Regent Street Shopping in London

Regent Street is a rather special shopping street in the City of London. It’s very close to Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Street and is one of the main shopping destinations for both locals and visitors. The street is named for the Prince Regent, which is no surprise since almost all of it is owned by the Crown. There are only two blocks which don’t belong to the Crown estate.

One of the great things about Regent Street is that every one of its buildings is a Listed Building, which means that all the architecture on the street is protected and considered part of the national heritage. What’s more, there are strict regulations governing businesses. Businesses are obliged to make their property blend in with the surroundings to keep the sense of heritage alive.

Some of the shops are relatively new and cater for the trendy and fashionable, while others have been going for over a century and have kept a bit of old London style about them. Then again, some are both.

Getting To Regent Street Shopping In London

Regent Street is located in the West End, making it very easy for people in Central London to walk or take the bus. The most popular way to get there is by taking the London Underground. Get off at either Piccadilly Circus station or Oxford Circus station and you’ll be just a short walk from this bustling street of shopping.

What Kind Of Shops Are In Regent Street

You’ll find large department stores like Liberty, which has been going since 1875 and is instantly recognizable for its Tudor Revival building. Liberty is known for its distinctive patterns and sells everything from fashionable clothes to carpets, gifts and ceramics. You’ll also find trendy clothing stores like Superdry, Topshop, Gap and H&M.

There are shops which specialize in active wear of both the outdoor or athletic variety. Nike Town is just the place to get those trainers, while Timberland will ensure that you get the full outfit, outback hat to hiking boots.

If you want to feel like a gent or lady of Regent Street, head to Austin Reed. Here you’ll find stylish suits for men and women, as well as bespoke tailoring and suit hire. While the store has been around for nearly a century, they are known for following style and fashion, so your outfit will be contemporary but ever so elegant. They don’t only sell suits, they offer a wide range of apparel.

But not all the shops in Regent Street are about clothes, sportswear and shoes. Head to the Apple Store for your techno-cravings. This was Europe’s first Apple Store. It opened in 2004 and until 2010 it was also the largest.

One of the major attractions for shoppers and tourists, is a trip to Hamleys. Hamleys opened on Regent Street in 1906 and has been going strong ever since. It’s generally considered the largest toy store in the world. There are seven levels where you’ll find everything from model kits to Lego and the latest in console gaming.

What Else Is In The Regent Street Area

In the first week of November, you can watch the famous Regent Street Christmas light display get switched on. This is a famous London event which dates from 1948 and the official switching on marks the beginning of the festive season for many.

Of course, there are some good places to eat and drink on Regent Street. Enjoy modern Japanese cookery at Senkai or meet friends for a bottle of wine and a friendly meal at a place like All Bar One.

Because you’re in the West End and just around the corner from Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus, you’ll be right in the heart of London’s main shopping area. Savile Row is also close by. It’s famous for its tailors and worth a trip for those who want to have a suit fitted in the same street where Winston Churchill, among others, had his suits tailored.

The area of Regent Street and its near neighbours, is mostly always busy and vibrant. Even if you don’t buy a thing, it’s a great place to visit.

Book a London Hotel today!