It marks the notional boundary between the areas of Fitzrovia and Marylebone to the north, with Soho and Mayfair to its immediate south. It is Europe's busiest shopping street, with around half a million daily visitors, and as of [update] had approximately shops. It is designated as part of the A40 , a major road between London and Fishguard , though it is not signed as such, and traffic is regularly restricted to buses and taxis.
It was known as Tyburn Road through the Middle Ages when it was notorious for public hangings of prisoners at Tyburn Gallows. It became known as Oxford Road and then Oxford Street in the 18th century and began to change from residential to commercial and retail use, attracting street traders, confidence tricksters, and prostitution. Department stores began to dominate the streetscape in the early 20th century, the most imposing of all being Selfridges which opened in Despite competition from out-of-town shopping centres and online retailers , Oxford Street remains in high demand as a retail location, with many British retail chains having their flagship stores on the street, and having a number of listed buildings.
Unlike nearby shopping streets such as Bond Street , it has retained an element of downmarket trading alongside more prestigious retail stores. Generally speaking, the eastern end of Oxford Street features a higher proportion of more downmarket retailers, fast food restaurants, and souvenir shops whilst more exclusive and upmarket stores can be found towards its western end which passes close to the wealthy Mayfair district. Some of Tottenham Court Road's famous electronics stores have spread onto its eastern extremity.
The annual switching on of Christmas lights by a celebrity has been a popular event since As a popular retail area and a main thoroughfare for London buses and taxis, Oxford Street has suffered from traffic congestion , pedestrian congestion, a poor safety record, and pollution. Various traffic management schemes have been implemented by Transport for London TFL and others, including a ban on private vehicles during daytime hours on weekdays and Saturdays in place since the s , widened pavements, and improved pedestrian crossings.
Oxford Street runs for approximately 1. The road is within the London Congestion Charging Zone. It is part of the A40 , most of which is a trunk road running from London to Fishguard via Oxford , Cheltenham , Brecon , and Haverfordwest.
