Regent Street

Regent Street joins Oxford circus and Picadilly circus, it has always aspired to finer things than its neighbour Oxford Street. Designed by the eminent John Nash in 1812 for George IV as an elegant street between his residence at Carlton House and Regent's Park it certainly retains something of its aritstocratic air.

Although there are still some small independent shops, chain stores mainly take over the street. Regent Street can lay claim to two world exclusives - the world's largest Apple store and the world's finest toy shop, and one of its biggest, 'Hamley's'.

There is an annual Regent street festival and the christmas light displays are a London tradition, a celebrity is always invited to turn the lights on.