Carnaby Street

Historically known to be the birthplace of Swinging London in the 60's, the home to Mod's, rockers, punks and more, Carnaby Street is part of the epicentre of London's West End.
The street was manually built in 1882 by Richard Tyler. The road took its name from the first house on the street 'Karnaby House'. 40 years later, the street was redesigned to accustom a meat, fish and vegetable market, this was then known as Carnaby Market. You are able to visit the Shakespearean public-house at the end of Carnaby Street which was built in 1735. By 1823, other major streets such as Regent Street were completed. This split Carnaby street from Soho and Mayfair. The mid 19th century saw the street flourishing into a street drawing in the attention of many celebrities such as Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. One of the most famous photographs was taken by Ray Stevenson in 1976, which shows The Sex Pistols pictured on the streets.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in London
Soho
A colourful, rebellious neighbourhood oozing with countercultural vibrations.
Liberty London
One of London’s iconic flagship department stores, a shopping experience inside the Tudor-style building is a must-see, must-do for anyone ticking off London’s major spots.
Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus is the most buzzing place in London, and it's no surprise it's known as the Times Square of London.
Savile Row
Home of bespoke men's tailoring in London, Savile Row was the place where the elite came from around the world to have their suits custom fitted and designed. This is also the street where The Beatles played their last set on the rooftop.
Berwick Street
Known by all vinyl enthusiasts, Berwick Street is the spot to visit for finding vintage records and vinyls in London
Ziggy Stardust Plaque
This spot, now marked by a plaque, appears on the cover of Bowie's 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars'

Related Tours

London's West End: Soho, Covent Garden & Chinatown Private Tour

Explore the quaint yet uniquely vibrant streets of Soho, Covent Garden, and Chinatown, in the heart of London's West End, on this private walking tour of central London’s arts, music, shopping, gourmet, and theatre scene.

On your private tour, you will:

  • Enjoy a private walking tour of one of London's hippest parts of town;
  • Stroll through London’s Theatre District the famous West End, and enjoy the buzz and vibrant colours of Chinatown;
  • Wander the rickety cobbled streets, back alleys, and historic squares which are home to a plethora of boutiques, traditional pubs, late-night clubs, bars and gourmet restaurants;
  • Experience Soho’s myriad of alleys and squares, the home of risqué shops, clubs, and counter-culture;
  • Enjoy the huge variety of people, buskers and artists that make up Soho as you wander down famous Carnaby Street, Berwick Street and the spectacular Seven Dials;
  • Learn about the people who made Soho famous, including political figures like Karl Marx, literary figures like Charles Dickens, jazz legends like Louis Armstrong and rock stars like Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, David Bowie and so many more! 
  • Discover the lively energy of Covent Garden, a thriving hub on the West End, featuring iconic attractions like the renowned Apple Market! 


Soho is bursting with fascinating history, architectural curiosities and one of England’s most vibrant entertainment scenes. This colourful neighbourhood continues to be at the epicentre of British counterculture, the arts, and the LGBTQ community.

Home to the beautiful theatres of the West End, the area is full of actors, musicians and artists of all stripes, and consequentially is a hub of gourmet restaurants and fabulous bars too.

Walk around the colourful Chinatown with its deliciously mouth-watering aromas, and learn all about its fascinating history; get lost down the cobbled alleys around the magnificent Seven Dials; move away from the tourist traps on Oxford Circus and wander down the glittering Carnaby Street, stop in at Liberty, a famous shopping emporium, with the famous black and white Tudor architecture.

You’ll pass several historic places, including the Dog & Duck on Bateman Street, a pub from the mid-1700s, Royalty House - formerly Miss Kelly’s theatre, and where Charles Dickens worked as a stagehand, and Quo Vadis - the building where Karl Marx’s family lived in the mid 19th century, and where Engles and Marx worked together on the Communist Manifesto!

Admire the seamless blend of traditional old pubs, with modern clothes and music shops. Learn all about the people that made the area so special from rock stars to actors, political figures to writers. 
The Best of the Christmas Lights in London: Private Walking Tour

Experience the magical time of the holiday season in London on a Christmas Lights private walking tour where your tour guide will take you to the best areas with dazzling lights and decorations.

On your private tour, you will:

  • Explore Trafalgar Square and discover Norway's gift to the city of London;
  • Enjoy the Leicester Square Christmas Market, a great stop for hand-crafted goods and delicious food and drinks;
  • Walk the iconic Piccadilly Circus! (London’s equivalent to Times Square);
  • Stroll down Regent Street – synonymous with London at Christmas, with its breathtakingly stunning display of Christmas lights and Hamleys Toy Shop;
  • Walk up the dazzling Carnaby Street – bursting with creativity and glittery lights, always a holiday spectacular!;
  • Marvel at the iconic lights of St. Christopher's Place, just around the corner from Oxford Street;
  • Find perfect unique gifts at Connaught Village;
  • Embrace the Christmas spirit in London's Hyde Park;
  • Finish your tour at the lively Winter Wonderland, where you can taste amazing street food, go ice skating, listen to live music, and more!.

There is no better place to get into the Christmas spirit than a lively tour of central London: Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, and Regent Street – have all become synonymous with the razzle-dazzle of Christmas in London with their dazzling lights, beautiful shop-front displays, and joyful bustle and banter of the Christmas markets.

Your tour will start at Trafalgar Square to discover the gift that Oslo, the Norwegian capital city, gives to London every year for Christmas and hear the story that began this tradition.

You’ll have a chance to enjoy the Leicester Square Christmas Market and stop for a delicious warming hot chocolate or mulled wine, and heading towards Soho, your next stop will be the famous Carnaby Street.

Carnaby always displays amazing art installations and has a fabulous atmosphere, never more so than at Christmas when it sparkles! You’ll then walk down Regent Street, famous worldwide for its truly spectacular, dazzling, glittering Christmas light displays, and Hamleys Toy Shop, with the iconic Piccadilly Circus at the end.

You will end this magical tour in London's Hyde Park, home to the lively Winter Wonderland, where your guide will part ways with you so you can ice skate, listen to live music, enjoy different rides, or taste amazing street food at your leisure!

PLEASE NOTE: This tour runs only from November 18th till January 2nd.
See London's Magical Christmas Lights: Private Tour in a London Taxi

Enjoy a magical winter wonderland tour of the Christmas lights and famous sights of London in a classic London Taxi and an expert private guide to lead the way. See the most famous landmarks and shopping streets of London, all sparkling with truly spectacular light displays, festooned with garlands, Christmas trees, and dazzling decorations. 

On your private tour your will: 

  • Meet your expert driver guide at your hotel in central London or Embankment, and be swept up in a traditional London Taxi to see all the razzle-dazzle of London’s spectacular Christmas light displays; 
  • Visit the two most famous shopping areas of London: Regent Street and Oxford Street and be totally dazzled by their historic Christmas light shows that have been going on since 1948 and 1959;
  • Drive through marvellous Marylebone, always tastefully decorated, and admire the sumptuous window displays of the designer shops on upmarket Bond Street, festooned with garlands of holly and ivy as well as artistic lights;
  • Enjoy a walkabout and photo opportunity at Carnaby Street - always one of the most cheerful, ambitiously creative, and brightly coloured streets of London bordering Soho;
  • Wander around the famous Covent Garden - truly the hub of Christmas in London with its vibrant atmosphere, bright lights, comforting winter smells of mulled wine and giant 60-foot Christmas tree;
  • Stop at the iconic Trafalgar Square in central London with its majestic views towards Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the imposing Nelson’s Column, the magnificent National Gallery and at Christmas a vast 80-foot Christmas tree, an annual gift from Norway since 1947;
  • Enjoy drive-bys along famous streets like the Strand, and hidden gems like Connaught Street and the 7 Dials; 
  • Pass by Buckingham Palace - home of the British monarchy and stunningly flood-lit at night; 
  • Enjoy views of Westminster Abbey, the bridges over the River Thames, Piccadilly Circus with its flashing billboards, Marble Arch and Mayfair - all beautifully lit with festive cheer; 
  • Drive past the British Parliament, always flood-lit at night with added sparkle for Christmas and head to Chelsea, an upmarket borough of London famous for its dazzling Christmas lights around Sloane Square and the King’s Road.

Enjoy the magic of London’s streets lit up at Christmas time from the comfort of a classic London Cab. With your expert private guide, you’ll also get a whistle-stop tour of many of the most important and famous landmarks, streets, views, and markets of the British capital city! 

You’ll enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the Christmas markets, soak up the fairy-tale wonder of the dazzling light displays all over the city and learn about famous London sights, history, and Christmas traditions - all from a glass-roofed cab to ensure you make the very most of this incredible experience. 

Your 2.5-hour private driving tour will ensure you see all the best viewing points of London beautifully alight at Christmas! 
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