11 Most Popular Streets in London

Piccadilly Circus is undoubtedly one of the most famous squares in London. It's renowned for its bright lights and neon signs, giving New York’s Times Square a run for its money. Connecting the likes of Piccadilly, Regent Street and Shaftesbury Avenue, the name ‘Circus’ comes from the Latin word for ‘circle’ and refers to a round, open space situated on a street junction. In other words, don’t go expecting to see clowns and acrobats.

People flock to Piccadilly Circus to capture that all-important neon-lit selfie and, as you approach and see the glow from the brightly-coloured video display advertising some of the world’s best-known brands, it’s easy to see why. While you’re there, take a seat by the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, with its winged statue of Anteros, and indulge in some people watching.

Leicester Square is the iconic heart of London’s vibrant entertainment scene, located in the world-famous West End. Centred around a small park, the pedestrianised square is surrounded by theatre ticket booths, lively bars, excellent restaurants and, most importantly, one of the largest sweet stores in the world – M&M World.

People come to Leicester Square to experience unforgettable shows – and there’s certainly no shortage, with over 40 incredible West End theatres in the vicinity and some of the best cinemas in the city right there in one place. Time your visit right and you might be lucky enough to spot celebs on the red carpet, attending a star-studded film premiere at the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square or Vue Cinema London.

Brick Lane is a quirky and colourful street, located in the East End borough of Tower Hamlets. If you’re into culture, creativity and incredible curries, then we can confidently say that you’ll fit right in around here.

The historic lane is famous for its impressive street art murals, as well as independent shops to browse, and fascinating vintage markets to explore. A visit to the Dark Sugars chocolate shop is a must, as is a jaunt around the Old Truman Brewery. Then, when it’s time for a bite to eat, take your pick from an abundance of tantalising curry houses – easily some of the best in the capital. If the choice overwhelms you, you won’t be disappointed with City Spice.

The Mall is easily one of the most famous streets and squares in London, even if you’ve never visited the city before. If you’ve ever watched any big event being broadcast around the world from the UK’s capital, be it a royal wedding, jubilee celebrations or the renowned London Marathon, chances are that shots of The Mall dominate the screen.

The tree-lined royal road paves the way from Trafalgar Square, all the way up to Buckingham Palace, and its coloured surface gives the impression of a red carpet leading up to the palace gates. Watch the Changing of the Guard, see if the Royal Standard flag is flying to symbolise the Queen is in residence or take a stroll around beautiful St James’s Park.

Carnaby Street is a trendy shopping street in the heart of London’s vibrant Soho district. Its history dates back to the 1600s, but it really started making a name for itself in the 1960s when it became popular with mods, punks and hippies, bringing about the birth of Swinging London. Famous icons such as Elizabeth Taylor, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Sex Pistols were all regulars on the cobbles of Carnaby Street.

These days, the pedestrianised street is still lined with popular fashion retailers, with everything from independent boutiques to well-known brands such as Dr. Martens, Sweaty Betty, and Swatch. Plus, its famous ‘Welcome to Carnaby Street’ arched sign provides the perfect photo opportunity for all its visitors.

Abbey Road is a mecca for music lovers as it’s where The Beatles took their iconic cover photo for their chart-topping album of the same name. The image of the Fab 4 on the pedestrian crossing was taken in an effort to save money but has since become famous the world over. It's among the most popular streets in London and fans pilgrimage to this spot from far and wide.

The street is also home to Abbey Road Studios, where The Beatles recorded the aforementioned album and the likes of Oasis and Adele have recorded there since. Visit the free studio museum and, of course, recreate the album cover while you’re there. Just remember that this is a fully-functioning zebra crossing, so pay attention to the traffic around you!

King’s Road is a high-end shopping street stretching almost 2 miles from Chelsea to Fulham and steeped in history and splendour. As the name suggests, it was once a private road used by King Charles II. These days, it’s a vibrant hub where shopaholics brush shoulders with the rich and famous.

One of the most expensive streets in London, it’s home to the magnificent Saatchi Gallery and is lined with luxury independent boutiques and distinguished designer fashion stores. Dotted between these are trendy cafés and bustling bars, with big open windows and seating spilling out onto the streets, making it one of the best places in the city for people-watching. Have your credit card at the ready and see how many celebs you can spot while you’re there.

Trafalgar Square is one of the most recognisable squares in central London, with the unmistakable Nelson’s Column taking centre stage. Standing at 169 ft tall, the marble column and statue of Admiral Lord Nelson was built in 1843 and is guarded at the bottom by the 4 famous bronze lions. There are a number of other statues in the square, as well as 2 beautiful fountains that are illuminated at night.

The square hosts a number of rallies and events throughout the year and is close to some of the city’s top galleries and attractions. The remarkable National Gallery overlooks the square itself and just a short walk down The Mall leads you to Buckingham Palace.

Savile Row is a street in central London renowned for its top-quality traditional tailoring. Since the early 19th century, tailors on this street have outfitted illustrious names from literature, theatre, science and politics, as well as members of the Royal Family. The street is also the home of the dinner jacket, which was invented by tailor Henry Poole in his shop on Savile Row.

The original tailors were followed by a new wave of fashion designers like Ozwald Boateng and Richard James. The shopping street also has branches of several major fashion brands, including Alexander McQueen and Abercrombie & Fitch. Modern cuts and colours appeared alongside traditional tweeds and pinstripes, and women-only tailors were welcomed to Savile Row. Today, shoppers come from all over the globe to get their suits custom-made by some of the world's best tailors.

Downing Street is where you’ll find the UK Prime Minister’s home and office. More specifically, 10 Downing Street – often just referred to as ‘Number 10’ – with its famous black door and iron railings that are familiar sights in UK politics. The building itself has over 100 rooms, with the Prime Minister taking residency on the 3rd floor and the Chancellor living next door at Number 11.

Though it's one of the most popular streets in London, it’s not actually possible to walk along it anymore. Police guard the black steel gates at the top. Even so, that doesn’t mean it isn't still a great place to stop by for a photo. It’s located just off Whitehall and a short walk from the Houses of Parliament.

Bond Street is known around the world as being one of the best retail streets in all of London. Dating back to the 1700s, the street oozes class and elegance. It boasts luxury shops, designer fashion brands and exclusive jewellery stores, such as Burberry, Chanel and Louis Vuitton, not to mention places to find fine art and antiques, too.

Despite being one of the most famous streets in London, it’s not widely known by its real name. The southern section is called Old Bond Street while the long northern bit is New Bond Street. The street leads from Piccadilly to Oxford Street – the heart of London’s incredible shopping scene. Even if you can’t afford all the Bond Street prices, what’s the harm in a bit of window shopping if you’re already browsing the area? It’d surely be rude not to.