Regent Street celebrates 200th anniversary

2019 marks the 200th Anniversary since the naming of Regent Street and we are curating a series of events and celebratory moments to mark this momentous occasion.

200 years ago, Regent Street took its name from the Prince Regent, who instructed architect John Nash to build the street.

As London’s first intentionally-built shopping street, we are a global destination and will be celebrating in style along the length of our iconic curve and digitally with various activities, events and partnerships for visitors to the street or our channels to enjoy.

We’ll be unveiling more soon, so please keep checking for further details here and via our social media channels.

Follow @regentstreetw1 on Instagram and Twitter as well as Facebook and keep an eye on the hashtag #RegentStreet200

You can also keep in touch with activity and exclusive news by signing up to the Regent Street Newsletter at the bottom of this page.

Regent Street: A Timeline

• 1813: Under the New Street Act of 1913, John Nash submits his grand scheme for Regent Street

• 1819: Regent Street is named for the first time as part of the Annual Report

• 1825/6: The development of Regent Street finishes. Regent Street immediately recognised as the centre of London's social scene

• 1828: Carlton House Terrace (designed by John Nash) building commences

• 1833: Regent Street and St James Park linked together by the Duke of York’s Column and Steps

• 1837: Queen Victoria ascends to the throne

• 1848: Regent Street Colonnades removed – due to their reputation as a haunt for both pick-pockets and ladies of “ill-repute”

• 1851: The Great Exhibition opens at the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park

• 1859: Charles Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species' is published

• 1865: The Café Royal opens and quickly becomes a favourite for creatives of the day

• 1875: Liberty London opens - with just three dedicated members of staff

• 1881: Hamleys – the world’s oldest toyshop – opens on Regent Street

• 1890s: The last remaining stables on Swallow Street are replaced by the New Gallery. Today, this is home to Burberry

• 1890s - 1920s: The rebuilding of Regent Street takes place, with progress delayed by World War One. The only original Nash building remaining is All Soul's Church

• 1901: King Edward VII ascends to the throne

• 1908: London hosts its first Olympics

• 1910: King George V ascends to the throne

• 1918: The Representation of the People Act gave limited numbers of women the vote for the very first time

• 1922: The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) is created

• 1927: Regent Street is opened with King George V’s Royal Procession

• 1932: BBC Broadcasting House opened

• 1936: King Edward VIII ascends to the throne and abdicates in December that same year. King George VI ascends to the throne

• 1939 - 40s: Regent Street is hit during ‘The Blitz’ war-time bombing. Hamleys was bombed five times during this period

• 1952: Queen Elizabeth II ascends to the throne

• 1953: Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation parade includes a celebratory drive through Regent Street

• 1954: The first Regent Street Christmas Lights switch on takes place – marking the first ever Christmas Lights display in central London

• 1966: England wins the World Cup, defeating West Germany 4-2

• 1992: The Channel Tunnel opens, linking London and Paris by rail

• 2000s: Major redevelopment takes place on Regent Street

• 2012: First ever Summer Streets takes place on Regent Street

• 2014: Lower Regent Street renamed as Regent Street St James’s

• 2019: Regent Street celebrates 200th Anniversary