From fashion and art to fine dining and top-class entertainment, all tastes and interests are catered for in this prestigious part of London's West End
Located in the heart of London's West End, Regent Street is one of the world's most prestigious lifestyle destinations, famous for its fl agship stores and international brands.
Named after the Prince Regent, the street was built in 1819 under the direction of architect John Nash and its Grade II-listed facades represent some of the most distinguished architecture in London.
Following its construction, Regent Street became the original shopping street for the capital and has grown into a world-renowned destination that curates year-round memorable experiences that go beyond world-class shopping. The street has continually evolved during these 200 years, taking inspiration from the past while always innovating and looking to the future. Regent Street’s position in the heart of London and the West End means that it is just a stone’s throw away from other vibrant destinations, including Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, Soho and Covent Garden, as well as the nearby open spaces of Green Park.
Regent Street's stores pride themselves on going above and beyond. The street is home to an array of famous British and international fashion brands, including Burberry, Tommy Hilfiger and Hugo Boss, as well as flagship stores from technology giants such as Apple and Microsoft.
The appeal of Regent Street isn’t confi ned to shopping and fashion. From in-store cafés and bars to beauty experiences and more, there is something for everyone to discover and enjoy. Wellness experiences can be found in the likes of Glow Bar and DryBy, as well as Psycle, Barry's Bootcamp and Rapha. For those seeking sustenance, Regent Street and neighbouring Heddon Street boast an incredible array of drinking and dining options that are truly unmissable.
With cuisine ranging from Australian-style brunch restaurants to Japanese, Spanish and Argentinian, as well as vegan and vegetarian options, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Experience award-winning restaurants such as the Araki and Sabor, to fine dining Italian at Frescobaldi, local coffee haunt Hagen and casual dine-ins and takeaways such as Neat Burger.
No visit to London would be complete without taking afternoon tea at one of the city’s finest establishments, and there is no better location than the Hotel Café Royal, where their award-winning afternoon tea is served in the historic Grade II-listed surroundings of the Oscar Wilde Lounge.
Visitors to the West End during the winter months can also enjoy Regent Street’s spectacular Christmas lights display. The street became the first-ever central London destination to introduce Christmas lights in 1954, and the annual display, known as ‘The Spirit of Christmas’, is the largest and most famous in the UK. At the south end of Regent Street lies St James’s, an area of London that celebrates shopping, dining and culture. Forming part of the West End, it is also bordered by Piccadilly to the north, St James’s Park and The Mall to the south, Green Park to the west and Haymarket to the east. Its four corners are considered as St James's Palace, The Ritz, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. The area was founded by permission of King Charles II on St James’s Fields, developing in the 17th century as a residential location, while since the Second World War the area has transitioned from residential to commercial use.
This serene neighbourhood has long been considered one of London’s hidden gems. While the famous landmarks, streets and open spaces of St James’s remain the same to this day, the area continues to evolve. Today, it offers a diverse range of drinking and dining options, arts and culture, and retail built on craftsmanship, as well as residential and office space.
Found within St James’s are a rich variety of shopping locations, including St James’s Market, Jermyn Street, Piccadilly, Princes Arcade, Piccadilly Arcade and Royal Opera Arcade, as well as an art district in the west of the area. St James’s is one of London’s top shopping destinations, packed with high-end fashion, established artisans, Royal Warrant holders and food experiences. For over 300 years, St James’s has had a long-established reputation as the home of craftsmanship, quality food and extraordinary art, which continues to evolve thanks to the retailers, restaurants and galleries that call the area home.
The world-renowned Jermyn Street, the original home of menswear, remains one of the most fashionable and historic streets in London with its collection of quirky independents and high-end brands. In art, St James's contains Christies, the world's oldest fine art auctioneer, which has been located on King Street since 1823. A large number of art galleries are also concentrated in the area, including the White Cube Gallery and the Royal Academy of Arts (RA) with their must-see exhibitions. Food lovers will not be disappointed either, as St James’s has a plethora of dining options, spanning modern hangouts, inspiring eateries and international cuisine. From the established Quaglino’s to the contemporary St James’s Market – which has a selection of acclaimed international restaurants, including starred Aquavit and world top-100 ranked Ikoyi – all the local eateries and bars offer something different and special.
The area is also home to upmarket department store Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly, which has been offering extraordinary food and unforgettable experiences since 1707. As well as providing the finest produce in its food hall, the store also has restaurants, bars and tea rooms for visitors to enjoy. For evening entertainment, St James’s also has three of London’s finest theatres – The Theatre Royal Haymarket, Her Majesty’s Theatre and Jermyn Street Theatre – which host some of the capital’s most popular productions, including Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s.
