Carnaby Street is the pedestrianised Soho thoroughfare that became a global symbol of Swinging Sixties London, the epicentre of mod fashion and youth culture. Today it and the surrounding Carnaby quarter remain a vibrant shopping and dining destination, famous for its bold seasonal street installations as much as its shops.
Why visit
It blends heritage with energy: a street with genuine cultural history, now home to a lively mix of fashion brands, independent boutiques and a strong food scene in the lanes around it. Its festive lights are among the most photographed in the city each Christmas.
What to see and do
Browse the fashion and lifestyle stores along the main street and the adjoining Kingly Court, a three-tiered courtyard of restaurants and bars. The area links neatly into the wider West End shopping district.
Visiting tips
Carnaby sits between Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus, moments from Liberty and the heart of Soho. It is at its most spectacular in the run-up to Christmas.
