century. It has been known to have the coolest vintage shops, street food, and best curry houses in the city. Brick Lane is also where you’ll find some of London’s coolest street art.
Brick Lane is home to Dark Sugars, one of the best chocolate shops in London! If you want to know more about Brick Lane – check out my post on things to do in Brick Lane.
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16. Columbia Road Flower Market
One of the most famous things about Columbia Road is the Sunday-only Columbia Road Flower Market.
Where people with enviable green fingers and a love of flowers and plants congregate to buy as many flowers as a Londoner can carry on a bike or the underground to transform their flats into a little forest in the city.
At Columbia Road Flower Market, you’ll find second, third, and sometimes even fourth-generation flower sellers.
Flowers have been sold at Columbia Road flower market for hundreds of years. The market and its surrounding areas are littered with artisan coffee shops, bakeries and a small thrift market.
It is also home to a pub which is called the Birdcage because once upon a time, birds were sold on Columbia Street too. Visiting Columbia Road is one of the many unique things to do in London.
17. Threadneedle Street
London Royal Exchange, luxury shopping centre, and Bank of England in the evening.
This street is famous because it is the site of the Bank of England, which is sometimes referred to as the old lady of Threadneedle Street.
It was also home to the London Stock Exchange until it was relocated to Paternoster Square.
If you’re an architecture lover, definitely check out Threadneedle Street. You can get great shots of the city, especially at golden hour (you can also spot buildings like The Gherkin) from Threadneedle Street.
18. Jermyn Street
Charles II authorised Henry Jermyn, Earl of St Albans, to develop the area in 1664. He would have never thought that Jermyn Street would still hold a worldwide reputation as the home of London’s finest menswear and tailoring.
The tailors on Jermyn Street showcase the best of British artistry and craftsmanship.
This street also houses the oldest cheese shop, Paxton & Whitfield, which has been in business since 1797 and the Sladmore Gallery. Most of the buildings here are owned by the Crown Estate.
19. The Mall
The Mall is the street leading from Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square. The yearly marathon finishes in The Mall.
Of all the names of streets in London, this one sounds least like a Street. The road is closed to traffic on weekends and public holidays. The Queen also travels on this road during special events like weddings.
The Mall is most beautiful during the golden hour, early in the morning, to avoid crowds of tourists during the day.
20. Whitehall
This is a road in the city of Westminster in London running past Downing Street. Its name was derived from the Palace of Whitehall.
The street is known for the antique monuments and memorial statues, including the primary war memorial The Cenotaph, the Royal Tank Regiment memorial, and the Gurkha memorial, among many others.
21. Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square, a prominent London landmark, is bustling with activity at all times of the day and night! Dominated by Nelson’s Column and four bronze lions, it houses the National Gallery and is close to other popular places like Covent Garden, Chinatown, and Soho.
Street performers, food stalls, and endless people-watching opportunities abound, making it one of the most famous roads in London.
22. Lancaster Road
Lancaster Road is a vibrant street in Notting Hill that mirrors the district’s eclectic charm. It’s one of the most Instagrammable streets in London. The houses are various hues of vivid yellow, intense purple, and regal blue, your photographs will spring to life effortlessly.
Pick up a refreshing cup of coffee from a quaint cafe in Notting Hill, and saunter down Lancaster Road with your camera at the ready, soaking in the colorful spectacle.
23. St. Lukes Mews
St. Lukes Mews, a truly picturesque street, gained fame as a filming location in the romantic comedy – Love Actually. It’s in this enchanting setting where Mark expresses his feelings for Juliet through handwritten signs.
The street is adorned with cobblestones, pastel-coloured façades, and unique accents such as verdant climbing vines, iron railings, charming window box planters, and the occasional decorative bicycle parked along the way.
24. Fleet Street
Steeped in history, Fleet Street is among London’s oldest roads. Tracing its origin back to Roman times, it came to prominence from the 16th-20th century as the heart of Britain’s printing and publishing industry. A stroll down Fleet Street offers a glimpse into architectural marvels grandeur as the street is adorned with tall, narrow structures that transport you back to a different era.
25. Kynance Mews
Kynance Mews, laced with cobblestone paths, tranquil niches, and quaint cafes, is a picturesque locale that embeds itself in the memories of its visitors. Its Instagram-worthy aesthetic makes it a prime spot for walking and taking pictures for an afternoon in London.
26. Neal’s Yard
Neal’s Yard is a vibrant area and the last of the most famous streets in London and a must-visit for those seeking the city’s hidden gems.
It’s a feast for the eyes with its multi-coloured buildings and charming shops. Nestled off Covent Garden and Seven Dials, this picturesque enclave is accessed through a small alleyway, revealing a courtyard bursting with colour and character.
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