5 Best Eyewear Stores in London (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Talise Sterling, Goods and Shopping · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 7 min read

Vision Express on Oxford Street has logged over 2,400 Google reviews, more than any other eyewear store in London on this page, yet it's the small High Holborn optician down the road that holds the highest rating at 4.9. Bigger isn't automatically better here, and the gap between the two is worth understanding before you book an eye test.

Short answer: Vision Express Opticians Oxford Street East leads on volume at 4.1 across 2,412 reviews, offering NHS-funded tests and a large frame range. For the highest satisfaction, Hodd Barnes & Dickins Opticians and Finlay both hold 4.9, the former known for personal service and rare Lindberg stock, the latter for handmade Italian frames from £150.

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1. Vision Express Opticia…
2. Hodd Barnes & Dickins…
3. Finlay
4. MOSCOT Beak Street Sho…
5. Ace & Tate
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Oxford Street to Soho: how the opticians compare

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	Vision Express Opticians - London - Oxford Street East	4.1 ★	2,412	Range and convenience / NHS tests	View ›
2	Hodd Barnes & Dickins Opticians	4.9 ★	484	Personal service / rare frames	View ›
3	Finlay	4.9 ★	282	Designer frames handmade in Italy	View ›
4	MOSCOT Beak Street Shop	4.7 ★	158	Heritage American style	View ›
5	Ace & Tate	4.4 ★	216	Modern styles / same-day glasses	View ›

Our picks for glasses and eye care

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Vision Express Opticians - London - Oxford Street East

4.12,412 Google reviews

Vision Express Opticians on Oxford Street East is a flagship branch of the national chain, offering eye tests, contact lens fittings and a wide range of designer glasses and sunglasses. Its own site notes advanced OCT 3D scan eye tests and same-day glasses service, alongside NHS-funded testing.

What people praise

Widest frame range on this page, including exclusive Varilux XR lenses
Same-day glasses service available
Staff repeatedly praised for patience and fittings
Free eyecare plan option for repeat customers

Worth knowing

Rating trails the smaller independents here

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.1 / 5

Review volume2,412 · 97th

Confidencehigh

Recency2 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown70% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The convenient, well-stocked default for anyone who wants an NHS-funded test and a big brand selection in one visit.

Website +442072928420 Directions

181-183 Oxford St, London W1D 2JT

#2🕑 Open 6 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Hodd Barnes & Dickins Opticians

4.9484 Google reviews

Hodd Barnes & Dickins Opticians is an independent shop on High Holborn known for a strong Lindberg collection, including the Gold and Horn range, alongside newer brands like Even Realities. Reviewers describe fast turnaround, even for out-of-town customers with urgent needs.

What people praise

Highest rating on this page, at 4.9
Same-day and next-day turnaround reported by multiple reviewers
Deep Lindberg frame stock, unusual for a shop this size
Staff repeatedly named and praised individually

Worth knowing

Closed Sundays, unlike the bigger chains

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume484 · 91st

Confidencehigh

Recency2 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown96% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The pick for anyone who wants genuinely personal attention and rare frame brands rather than a high-volume high-street experience.

Website +442072423492 Directions

94 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LF

#3🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Finlay

4.9282 Google reviews

Finlay is a Soho-based eyewear brand making its own sunglasses and spectacles in Italy from sustainable Mazzucchelli acetate, paired with Zeiss prescription lenses. Frames start around £150, and the shop also runs a comprehensive eye test service.

What people praise

Own-brand frames handmade in Italy, not just resold designer stock
Zeiss lenses fitted as standard
Reviewers highlight patient, unpressured styling advice
Strong five-star consistency across nearly 300 reviews

Worth knowing

Frame prices start higher than mass-market chains

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume282 · 79th

Confidencehigh

Recency6 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown95% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Worth the premium if you want a distinctive, well-made frame rather than a mainstream designer label.

Website +442034754890 Directions

61 Broadwick St, Carnaby, London W1F 9QT

#4🕑 Open 7 days

MOSCOT Beak Street Shop

4.7158 Google reviews

MOSCOT's Beak Street shop is the London outpost of the New York eyewear brand founded in 1915, known for its classic frame silhouettes and Zeiss lens partnership. It offers eye examinations and repairs alongside its signature frame range.

What people praise

Distinctive, recognisable frame styles not found at generic opticians
Zeiss lenses with a two-year warranty included
Staff went out of their way to ship glasses internationally for a customer
Complimentary lens cleaning cloth offered even to non-buyers

Worth knowing

One customer flagged a curt exchange over a return, worth knowing before a busy visit

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume158 · 50th

Confidencemoderate

Recency6 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown92% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A strong choice if MOSCOT's specific retro-American look is what you're after; the quality and warranty back up the price.

Website +442072870078 Directions

39 Beak St, Carnaby, London W1F 9SA

#5🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Ace & Tate

4.4216 Google reviews

Ace & Tate's Covent Garden shop is part of the Amsterdam-founded eyewear chain, offering eye tests, same-day glasses production and a modern frame range with a bundle discount on multiple pairs. It's positioned as a design-forward alternative to the traditional high-street optician.

What people praise

Same-day glasses production for standard prescriptions
Free adjustments and prescription checks even without a purchase
Bundle pricing when buying two pairs at once

Worth knowing

A few reviewers reported fit and comfort issues with certain frame shapes
Rating is the lowest on this page, worth weighing against the convenience

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.4 / 5

Review volume216 · 68th

Confidencemoderate

Recency3 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown80% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Good for speed and modern styling, but ask for extra time on the fitting if you have a less common face shape.

Website +442045879978 Directions

10 Earlham St, London WC2H 9LN

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How we score

Rating is each optician’s live Google average. Review volume measures how many customers actually left a review, ranked against the others on this page. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, and recency checks how recently people are still reviewing. No business can pay to change any of these numbers.

How much do glasses cost in London? (2026)

NHS-funded eye tests are available at chains like Vision Express for eligible customers, while private tests generally run separately. Frame prices vary widely by brand: Finlay’s own-label frames start around £150, and independent shops with rare designer stock like Hodd Barnes & Dickins will price higher depending on the brand.

Job	Typical price
Finlay own-brand spectacles	From £150

Compiled August 2026 from the businesses’ own published pricing.

Serving central London

These opticians cluster around Oxford Street, Soho, Carnaby and High Holborn, all within easy walking distance or a short Tube ride of each other. If you’re searching for an optician or eyewear store near me in the West End, this stretch covers big chains, heritage brands and independents in one afternoon.

What to ask before booking an eye test

Is my eye test NHS-funded or private?
How long will same-day glasses production actually take?
What lens brand comes as standard, and is an upgrade extra?
Do you offer free adjustments after I’ve worn the glasses a few days?
What’s your returns or exchange policy on frames?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these eyewear stores?

We compared eyewear stores in London using real Google ratings, review counts and what customers say in their reviews, then ranked them on that public data.

How often is this updated?

This page reflects Google data verified in August 2026 and is refreshed periodically as ratings and review counts change.

Which London optician has the widest frame selection?

Vision Express Oxford Street East carries the broadest range on this page, backed by the most reviews.

Can I get same-day glasses in London?

Yes, both Vision Express and Ace & Tate offer same-day glasses for standard prescriptions.

The bottom line

For a fast, well-stocked eye test, Vision Express Oxford Street East is the safe default. If you want a frame that stands out and staff who know your name by the second visit, Hodd Barnes & Dickins is worth the trip to High Holborn.

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