In the heart of central London’s busiest shopping district lies Oxford Street, which runs from Marble Arch to St Giles’ Circus, crossing Tottenham Court Road and Charing Cross Road on the way.

For 500 years up until the late 18th century Oxford Street was known as Tyburn Street, a name that struck fear into the hearts of condemned prisoners of the time. This was the final road for men on their way to the gallows at Tyburn from the nearby Newgate Prison.

The street’s present name comes from the Earl of Oxford who, in the 18th century, bought up much of the surrounding land in order to develop it. This development continued until the early 20th century and resulted in the thriving shopping area we see now.

Oxford Street also takes it’s place on the Monopoly board as part of a set with Bond Street and Regent Street.