Oxford Circus: sightseeing, foodie delights and shopping ’til you drop
Date post added: 29th April 2025
Can you even call yourself a London tourist if you haven’t elbowed your way into or out of Oxford Circus tube station? The central London shopping district attracts hundreds of millions of people each year.
Oxford Circus itself is a road junction that connects Oxford Street and Regent Street in the West End of London. You’ll also find the entrances and exits to Oxford Circus tube station there. And if you’re ever there when the glittering Christmas Lights are switched on, you’ll know that’s one of the biggest bottlenecks in London!
But what draws millions of people to this central spot? It could be the world-renowned shops and department stores, the diverse cultural institutions, or the vibrant nightlife. In this blog, we’ll share some of the best things to do from unmissable sightseeing to hidden gems.
Why’s it called Oxford Circus?
If you’re expecting to find trapeze artists, tightrope walkers and clumsy clowns, you’ve got the wrong end of the stick. There’s no big top here. Circus in this case comes from the Latin for circle or ring. Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus are both junctions – intersections of multiple roads which form a circular shape.
Oxford Circus was originally known as Regent Circus North as it’s on the Oxford Street, Regent Street junction. Towards the end of the 19th century, people began to refer to it as Oxford Circus and that name stuck fast when the first Oxford Circus tube station opened in 1900.
Oxford Circus: circle or cross?
Who came up with this circus/ circle design? None other than the architect behind Buckingham Palace, Regent Street, and Brighton Pavilion – John Nash. His aim was for Oxford Street and Regent Street to ‘intersect nearly at right angles’. Oxford Circus has remained faithful to Nash’s designs.
That said, in 2009 an innovative X-shaped crossing launched at Oxford Circus. Pedestrians could take a diagonal route when crossing Oxford Street and Regent Street. Crazy eh?! Where did that radical concept come from? Tokyo, of course.
What are some interesting things to do near Oxford Circus in London?
Oxford Circus is a veritable crossroads. You’re presented with numerous options whichever direction you take from there. Will you head along Oxford Street for endless shopping opportunities? Perhaps you’ll head north in search of culture, or south to Soho’s legendary nightlife. And whichever way you turn, you’ll find an array of eateries and drinkeries (is that even a word?).
Shopping
Oxford Street stretches from Tottenham Court Road to the east and Marble Arch to the west. It’s Europe’s busiest shopping street, attracting around half a million visitors each day. You’ll find plenty of well-known high street brands along with a random selection of others. The Primark flagship store lures bargain hunters in their droves.
Oxford Street was home to a variety of department stores, but only a few remain. It’s the legendary British department store, Selfridges that tops our must-visit list. It’s a remarkable retail experience – the windows alone are like theatre. With about 10 acres of shopping space spread over six floors, you could spend an entire day there. British institutions, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer have also weathered the retail storm (for now). Both are worth a visit. The John Lewis rooftop is a great spot to refuel and relax too.
If you prefer designer boutiques, Bond Street is the shopping destination for you. For quirky pop ups and cutting edge fashion stores, head to eclectic Carnaby Street. Known as a hotspot in the Swinging 60s, it’s retained an air of coolness. Discover stories from the 60s on our The Rolling Stones in 60s Soho tour.
Cultural hotspots
London knows how to do culture. And mere moments from Oxford Circus, you can enjoy West End theatre, art, cinema and history.
On Argyll Street, you’ll find The London Palladium – a Grade II West End theatre dating back to 1910. It oozes entertainment history, with black and white photos of many stars who have trodden the boards there. It’s a wonderful place to see contemporary acts in comedy, music, and the legendary non-family-friendly Christmas panto.
The Photographers’ Gallery was the first gallery in the UK dedicated solely to photography. It opened in 1971, and it’s a great space to wander around. And as with many galleries and museums, it has a lovely cafe.
Absolutely unmissable, the British Museum houses the most remarkable collections from 2 million years of history and culture. Within this exceptional building you’ll find Egyptian mummies and antiquities, the Rosetta Stone, ancient Greek artefacts and a breathtaking amount of treasures from ancient civilisations. Avoid overwhelm and join our guided tour of the British Museum each Wednesday afternoon.
The list of cultural hotspots go on and on. From Oxford Circus, you could easily walk to the National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, The Wallace Collection and more.
Green spaces
Need a breather from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Circus? Two of London’s greatest parks are a 20 minute walk away. At the west end of Oxford Street (by Marble Arch), you’ll find Hyde Park. The sprawling green space spans over 350 acres and is home to over 4000 trees. You’ll find the Princess Diana memorial here, near The Serpentine Lake. It’s a truly beautiful place to wander, picnic or even go boating.
North of Oxford Circus, is the magnificent Regent’s Park. Home to London Zoo, a large sports area, and open air theatre in summer – there’s always something going on here. The 410 acre royal park is such a glorious green space in the city.
It’s decidedly smaller than those royal parks, but Soho Square is a cute green space in the heart of Soho. Soho Square Gardens is a popular place for picnics, lunch breaks and a mindful moment away from hectic Oxford Street.
Foodie destinations
Whether you’re looking for a romantic date night restaurant, a fun brunch venue, chic afternoon tea or flavour-packed international cuisine, it’s all on offer near Oxford Circus.
- Circolo Popolare: Enjoy beautiful Italian flavours in extraordinary decor. It certainly has the wow factor both for deliciousness and show-stopping surroundings.
- Veeraswamy: The UK’s oldest Indian restaurant serves both contemporary and classic dishes. It’s a must-visit destination restaurant – think 1920s Art Deco grandeur meets authentic Indian cuisine.
- Sketch: Afternoon tea here is legendary. It’s not cheap but it will be memorable. Visually stunning, it attracts an arty crowd and is hard to top.
- St John: This Marylebone restaurant is known for nose-to-tail eating. Its menu changes daily, featuring simple yet sensational food and wine.
- Kaffeine: Moments from Oxford Circus, on Eastcastle Street and Great Titchfield Street, Kaffeine serves amazing coffee. You can also get excellent avo on toast or pastries to set you up for a busy day.
Nightlife
As the sun goes down, the neon lights shine bright around Oxford Circus. There’s something for everyone round here, spilling over into Soho and Covent Garden. Party all night, sip cocktails or go dancing. This is a fun and vibrant part of town.
For a stylish, retro cocktail bar, try Nightjar. The speakeasy style bar in Soho has live music and world class drinks. Alternatively, Cahoots – which is just off Carnaby Street in Kingly Court – is like stepping back into 1940s London Underground.
If you want to dance and party, there are many nightclubs to choose from. Cirque Le Soir is an opulent, circus-themed nightclub located in the heart of Soho. For old school disco, head to Carwash. And to party LGBTQ+ style, you’ll be spoilt for choice around Old Compton Street.
Experiences and activities seem to be the nightlife of choice right now. Try Swingers for a heady mix of mini golf, street food and cocktails. It’s a popular night out with friends or a unique date night. Then there’s Boom Battle Bar which offers a variety of activities from ping pong to axe throwing!
Explore the Oxford Circus area with us
Discover the stories behind the surface. See things you may have walked past myriad times before. Our London Walks guides share incredible insights and tales from days gone by.
Join our guided tour to find out more about Soho – the good, the bad and the downright seedy. If you love rock star stories, don’t miss our Rock n Roll Soho and Rock n Roll Mayfair, Piccadilly and Soho tours.
Pippa Jackson
Pippa is a word nerd and content aficionado with a background of working in TV on both sides of the globe. She loves to discover and share the diverse and wonderful stories of her much-loved London. When she’s not writing blogs and articles, you’ll find her walking beside the Thames or even paddleboarding on it (in the finest of conditions only!) or enjoying a coffee in the sunshine with a good book.
David Tucker
David – the Seigneur of this favoured realm – broods over words, breeds enthusiasms and is “unmanageable.”* He’s a balterer, literary historian, university lecturer, journalist, logophile and lifelong thanatophobe. For good measure, he’s the doyen of London guides.