London is a city made up of more than 1500 square kilometres, 32 boroughs and thousands of years of history. With that in mind, it’s unsurprising that a first time visitor of luxury hotels in London may be overwhelmed by the wealth of choice when it comes to activities and landmarks to visit. With so much to see and do and with a limited amount of time, London requires strong planning and disciplined flexibility to make the most of it.
Part of this planning may require you to shift your focus from the macro to the micro. London’s many boroughs and districts all have a personality of their own, and any two streets, even if adjoined, might have a different story to tell. London’s streets have lent their name to music albums, books, historic events and more. Just look to the Montcalm Hotel Chiswell Street for an example of how a street name can define a place.
From the historic to the up and coming, this blog will outline some of the must-visit streets of London, gifting guests at the Montcalm Royal London House with shopping destinations, memorials, entertainment districts and more. For the essence of the English Capital, you needn;t look much further than the streets that pave it.
Brick Lane
One of the most popular shops for (non-fast) fashion, Brick Lane is more than its second and vintage clothes shops. The street has a strong Jewish and Asian identity which harks back to its years as a home for Victorian and mid-20th century factory workers in the area. Nowadays, the famous street is a hipster and foodie hangout, boasting a wealth of record shops, entertainment venues, art galleries, bars and weekend food festivals fit for even the most demanding of Montcalm restaurant cuisine connoisseurs.
Abbey Road
Located between Maida Vale and Camden, this Northwest London street is probably most famous for its legendary recording studio and for lending its name and likeness to the Beatles Album of the same name. On top of this, Abbey Road was the birthplace for the British ABbey NAtional Bank, now known as Santander.
Cable Street
Probably most famous for its notorious Battle of Cable Street in 1936, Cable Street has inherited murals and street art in support of the anti-fascist movement that in the mid-30s’ protested against the rising popularity of racism and bigotr. Located in the East End of London close to the Shadwell and Whitechapel areas of the city.
Carnaby Street
Renowned for being a central hub during the swinging 60s’, Carnaby Street in its modern incarnation is now a West End shopping district full of independent fashion boutiques and homeware shops. Full of cafes and kitsch glamour, Carnaby Street is now most famous for its beautiful winter lights that are installed during November and December every year.
Oxford Street
With this one, we’ll include Regent Street as an extension of London’s most famous high street. As Europe’s busiest high street, Oxford Street earns its name through being the home of many of the city’s flagship department stores. From John lewis to Selfridges, the street and its surrounding area can be hellish at rush hour and Christmas time, but well worth it for the abundance of shopping opportunities.
Kings Road
This Chelsea hub really is fit for a royal, what with its choice of cutting edge theatre in nearby Sloane Square’s Royal Court, the Saatchi Galleries contemporary art exhibitions and wealth of cafes and shops. This street, with its designer boutiques and internationally renowned eateries really does project the luxurious facade of the wealthy Chelsea area.
Baker Street
Baker Street is most famous in London literature for being the home street of Sherlock Holmes, but it’s fiction leaks into reality with the Sherlock Holmes Museum, situated as close as possible to the fictional address of the Victorian supersleuth. Other attractions on the Northwest London road include the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, a must visit for those wanting to get up close and personal with historic figures and celebrities, without taking the trip to Los Angeles.
Savile Row
Savile Row is a Mayfair adjacent street famous for its bespoke tailors lining both jackets and the road. Savile Row’s history of tailoring dates as far back as the 18th century, and the traditional techniques utilised here have been passed down through many generations.
Hatton Gardens
This City of London area is situated close to Clerkenwell and is known for being a hotspot for London jewellers. Hatton Garden was first a market street and once was home to Ely Place, a manor and grounds royally bequeathed to the Bishop Of Ely in the Tudor Period. The reconstructed manor is now a multi-use building of flats and law offices. Make sure to explore the many jewellers in the area on your way through this historic district.
Portobello Road
Portobello Road is home to one of the most famous markets in London, selling antiques, furniture, vintage trinkets and food on different days of the week. Located in the Notting Hill area, Portobello Road is a beautiful, multicoloured terrace street that brings in thousands of tourists every week.
Columbia Road
Columbia Road in the Homerton area has a similar vibe to Portobello Road, just situated on the opposite side of London. This famous market street is best known for its Sunday flower market, open through mornings and early afternoons every week of the year. You’ll never forget the East End market traders calling across the street in their London accents, making it a truly authentic city experience.
Downing Street
No London street list would be complete without Downing Street, the home of the British Prime Minister. Though gated and guarded by London police, you can still walk past this beautiful street and catch a glimpse of MPs and cabinet ministers as they go about their daily running of the country.
Shaftesbury Avenue
Synonymous with London’s West End, Shaftesbury Avenue is home to some of the city’s most renowned theatres. Located close to Soho, this nightlife hub is a must for arts lovers and night owls alike.
