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Regent Street facts for kids

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Regent Street
Regent Street London.jpg
Looking north along Regent Street in April 2011, with Union Flags hung to celebrate the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Namesake George, Prince Regent of the United Kingdom
Maintained by Transport for London
Location London, United Kingdom
Nearest tube station
Construction
Other
Designer John Nash, James Burton
Known for
  • Liberty
  • Hamleys
  • Apple Store
  • University of Westminster

Regent Street is a famous shopping street in London, England. It's a popular spot for both Londoners and visitors from all over the world. During Christmas, the street lights up with amazing decorations.

The street is named after Prince Regent, who later became King George IV.

A famous architect named John Nash designed Regent Street. Even though the street's original layout is still there, almost all the buildings have been rebuilt. The only original building left is All Souls Church.

Every building on Regent Street is considered special and protected by law. This whole area is called the Regent Street Conservation Area.

You might even know Regent Street from the board game Monopoly! It's one of the streets you can buy in the United Kingdom version.

History of Regent Street

Regent Street was built between 1811 and 1825. It was part of a big plan by John Nash to connect the Prince Regent's home, Carlton House, with Regent's Park. The street was meant to be a grand path for the Prince Regent to travel.

Who designed Regent Street?

The main designer was John Nash. He planned the overall shape and look of the street. Another important person was James Burton. He built most of the buildings on the street.

Why was it rebuilt?

Most of the buildings on Regent Street were rebuilt between 1895 and 1927. This happened because the original buildings were getting old and needed repairs. Also, shops wanted bigger and more modern spaces. The new buildings kept the grand style of the original design.

Shopping and Fun

Regent Street is known for its many shops, including famous ones like Liberty and Hamleys, a huge toy store. There's also a large Apple Store here.

Christmas Lights

Every year, Regent Street puts on a fantastic display of Christmas lights. People come from all over to see them. The lights are usually switched on in November, marking the start of the holiday season in London.

Events on the Street

Sometimes, special events happen on Regent Street. For example, in 2004, a Formula One car was driven down the street! This shows how important and famous Regent Street is.

Landmarks and Buildings

Besides the shops, Regent Street has some important buildings.

  • All Souls Church: This church is the only building left from John Nash's original design. It's a beautiful church with a round tower.
  • Broadcasting House: This building is just north of Regent Street. It's the headquarters for the BBC, which is the United Kingdom's public broadcaster.
  • University of Westminster: Part of the University of Westminster is located on Regent Street. Many students study here.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Regent Street para niños

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