10 Surprising Facts About Oxford Street Every London Shopper Should Know

Oxford Street is Europe’s busiest shopping street and one of London’s most iconic retail destinations. Stretching for more than a mile through the heart of the West End, this famous thoroughfare attracts millions of visitors each year with its flagship fashion stores, historic department stores and unmistakable shopping culture.

Today, Oxford Street brings together major brands including Zara, H&M, Selfridges and Nike, alongside luxury beauty halls, restaurants and global fashion retailers. Planning a shopping trip? You can check the latest Oxford Street opening and closing times here.

However, long before shoppers filled its pavements, Oxford Street had a far darker history.

Here are 10 fascinating facts about London’s most famous shopping street.

1. Oxford Street Was Once the Route to Public Executions

Centuries ago, Oxford Street formed part of the grim route between Newgate Prison and the gallows at Tyburn.

Officials transported condemned prisoners along the street before executing them publicly near what is now Marble Arch. Interestingly, a small circular stone still marks the approximate location of the infamous Tyburn Tree.

2. A Hidden Underground River Still Flows Beneath Oxford Street

The underground River Tyburn once flowed openly alongside the road, giving Oxford Street its original name: Tyburn Road.

Although engineers diverted the river into underground conduits, some reports suggest you can still spot it flowing inside the basement of Grays Antique Centre near the junction of Oxford Street and Davies Street.

3. Oxford Street Took Heavy Damage During World War II

During the Blitz in 1940, bombs devastated large sections of Oxford Street.

Attacks damaged or destroyed several famous department stores, including Selfridges, John Lewis, Peter Robinson and Bourne & Hollingsworth.

Remarkably, many retailers rebuilt and reopened after the war.

4. Marks & Spencer Replaced a Grand Entertainment Venue

The Marks & Spencer branch at 173 Oxford Street occupies the former site of The Pantheon, an entertainment venue inspired by the Pantheon in Rome.

Over the years, the building served as assembly rooms, a theatre, a bazaar and even a wine merchant showroom before developers demolished it. Marks & Spencer opened on the site in 1938.

5. Oxford Street Has Just One Traditional Pub Left

Despite its enormous size, Oxford Street now has only one surviving traditional pub: The Tottenham at No. 6 Oxford Street.

This Grade II-listed building dates back to the 19th century and originally traded as The Flying Horse.

6. Oxford Street Earned a Place on the Monopoly Board

Oxford Street secured pop culture immortality with its place on the original Monopoly board game.

Alongside Regent Street and Bond Street, it forms the famous green property set.

7. An Oxford Street Record Store Helped Launch The Beatles

The original HMV store on Oxford Street played an unexpected role in launching The Beatles.

In 1962, manager Brian Epstein visited the store to cut discs from the band’s demo recordings. According to the story, the disc cutter felt so impressed that he contacted music publisher Sid Coleman, who then introduced the recordings to producer George Martin at Parlophone Records.

Within months, The Beatles secured their first recording contract.

8. There’s a Secret Rooftop Garden Above Oxford Street

Hidden above the shopping crowds sits Brown Hart Gardens, a peaceful rooftop garden built on top of a former Victorian electrical substation.

The gardens first opened in 1905, then closed for several decades before reopening to the public in 2013.

Today, they remain one of central London’s lesser-known hidden gems.

9. Rumours Persist About a Secret Underground Street

For decades, workers and retailers have shared stories about a hidden underground street beneath Oxford Street.

Urban legends claim abandoned Victorian shopfronts and cobbled streets still sit beneath the modern buildings, with possible access through old basements and service tunnels underneath stores including Selfridges.

Whether entirely true or not, the mystery remains part of Oxford Street folklore.

10. Topshop Began as Peter Robinson’s Topshop

Although Topshop became one of Britain’s most recognisable high-street fashion brands, many people do not realise it began as part of the Peter Robinson department store chain.

The Oxford Circus branch suffered heavy Blitz damage before relaunching as “Peter Robinson’s Topshop” in 1964.

Decades later, the flagship Oxford Circus store became one of Britain’s most recognisable fashion destinations.

Why Oxford Street Still Matters in 2026

Despite the rise of online shopping and constant shifts in retail, Oxford Street remains one of the world’s most important shopping destinations.

Major redevelopment projects, flagship store openings and pedestrianisation plans continue to reshape the street for modern shoppers.

Whether you visit for fashion, beauty, history or sightseeing, Oxford Street still sits at the centre of London’s retail culture.

Before visiting, don’t forget to check the latest Oxford Street shop opening hours and closing times so you can plan your trip more efficiently.