Guide to... Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus is possibly the most internationally known area in central London. As close as Londoners get to having a City Center not centrally located within the Metropolitan area, but nevertheless, a central London landmark. It is a major hub connecting Regent Street, Piccadilly, Leicester Square.
Piccadilly Circus dates from 1819 and features the world known aluminum EROS statue in the centre. Known in tourist folklore as the God of Love because of the Cupid like bow and arrow part of the statue, EROS is sometimes refered to as the Angel of Christian Charity, erected in tribute to the Earl of Shaftesbury, a Bible carrying reformer best known for his objections to child labour.
However, controversy surrounds EROS, as other historians claim it is designed as a statue to Anteros, Greek mythological brother of Eros, and the God of Love Returned, so much like a dynamically opposed viewpoint. Perhaps this is why the Londoners, in the main, prefer the Earl of Shaftsbury explanation and his philanthropic love for the poor as depicted by the statue.
Modern day Piccadilly Circus is a tourist magnet almost like no other. It boasts the famous neon style advertising, now mainly LED lit, similar to Times Square in New York. In addition you will find the London Pavillion, home at present to Ripley's Believe It or Not.
Also as a part of the London Pavillion there is the Trocadero). Piccadilly Tube station, originally built in 1906, is located directly under the central area of Piccadilly Circus. Piccadilly Circus has received many mentions in songs and musicals. There are few shops for the young and wealthy, however there are numerous stores, mainly aimed at tourists.
Explore Piccadilly Circus by browsing these categories
Eating Nightlife Shopping Sightseeing Accommodation Living Life Working Travel & Transport Studying Health & WellnessPopular Nearby Streets & Areas: Haymarket (0.12km) Babmaes Street (0.11km) Charles II Street (0.15km) Duke of York Street (0.16km) Jermyn Street (0.16km) Ormond Yard (0.16km) Panton House (0.09km) Princes Arcade (0.2km) Royal Opera Arcade (0.14km) St James's Market (0.06km)
Sanctum Soho Hotel
Centrally located in London's buzzy Soho is the five-star Karma Sanctum Soho hotel, an urban hideaway in the heart of...Read more
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Food Hygiene Ratings for Sanctum Soho Hotel
Hygiene Rating: 1/5
Inspected: on 2/7/18
Inspected: on 2/7/18
Apple Store (Regent Street)
One of the most popular shops on Regent Street and Apple's flagship store in London.Read more
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Piccadilly Circus Underground Station
Piccadilly Circus is a London Underground station located directly beneath Piccadilly Circus itself, with entrances...Read more
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Piccadilly Institute
Piccadilly Institute is London’s craziest place to party, a labyrinth of rooms to explore, you'll find somewhere to...Read more
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Platinum Lace (London)
Platinum Lace London prides itself on being part of the latest generation of clubs with entertainment for the adult...Read more
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Gap (Shaftesbury Ave)
Men's and Women's clothingRead more
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Lillywhites
Lillywhites was founded in 1863 by the Lillywhite family, a leading cricket family. As a gentleman was seen to...Read more
Fancy That of London
Fancy that of London is a chain of London gift and souvenir shops situated in prime positions in the West End of...Read more
Crest of London
Crest of London was established in 1990 and is the market leader in London souvenirs and novelty gift items. With 9...Read more
Thistle Piccadilly Hotel
Thistle Piccadilly offers an authentic Victorian exterior, nestled among key cultural locations. Whether you want to...Read more
Accommodation Hotels Coventry Street Leicester Square 4 Star Hotels
RainForest Cafe
Branches across the U.S. and in Shaftesbury Avenue. Food and shopping in an environment with a rain forest theme....Read more
Eating Restaurants Cafes & Coffee Shops Caribbean Restaurants Shaftesbury Avenue Soho
Clydesdale Bank
An independent British banking group with a strong personal customer base and a business banking capability through a...Read more
Chilli Shaker
We welcome you at Chilli Shaker indian restaurant in Soho, tempted by an unrivaled range of authentic &...Read more
Donuts & Baguettes
Best donuts in town, fresh ground coffee, tasty sandwiches , crunchy croissants straight from oven and many, many...Read more
Ikoyi
We combine bold heat and umami with the highest quality products we can find in a warm and welcoming environment. We...Read more
Eating Restaurants St James's St James's Market 1 Michelin Star
Ole & Steen (St James's Market)
We’ve been serving the Danish people with delicious breads and pastries made by hand for over 20 years, with time...Read more
Eating Bakeries Haymarket St James's Pâtisseries St James's Market
Criterion Theatre
A new circus comes to townHaving demolished the White Bear, a 17th century inn, Thomas Verity (Victorian...Read more
Tiger Tiger
Tiger Tiger London is the ultimate venue where you can Eat, Drink and Party all under one roof. Consisting of...Read more
Pizza Hut (Regent Street)
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Osprey London
This British heritage brand began with handstitched leather belts, bags and small leather goods for women and men....Read more
Shopping Men’s Fashion Women's Fashion St James's Regent Street
PRESS
Whilst living in LA and New York respectively, PRESS founders, Georgie and Ed, developed a love for cold-pressed...Read more
Eating Cafes & Coffee Shops Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants Denman Street Soho
Duck & Waffle Local
The idea for Duck & Waffle Local was conceived one morning over a coffee. Chef Dan and I were sitting in the...Read more
Pizza Hut (Haymarket)
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Map of Piccadilly Circus in London
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FAQs about Piccadilly Circus in London
Piccadilly Circus is one of the busiest areas of central London so unsurprisingly there is lots to see and do in the nearby area.
There are a few different theories about where the name Piccadilly originated and new theories are periodically touted. The debate has in fact gone on for hundreds of years which shows the significance of the area. There is an excellent description of the different theories available to read on British History Online (https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vols31-2/pt2/pp32-40).
Piccadilly Circus Photos
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Piccadilly Circus in the News
https://food.list.co.uk/place/95447-barbecoa-piccadi...
Published: Mon 24th Dec 2018 05:05 PM
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/8027270/inside...
Published: Sat 22nd Dec 2018 06:17 AM
Capital City Cloggers selected to dance in London New Year’s Day Parade
https://www.coladaily.com/2018/12/20/capital-city-cl...
Published: Thu 20th Dec 2018 03:23 PM
Who's watching you from an unmarked van while you shop in London? Cops with facial recog tech
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/12/17/met_police_...
Published: Wed 19th Dec 2018 11:01 PM
Met Police test facial recognition technology in London
https://www.softwaretestingnews.co.uk/met-police-tes...
Published: Tue 18th Dec 2018 05:10 PM
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