As a tour guide in London, and a resident of over 20 years, I get asked about Piccadilly Circus a lot. Most people just straight up ask me, "What is Piccadilly Circus?" The short answer is that it's a traffic junction. But in reality, there is so much more there to explore!
In addition to guiding tours in the area, I spent quite a bit of time nearby so I'm always happy to help people find something fun to do, or answer their Piccadilly Circus related questions on our London Travel Tips Facebook page.
So I've put together this post as a master list of things to do at Piccadilly Circus, to help you find the best way to explore it for yourself.
Despite the high number of tourists, us Londoners do spend time here! It's an area I love and I know you will too.
WHAT IS PICCADILLY CIRCUS?
I'm a history nerd, so I am always wanting to share the origins of place names in London - especially to people on my tours. Piccadilly Circus is a good example of the interesting ways London neighbourhoods, landmarks and locations come about their various names.
The ‘Piccadilly’ part of the name dates back to 1612 when a tailor named Roger Baker lived in the area, and made a fortune selling piccadils.
Piccadils are stiff elaborate neck collars worn by fashionable people in the 17th century. (I wouldn't mind bringing these back inti style one day...what do you think?)
Locals referred to the tailor's house as 'Piccadil Hall', which then over time became simply Piccadilly.
As for 'Circus', this word comes from the Latin word for ring or circle and was commonly used by Romans to refer to public areas like this.
Though the ring over time morphed into a square, and then to an exceptionally busy traffic junction, its original name remained.
Piccadilly Circus is located on the edge of London’s West End, in the city of Westminster.
It has several notable sites and attractions and is one of the busiest road junctions in London.
You can reach this landmark easily by using the London Underground, most notably Piccadilly Circus Station. Although, I recommend taking a bus as there are some great views no matter which direction I come from: Lovely Mayfair if coming from the west and I always enjoy a good ride down Shaftesbury Avenue from the east.
If you are new to the London subway system, then take a read of my guide to using the Underground. And trust me when I tell you that although it looks confusing to begin with, you'll get the hang of it in no time! I genuinely think it's the best city subway system in the world.
Or, if you'd like to explore the area with me (or one of my colleagues), we offer numerous walking tours of the area! You can explore it with us on our Rock n' Roll Tour and our Soho, Piccadilly Circus and Chinatown Tour. We also visit on our seasonal Christmas Lights Tour and our family-friendly Harry Potter Tour (where you get your own bottle of butterbeer!).
It's within walking distance of the start and finish of our Royal Westminster and All in One Tours, too. In fact, I usually finish my Westminster Tour in Parliament Square then wander up this way to see what's new or do some shopping.
Alternatively, you can also get here using a hop-on-hop-off bus tour. All bus companies stop here.
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND PICCADILLY CIRCUS
1. See the Piccadilly Lights
When I tell people that Piccadilly Circus is a traffic junction, I can tell sometimes they are a bit confused as to why people would bother going there! But I've found the big draw are the video displays and giant screens with various advertisements. The original electric advertising boards here over 100 years ago were some of the first in the world!
I also sometimes refer to it as London's version of Times Square in New York.
The lights can be found at the centre of the circus, just across the street from the London Underground stop.
Trust me when I tell you, pretty difficult to miss this landmark, as it lights up the entire junction throughout the night.
Throughout the years there have been varying signs here - the ones I remember most clearly are for Coca Cola and Sanyo. But these days, the whole thing has been brought to the 21st century with a singular giant LED screen, showcasing an ever evolving assortment of images.
Different brands can pay to use the screen, and the advertisements here are so changeable on dynamic, they actually have their own Instagram account!
My favourite are always the Christmas advertisements but the ones that appear to be 3-D always blow my mind.
2. Check Out the Theatre District
As a London tour guide, one of the questions I get asked the most is, "What show should I see in London?" Truthfully, this is definitely an individual choice! I love a musical, so usually recommend those (Les Miserables, Lion King and Wicked come to mind - oh, and Back the Future which surprised me with the incredibly technology!) but there are plenty of different genres to go around.
Most of the theatres in London are located in the West End, right where Piccadilly Circus is. Here are a plethora of theatres showing some of the most popular musicals and plays in the world.
See what's playing (affiliate disclosure).
A lot of my guests are also worried about the cost of the shows and I always direct them to my post on getting discount theatre tickets! I very rarely pay full price to see a show in London. Maybe if it's something brand new that I am desperate to see (like when the Book of Mormon first came out), I'll splash out, but usually I check out the TKTS booth/website to see what's on offer at a discount price and let the price dictate what show I'm going to see.
There are also lotteries you can join to try to get low-cost tickets. I've got front row tickets to brand new shows for £25.00 twice now using TodayTix, so I like to recommend them to my visitors.
3. Discover Harry Potter Locations
If you've read any of my posts before, you'll already know I'm a big Harry Potter fan! If you're in the same boat, there are some Harry Potter-related spots here you'll definitely want to check out as some of the locations nearby were used during the filming of the movie series, particularly Deathly Hallows Part 1.
As a matter of fact, we include some of these sites on our Harry Potter walking tour which runs near the area, including the real Diagon Alley. Of course I am going to say our Harry Potter Tour is fantastic but I am being honest when I say it's the best in the city! And the only one that includes a bottle of Butterbeer with your ticket.
If you're on a really tight budget, I also wrote a self-guided tour of Harry Potter London locations that you can take for free!
After taking a tour, you might also want to check out the House of MinaLima, which features a variety of Potter-related goods and even a few props from the Harry Potter movies. I have some fantastic art prints I bought there, as well as some Wizarding World-inspired candles! I always see stuff there for all ages so if you are travelling as a family, put this on your list.
If you’re looking for even more family-friendly activities, take a look at my things to do with kids section. (I am not a parent but have two nephews and a niece with very high standards so I promise everything is kid-tested and adult-approved!)
We offer a variety of walking tours in the area which cover several different subjects.
If you’re looking for an overview of the nearby neighbourhoods, consider taking our tour of Piccadilly Circus, Chinatown, and Soho or our Rock n' Roll Tour, which is a MUST for any fans of the Beatles, Rolling Stones and/or David Bowie. You'll discover where John Lennon met Yoko Ono and where Jimi Hendrix made his first appearance in town.
I've also written a free, self-guided version which you can see below.
Our travel virtually with Sinead and Tours by Foot London in this video:
5. Visit Trafalgar Square
Head South of Leicester Square to reach yet another popular public area that features a variety of statues, monuments, and memorials amid two very large fountains at the centre.
Trafalgar Square has been sitting in the heart of the City of Westminster since the 1840s when it was constructed to create an ‘Italian-style piazza’ in the centre of town. (I will point out that I always have Italians on my tours who are a bit perplexed by this description!)
Personally, my friends and I would never actively spend time in Trafalgar Square but it's a great place to meet up when heading out in town and I am often there to visit the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. The latter is a particular favourite of mine as I specialise in the history of the Monarchy and I love to see all the original Holbein and Tudor portraits there!
A lot of my European visitors are surprised to hear that admission to both museums is entirely free, so make sure to take advantage of that!
This is also the home of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, a historic church where you can enjoy free concerts at various times throughout the week. I particularly like their candlelight concerts where I get to sit in the church, with no electric lighting - just candles - and enjoy a classical concert. It always feels like going back in time and I've nabbed tickets for under £20 quite affordable few times so it's affordable, too!
MY TIP: If you are in London during the Christmas holidays, you can see the beautiful lights. Trafalgar Square has a splendid display and is also home to our city's official Christmas Tree. See my post about Christmas Lights and Decorations in London or join us on our seasonal Christmas Lights Tour!
6. Shop on Regent Street
I get asked a lot of "real" Londoners shop in places like Oxford Street and Regent Street and the answer is yes! Granted, my friends and I would likely avoid them on the weekends as the crowds can be a bit much, but I definitely shop here.
Honestly, even if I'm not in the market to buy anything I do like to walk along Regent Street to check out the interesting shop windows and just enjoy the atmosphere.
Regent Street runs Northwest from the centre of the circus and includes a lot of popular shopping destinations.
Here are just a few of the stores you may want to visit:
- Tommy Hilfiger
- Anthropologie
- POLO Ralph Lauren
- Coach
- Apple
- Hamleys (This is my top recommendation for anybody travelling with children or anybody looking to buy gifts for kids. This is a famous toy store that has to be seen to be believed! I like to go in just to see what's new as it's such a joyful place.)
From Regent Street, you can get to Oxford Circus for even more shopping - and my favourites: John Lewis and Selfridges.
7. Go to Leicester Square
On the other hand, if I am asked if "real" Londoners go to Leicester Square the answer is usually no!
Honestly, I will walk through the Square if I'm going between Mayfair and Covent Garden, if I am seeing a show nearby, or if the Christmas Market is on. But otherwise, the Square is primarily the habitat of tourists.
It's a rather small public square which is a popular stop for visitors and families. There are a couple statues and some benches to sit on, but most people come for the things that surround it: M&Ms World, the Lego Store, and the Empire Casino.
This is also where you will find Swiss Court, formerly the site of the Swiss Centre, a building that showcased the culture of Switzerland.
All that remains is the Swiss Glockenspiel, a large clock with 27 bells and several interesting figurines that circle the clock when the bells ring at 12 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm, and 8 pm. I confess that although I don't love Leicester Square, I will always stop to watch the clock if it chimes while I am passing through!
See my guide to Leicester Square for more details.
8. See Memorials & Statues
I'm a history buff so I wanted to include some of my favourite memorials, monuments, and statues that you can find in the general vicinity of Piccadilly Circus.
- Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain (I are this one erroneously being referred to as the Statue of Eros all the time)
- Equestrian Statue of Charles I (He is actually facing the site of his execution!)
- The Horses of Helios
- Swiss Glockenspiel
- Nelson’s Column
- King George IV Statue (My cat is named after him so this is a personal favourite.)
- King William III Statue
- William Shakespeare Statue
- George Washington Statue (His figure stands on top of soil imported from the United States!)
- Trafalgar Square Fountains and Lions (Don't climb on the lions! We used to do it all the time but these days it'll get you a fine.)
These are just a handful of the interesting historic sites to see in this neighborhood, and they’re all free to enjoy.
Take a look at my free things to do section for even more great activities that won’t cost you anything.
9. Visit St. James’s Square
I love a charming, English garden square and this is a lovely one.
St. James’s Square is just a few blocks from both St. James’s Church and St. James’s Palace, two very important and historic locations in London.
In addition to these notable locations, there are also a lot of wonderful examples of Georgian architecture(some of my favourite) along this square.
This is where you will find such sites as the London Library as well as the headquarters of Rolex, BP, and several other famous and popular businesses. You'll also see one of the most moving statues/memorials in the city (in my opinion, anyway): The Lai Tai Han Mother & Child. It was erected in 2019 and I noticed there wasn't as much publicity as I think it deserves so I wanted to mention it here.
10. Save Money with a Tourist Attraction Pass
Another thing I see a lot on our London Travel Tips Facebook Page is people asking if London tourist passes are worth it. I truly depends on what you want to see but, in general, I think these are great ways to save some money!
Several of the most notable sites around Piccadilly Circus are included with one or more London tourist passes.
These passes could save you up to 55% off ticket prices by bundling them all together. And, in my opinion, just as importantly, these passes could also save you time as many attractions offer skip-the-line privileges. I'm an impatient person so I love not having to queue!
Here are a few of the locations where you can save money with a tourist card:
- Curzon Cinema in Soho/Mayfair
- Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour
- The Cartoon Museum
- Benjamin Franklin House (I LOVE their audio/visual tour it is so cool!)
- West End Theatres
- Hard Rock Cafe (Not my favourite but I have a lot of visitors who like to go.)
- Wellington Arch
- Apsley House (With my favourite address in the whole city: Number 1, London.)
- M&M’s World (Again, not my favourite but this one is HUGE with visitors - especially those visiting from places where M&Ms aren't very popular.)
So you see, depending on what's on your list, this could be a great way to save money on your bill!
For more details, check my London tourist pass section.
FREE THINGS TO DO
One of the reasons I love running name-your-own-price tours is that it makes my city accessible to everybody, regardless of their budget!
So, in this section, I will cover some of the best things to do at Piccadilly Circus which won’t cost you a single penny.
If you’re looking for more fun and complimentary activities, check out my full post covering free things to do in London. I guarantee there is more than you think!
Visit the National Gallery and Other Free Museums
Several museums near Piccadilly Circus offer free admission to all visitors.
Admission is free every day, and donations are welcome whenever possible. One of my favourite things about this museum is that it's open until 21:00 (9:00pm) on Fridays! This is always one of my suggestions when people ask me what to do in London at night (although I have an even bigger list in this blog post).
Entry is free throughout the week, but donations are welcome. This museum stays open until 21:00 (9:00 pm) on Friday AND Saturday nights! I mentioned it above, but this is one of my favourite museums as I love seeing all the images of British Kings and Queens throughout the centuries.
Admission is always free, but exhibits and special events may cost more. This museum keeps its doors open until 21:00 (9:00 pm) on Friday nights, also. My top recommendation here is to check out the courtyard! Even if I'm not going inside the gallery, I will swing by the courtyard a few times a year to see what art they have on showcase there, as it's always changing.
For more locations that don’t charge an entry fee, make sure to read my full post on free museums in London.
See the Fountains
I love a water fountain! There is just something so charming about them and there are a few to see in the neighbourhoods surrounding Piccadilly Circus.
Located near the centre of Piccadilly Circus, this fountain was built in the late 1800s and it remains one of the most beautiful landmarks in the area.
I'm going to tell you now that this fountain has no water, so be prepared! I also notice that people call this "the Statue of Eros" a lot but this is incorrect. It's right in the heart of Piccadilly Circus which makes it VERY busy so I suggest going by early in the morning or late at night, if you can.
There are two giant fountains at the centre of this public square.
Although they’ve been here since the 1800s, a 2009 restoration added LED lighting for extra special displays after dark and I never get tired of seeing them lit up!
They'll also change the fountain colours for special events. For example, I remember when Princess Charlotte was born, they lit up the fountains in pink to celebrate, which I thought was fun.
I love this fountain and I feel like most people walk past it without a second look!
Found on the corner of Coventry and Haymarket, this fountain depicts four bronze horses rearing and bursting from the water.
You’ll find even more great monuments and sculptures throughout the surrounding neighbourhood and I cover some of these sites on my list of Memorials & Statues near Piccadilly Circus, which is higher up on this page.
See Street Performers
Now I want to make one thing clear here: Street Performers in London are fantastic! However, there are a lot of scammers out there running their weird card and/or cup games or trying to hand out flowers to people then chase them down for money. For this reason, I always urge you to be careful - and I always have an extra eye or hand on my bag when I'm watching performers in these areas so I recommend that you do the same.
For the purposes of this section, I am talking about the legitimate street performers you'll find in near the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, in Leicester Square, and in Covent Garden (my personal favourite spot for street performers is in the piazza there).
Chances are that you’ll see at least a few street performers while walking around Piccadilly Circus.
This public circle is a popular location for performance artists who want to show off their skills! I've seen singers, dancers, musicians, acrobats and the ever popular living statues - I love that I never know exactly what I'll find when I pass by.
While street performers do accept donations (and I see more of them have little terminals for card payments these days), you don’t have to pay anything to stop and watch the show.
Take in the View at the Cafe at Waterstones
Looking for a good view of London? I've got a blog post all about that topic, but there is one little-known space in Piccadilly Circus I want to share with you.
The Waterstones Book Store on Piccadilly is actually the largest bookstore in Europe - and a place I visit at least once a month!
However, what a lot of shoppers don't realise is that there's a Waterstones cafe and bar open on the fifth floor of the building. It's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and has a lovely cocktail menu. They even do a 2 for 1 Happy Hour 6 days of the week (the Blood Orange Gin Bowl is my favourite)!
Of course, you don't actually need to purchase anything to enjoy the view, but I do recommend it.
From here location, I can see Westminster Abbey, St. James’s Palace, and many other historic buildings in the distance. I also like seeing the intricate rooftops of the surrounding buildings - it really is a charming view.
If you’re looking for more fun and complimentary activities, check out my full post covering free things to do in London.
NIGHTTIME ACTIVITIES
This section will cover some of the more entertaining things you can do at Piccadilly Circus after dark. Piccadilly Circus is near the West End and also Soho, which tend to be the two most popular London locations for nightlife, so there's plenty to do here!
When visitors on my tours ask for night life recommendations, I almost always send them somewhere within walking distance of Piccadilly Circus.
Don’t forget to check my other sections for even more ideas like seeing the illuminated signs or a West End Show.
For additional activities, you can enjoy when the sun goes down, read my full post about what to do at night in London.
Go to a Museum After Dark
As I mentioned above, a lot of the museums in the area offer late hours at least once a week, so you can visit them even after the sun goes down.
This is also my recommendation for anybody looking to avoid the crowds. Most visitors have no idea these museums are open late so I like to take advantage of that to get some quiet-time that I sometimes find hard to experience in London.
Both the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery keep their doors open until 9 pm on Friday nights, while the Royal Academy of Arts closes up at 10 pm on Fridays.
Even later than the Galleries I listed, is the Institute of Contemporary Art which stays open (every day but Monday) until 23:00 (11:00 pm).
As if that weren’t enough, the London Library also stays open until 21:00 (9:00 pm) on Mondays and Tuesdays, and they offer free tours after dark twice a month!
See a Movie
In addition to all the theatres hosting musicals near Piccadilly Circus, there are also several movie theatres in the area.
There are two venues right next to Leicester Square and a few locations just down the street from the Piccadilly junction.
My two favourites are: The Curzon (a very upmarket Mayfair hotel who do excellent cocktails and delicious pizza) and The Prince Charles Cinema (a retro venue where I've been to Sing-A-Long shows like the Sound of Music where everybody comes dressed in costume - I actually saw somebody as "Brown Paper Packages, Tied Up With String!").
The latter can be particularly good for families but I always recommend checking first as some performances are adults only.
Attend a Musical
As I mentioned in my top 10 section, there are a lot of great theatres near Piccadilly Circus that showcase all kinds of musicals, ballets, plays, and more. In fact, there are so many venues here, the area is sometimes referred to as Theatreland.
Many of these venues will have shows starting around 19:00 (7:00 pm) to 20:00 to (8:00 pm), making this a great activity to enjoy after dark.
From Off-Broadway productions to original plays, there are a lot of great shows to see in this part of the city. One of the things I like about London's West End is that there is a high standard for shows...if a show doesn't do well, it closes down almost immediately (literally even after one single performance). This means if a show has been on in the city for a while, I know it's going to be a good one!
Some of the most popular ones near Piccadilly Circus are Les Miserables, the Lion King, Matilda, The Phantom of the Opera and Mama Mia.
See what's playing when you are in town.
You can also head to Leicester Square and pick up last-minute tickets at the TKTS booth. Or do what I do, and download the TodayTix App!
Go Out to Dinner
I love to eat so you'll often find me at a restaurant near Piccadilly Circus!
Whether you’re looking for a romantic night out or want somewhere to go with your family, there are several great places to eat!
My general rule is that I won't eat anywhere that I can see while I'm standing in Leicester Square. Almost all of the restaurants there are tourist traps. But just a few streets away is the incredible Chinatown and the fantastic Soho, both of which are filled with plenty of options.
Check out my list of restaurants at Piccadilly Circus below for even more great places to dine.
Head to a Casino
A lot of people on my tours are surprised to see that London is home to a number of casinos. I would say that, in my experience, the casino customers are half locals and half visitors.
If you’re in the mood to play a hand of poker, there are quite a few excellent casinos within walking distance of Piccadilly Circus.
Here are some of the closest locations:
- Empire Casino
- Horizons Casino
- Grosvenor Casino
- Genting Casino
- The Hippodrome Casino (This one is my favourite, in large part because I enjoy their restaurants and rooftop terrace).
All of these casinos are very close to Leicester Square.
While this might not be a great activity for families, adults will probably love playing a few slot machines. I confess that I've never won big at any of them, but a few of my friends have.
A lot of my visitors - from Europe in particular - complain about how early things close down in London but these casinos is that most of them are open 24 hours, so you can stay as late as you want!
For additional activities, you can enjoy when the sun goes down, read my full post about what to do at night in London.
THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS
In this section, I list family-friendly activities that children will enjoy near Piccadilly Circus.
If you’re looking for even more things to do with the kids, check my other sections for ideas like going to a musical, seeing a movie, watching street performers, and taking a Harry Potter tour.
Make sure to read my master post about visiting London with kids for more great things to do with the family.
(I am not a parent but have two nephews and a niece with very high standards so I promise everything is kid-tested and adult-approved!)
Visit the House of MinaLima
I like this one so much it's on my list twice.
Harry Potter fans (including me!) will jump at the opportunity to visit this special little shop which houses artwork and artefacts from the film series.
Located just a few blocks East of Piccadilly Circus, this interesting little store has exhibitions that include a variety of art from throughout the Wizarding World.
I mentioned above that I have bought a few things here, but it's also fun to come window shopping. There are some incredible displays inside that my niece loves, in particular.
The House of MinaLima is close to some of the sites we visit on our Harry Potter walking tour.
Cure Your Sweet Tooth at M&M’s World
What kid would turn down a trip to a store that exclusively sells M&M’s candy and merchandise?
This place is like candy heaven!
Located near Leicester Square, M&M’s World is the perfect stop for families who want to celebrate their love of these chocolate-filled treats.
I mentioned that this isn't my favourite place to go (as I was born in the US so am very well acquainted with M&Ms) so I rarely visit but I know it's very popular with people on my tours, and also members of our London Travel Tips Group on Facebook.
One thing I will give the store credit for, however, is the size: at 35,000 square feet, this is literally the world's largest candy store!
There are over 100 varieties of M&M to choose from here (if I do go, I always walk out with the peanut butter ones!) but even if you don’t want to spend too much (or even any!) money here, it’s worth noting that more than one tourist pass offers savings on purchases made in the store.
Build Something at the Lego Store
When you’re done at M&M’s World, chances are your kids will be pulling you across the street to one of the largest LEGO stores in the world.
I'm not that into LEGO, but the younger members of my family certainly are. However, I always like visiting this store! I just think the displays are cool - in particular, the giant model of Big Ben which is astonishingly accurate.
Standing 6.53 metres tall, this structure is actually a working clock that lights up after dark. (I love that!)
This location also houses the LEGO Mosaic Maker, a photo-booth machine that produces LEGO mosaic portraits that will give you instructions on how to recreate the picture with LEGO bricks! This one has proved to be an excellent gift for some of my family members as it's very unique and also fun.
I also like that there's an area set up where kids can play with some of the LEGO for free. I just always find it a struggle to drag them away when it's time to go so keep that in mimd!
Experience Hamleys
There are few places in London more magical for children (and adults) than Hamleys! I come here on my own, even without children just to have a wander around.
Billed as London's biggest toy store, there really is something for every one. What I like about it is that the staff are always super friendly and engaging. They're usually out there playing with the toys and showing them off which I always find fun to watch. I've seen them dressed in all sorts of fantastic outfits, too.
I do want to mention to you that this isn't just for children! For those of you who love Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, they tend to have a fair amount of merchandise related to those two. I also always see a lot of Disney AND there is a Build-a-Bear Workshop which is a big hit with the little ones in my family.
Check Out the Cartoon Museum
This one isn't right next to Piccadilly Circus, but I like it enough to put it onto my list.
Just up Shaftesbury Avenue is the family-friendly Cartoon Museum full of exhibits about classic British cartoons.
In addition to all of the cartoon art they have on display, they also have a lot of comic strips from throughout the history of the art form.
They even have some examples from as far back as the 18th century!
There is also a store you can visit that offers a variety of merchandise and books based on the artwork at the Cartoon Museum. I sometimes go inside just to hit up the gift shop as I always find unique and interesting items and art there.
I'll also mention that they occasionally have talks and events so check out their website to see what's on when you're in town. I have been to a few and they are always a great evening out!
Read a Book at Waterstones
If your kids are avid readers, you might want to take them to the biggest bookshop in Europe: Waterstones! The store on Piccadilly boasts over 200,000 titles spread out over six floors..
The children’s section takes up 2/3rds of the second floor. I love that they have it set up according to age so it's super easy to shop, or to take my nephew to the section for him and let him choose his own book!
In addition to books, there are also a lot of toys and other kid-friendly items available for purchase. I like the little items they carry on the ground floor, or around the cash registers. I find they make for great stocking stuffers.
Don’t forget to check out the restaurant upstairs for some excellent views of the area!
Go to Gosh! Comics
Alright, so some of the kids in my family wouldn't be interested in Waterstones, but even kids who don’t like reading won’t turn down a good comic book!
Thankfully, there is an absolutely fantastic comic book store just a few blocks from Piccadilly Circus with a wide variety of comics and graphic novels available.
Gosh! Comics have been around for over 30 years, and their selection is second to none.
Some even say that their collection of comic books is much better than what you’ll find at Waterstones. I enjoy a bit of manga, personally, and the collection here is better than any I've found elsewhere in the city.
Whether your kids are interested in Manga, Marvel, DC, or something else, chances are that they’ll find something great to read at this local favourite.
WAYS TO SAVE MONEY AT PICCADILLY CIRCUS
There are a lot of ways to save money on attractions at Piccadilly Circus. Below I go over these opportunities in detail.
Use a Tourist Pass
I have mentioned this already but I want to repeat myself: Yes, you CAN save money with tourist passes!
London tourist passes provide some of the best savings at the best restaurants and attractions across the city.
Here’s a look at how you can use these services to save both time and money while you’re wandering around Piccadilly Circus.
- Includes admission to Wellington Arch
- Includes admission to Apsley House
- Includes admission to the Cartoon Museum
- Includes admission to Benjamin Franklin House
- Includes admission to Curzon Cinema Soho/Mayfair
- Includes Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour
- Free drink at Hard Rock Cafe
- Includes Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
- London By Night Bus Tour
- Covent Garden Immersive Audio Tour
- Includes Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour
- Discounts on West End shows
- Free Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour
- Discount at the Hard Rock Cafe
- Wellington Arch and Apsley House entry
- Discount at Curzon Mayfair
- Benjamin Franklin House Tour
- Discount entry to the Cartoon Museum
For more details on everything included with these cards and how to use them, make sure to read my post covering London tourist passes.
London 2 For 1
In my opinion, this is THE best way to save money when you're visiting London! This is a topic that comes up a lot on our Travel Tips Facebook page and I always encourage people to take advantage of this.
In addition to all the tourist passes you can use to save money, there is also a 2-for-1 National Rail program that offers big deals on several popular attractions throughout London.
Here are a few of the more notable locations and attractions near Piccadilly Circus that take part in this promotion:
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
- Cartoon Museum
- Wellington Arch
- Apsley House
For even more ways to save money, check my post covering the 2-for-1 program.
Reduced-Price Theatre Tickets
I've mentioned these already but I want to include them again for people who may only be reading this section. If you want to see a musical near Piccadilly Circus, there are two excellent ways to save money on last-minute tickets.
The first option is TodayTix, which often provides limited-time offers for tickets as low as £10 - £15 per seat. I've also lucked into £20 front row tickets to new shows with their lottery!
Or, you can also go to the TKTS booth in Leicester Square. A lot of guests on my tour ask if this is a "legitimate" way to get discount tickets and I always say yes! This is as legit as it gets.
This location offers inexpensive last-minute theatre tickets throughout the week.
One of the fun things I find when using these sites is that I never know what I'm going to see. Instead of deciding what to watch, I log on/walk up with an open mind and let the prices dictate my choice!
Money-Saving Websites
Don’t forget to check popular websites such as Groupon, or Wowcher, for even more great savings on attractions and restaurants in the neighbourhoods surrounding Piccadilly Circus.
At times, these services offer some of the best deals available in the area! I've had some great Afternoon Teas this way.
RESTAURANTS NEAR PICCADILLY CIRCUS
There are a lot of great places to eat in the neighbourhoods surrounding this public circle.
Remember my tip: if you can see the restaurant from Leicester Square, DON'T go! You want to be at least one street away to find the places locals will actually visit.
Whether you’re looking for a good family-friendly restaurant or a nice place for a romantic dinner, consider one of the following locations:
- Hard Rock Cafe
- Five Guys Burgers & Fries
- Shoryu Ramen (There's a Soho and Regent Street option - both are good.)
- Flat Iron
- Nando’s (A chain but a very popular British one that I get asked about quite frequently. In particular they have great vegetarian options which is perfect for me.)
- The Ritz (Why not?)
- Bun House
- The Wolseley (They do one of my favourite London breakfasts and the building is lovely)
- Blacklock (I love their Sunday roast!)
- Fallow
Don’t forget that you can get free meals at some of these locations by using a London tourist pass.
SELF-GUIDED TOUR OF PICCADILLY CIRCUS AND LEICESTER SQUARE
I would love to have you join me, or one of my fabulous colleagues, on a London walking tour. But I appreciate that everybody has a different schedule and yours might not match ours!
So I've put together a self-guided walking tour, which includes Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, and St. James's Square.
It begins at Leicester Square and finishes at Berkeley Square in Mayfair.
This tour should take you approximately 90 min to 2 hours to complete. (For me, it's on the longer side as I usually like to stop off for a drink along the way.)
The map below is interactive. Click on it and scroll around. You can also use this link to the map.
(A) Leicester Square
One of London’s best-known locations, Leicester Square is in the centre of the city, in the heart of the West End Theatre District. (See the video above).
The square is named for Robert Sidney, the 2nd Earl of Leicester, who built his home here in 1635.
By the 1700s, the area was a posh residential district. Even Frederick, Prince of Wales, son of King George II lived here.
By the late 19th century, Leicester Square had evolved from a fashionable neighbourhood into a hub of entertainment.
Hotels and theatres were built around the square and the area became a tourist destination.
In the centre of the square is a statue of William Shakespeare, a nod to the origins of English theatre, now so popular in this area.
Leave Leicester Square through the NORTH-WEST corner, along the path known as SWISS COURT.
(B) Swiss Court and M&M’s World
M&M’s World opened in 2011 and is the world’s largest candy store, spanning an incredible 35,000 square feet (3,250 sq. m.)!
There are over 100 types of M&Ms available for purchase.
Outside the shop is an odd-looking clock, the Swiss Glockenspiel.
This is a remnant of the Swiss Centre Building that was here before M&M's World was built.
It was rescued from the demolished building and restored in 2011.
The glockenspiel here holds a staggering 27 bells and showcases figurines that appear, circling the clock, when the bells ring.
The glockenspiel ‘performs’ at 12 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm, and 8 pm Monday to Friday with extra times on the weekend at 2 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm.
Continue along and cross over Wardour Street, leaving Leicester Square behind you. Continue along Coventry Street until you get to the statue at PICCADILLY CIRCUS.
(C) Piccadilly Circus
Boasting some of the first electric lights seen in London, the glitz and colour of vibrant Piccadilly Circus have been attracting visitors here for decades.
With a somewhat confusing name, there has never been a circus at this location in the way modern visitors know it (acrobats, lion tamers, etc.) but instead, circus is the Latin word for “circle.”
Essentially a large traffic junction, Piccadilly Circus is where Shaftesbury Avenue, Regent Street, Piccadilly, and Haymarket all come together – four of the busiest and most famous streets in the city.
One of the gems located here is the Criterion – an opulent building dating from the 1870s and is the setting of a scene in the first Sherlock Holmes story, A Study in Scarlet. Once a beautiful restaurant, it is now sadly home to a mediocre Indian food chain.
The state of the angel in the middle of the junction is the most famous monument here.
Known commonly (but incorrectly) as the Statue of Eros, the official name of this piece of art is the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain.
It commemorates the philanthropic works of Lord Shaftesbury, a Victorian philanthropist, and politician.
The figure on top is the Angel of Christian Charity and it is on the steps beneath him that thousands of tourists come every year to sit and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of Piccadilly Circus.
When I'm here, I like to take a moment to stop and enjoy the street performers as well as watch the new LED lights so I recommend having a seat and soaking up the atmosphere for a bit.
Keep going in the direction you were heading before and walk onto Piccadilly itself, crossing Regent Street in the process. Walk along until you pass Eagle Place on your LEFT. Thereafter you will come to Waterstones Book Store.
(D) Waterstones
You are now standing outside the largest bookstore in Europe!
The sheer number of books contained in this building is almost beyond belief.
The top floor has a café/bar with wonderful views over the Piccadilly area if you’re looking for a quiet place to take a break, away from the hustle and bustle of the streets below. They do a Happy Hour 6 days a week and I am always impressed at being able to get two for one cocktails on a weekend in London!
Continue on Piccadilly until you reach Church Place. Turn LEFT down Church Place. Follow to the end and then you will be standing on Jermyn Street. Take a RIGHT and then an immediate LEFT onto Duke of York St. Follow until you get to ST. JAMES SQUARE.
(E) St. James Square
St. James Square is a perfect example of Georgian architecture, including the beautiful semi-private garden in the centre.
It was in 1662 that King Charles II leased the land here to the Earl of St. Albans, Henry Jermyn, who soon began building property on the area, primarily reserved for London’s elite.
Today the area is home to the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), the East End Club, the Naval and Military Club as well as holding the headquarters of numerous businesses such as BP.
In the centre of the square is a statue of King William III (1650 – 1702) sitting on horseback.
Have a walk through the park, which is open to the public during daylight hours.
Notable houses to look out for are:
- No. 1 – BP Head Office
- No. 10 – Former home of Prime Minister William Pitt the Elder
- No. 19 - London home of the Dukes of Cleveland from 1720 to 1894
- No. 31 – London residence for the Dukes of Norfolk and also where U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s headquarters during WWII.
Once you have walked around St. James Square, go back up Duke of York Street. At the top you will come to ST. JAMES’S PICCADILLY CHURCH.
(F) St. James’s Piccadilly
This unassuming church is the work of noted architect Sir Christopher Wren and was completed in the 17th century.
The courtyard of the church also holds Piccadilly Market – originally and arts and crafts market, but now holds various goods that alternate depending on the various days of the week.
The inside of the church is wonderful to view, the market in the courtyard provides good shopping, and the fact that the church was designed by Christopher Wren means it’s worth a look.
Facing the church, continue left down Jermyn Street. Turn RIGHT into Princes' Arcade. When back onto Piccadilly, turn LEFT until you get to FORTNUM & MASON with the ROYAL ACADEMY across the road.
(G) Fortnum & Mason
Originally founded as a grocery store, Fortnum & Mason was established in 1707.
Today it’s known around the world for its high-quality goods and representation of ‘British’ tradition, food, and design.
Fortnum & Mason holds the Royal Warrant which means that it provides goods to the Royal Family themselves!
The store itself is worth exploring – stunning goods are arranged in delightful displays and their teas, coffees, and chocolates are surprisingly affordable and always delicious.
For those hoping to take in a traditional British Afternoon Tea, Fortnum & Mason is my top recommendation. I always book in advance but you may have luck just walking in! Trust me, it's worth it.
Read more about this glorious store in my post, London's Famous and Oldest Department Stores.
(H) Royal Academy of Arts
Just across the street from Fortnum & Mason stands the imposing structure of the Royal Academy.
The building itself is Burlington House, constructed in 1768.
The Royal Academy of Arts is an institution funded privately by top artists and architects throughout the country.
You can enter the gallery to see some of the Royal Academy’s impressive holdings including work by Michelangelo, one of Gilbert Scott’s original London telephone boxes, and, my favourite, a constantly changing display of art in the massive centre courtyard.
With Fortnum & Mason on your left and the Academy on your right, continue down Piccadilly until you get to PICCADILLY ARCADE. Walk down the Arcade until you get to the statue of the dandy at the end, on Jermyn Street.
(I) Jermyn Street Dandy / Piccadilly Arcade
Piccadilly is known for its luxurious shops, houses, and restaurants.
The statue of the dandy here typifies Georgian top-class society and is a nod to the fact that London’s wealthy have been outfitting themselves from goods purchased in this neighbourhood for centuries.
The shops here are expensive but provide some of the highest quality goods in the United Kingdom.
Piccadilly Arcade itself used to house showrooms for Waterford Crystal and Wedgwood.
Today the arcade holds numerous shops, some of which sport the coat of arms of King Charles III. This means that the Royals themselves shop at those particular locations!
With the statue on your left and the Arcade on your right, continue down Jermyn Street until you get to St. James’s Street. Take a left and then cross St. James’s Street onto Bennet Street. Walk down Bennet Street until you get to Arlington Street then turn RIGHT. At the corner is THE RITZ.
(J) The Ritz Hotel
Opened by Swiss hotelier Cesar Ritz in 1906, the hotel typifies English silver service and hospitality.
It serves an expensive, but smashing afternoon tea!
Walk along Piccadilly under the awning of the Ritz Hotel, keeping the Hotel on your left. At the pedestrian crossing on your right, walk across Piccadilly and then up Berkeley Street until you get to BERKELEY SQUARE.
(K) Berkeley Square
Laid out in the 18th century, Berkeley Square was originally surrounded by residential properties for those with the largest bank accounts in town.
Today, the buildings that surround the square are mostly business, although they still maintain the appearance of Georgian houses.
For such a small piece of London, the number of notable names associated with this neighbourhood is impressive, such as Charles Rolls, co-founder of Rolls-Royce, who was born here in 1877.
Notable buildings are:
(L) Berkeley Square No. 11 - Home to Horace Walpole, the UK’s first Prime Minister who moved here in 1779 and died 20 years later.
(M) Bruton St. No. 17 - Queen Elizabeth II was born here!
(N) Berkeley Square No. 28 - One of London’s most exclusive private members' clubs, Morton’s Club.
(O) Berkeley Square No. 48 - Childhood home of Winston Churchill
(P) Berkeley Square No. 50 - Maggs Brothers Antiquarian Booksellers, known to be the most haunted house in London. The ghost stories here date back to the 18th century.
TIP: If you like ghost stories, check out my post about London Ghost Tours that you can take.
THE TOUR ENDS HERE.
The nearest Underground station is Green Park. You can walk to Bond Street and Oxford Street if you fancy a bit of shopping!
The word ‘circus’ is often associated with acrobats, trained elephants, and canvas tents but Piccadilly Circus displays none of those attributes!
This is because the word ‘circus’ in Piccadilly is being used in the Latin sense – meaning circle.
This means Piccadilly Circus is really just a circular open space at a street junction in the heart of London!
It is quite a glamorous street junction, however, and is famously surrounded by video displays and neon signs, a famous ‘statue of Eros,’ as well as notable buildings such as the London Pavilion and Criterion Theatre.
Today Piccadilly Circus is so busy with traffic, pedestrians, and tourists, that the phrase, “It’s like Piccadilly Circus” is used in the popular British lexicon to refer to an exceptionally busy place.
One of my favourite London legends is: It is said that if a person stays long enough in Piccadilly Circus – they will eventually bump into everybody they know!
Piccadilly is a thoroughfare in London that has been in existence since the early 1600s.
Named after piccadills (a fancy type of neck collar), the road meets with Regent Street in a junction that was designed by John Nash in 1819.
The Circus was expanded to connect to Shaftesbury Avenue in 1886, transforming it into one of the largest and most important road junctions in London.
In 1879, Charles Dickens described Piccadilly Circus as follows: “Piccadilly, the great thoroughfare leading from the Haymarket and Regent Street westward to Hyde Park Corner, is the nearest approach to the Parisian boulevard of which London can boast.”
One of the most famous landmarks in London, the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain (often referred to as the Statue of Eros – as this is the name most associated with the statue that is famously perched on top of the fountain) was erected in 1893 and still stands today.
However, it was moved in the 1980s.
On the statue’s creation, it was considered somewhat risqué since the figure was entirely nude!
Now it has become so synonymous with Piccadilly Circus and London in general that the outline of the statue is the symbol for the Evening Standard newspaper.
It also just so happens that this statue was the first in the world to be cast in aluminum – and it is also worth noting that, despite its popular name, the statue is not actually of Eros, but of his brother, Anteros (the God of selfless love) – chosen to represent the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury.
Piccadilly Circus Underground Station was opened in 1906, servicing both the Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines.
This station is one of the very few on the London Underground to have no buildings on street level – everything here is subterranean.
Not long after the Station opening, in 1910, the first electric advertisements in London appeared at the Circus, and in 1923, electric billboards were erected – providing the famous lights that visitors now travel from all over the world to see.
Fun Fact: Piccadilly Circus was the code name given to the Allies’ D-Day invasion fleet’s assembly location in the English Channel.
To learn more, take our walking tour of Soho, Piccadilly, and Chinatown!
