Top things to do in and around Oxford Street

As one of London’s busiest spots, Oxford Street is the ultimate destination to plan a day out. With lots of choices for things to do, it’s a super central location and has convenient transport links so you can meet up with friends from all over London.

With so many options, we’ve put together a list of our favourite things to do in and around Oxford Street – whether you want to spend a couple of hours or a whole day in the area.

Step into another world at Swingers

A fun activity, plus dinner and drinks, surrounded by Instagrammable 1920s decor – Swingers is just a minute’s walk away from Oxford Circus station and is a great all-in-one solution to the question “What should we do today?”

Challenge your friends to a game of mini-golf on our Helter Skelter, Big Wheel, or Meteorite courses, or just stay for drinks made by our flair bartenders.

Check out a West End show

London’s theatre district is located just a stone’s throw away from Oxford Street. With almost 40 theatres in the area, there are a lot of shows to choose from.

If you’re visiting on a whim, take a chance and see if you can book some last minute seat-filler tickets – they’re often available at a discounted rate. This is a great way of seeing some of the West End’s largest productions for cheaper than advertised. 

Hit the shops

As one of London’s busiest shopping locations, around 200 million people visit Oxford Street to do their shopping every year. And for good reason – Oxford Street is home to hundreds of brands across the board, ranging from luxury, to sportswear, to home goods. 

The shops sprawl from Bond Street through Oxford Street, to Tottenham Court Road and beyond, so you can get the steps in as well as enjoying some retail therapy.

Continue your shop down the famous Carnaby Street. Perhaps most known for being the shopping capital for mods and hippies during the 60s, Carnaby Street maintains its fashionable reputation, offering brands such as Ganni, Adidas, and Liberty’s. 

Carnaby Street is pedestrianised, offering a calmer shopping experience than the busier Oxford Street. Within Carnaby, you can find Kingly Court which is an ideal respite from shopping – with three stories of food options to choose from, you can fuel up on pizza, burgers, Korean food, rum, and more!

Visit Chinatown

You’ll know you’re in Chinatown when you’re surrounded by red paper lanterns, large red gateways (called “Paifang” in Mandarin), and the tempting smell of dim sum in the air. Located next to Carnaby Street, London’s Chinatown celebrates all things East Asian.

If you’re looking to experience what a Korean supermarket has to offer, want to sample the famous Japanese crepe cake, or try some contemporary Chinese noodles and dumplings, Chinatown’s the place to go.

Stroll around Hyde Park

Not far from Oxford Circus is the world renowned Hyde Park. Having a sprawling green space in the middle of the city is a (literal) breath of fresh air, and provides sanctuary from the hardness of the city. 

The leafy park is dotted with reminders of its history, with an 18 foot bronze statue of Achilles, first erected in 1822, the Animals in War memorial, first installed in 2004 for the 90th anniversary of the start of the First World War, the Athenian-inspired Apsley Gate from 1826-29, to name a few.

There’s something to do during every season, with public swimming and boating in the Serpentine Lake available in the warmer periods, and Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park’s gigantic Christmas fair, popping up over the winter period.

Dinner and drinks in Soho

There’s somewhere to suit everyone’s tastes when it comes to dining in Soho. 

For a decadent night out visit Bob Bob Ricard, known for its “press for champagne” button, and feast on British and French classics ranging from lobster, to caviar, to steak tartare. If you’re fancying ramen, Bone Daddies has plenty to offer, all served to a rock music soundtrack.

For drinks, Barrio Soho provides a great ambience with a Latin edge. Happy hour runs all day until 9pm every day except Saturday, so there’s plenty of time for you to take advantage of discounted cocktails. 

If you’re looking for something a bit unusual, head towards Social Eating House on Poland Street and look for the “Opticians” sign. There, you’ll find a door with a pig head knocker, beyond which is the hidden cocktail bar, The Blind Pig. The menu at this bar changes regularly, although classic cocktails are always available.

Appreciate the art in the National Portrait Gallery

Inject some culture into your trip to Oxford Street by taking the circa 20 minute walk to the National Portrait Gallery. The gallery focuses on (as the name suggests) portraits, with over 11,000 in their primary collection alone.

The National Portrait gallery often hosts exhibitions featuring renowned artists, and the artwork on show ranges from paintings to photography.