CITY ITINERARY: Oxford Street & Regent Street

ITINERARY: EUROPE'S BUSIEST SHOPPING STREETS

How do you sum up the Oxford Street Experience? The words dazzling and exciting are a good start. More than half a million visitors a day come to enjoy Oxford and upmarket Regent Street's 600-plus shops, many of them flagship stores. But for every huge emporium there's a quirky boutique on a side road, and you'll quickly discover the al fresco café scene on the pedestrianised lanes off the main street. Shops stay open until 9pm most evenings, and to 10pm on Thursdays – a nice bonus.

Oxford Street, London

MORNING

The Oxford Street area is linear so start at Marble Arch and make your way east. Stop in at Folli Follie for charming accessories, Watches of Switzerland for wrist-wear or Pandora for limited-edition London charms – a perfect souvenir. You shouldn't miss Marks & Spencer's flagship store: this mainstay of Britishness has been going for 127 years.

When you get to Bond Street tube station, cross the road and walk through the small, almost secret alleyway leading to St. Christopher's Place. Grab a coffee from one of the cafés (we like artisan specialists Workshop Coffee, 1 Barrett Street) before popping into Whistles’ flagship store for on-trend fashion. Back on Oxford Street, head into the top department store House of Fraser, where you can also find a Premier Tax Free Cash Refund kiosk.

If you cross in the other direction, you'll find gorgeous South Molton Street, home to high-end brands like Zadig & Voltaire and Thomas Sabo's flagship store.

Regent Street, London

AFTERNOON

When you reach the diagonal crossing at Oxford Circus, it's time to leave Oxford and head down Regent Street, fast becoming the hottest shopping street in London. Hugo Boss has its flagship store here and in 2016 Michael Kors opened a fabulous new flagship, 1,500m2 palace of a shop. But that's not all: you'll find style essentials GANT, Reiss, J. Crew, Tommy Hilfiger, Karl Lagerfield's interactive store, Brit favourites Karen Millen and ALLSAINTS, toy heaven at Hamleys and much more.

Michael Kors handbag in new store

If you haven't stopped for lunch already, make sure you investigate the charming tangle of lanes around Carnaby Street. The heart of fashion during the Swinging Sixties, the area retains a bohemian vibe and is great for indie and boutique shopping as well as hip youth brands like Jack Will. If you’re feeling hungry, try the chicken at Whyte and Brown (Kingly Court) or a few small plates in the much-loved Polpo (41 Beak Street). 

EVENING

Sure, there's lots of culture in London, but you're at the edge of London's famous nightlife district, Soho, and it's well worth sampling. From Oxford Circus, head southeast for eateries, cocktail bars and clubs galore. We love the funky Palomar (34 Rupert Street), elegant Dean Street Townhouse (69-71 Dean Street) and the excellent Ember Yard (60 Berwick Street) for food. 68 & Boston (5 Greek Street) is great for wine and cocktails.

Palomar, 34 Rupert Street