No tour of Britain would be complete without spending time in one or more of the historic towns and cities which dot the country and which offer hundreds of fascinating streets to explore. We’ve selected ten of the most memorable thoroughfares that are well worth a visit, whether you’re looking for ancient architecture, sensational vistas, centuries of history or superb shopping opportunities.

Gold Hill in Shaftesbury offers one of the finest views in England

Oxford Street, London

Perhaps the most famous street in London, Oxford Street is a magnet for shoppers from all over the world. This top destination boasts over 300 stores in a one mile stretch and is home to famous department stores and flagship retail outlets. As Europe’s busiest shopping street, be prepared for crowds as you join the 200 million people who visit each year!

Selfridges on Oxford Street at Christmas

Selfridges Oxford Street is one of the most famous shops in the world, founded by American businessman Henry Gordon Selfridge in 1909, and should not be missed. But it’s at Christmastime that Oxford Street truly comes to life, with dazzling Christmas lights and displays - perfect for a seasonal shopping extravaganza!

Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is at the heart of Scotland’s historic capital. Connecting magnificent Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyroodhouse, this ancient thoroughfare has been at the forefront of national celebrations in Scotland for hundreds of years.

The Royal Mile in Edinburgh © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

The Royal Mile is overlooked by impressive, towering tenements, between which cobbled closes and narrow stairways interlock to create a secret underground world. Peppered with attractions such as The Real Mary King’s Close or the Scottish Storytelling Centre, historical sites including St Giles' Cathedral and some of the best eating and drinking spots in the city.

The Shambles, York

One of York’s most famous landmarks, The Shambles is one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe, with buildings dating back to the 14th century. With its cobbled streets and overhanging buildings, it’s like stepping back in time to another world and, in fact, The Shambles is said to have been the inspiration behind Diagon Alley in the movie adaptation Harry Potter series.

The Shambles in York

Once a row of butchers’ shops, The Shambles was made narrow to keep the meat out of direct sunlight, but today the beautiful old buildings have been restored to house cheerful cafes and quirky boutiques.

Carnaby Street, London

For people of a certain age, Carnaby Street in London will forever be associated with the ‘Swinging Sixties’. Known as the ‘capital of cool’, Carnaby Street in Soho was where the British youth revolution of the 1960s is said to have begun.

Carnaby Street in London

In the 1970s punk took Carnaby Street by storm and a new wave of designers such as Vivienne Westwood and John Richmond moved in. Today, the famous pedestrianised shopping street is home to dozens of fashion and lifestyle retailers, including many independent boutiques that you’ll find nowhere else in Britain.

Steep Hill, Lincoln

Once named the best street in Britain, Steep Hill in the historic centre of Lincoln, connects Lincoln Uphill, where the magnificent cathedral is located, to the town centre below. Originally forming part of the Roman-built Ermine Street, which linked London and York via Lincoln, the aptly named Steep Hill has a thigh-straining 1 in 7 (14%) gradient (luckily there’s a handy shuttle bus too)!

Steep Hill in Lincoln © VisitBritain / Ellie Dyduch

One of Lincoln’s most popular visitor attractions, the cobbled street is lined with medieval half-timbered buildings bursting with quirky boutiques, welcoming tearooms and bustling pubs, and the climb to the top is well worth it. Lincoln Uphill is not only the site of the 11th century cathedral, once the tallest building in the world, but is also the location of Lincoln Castle, built by William the Conqueror in 1086 and now home to one of only four surviving original copies of Magna Carta.

Lower Gate Street, Conwy

Conwy in North Wales is one of Britain’s best preserved medieval towns, and Lower Gate Street on Conwy Quay is one of the most memorable streets in Wales. In the shadow of Conwy Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the street is a magnet for photographers who want to grab the best snaps of the iconic medieval fortress across Conwy Estuary, with the majestic mountains of Snowdonia in the distance.

Lower Gate Street in Conwy © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2024) Cymru Wales

Lower Gate Street sits beneath Conwy’s incredible town walls – among the most intact anywhere in Europe – and it is the site of the Smallest House in Great Britain, a delightfully dinky dwelling measuring just 72 inches (1.8 metres) wide by 122 inches (3 metres) high. Once a fisherman’s cottage, the house was occupied until 1900. Seafood lovers will enjoy Conwy Mussel Museum and Lower Gate Street is also the place go for boat trips and sightseeing cruises.

Gold Hill, Shaftesbury

Another steep but picturesque street, Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset, boasts one of the finest vistas in England. The view looking down from the top of the street has been described as one of the most romantic in the country and often appears on calendars, books, jigsaw puzzles and chocolate boxes.

Gold Hill in Shaftesbury © VisitBritain / Kelsey Harrington

While not everyone in England will instantly recognise its name, the hill was made famous in the 1970s in a nostalgic TV advert for a famous British brand of bread. The commercial is regularly voted Britain’s favourite of all time. The cobbled street runs beside the ancient walls of the now-ruined Shaftesbury Abbey, built by King Alfred the Great in the ninth century, and there are many glorious walks to be enjoyed in the area, giving visitors the chance to appreciate a lovely mix of thatched and stone properties in the town, quiet country lanes and unforgettable views.

Abbey Road, London

One of the most recognisable streets in London – well, the zebra crossing which featured on the cover of the Beatles’ album – Abbey Road is a popular destination for Beatles’ fans from all over the world.

Re-enacting the Beatles’ album cover in Abbey Road

The Beatles named their last studio album after the street, which is the location of EMI’s Abbey Road Studios where it was recorded, and the album's cover photograph famously shows the four group members walking across the zebra crossing, just outside the studio entrance. Fans flock to reproduce their own photographic version of the iconic image and the location is a mainstay of Beatles tours of London.

Princes Street, Edinburgh

One of the main throughfares in Edinburgh, Princes Street is not only the principal shopping street in the Scottish capital but is also a culturally significant part of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage status. Bulit in the 18th century, Princes Street graces the southern edge of Edinburgh’s New Town.

Princes Street in Edinburgh © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

As well as offering unrivalled views of Edinburgh Castle, the street’s gardens and key landmarks such as the Scott Monument and National Gallery of Scotland make it a must-visit destination on a trip to Edinburgh. Princes Street took its name from the sons of King George III and it started out as a quiet residential street. Today, most of the grand buildings are listed as being of historical significance and among the modern shops there are many architectural gems.

Mermaid Street, Rye

In the south east town of Rye, pretty Mermaid Street is said to be the most photographed street in England. Crammed with picture-postcard timber-framed buildings, the narrow, cobbled street meanders through the town and really does make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

Mermaid Street in Rye, Sussex

Rye is in Sussex, just ten miles from Hastings, the site of the famous battle, and was once on the coast, until the sea retreated. Today, this quintessentially English beauty spot is a haven for tourists. The iconic Mermaid Inn on Mermaid Street dates back to the 12th century and was previously a smugglers’ stronghold, with its cellars and secret passageways. At the top of Mermaid Street is Lamb House, the former home of novelist Henry James.

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tailor-made tour of Britain, exploring some of the country's finest streets, please do contact our friendly team today. We can take care of all aspects of your trip, from the minute you step off the plane.