Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus is one of London's most recognisable intersections — the junction of five major streets in the heart of the West End, dominated by the giant illuminated advertising screens that have been a feature since 1908 (replacing earlier gas-lit signs). It's not a destination in itself so much as a place everyone passes through, surrounded by useful starting points for the West End, Soho and Mayfair.

The Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain (Eros)

The aluminium sculpture at the centre of the traffic island is commonly called "Eros" but actually depicts Anteros (the Angel of Christian Charity) — the first public sculpture in the UK to be cast in aluminium, unveiled in 1893. The steps around the fountain are a gathering point; the figure is pointing southeast, not south, which surprises most people who look at it properly for the first time.

What's Around It

Piccadilly itself runs west to Hyde Park Corner — Fortnum & Mason, the Royal Academy of Arts, the Burlington Arcade and Green Park are all along this stretch. Regent Street runs north toward Oxford Circus. The Haymarket runs south to Trafalgar Square. Shaftesbury Avenue (northeast) leads through the heart of the theatre district. Soho is immediately north and east.

The Advertising Screens

The current digital curved-screen installation replaced the traditional separate signs in 2017 — the screens read environmental data (weather, time of day) and adjust their brightness accordingly. At night and in winter they're most dramatic. The view from the steps of the Criterion restaurant gives the best angle.

Getting There

Piccadilly Circus station (Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines) exits directly onto the circus.

Tips

• Visit at night for the full illuminated-screens effect — daytime is bright enough to reduce the impact.
• The Royal Academy of Arts on Piccadilly runs major paid exhibitions and a free permanent collection.
• Burlington Arcade (between Piccadilly and Burlington Gardens) is a Victorian shopping arcade worth a slow walk through.
• Piccadilly Circus itself is primarily a transit point — allow 15 minutes, then head to Soho, Mayfair or the theatre district.