Carnaby Street

Bridging the gap between Oxford Street and Soho, Carnaby Street is a must for shoppers, with over 100 shops and dozens of bars, cafés, and restaurants. Visit as part of a walking or bike tour of central London, hop off to snap a photo by the distinctive yellow arches at either end of the street, and spot the plaques commemorating mod-fashion pioneer John Stephen and The Small Faces (outside No. 1 and No. 52, respectively).

• Most shops along Carnaby Street are open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 7pm, and Sunday from noon until 6pm.

• Free Wi-Fi is available at the Kingly Court shopping area.

• Carnaby Street is a pedestrianized area, and most shops and restaurants are wheelchair accessible.

Carnaby Street is located in Soho, central London, within a few minutes’ walking distance of Oxford Street and Regent Street. The closest underground stations are Oxford Circus (Victoria, Bakerloo, and Central lines) and Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines).

There’s always something going on around Carnaby Street, from live music and street festivals in summer to festive entertainment and light displays over the holidays. Popular events include the Carnaby Style Weekender festival in May, Soho Music Month in June, and Pride in London in June or July.

The main reason to visit Carnaby is the shops, and there are plenty to choose from, including many independent fashion, home, and beauty boutiques and British brands like Ben Sherman, Paul Smith, and Lyle & Scott. One highlight is the small shopping arcade of Kingly Court, home to some of London’s most unique young designers, vintage stores, and jewelry boutiques, as well as a cluster of cafés and restaurants. Look out for pop-up shops and street stalls during the summer and Christmas holidays too.

Carnaby Street is famous for being one of London’s top shopping districts. Located in the center of town, near Oxford Street and Regent Street, this always-buzzing destination boasts dozens of boutiques, entertainment, and dining options. It’s been a hotspot since the 1960s when it was the heart of the Swinging London scene.

It’s easy to get to Carnaby Street via public transportation. Oxford Circus is the closest London Underground station, served by the Bakerloo, Central, and Victoria lines. Piccadilly Circus station is also nearby, served by the Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines. And numerous bus lines frequent the area, making getting around simple.

That depends on your tastes. Carnaby Street is home to over 100 boutiques and fashion brands, boutiques, jewelry retailers, and more, meaning you’ve got plenty to choose from. British brands include everything from classic Barbour to edgy Emin + Paul, while Liberty is one of the city’s most cherished department stores.

Yes, Carnaby Street is pedestrianized. The street was converted to a pedestrian-only thoroughfare in 1973—just in time to become a see-and-be-seen gathering place for the city’s burgeoning punk scene (which inspired London fashion designers like Vivienne Westwood). Today that makes browsing, window-shopping, and strutting your stuff even easier.

While individual stores’ opening hours vary, most boutiques on Carnaby Street are open from mid-late morning until later in the evening (note, however, that due to Sunday trading laws, most stores are only open from 12–6pm on Sundays). Weekends are a busy time to visit; aim for weekdays for a calmer experience.

Yes, thanks to its central location, Carnaby Street is near several London attractions. In addition to popular tourist destinations like Piccadilly Circus and the Oxford Street and Regent Street shopping areas, it’s also close to the Royal Academy of Arts, Fortnum & Mason, and Green Park.