The Curious Traveler's Guide to Shopping on Oxford Street, London Skip to Content

The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Shopping on Oxford Street, London

By: Author The Working Line

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A while ago, I told you about some of the best budget shops in London, and I thought that since I love shopping, I’d do well to tell you about the best shops in Oxford Street.

After all, it’s one of the most popular neighborhoods in London – there’s so much to do in Oxford Street, from study cafes to halal restaurants!

I am currently settled in Barcelona for a few months, and to be honest, I miss my life in London.

I definitely miss going shopping in London, I miss eating there, I miss my favorite cafes to work…

Whether it’s summer or winter, lots of Londoners and foreigners love shopping in Oxford Street.

So, I’m going to share with you my favorite stores on Oxford Street, from TK Maxx, one of the most famous cheap stores in London, to Superdrug and Primark with its famous Harry Potter section.

There are lots of cool Harry Potter things to do in London, to be honest.

But one of them has always been to pay a visit to the biggest Primark in London – the two shops near Marble Arch and Tottenham Court Road.

They’re two of the best clothes shops in Oxford Street, if you like quick and easy looks.

In this guide, you will find all the shops and major brands you’ll need in terms of shops in Oxford Street.

Whether you’re shopping for cheap scented candles, clothing, decoration, or are simply looking for the best department stores in London – you’re exactly where you need to be!

The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Shopping on Oxford Street, London

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In my opinion, two of the best shops in Oxford Street, those that are definitely worth checking out, are TK Maxx and Superdrug.

I’ve written a whole bunch of articles about the cheap scented candles you can find at TK Maxx, and honestly, for that price, it doesn’t get any better.

And Superdrug, in terms of drugstore makeup…

I mean, if you’ve read some of my articles about drugstore dupes for MAC Soar lip liner and other cool drugstore finds like Flormar lipgloss…

You know I’m all about that drugstore makeup life.

There’s simply an atmosphere there that you don’t find in France, where I was raised, even if we also have some drugstore brands like L’Oréal and Maybelline.

Okay, enough rambling –

Let’s discover the best shops in Oxford Street London to visit absolutely!

Best Shops in Oxford Street London: TK Maxx

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Photo: Telegraph

It is true that if you are looking for cool things to do in London, the shopping part will be intense.

We are in one of the world’s biggest shopping capitals and well…

TK Maxx is really an institution of makeup, candle and clothes shops in Oxford Street.

You can find everything there at really low prices.

The prices aren’t as low as other shops like B&M and Home Bargains, or even Poundland.

But it’s not really the same, either, since TK Maxx focuses mostly on the fashion part, with bits and bobs for home decor, homeware, etc.

You can really find everything there, with things like:

  • inexpensive decoration items
  • scented candles (from Yankee Candle, DW Home or Sand and Fog, three of my favorite brands)
  • various makeup brands (from Illamasqua to Profusion Cosmetics, and Essie to Fenty Beauty)
  • designer clothes (found some Dolce & Gabbana there the other day!)
  • designer bags (Love Moschino is quite common at TK Maxx)
  • shoes (anything from Replay to Guess)
  • and much more!

If you are looking for the best shops in Oxford Street for yourself or want to bring back small gifts back home, you can hardly do better than TK Maxx.

I’ve actually also written about the best TK Maxx in London already, if you want to check out the biggest branches.

One of them is indeed in Oxford Street, but there are other cool branches in Central London worth checking out.

Read: The Best Second Hand Bookshops in London

Best Shops in Oxford Street London:
TK Maxx Oxford Street :
203-207 Oxford Street, London W1D 2LE

Best Makeup Shops in Oxford Street London: Superdrug

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Photo: Oxford Street

Needless to say, Superdrug is really my favorite makeup store in London.

There are a lot of them, but if you’re looking for the biggest makeup shops in Oxford Street, check out Superdrug Marble Arch.

It is located at the very top of Oxford Street, towards Marble Arch station.

Marble Arch itself is near Hyde Park, and in this park you can find Winter Wonderland – a little gem to visit if you want to spend Christmas in London.

There are several Superdrugs in Oxford Street.

That includes one located in the West One underground shopping center at Bond Street Station.

In the West One shopping center, you’ll also find a Clintons store which sells cheap Yankee Candles.

Or at least, cheaper than what you might expect from a brick-and-mortar candle and stationery shop.

Superdrug is the reference in terms of shops in Oxford Street and all over London if you want to find cheap makeup.

We are talking about brands like Barry M, MUA Makeup Academy, Collection, Revolution, Rimmel, as well as other more American brands like Juvia’s Place, BH Cosmetics, and even Maybelline and L’Oréal.

Read: The Best Italian Makeup Brands

Best Shops in Oxford Street London:
Superdrug Marble Arch:
508-520 Oxford St, London W1C 1NB

Best Shops in Oxford Street London: Boots

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Photo : Standard

Boots is the equivalent of Superdrug, with a slightly more sophisticated side.

I usually go to Boots because I know they sell brands that are not available at Superdrug.

Boots has several shops in Oxford Street, including a really gigantic one in the middle of the street, and not far from Ben’s Cookies.

Just so you know, Ben’s Cookies bakes some of the best cookies in London – if you like freshly baked cookies with huge chocolate chips in them.

Boots offers many makeup brands like NYX, 17 and No7 (the brand’s own makeup collections), Barry M, Essie, Revolution, Collection or Makeup Obsession.

One of the coolest and cheapest makeup brands at Boots is 17., and I actually bought the 17. Red Berry lip liner which is the perfect…

MAC Beet lip liner dupe. Like, perfect, for a couple of pounds.

But unlike Superdrug, it’s not just cheap makeup and drugstore that Boots offers.

You’ll find Estee Lauder, Clinique, Smashbox, and even MAC Cosmetics there, too.

Boots is also a pharmacy, so if you are looking for medicines, hair products or skincare cosmetics, it is also the destination for those.

Read: The Best Italian Restaurants in London Bridge

Best Shops in Oxford Street London:
Boots Oxford Street :
361 Oxford St, London W1C 2JL

Best Shops in Oxford Street London: Whittard

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Photo : Whittard

Whittard is an institution when it comes to tea shops in London, and its most important shop is the one on Oxford Street.

The first Whittard store in London opened in 1886, and their tea, cocoa and coffee that exceed all expectations.

What I particularly like about Whittard, something that no other store in Oxford Street London has, is their Alice in Wonderland collection.

It is made of several artistically finished and very sophisticated teapots and cups – beautiful and really British.

Their chocolate-covered coffee beans and creative hot chocolate boxes (hot white chocolate with fruit, for example) are very interesting – and nobody else does that in London.

If Whittard is one of London’s most famous tea shops, there really is a reason, and that’s definitely one of my favorite shops in Oxford Street.

Read: The Best Halal Restaurants in Canary Wharf

Best Shops in Oxford Street London:
Whittard:
43 Oxford St, London W1D 2DY

Best Shops in Oxford Street London: Selfridges

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Photo : Drapers Online

Selfridges is one of the go-to shops in Oxford Street for all things luxury fashion, luxury food, luxury scented candles – and everything luxury, really.

At Selfridges, you can find couture brands like Louis Vuitton, Fendi, and Dior, as well as really luxurious makeup like Pat McGrath, Valentino, or Charlotte Tilbury.

But if you’re looking for makeup shops in London like Morphe, Huda Beauty or Too Faced, you’ll also find them at Selfridges.

Of course, the prices are on par with the brands’ fame.

Also, if you are looking for gift ideas for food, then go to the basement.

Between Pierre Hermé and Ladurée macaroons, Belle Époque products (a fairly well-known French pastry shop in London), chocolate and cupcakes, there is plenty to make lovely gifts at Selfridges.

Read: The Best Cafes to Work in Soho

Best Shops in Oxford Street London:
Selfridges:
400 Oxford St, London W1A 1AB

Best Clothes Shops in Oxford Street London: Primark

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Photo: Souvenir Finder

There are two huge Primark stores out of all the shops in Oxford Street, but the one I recommend you visit is the one opposite Tottenham Court Road tube station.

For starters, Primark in Marble Arch is a little better known, more visited, and a lot more cluttered – which I personally hate.

The one on Tottenham Court Road has a café upstairs, several floors, a corner where you can get a manicure…

It’s just more accessible and less of a headache.

Of course, in both, there will be a six-foot-long queue to get to the checkout.

But I always had the impression that the Tottenham Court Road Primark is tidier, more organized, and offers more products.

If you are looking for good cheap clothes in London or Primark makeup, you have to go there in the morning.

In the afternoon, not only is there a longer queue, but there are also fewer products.

At Primark, there’s also a Harry Potter section with stationery, clothing and accessories – something to see if you’re looking for Harry Potter shops in London.

Read: The Best Coffee Shops in Shoreditch

Best Shops in Oxford Street London:
Primark Tottenham Court Road:
14-28 Oxford St, London W1D 1AU

Best Makeup Shops in Oxford Street London: Inglot Cosmetics

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Photo: RP

Inglot Cosmetics is one of my favorite Polish makeup brands, and their AMC Gel eyeliners are unbelievable.

The matte Inglot lipsticks, too.

And if you’re ever looking for dupes for MAC red lipsticks, check out the red matte Inglot lipsticks – they’re just about the same shades.

So, if you’re looking for the best shops in Oxford Street for makeup, whether you’re a pro or do your makeup at home, Inglot has got to be on your bucket list.

The matte lipsticks are similar in texture to the MAC Retro Matte lipsticks and stay on really well.

Other very interesting products at Inglot are the customizable eyeshadow palettes, as well as the duochrome loose pigments and H2O nail polishes that allow the nails breathe.

Inglot is one of my favorite shops in Oxford Street, and I always stop by to see the new collections.

And if I can recommend one product in particular, it would really be the gel eyeliners, which are waterproof and will never let you down.

Read: The Best Things to Do in Camden Town

Best Shops in Oxford Street London:
Inglot Cosmetics:
409 Oxford Street, London W1C 2PB

Best Shops in Oxford Street London: Ann Summers

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Photo : Standard

If you are ever looking for lingerie shops in London, Ann Summers is a very nice brand that offers everything; from bodysuits to sets in all colors, and even cute costumes and accessories.

It’s true that when you move to London, you don’t really know where to buy these very useful things like lingerie.

Yet, there are several good clothes shops in Oxford Street where you can treat yourself without having to tick the Primark box.

We have Calzedonia, Intimissimi, Boux Avenue…

And for bigger budgets, Agent Provocateur and La Perla inside Selfridges.

Ann Summers is mid-budget, with beautiful lingerie collections that change with the seasons.

The models are very well thought out, and really beautiful – and since you have Superdrug in Marble Arch not far away, why not kill two birds with one stone?

Read: The Best Charity Shops in London

Best Shops in Oxford Street London:
Ann summers:
522 Oxford St, London W1C 1LL

Best Makeup Shops in Oxford Street London: Lush

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Photo: Oxford Street

Lush is one of the biggest cosmetics shops on Oxford Street, with three floors stocked with hair products, skincare products, bath bombs and natural makeup.

While Lush recently released its line of scented candles, it’s not something I recommend you buy.

On the other hand, go to the first floor to marvel at the incredible number of bath bombs parading, and have the ultra-friendly sellers help try out soaps and hand creams.

In the basement, you will find the Lush perfume range, as well as a spa that you can book to be pampered.

My favorite products?

The solid toothpastes, the massage bars and the solid shampoos – all safe bets in this Oxford Street store.

Read: The Most Colorful Places in London

Best Shops in Oxford Street London:
Lush Oxford Street :
175-179 Oxford St, London W1D 2JS

Best Shoe Shops in Oxford Street London: Office

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Photo : Office

Office is one of my favorite shops in Oxford Street.

Shoes?

I love them.

Well, if I can find big stores in London that sell lots of different shoe brands, I’m happy.

Office sells its own brand of shoes, which range from sneakers to Mary Jane platforms or simple heels for work, but there are also several different brands.

If you’re looking for Vans or Dr. Martens or Aldo shoes, you’ll find them all at Office.

Although the store isn’t that big, Office has shoes on sale all year round and the prices are affordable for mid designer shoes compared to other London shops.

Read: The Best Hidden Gems in London

Best Shops in Oxford Street London:
Office Oxford Street :
44-49 Oxford St, Soho, London W1D 2EB

Best Shops in Oxford Street London: Marks & Spencer

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Photo: City Walks

One of my favorite shops in Oxford Street ever is Marks & Spencer.

That’s one of the best food shops in London, for starters – Marks & Spencer only sells quality, and you can really taste the difference.

Really.

The decoration corner is of course something to see at Marks & Spencer, since it focuses on high quality products such as candles, plants, decorations – at affordable prices.

M&S also has things like fresh herbs to grow at home (or use right away), men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes…

And makeup from many different brands.

From Autograph Beauty, the Marks & Spencer’s own makeup brand, to Pur Cosmetics, Clinique, and even Pixi by Petra, you can find really cool makeup at M&S.

If I had to recommend one thing, it is to test Marks & Spencer food products; chips, the bakery department, their pizzas, their toffees…

Everything is delicious there.

Read: The Most Colorful Streets in Notting Hill

Best Shops in Oxford Street London:
Marks & Spencer :
Pantheon, 173 Oxford St, London W1D 2JR

Best Shops in Oxford Street London: The Disney Store

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Photo: Standard

The Disney Store needs no introduction – it’s one of the biggest stores in Oxford Street, and possibly one of the biggest stores in London too.

You can find everything there, from clothes to accessories, lots of toys and stuffed animals, and Disney stationery.

Not too far away is Dr. Martens, many other famous London stores like John Lewis & Partners and Selfridges, and of course, Primark.

If you are looking for Disney costumes, figurines, or even really cool toy stores in London, we can hardly do better than the Disney Store.

Read: Harry Potter Warner Bros Studios Tour Review

Best Shops in Oxford Street London:
The Disney Store :
350 – 352 Oxford St, London W1C 1JH

Best Clothes Shops in Oxford Street London: Next

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Photo: Fashion United

Next is one of the very big stores in London that sells a little bit of everything.

Especially the branch in Oxford Street, which actually hosts several stores in one.

You won’t only find Next clothing, accessories and decoration in this store.

There’s also a large Costa Coffee café, a Paperchase stationery store (which offers really pretty stationery!), and a Sockshop, which sells cute, good quality socks.

And if you’re wondering if we have a Bath and Body Works in London, the answer is yes and no.

There’s a Next store in Westfield shopping center (the branch in White City, not the one in Stratford) which has a whole Bath and Body Works department.

And even if the Next in Oxford Street does not have a Bath and Body Works section, you can order on the internet.

Do a lil Click and Collect and you’ll be able to bring Bath and Body Works body mists and scented candles back home!

Read: The Most Colorful Streets in Camden

Best Shops in Oxford Street London:
Next Oxford Street :
120 Oxford Street, London W1D1LT

Best Clothes Shops in Oxford Street London: River Island

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Photo: West End

So there River Island – if you don’t pass by this London store, it’s almost a tragedy.

River Island is one of the biggest – and best shops on Oxford Street, and while it specializes in clothes, their shoes and accessories deserve just as much attention.

It so happened that I had started a collection of short oversized denim jackets from River Island.

In the meantime, since I moved to Rome, Istanbul and Barcelona, I had to get rid of my River Island jackets.

But I think they are excellent quality and loved them. I had them in yellow, denim, brown, mint green and even multicolor, and just wow.

If I had to compare River Island to another brand, I would say it’s a mix of Bershka, Pull & Bear, Mango and Zara all rolled into one.

One of the best shops in Oxford Street for clothes shopping.

Also, if you’re waiting for the sales, River Island really cuts prices and you can find these famous denim jackets or even blazers around 15 pounds.

Read: The Best Italian Cafes in London

Best Shops in Oxford Street London:
River Island :
473 Oxford St, Mayfair, London W1C 2AU

The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Shopping on Oxford Street, London

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And there you have them, all the best shops in Oxford Street whether you want to go shopping for clothes, makeup, or home decor!

Hopefully, you’ll have found here lots of cool places to go shopping in Central London.

I’ve not talked about H&M, Zara or Urban Outfitters as they’re places you can legit find everywhere.

But, if you’re looking for good clothes shops in Oxford Street, Urban Outfitters is perfect for that 90s/2000s vibe too!

Until next time!

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The Working Line
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Sam is a certified fashion makeup artist, a freelance writer, a blogger and a digital nomad. Since 2019, she roams around the world, from London to Rome and shares her knowledge about makeup, scented candles, travel, blogging and the digital nomad lifestyle.