Piccadilly Circus Reviews (London, England)

As the saying goes ...

Rotherham, United Kingdom

August 7, 2012

Email
Print

Best of IgoUgo There is an old saying that we use in the north of England – it may be used in the south as well, but as I have never lived there I cannot vouch for it – that goes, "It is like Piccadilly circus here today". We use it as a way of expressing that ...Read more There is an old saying that we use in the north of England – it may be used in the south as well, but as I have never lived there I cannot vouch for it – that goes, "It is like Piccadilly circus here today". We use it as a way of expressing that wherever we are (at home or the office) has been very busy. It springs from the fact that Piccadilly Circus was, and still is, one of the busiest pieces of real estate in the world. Therefore, when my girlfriend and I visited, we were expecting throngs of people.

We actually found ourselves a little disappointed as, on the Tuesday we visited, it was not massively busy. We were able to cross the road relatively easily and I was not barged out of the way at all by either tourists or disgruntled Londoners. In that sense, the Circus let us down dramatically. However, to paint it in a negative light for just this reason would be childish in the extreme and would also overlook the area's undoubted charm.

Sadly, my girlfriend – who is from Bulgaria – was not massively impressed with Piccadilly and was more interested in the sales that were on in one or two of the shops on the streets close by. I, on the other hand, could not really escape it quintessentially English charm. It had always been an image of London that I had carried somewhere deep ion my brain, so it seemed to give me a reassuring feeling of having come to the right place for my trip. This was heightened when the statue of Eros in the centre was temporarily obscured by a bright red London bus – just to hammer the London imagery home.

Piccadilly is probably famous for two major features. There is the statue of Eros in the centre and the neon signs that occupy one section of the buildings that ring it. The statue is an iconic image of London. It has been there since 1819. It stepped down briefly during WWII to avoid destruction (legend has it that the Germans had a prize for the bomber that could destroy it), but has been there ever since. The neon flashes away continually from the side throughout the day and the evening and works to emphasize that you are stood in the centre of one of the world's great metropolises.

Piccadilly is in the very heart of London and can be reached easily at the underground station of the same name. It is also very close to Leicester Square. If you are in need of some iconic London photos for your album, it is the perfect place. Close

From journal London Calling

Traffic icon

by MagdaDH_AlexH

Perth, Scotland, United Kingdom

March 29, 2012

Email
Print

Best of IgoUgo I am not sure if calling Piccadilly Circus and unexpected icon is completely accurate. It is an icon, certainly, one of the most famous and best-recognised places in London. It features on postcards, guide-book covers and in countless tourist ...Read more

From journal London icons

Mind The Gap

by Nilo0901

London, United Kingdom

January 13, 2010

Email
Print

Best of IgoUgo Ah. Piccadilly Circus. Home to the Eros Statue. Home to thousands of flash bulbs and candid poses. Home to the homeless. Home to aggressive bus drivers, well, for that matter drivers in general. Home to world famous advertising revenue. Home to the ...Read more Ah. Piccadilly Circus. Home to the Eros Statue. Home to thousands of flash bulbs and candid poses. Home to the homeless. Home to aggressive bus drivers, well, for that matter drivers in general. Home to world famous advertising revenue. Home to the Trocadero. Gateway to Leicester Square, Soho, Piccadilly, Regent Street and Trafalgar Square.

Piccadilly Circus is for many the first port of call when visiting London and is as iconic a symbol of a city as the Eiffel Tower, Times Square or the Taj Mahal. Beyond the symbols, what is there actually to do or where is there to go there? If you are looking for generic tourist entertainment then quite alot. If you're looking for a realistic view of London life, then very little.

Firstly, you have the Criterion Theatre on the south side of the circus. At the time of writing The 39 Steps is currently playing there but this theatre has been home to a number of good Broadway plays and is one of the West End's leading theatres. It is a grade II listed building and the basement theatre in itself is a great experience.

On the same corner and just opposite the theatre is the famous Eros statue. Now I've always had a slight misconception about how it got its name. It was until only recently I discovered it was named to honour the philanthropic rather than philandering works of Lord Shaftesbury. It now makes less sense to me but when in Rome... or London... strike a pose and say you were there.

Next to the Criterion is Lilywhites which sells everything you may ever need connected with sports. As they seem to have a never ending closing down sale items are often cheap so come and get your cut priced football shirts here.

Over the road on the north east corner is the London Pavilion. This former music hall is now a fairly grotesque shopping centre and part of the Trocadero. Here you can find numerous union jack memorabilia or 'I Love London', 'Mind The Gap', etc... merchandise. My recommendation would be to avoid as if infested by brain eating parasites... which on occasion is not all that far from the truth.

On the north side of the circus we have the famous neon lights symbolic of our materialistic, consumer driven culture and everything horrid about society and this area of London. You'll need to cross the street to the west side to get your half obscured by a bus photo. A good spot would be the site formerly of Tower Records, then Virgin and then the ill named and fated Zaavi before they went into administration. 1 Piccadilly Circus currently stands empty and rumours are abound as to who its new tenants will be. I personally think the site in jinxed so good luck to whoever may be its new inhabitants.

That about sums up Piccadilly Circus. Beyond the theatre which is of interest, I would personally steer clear paying it a special visit. You won't be able to miss it as invariably you will need to travel through it at some point. Piccadilly Circus tube is very convenient and well serviced and most buses travelling through central London will go via the Circus. Get off if you must or just poke your camera out of the window and get' I've been there' snap happy.
Close

Watching the World Go By at Piccadilly Circus

by DLYupitun

Los Angeles, California

August 18, 2009

Email
Print

On our first night in London we headed to Piccadilly Circus, sat by the fountain and watched the world go by. Seated on our right were two girls from Russia and on our left was a couple from Japan.Piccadilly Circus is a popular attraction in the ...Read more

From journal City Squares Rendezvous

Piccadilly Circus

by sea13reeze

LONDON, United Kingdom

June 9, 2006

Email
Print

Best of IgoUgo This is the Heart of London!It is a busy intersection with so much to offer through sight, smell, and sound, to the first time visitor.When you arrive at Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly Circus underground station: Bakerloo (brown) and Piccadilly ...Read more

From journal I Love London

Piccadilly Nightclubs

by backstage_diva

Danbury, Wisconsin

April 16, 2005

Email
Print

I went to a few clubs found in this area, the sports bar and the large one on the square. I don’t remember the name, but it’s a large one that always has people handing out flyers. Don’t bother going to any in the area. They are very overpriced for ...Read more

From journal Three Months in Europe

Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square

by vampirefan

Charlotte, North Carolina

April 3, 2005

Email
Print

Best of IgoUgo The name Piccadilly comes from the 17th-century collar called picadil. A dressmaker grew rich making them and built a house in the vicinity. In 1893, Alfred Gilbert built the Angel of Christian Charity statue as a monument to Lord Shaftsbury, a ...Read more The name Piccadilly comes from the 17th-century collar called picadil. A dressmaker grew rich making them and built a house in the vicinity. In 1893, Alfred Gilbert built the Angel of Christian Charity statue as a monument to Lord Shaftsbury, a well-known philanthropist. But it is better know as Eros, the pagan god of love, since that is what people mistakenly thought it was.

The skies of Piccadilly come alive at night with thousands of neon bulbs in the massive neon signs advertising everything from Coke to Samson luggage. It is, of course, often compared to Times Square in New York City. You will find that many of Britain’s top designers have shops here. There is also a plethora of restaurants of every variety here: Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock, and Rainforest Café all have braches here. Madam Tusseud’s house, the Rock Circus, features wax figures of some of rock-and-rolls best. You are within walking distance of the famed West End, which is home to Broadway. This is also much like New York. Many of the restaurants feature theater menus for patrons of the arts looking to nosh before or after one of the many fantastic shows. And just like Time Square, it was once pretty seedy and not a place you would want to visit. Today, it is a must-stop on every visit to London.

Try to come here during the day, as well as a visit at night. During the day, you can admire the many beautiful statues surrounding the plaza. The historical part of the area is more apparent during the day. At night, the lights come on and all of London comes out for the show. You will see people of every walk of life here, so it makes for some great people-watching. This is where you will find a large concentration of clubs if that is your thing. Just walking around this place is an experience - and a free one at that. It is one of the few things London has to offer for free. No matter what your pleasure is, make sure to check out Piccadilly Circus. Make sure to bring your camera, too. You never know what you will see here! The Tube stops at Piccadilly Circus and Charring Cross will get you here.

Close

From journal Historic London

Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square

by Cedso

Bloomington, Indiana

December 24, 2003

Email
Print

Piccadilly Circus is like Times Square in New York with lots of lights and cars and people. It is the starting point for many things to do. If you like excitement, then this is the place to visit. Trafalgar Square is a short walk away from ...Read more

From journal Mind Yourself in London

Piccadilly night clubs

by Jerril

Cottage Grove, Minnesota

February 6, 2001

Email
Print

Best of IgoUgo So our first Friday night in London we HAD to go out and get a taste of the nightlife. At first I was shocked to have all sorts of people approach me with something to say. Before the sun went down that night everyone I met was very quiet and ...Read more

From journal First Time Out

Piccadilly Circus

by Jim Rosenberg

Wausau, Wisconsin

October 19, 2000

Email
Print

If you're a shopper, Piccadilly Circus is the creme de la creme of experiences in terms of variety, selection and people-watching opportunities. Even if you're NOT, Picadilly is well worth a few hours to walk around and enjoy. This is a very ...Read more

From journal London: Quick, Easy & On Budget

IgoUgo

Piccadilly Circus

Avg. User Rating:

User Reviews

As the saying goes ...

Traffic icon

Mind The Gap

Watching the World Go By at Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Nightclubs

Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square

Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square

Piccadilly night clubs

Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus

What's Nearby?

Nearby Things to Do

Popular London Hotels

Popular Things to Do in London

Avg. User Rating:

User Reviews

As the saying goes ...

Traffic icon

Mind The Gap

Watching the World Go By at Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Nightclubs

Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square

Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square

Piccadilly night clubs

Piccadilly Circus