Oxford Street, London 1968

This authentic 1960s colour photograph captures the vibrant, bustling energy of Oxford Street in 1968, looking east toward the heart of the West End. The road is packed with iconic period vehicles, led by a bright red Morris Mini and a classic red double-decker bus on route 6 toward Kensal Rise Station. Along the left side of the street, popular retailers of the era are visible, including Paige and Salisbury’s and Thomas Wallis, with shoppers in quintessential late-sixties fashions—mini-dresses, colourful coats, and smart suits—lining the wide pavements. Tall, slender modernist street lamps and the repetitive grid of post-war office buildings define the urban landscape, while a traditional bus stop sign marks a busy gathering point for commuters. The clear blue sky and bright daylight illuminate the mix of historic brickwork and contemporary architecture that characterises this famous shopping district. This digital download is an exceptional record of London’s retail heyday, perfect to print for yourself as a piece of nostalgic mid-century wall art.