The West End: for high-flying shoppers
London’s West End has long been considered the epitome of chic modern fashion in what is arguably Europe’s busiest city. The West End is actually an area in the center of London and contains many of the city’s tourist attractions, businesses, shopping centers and of course the famous West End theatres. The term West End came into use during the 19th century to describe the fashionable, elegant areas to the west of Charing Cross London.
The West End has long been favored by London’s rich and famous as a prime residential area, during the neighborhood’s early days it was favored because it lay upwind from the city’s smoke. Today West End means many things to many people; refers to the popular entertainment district around Leicester Square and Convent Garden, as well as the shopping districts of Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street.
Mayfair is a shopping district in the West End that is famous for its high fashion salons, jewelers, prestigious art and antique galleries and auction houses. Mayfair is considered high-end even by lofty West End standards, if you’re planning on shopping here, don’t expect bargains or strip malls. It’s all about chic boutique fashion. Areas worth visiting here are Saville Row, Brook Street, South Multon Street, and Conduit Street.
Oxford Street is a much more conventional shopping district and is described as one of the busiest streets in Europe, mainly due to the thousands of heavy shoppers here every day. This area has several department stores like Selfridges and other big brands like Marks and Spencer. Several designer brands also operate outlets here; Gap, Next, Body Shop and Russell and Bromely to name a few.
If Oxford Street and Mayfair reflect the modern face of the West End, then Rgent Street represents its history, it has been regarded as an upmarket shopping area since it was established in the 1820s. find here. While Liberty’s Department Store, which has a history spanning 130 years and specializes in exquisite fabrics for clothing and furniture, has its flagship store here.
The West End has no shortage of luxury London hotels to accommodate high-flying guests. Between London Hotels in this area is the historic Langham Hotel London that promises great hospitality on a par with any establishment in the city.