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Carnaby Street

Carnaby Street in Soho is one of London's most famous shopping streets β€” the epicentre of 1960s Swinging London fashion, when boutiques here dressed The Beatles, The Who and the Rolling Stones. Today it's a pedestrianised street of mid-range brands, independent boutiques and some of the city's best street-level Christmas light installations.

The History

From the late 1950s to the early 1970s, Carnaby Street was the fashion capital of the world β€” John Stephen opened the first menswear boutique here in 1957 and was followed by dozens of others catering to the mod and then hippie scenes. The street's fame peaked around 1966–1968; it became a tourist destination in its own right within a few years and has remained one since.

Shopping Today

The street is now primarily mid-range brands β€” Dr Martens, Levi's, Puma, Vans and similar β€” alongside a mix of independent boutiques in the connecting lanes (Newburgh Street, Foubert's Place, Kingly Court). Kingly Court is a three-storey courtyard of independent restaurants and shops just off the main street β€” one of Soho's better lunch spots hidden behind the tourist-facing facade.

Christmas Lights

Carnaby Street's Christmas light installations are consistently among the most creative in London β€” a themed installation across the full length of the street from mid-November. Different each year, they've become one of the city's reliable December highlights. Free to walk through.

Getting There

Oxford Circus (Central, Victoria and Bakerloo lines) is the closest station β€” Carnaby Street is a 3-minute walk south. Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines) is equally close from the south.

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