'It's like a ghost town': Eerie pictures show central London deserted on Christmas Day

The capital’s thronging squares and rammed high streets were like a “ghost town” yesterday as millions of Londoners and tourists enjoyed Christmas at home.

Iconic hotspots such as Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street and Covent Garden are almost always crowded and loud – but yesterday morning they were deserted.

There was almost no traffic on the roads, allowing those few who did venture out the rare chance to stroll across the centre of Oxford Circus or dance in the middle of Tottenham Court Road.

Photographer Jon Cartwright, 41, took the opportunity to photograph some of London’s busiest areas in the “eerie” Christmas quiet.

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Oxford Street is normally one of the busiest places in London (Jon Cartwright)

“It’s definitely got a post-apocalyptic feel because these places are teeming with people all other times,” he told the Standard.

“It’s the one time you can go to Piccadilly Circus or Covent Garden and it’s empty.

“There’s a real ‘28 days later’ atmosphere, it’s like an abandoned ghost town."

Mr Cartwright, a professional photographer who has lived in central London for 16 years, added that he saw just the occasional tourist out in central London during the entire morning.

Christmas Day also saw an annual cycle ride through central London, which starts in Greenwich.

The festive tradition allows cyclist a golden opportunity to zoom through London’s famous streets with almost the entire road to themselves.

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