For style, fun, bargains - and plenty of festive treats - hit the shops on London's Oxford Street

ITH its landmark stores and permanent buzz, there is no substitute for London’s Oxford Street.

And, for shoppers in Oxford, it is ridiculously easy to reach – with the Oxford Tube and X90 coaches from Gloucester Green or Thornhill Park and Ride, on the edge of the city, touching down at Marble Arch – the gateway to shopping heaven.

Oxford Street is Europe’s longest shopping street – with three miles and more than four million sq ft of retail therapy, running from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road. Always buzzing, at Christmas it takes on a life of its own with as the nation’s shop window.

Festooned with tasteful lights and silver globes, shoppers are treated to more stores than virtually any major shopping street in the world – including Paris’s Champs Elysees or Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive.

The iconic draws here are Selfridges, John Lewis, House of Fraser, Debenhams and the flagship home of Marks & Spencer.

Then there are those old favourites Gap, Coast, River Island, Burton, Disney, BHS, Urban Outfitters, Monsoon, Topshop and Topman, two huge branches of Primark at either end of the street, and, for music and film fans, one of the last remaining HMV stores – and a vintage delight it is too.

Most offer eye-popping festive bargains in the run-up to the big day – with even bigger savings to follow in the traditional sales.

“Oxford Street lives up to its reputation as the world’s most famous high street every Christmas,” says Jace Tyrrell, of the New West End Company. “With three miles of iconic flagship stores and favourite international brands lit up by the spectacular Oxford Street Christmas Lights, there is nowhere else like it. But the fun doesn’t stop with just shopping. The street, and the streets directly off it, are packed with a variety of renowned restaurants, hotels and entertainment choices to suit any taste and price.

Oxford Mail:

“This is Christmas shopping to remember – and a true Great British tradition.”

Any day out on Oxford Street has to start at Selfridges (400 Oxford Street, selfridges.com) – voted Best Department Store in the World.

The grande dame of London shopping, this ornate palace to consumerism has held court since 1909, and is the country’s second biggest shop, after Harrods.

Stand-out attractions include the food hall and the Wonder Room – a glittering treasure trove of jewellery and watches, whose delights are worth a lustful leer, even if you can’t quite stretch to splashing out.

For help with Christmas shopping, visit the store’s ‘Elfridges’. With an encyclopaedic knowledge of every item in the store and an extraordinary ability to find the perfect last-minute gift, the Elfs really are Santa’s little helpers. Best of all, their advice comes free and covers any item, no matter how small.

The other big destination store is John Lewis (300 Oxford Street, 020 7629 7711, johnlewis.com), which, like Selfridges, prides itself on its fabulous window display.

This season it’s all about those cute penguins – made famous by that advert.

The star of the commercial, Monty, even has his own al fresco space: Monty’s Winter Roof Garden, where you can take advantage of the panoramic views of the West End while keeping warm with a drink from the Hotel Chocolat hot chocolate bar. And, for the very young, or just the very playful, you can get your photo taken with Monty himself.

For something more substantial, you can’t beat the traditional pastime of afternoon tea. And nowhere beats Lanes of London (140 Park Lane, 020 7647 5664, lanesoflondon.com), around the corner on Park Lane.

Oxford Mail:

Festive treats at Lanes of London

It’s a serene oasis of old-fashioned calm; respite from the festive buzz outside. For the full-on experience, order a Festive Afternoon Tea (£23) – complete with sandwiches (crusts off, naturally), scones with strawberry compote and clotted cream, and seasonal cakes – including a Christmas pudding macaroon, and a gingerbread cottage with mascarpone yule log.

Wash it down with a fine tea or coffee. Or, for for a proper Oxford Street Christmas treat, Champagne. Go on. You’ve earned it!