Oxford Circus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Oxford Circus
Oxford Circus in November 2009 with new diagonal crossing
Location
Westminster, London, UK
Coordinates:	51°30′55″N 0°08′31″W / 51.5153°N 0.142°W / 51.5153; -0.142
Roads at junction:	Regent Street and Oxford Street
Construction
Type:	Intersection
Map
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A panoramic view of Oxford Circus, looking down Regent Street, as it was in March 2006

Oxford Circus is a very busy place in the heart of London, England. It's where two famous streets, Oxford Street and Regent Street, meet. Right underneath this busy spot is the Oxford Circus tube station, which is part of London's underground train system.

History of Oxford Circus

Oxford Circus was built a long time ago, at the start of the 1800s. A famous architect named John Nash designed it. He was known for designing many important buildings and areas in London.

How to Cross Oxford Circus: The Diagonal Crossing

In 2009, the local government, Westminster City Council, started a big project for Oxford Circus. They spent about £4 million to make it easier and safer for people to cross the road.

This new design lets people cross the intersection in a special way. Instead of just walking straight ahead, you can now walk diagonally across the middle! This is sometimes called a "pedestrian scramble" because everyone can cross at the same time, like a big scramble. It's similar to a famous crossing in Tokyo, Japan, called the Shibuya crossing.

The new diagonal crossing opened on November 2, 2009. By then, the cost had gone up to £5 million. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said it was a great idea. He called it a "triumph" for British engineering and Japanese ideas, saying it just made good sense. However, some people pointed out that a similar crossing in another part of London, Balham, had opened in 2005 and only cost about £98,000.

Images for kids

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  The Life Guards parading across Regent Circus North around 1840, past The London General Mourning Warehouse

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  Oxford Circus in 1904, still showing John Nash's original design

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  Oxford Circus in 1949 with temporary facade to the Peter Robinson building

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  One of the entrances to Oxford Circus tube station

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  Extinction Rebellion protesting in Oxford Circus with the Berta Cáceres boat

See also

In Spanish: Oxford Circus para niños