Located in the centre of London, Tottenham Court Road is a three lane one-way road which runs north from the intersection of Oxford Street and Charing Cross Road (St Giles Circus) to Euston Road in Camden. This shopping strip it is best known for its electrical, audio and furniture stores. So if you are in the market for computers, cameras, hi-fis or furniture, this is THE place to head to!
The southern end of Tottenham Court Road, near Oxford Street, is where you will find all things electrical. The Sony Centre, Musical Vision, Microworld House of Electronics and House of Computers have all your electrical and audio needs, wants and desires. There are also numerous discount shops scattered amongst these if you are on the bargain hunt.
The northern end of Tottenham Court Road is where the furniture retailers are located. Furniture store Heals has high quality, stylish and modern furnishings, linen, rugs and accessories for your house or office. Nearby is international furniture, home-ware and garden store, Habitat. The products are chic in design, well made and of good value.
Whitefield Gardens, which is opposite Heals and Habitat, is great for relaxing in or to walk around and take in the artwork. There is a painting over 60 feet high on the side of a house and there are 13 newly erected glass panels with collages of people associated with the area on both sides.
For entertainment value, the Odeon cinema complex is a 5 minute walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station. Known for their art deco architecture, the Odeon chain has a different character to most other cinemas in the UK with very unique interiors.
Down the road from the Odeon is the Dominion Theatre London. Close to St Giles' Circus and Centre Point Tower, it mainly hosts live stage shows and concerts. We Will Rock You, the hit stage musical based on the songs of Queen, was opened here in 2002 by British comedian, author and writer of the production, Ben Elton. Nearby Charlotte Street, which intersects Goodge Street, is excellent for dining, drinking and snacking - very popular for its great selection of restaurants and is easy to get to before or after catching a film at the Odeon or a production at Dominion Theatre.
For a slightly different type of entertainment, Tottenham Court Road is also home to Central Londons first branch of the international lap dancing club, Spearmint Rhino GentlemenŽs Club. If you feel the need to pay a visit, youŽll find the strip club near to Warren Street tube station but be prepared to pay higher than normal prices, but, like most things, you get what you pay for!
The nearest underground stations to Tottenham Court Road are Warren Street and Goodge Street stations at the northen end, and Tottenham Court Road station at the southern end, which is only a few minutes walking distance to Oxford Circus tube. Buses also run all the way along this road.
Within a few minutes walk you are at Covent Garden with its markets and street performers. Here there are many restaurants catering for the theatre visitors. Walk the short distance to Oxford Street and within 10 minutes you are in the Bond Street area and another 5 minutes will bring you to Mayfair, one of Londond most expensive areas
Something else to keep in mind is that Tottenham Court Road underground station is an experience in itself! 1000 square metres of mosaic tiles were installed throughout the station in the early 1980s with the themes based on everyday city life. Each line has a very different style - the Central line has brighter and more flamboyant colours then the harsher designs of the Northern line. It certainly makes for a more interesting stroll throughout the underground.
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