London Streets
Best Streets in London's West End
Are you taking a trip to London? Do you need to know the best streets to visit to see how the young and wealthy there live? Young and wealthy yourself and need to find places to go? The best streets in London for the young and wealthy, some are well known, some less known, but now you will know them all.
- Famous Streets in London
- Shopping Streets in London
- Most Expensive Streets in London
Access to the major streets and sights is easy using public transport from all parts of London including the infamous "Tube". This is the British system, commonly termed "subway" in the US and other parts of the world, having the official name of The London Underground. There are also numerous London buses serving all areas, and, of course, the well known London Taxi Cab. This writer prefers the taxi for central London transport the Tube tends to be crowded and a little daunting to the visitor. The buses get delayed by the horrific London traffic, less of a problem to the taxi which can vary the route taken to suit traffic conditions. As with all major cities, there are also the "hop on hop off" tour buses, although again the visitor is restricted to their routes, and, again, as with other major cities, they are a more expensive way to see the sights. Private vehicles are not recommended in Central London, and, indeed, face a "congestion charge" payable daily, not to mention the extortionate parking garage charges.
Central London hotels give walking distance access to many of the major shopping areas, most of the sights of London, leisure and entertainment venues, and range from the more modest chain names to the exclusive boutique hotels.
During the Christmas Season both Regent Street and Oxford Street have the world renowned Christmas Lights. This tradition was established many years ago on Regent Street and which has been a welcome feature of Oxford Street since 1959. During the last recession in the UK the Oxford Street lights were withdrawn, this lasted for the period between 1967-78.
Where will you find celebrities in London? The young and wealthy celebs hang out at a limited number of bars and night clubs, but, of course, no one can guarantee a celebrity sighting or knowing where to join them for drinks. The more popular haunts include Firmdale Hotel on Monmouth Street, The Library Bar at The Lanesborough on Hyde Park Corner, The Met Bar at The Metropolitan Hotel, Nobu Restaurant on Old Park Lane, and The Ivy, West Street. All of these are expensive, some by invitation only, some have a hotel room booking involved and other conditions. Actually you are just as likely to spot a celebrity at their leisure on one of many London streets.
Let us look in more detail at the best streets in London for the young and wealthy, including some celebrity haunts:
Mayfair
Mayfair is famous all over the world for its high value property and luxury & designer stores and boutiques.
Jermyn Street
A true magnet for the young and wealthy in London, Jermyn Street has very exclusive shops originally catered mainly to the male clientele. Jermyn Street dates back to the mid 1600's and was the place of residence for many well known people such as Sir Isaac Newton, William Plunkett, and The Duke of Marlborough. Louis Napoleon lived there at the Brunswick Hotel under a pseudonym during his exile. Jermyn Street has a central location in London's West End and is served by London Underground through it's Piccadilly Circus and Green Park stations. Jermyn Street offers some of the most exclusive hotels in Mayfair including the famous boutique hotel 22 Jermyn Street and The Cavandish.
Famous for it's shirtmakers, Jermyn Street is a delight for the young, rich, and famous. Most of the shirt shops here specialize in made to measure shirts, although some,such as Hackett and T.M. Lewin, do sell ready to wear ones. There are a couple of stores which sell both types, these being Thomas Pink and Charles Tyrwhitt.
Other exclusive stores that sell items for the young and wealthy include Bates, makers of gentlemens hats and caps, Floris, perfume and bath items, Beretta, the infamous gunmaker, Rowleys Restaurant and numerous others. Jermyn Street is also re-inventing itself to cater more to the female patrons to balance the appeal to both sexes. More modern, but just as exclusive, shops sell ladies fashion, fine wine and food, jewelery, antiques, and art.
Jermyn Street is also the location of one of the best clubs in London, flamboyant multi-millionaire David West's HeyJo Club; the London club is a hidden gem situated below the equally fantastic Russian restaurant London loves Abracadabra.
Berkley Street
Just to the north of Green Park, and situated in the exclusive Mayfair district, you will find Berkeley Street leading to Berkeley Square. This is an area where you will find a mix of interests for the young and wealthy. The visitor will find several notable restaurants and bars including The Mayfair Club, Nobu Berkeley, another celebrity haunt where the likes of Lindsy Lohan have been spotted., Rosie's Bar, Zen Garden, and Funky Buddha in Berkeley Square. Expect a number of celebrities, socialites and models at Funky Budda whichis favored by celebrities as a private club and admission is by guest list only. There are also a few art galleries, notably The Fleming Collectionp and Spruth Magers Lee. The Holiday Inn Mayfair is situated here. Most of the buildings are occupied by businesses offering professional services. Upper Berkeley Street offers some of the most sought after residential property in Central London. At the Radisson Hotel you will find the ever popular Mayfair Bar and Amba Bar and Grill.
Berkley Square
Soho
Soho is one of the most vibrant and colourful areas of London with interesting shops offering everything you can imagine.
Air Street
Air Street is only a short street, but don't be fooled by the length of this street situated just off Regent Street. It is a haven for the young and wealthy in London. Here you would have found the two most exclusive private clubs and nightspots. Dolce London a former six star nightclub. You used to enjoy admission via the guest list and a secret keypad entry door - strictly by invitation only. Music styles varied from R&B, Hip-Hop, Funky House and Electro. Another famous club long departed is Chinawhite, a Chinese themed club with day beds and many opulent features. Chinawhite was a popular venue for celebrities on Wednesday nights. Mar I Terra, also located on Air Street, is a popular Spanish Restaurant and Bar. The Cocoon award winning restaurant is on the corner of Air Street and Regent Street, specializing in Sushi and other pan-Asian menu dishes.
Wardour Street
Wardour Street has existed, by one name or another, almost since the beginning of mapping in London. The current name, as applied to the whole length of the street from Leicester Square to Oxford Street only derives from the 1900's. Previous to that only a portion of the current street was named Wardour Street. Sir Archibald Wardour was the designer of several of the buildings on the street and it derives its name from him.
In more recent times it was known for shoddy furniture in the 19th century, but by the 20th century was the powerhouse of the British film industry. In addition to the film industry, Wardour Street had numerous bars frequented by the musicians of the time and it had strong associations with the music industry. Very little of this prime Wardour Street existence remains today. The Marquee Clubb closed about 20 years ago and is now the site of the popular Floriditan Restaurant and Bar. Above the Floridita is Soho Lofts, quite possibly the most exclusive block of apartments in Soho. Wardour Street has now become home to a large number of restaurants and bars, a truly cosmopolitan mix north of Shaftsbury Avenue and mainly well known Chinese restaurants south of Shaftsbury Avenue, including the hugely popular Wong Kei.
Soho Street
Only a short street between Oxford Street and Soho Square, yet a magnet for the young and wealthy for it's bars, restaurants and clubs. On the perimeter of the Soho area, an area once known for the seedier side of life with strip clubs, brothels, clip joints and prostitution. Now largely cleaned up as an area from it's seedy heydays in the 1960's to 1980's, the sex industry is now very limited in scope, thus allowing areas such as Soho Street to become reborn as popular and cosmopolitan destinations. Here you will find Punk Soho, Govinda's Vegetarian Restaurant, Soba, a Japanese restaurant, an Oriental boutique, and several others. There is also a large Hare Krishna Temple and media center at the Soho Square end of the street. Soho Street is the epicenter of the Krishna Consciousness in London and houses the International Society. The Holborn English Language School is also located on Soho Street.
Dean Street
Dean Street runs parallel with Wardour Street between Oxford Street and Shaftesbury Avenue and is another prime eating location for the young and wealthy who are fancying a slightly less opulent atmosphere for a change. Here you will find a number of internationally themed restaurants, many of which are award holders. The restaurants include Red Fort, Chowki, Pierre Victoire, Akbar, Hamburger Union, Blues Bistro and Bar, Red Veg, Caf Med, Quo Vadis, and many more. The visitor will also find several comedy clubs on Dean Street including The Bath House and SoHoHo. Also on Dean Street there is the popular Soho Theatre. One notable club here is the Groucho Club, frequented by several well known people.
The history of Dean Street includes the site where, in 1756, a young Mozart gave a recital. It was also the site of The French House where Charles de Gaulle and the French Resistance were headquarted during World War II. Karl Marx lived here, above what is now the Quo Vadis restaurant. During the period the Marx family lived on Dean Street it was a very poor area, indeed three of their five children died while they were here. Admiral Nelsonn stayed on Dean Street the night before he set sail for the Battle of Trafalgar. A statue stands in Trafalgar Square to honor him.
West End
The West End is renowned for its shopping and these areas are the tourists' delight.
Leicester Square
Named after the 2nd Earl of Leicester who purchased four acres of land in 1630, the area has been subject to numerous disputes over land ownership and control, all of which are now resolved. Leicester Square has the reputation of being THE place to be for entertainment at night, but also has a peaceful park area during the daytime. Here you will find a statue of William Shakespeare standing above a fountain which features a dolphin theme. The four corners of the small park have a bust of a famous person on each, these being Sir Isaac Newton, the scientist, Sir Joshua Reynolds, first President of The Royal Academy, John Hunter), a pioneer in the field of surgery, and William Hogarth, the painter. The most recent addition to the park is a statue of Charlie Chaplin. On the pavement, or sidewalk, as known in the US, you will find the distances to former countries of the British Empire inscribed.
Leicester Square is the centre of all cinema venues in London, boasting both the one with the largest screen and the one with the most seating. Famous cinemas include The Odeon Leicester Square which is very popular for Royalty attended premieres. Other cinemas include two further Odeon Cinemas and also The Empire Cinema. Other cinemas are dotted around in the immediate surrounding area. Leicester Square is frequented by the young and wealthy as it is also the prime location for all new film releases in the UK, hosts the London Film Festival each year and also has some of the more popular nightclubs. Leicester Square was also the original venue for Official London Half-Price Theatre Ticket Booth, now simply called TKTS.
Oxford Street
One of the better known streets in London, Oxford Street, is located in the city of Westminster and is one of the centerpoints of the "West End".
The original street location dates back to the Roman times as do so many in the UK. The current name of Oxford Street was adopted in the 18th century as The Duke of Oxford had purchased much of the surrounding land.
On the present day Oxford Street you will find stores with famous household names such as Selfridges, John Lewis, Debenhams, HMV, Marks and Spencer, Disney Store, and many more. Midway down Oxford Street, close to the intersection with Regent Street, are the more "trendy" stores favored by the young and wealthy, including H&M, United Colours of Benetton, and Niketown.
Other stores favored by the young and wealthy include House of Fraser, Schuh, the largest shoe store on Oxford Street and carrying all the major brands, UNIQLO, the Japanese clothes store, Urban Outfitters, GAP, and Adidas.
Allow yourself plenty of time to explore the shopping haven known as Oxford Street.
Piccadilly
Piccadilly is another major London street popluar with the young and wealthy. Piccadilly runs from Hyde Park Cornern to Piccadilly Circus. Piccadilly is just south of the Mayfair area and is within the City of Westminster. A section of Piccadilly overlooks Green Park. The name is derived from the name of the stiff collars for shirts, known as Piccadills. One such merchant in the 1600's was so successful that he bought an area of land and built himself a huge residence on the land which he called Piccadilly Hall. Piccadilly was the elite area chosen for many famous buildings such as Clarendon House, Burlington House, Devonshire House, Apsley House, and many more. Several members of the Rothschild family had their residences on Piccadilly, called Rothschild Row but these are now gone or converted to other uses.
There are few shops and stores on Piccadilly, but it remains home to Fortnum and Mason, long time favourite grocery store of the Royal Family and purveryors of other fine goods. Piccadilly is also home to The Ritz Hotel, which almost defines the word decadence, The Piccadilly Hotel, the Piccadilly Thistle Hotel, well known office groups and some very expensive apartments.
Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus is possibly the best internationally known area in central London, and about as close as Londoners get to having a City Center not centrally located within the Metropolitan area, but nevertheless, a central London landmark. Piccadilly Circus dates from 1819 and features the world known aluminum EROS statue in the centre. Known in tourist folklore as the God of Love because of the Cupid like bow and arrow part of the statue, EROS is sometimes refered to as the Angel of Christian Charity, erected in tribute to the Earl of Shaftesbury, a Bible carrying reformer best known for his objections to child labour. However, controversy surrounds EROS, as other historians claim it is designed as a statue to Anteros, Greek mythological brother of Eros, and the God of Love Returned, so much like a dynamically opposed viewpoint. Perhaps this is why the Londoners, in the main, prefer the Earl of Shaftsbury explanation and his philanthropic love for the poor as depicted by the statue.
Modern day Piccadilly Circus is a tourist magnet almost like no other. It boasts the famous neon style advertising, now mainly LED lit, similar to Times Square in New York. In addition you will find the London Pavillion, home at present to Ripley's Believe It or Not. Also as a part of the London Pavillion there is the Trocadero), an indoor virtual reality style of theme park. Piccadilly Tube station, originally built in 1906, is located directly under the central area of Piccadilly Circus. Piccadilly Circus has received many mentions in songs and musicals. There are few shops for the young and wealthy, however there are numerous stores, mainly tourist inspired, but also there is Zavvi, which had the former name of Virgin Megastores and previously owned by Tower Records, and HMV have a store within the Trocadero. There is also a large former Lillywhitess store, specializing in sporting goods.
Regent Street
One of the most famous shopping streets in London, Regent Street is named after the Prince Regent, who later became King George IV, and is a wonderful, wide, sweeping street with outstanding architectural facades reaching from Piccadilly Circus to Wigmore Street. Every building on Regent Street is under Grade 2 protected status to prevent them being torn down for redevelopment.
Christmas Lights are a tradition here. Shopping is even more of a tradition. High class stores set the trend.You will find the very first Apple store opened in Europe, and the largest Apple store worldwide. Other stores include Austin Reed's flagship store, Dickens and Jones, the upmarket brand of House of Fraser, the six story Hamleys toy store, largest toy store in the world until overtaken by the New York Toys R'Us store in the 1990's, and the Liberty department store. In addition, on Regent Street you will find Broadcasting House, the formal address being on Langham Place, this is the headquarters of the BBC, British Broadcasting Corporation. The Crown Estate owns Regent Street and has its own headquarters there. The closest Tube stations are situated at Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus.
