Three Alternatives to the Crowds of London’s Oxford Street

Oxford Street may be the biggest and most well-known shopping street in central London, but it’s also the busiest. Home to the flagship stores of big brands like Topshop, John Lewis and department stores such as Selfridges, Oxford Street is the obvious choice both for locals and tourists staying in central London hotels. But for those who don’t fancy fighting the crowds, there are a number of shopping streets where a quieter and more independent vibe prevails. Here’s a selection of them:

image from flickr

Marylebone High Street
Situated just a five minute walk from Baker Street Station at one end, and 10 minutes from Oxford Street at the other, Marylebone High Street feels hidden away compared to its busy West End neighbours. Lined with small independent shops, high street boutiques, restaurants and cafes, there’s also a scattering of high end designers such as Paul Smith and L’Occitane – plenty to fill a leisurely day. The street is also home to arguably one of the most beautiful book stores in London, Daunt Books, where literary fiends venturing behind the Edwardian style front are spoiled with an oak-lined interior and endless shelves of travel books, organised by country and recommended by knowledgeable staff.

Camden Passage, Angel Islington
While Angel’s N1 Shopping Centre concerns itself with high street staples such as Gap and French Connection, the real gems of Islington are to be found tucked away on Camden Passage. Located on the same side as the tube station and running parallel to lively Upper Street, the cobbled streets of Camden Passage are home to antique market stalls and shops where dealers sell anything from furniture and jewellery to clothing. Head there on a Wednesday or Saturday to see the market in full swing, or else take a wander on any other day of the week to browse the shops. The grade II listed Camden Head pub is at the half way point, and on hand with refreshments for those with tired feet.

Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill
Visitors who choose to stay in hotels further west will no doubt already have a visit to Notting Hill’s famous Portobello Road scheduled into the trip. While the markets and shops of this West London spot are definitely worth a look, the heavy tourist crowds can get in the way of anyone looking for a truly relaxing afternoon. A quieter, more exclusive alternative is nearby Westbourne Grove, where fashion-forward visitors will find a mixture of designer labels, contemporary art galleries and bespoke jewellery shops. There’s even a pet boutique and café further up the road, where pampered pooches can sniff around for a new collar while their owners stop for a glass of champagne.