Things to Do in Piccadilly Circus | What to See & Where to Stay, Shop, & Eat

Searching for the best things to do in Piccadilly Circus? Discover them all with this complete guide to one of London’s busiest and brightest areas. 

Today, Piccadilly Circus is actually square in shape, even though it was originally given the Roman name – Circus – for a circle. It’s one of London’s busiest hubs and traffic junctions, with large billboards that call to mind Times Square in New York. In fact, Brits might sometimes say, “it’s like Piccadilly Circus,” when describing a popular or crowded place. 

Notable streets leading off Piccadilly Circus include Regent Street, a major shopping thoroughfare; Shaftesbury Avenue, at the heart of Theatreland; and Piccadilly itself. The surrounding districts are Soho, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, St James’s, and Mayfair. 

This general area is known as the West End, and is a hub for shopping, dining, nightlife, culture, and sightseeing. Piccadilly Circus is also within walking distance of other popular parts of London, such as Covent Garden and Westminster.

If you want to learn about what Piccadilly Circus has to offer, read on. From getting there and where to go, to the best hotels and restaurants in Piccadilly Circus, this guide has got you covered!

Who is Piccadilly Circus best for?

• Foodies
• Arty sorts
• Shoppers
• Design fans
• Theatregoers

Top 10 Things to Do in Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus billboards

The billboards at Piccadilly Circus are London’s answer to New York’s Times Square. The huge digital advertising boards are iconic, and a major landmark. So don’t miss out on snapping a selfie. They’re often known as the Piccadilly Lights. 

Due to the price of advertising in this prestigious spot, big brands tend to dominate. Such as Coca Cola, plus designer labels, tech giants, and fast food companies. In 2002, Yoko Ono paid to display the message, “Imagine all the people living life in peace,” referencing her husband John Lennon’s best-selling solo song from 1971. 

Statue of Eros

The statue of Eros on top of the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain dates back to 1892 and can be found in the southeast of Piccadilly Circus. Expect to see many people hanging out here, as this is a popular London meeting point.  

The famous statue depicts a winged archer, complete with his bow. Though widely known as Eros, this is actually Anteros, the Greek God of requited love, who avenged the broken-hearted victims of unrequited love. 

The Horses of Helios and Daughters of Helios

This statue in Piccadilly Circus might not be as famous as Eros, but it’s a stunning piece. It comprises four horses, crafted from blackened bronze. All four – Eous, Aethon, Pyrois, and Phlegon – were associated with Helios, the Greek God of the Sun. 

The sculpture of the horses was installed in the early 1990s, when the nearby Criterion Theatre was also completely renovated. Look up when visiting the building at 1 Jermyn Street, so you don’t miss the Daughters of Helios or Three Graces. This trio of accompanying aluminium and gold leaf statues seemingly leaps from the sixth floor above. 

Regent Street

One of London’s top shopping streets leads off Piccadilly Circus. So you cannot miss the chance to dip into the stores along its length while in the area. Stop at historic Hamley’s for many floors of toys, Liberty for its fine frontage and own line of fabrics, and more.

If you crave more retail therapy, 1960s fashion hub Carnaby Street is just off Regent Street, while crowd-pleaser Oxford Street is at the top, to either side of Oxford Circus. 

Shaftesbury Avenue

Another road leading off Piccadilly Circus is Shaftesbury Avenue. It’s lined with West End theatres, so is worth taking a walk along if you want to see London’s answer to Broadway. The avenue was named after the seventh Earl of Shaftesbury.

The famous road also appeared in a Harry Potter film, when Harry, Ron, and Hermione apparated here to dodge the Death Eaters who appeared at the wedding of Ron’s brother Bill to Fleur Delacourt. Between Piccadilly Circus and Charing Cross Road, the street also cuts through Chinatown, close to Leicester Square. 

Criterion Theatre

This theatre in Piccadilly Circus is located by the Eros statue, and is a Grade II listed building. While there are plenty of theatres in this part of London, the Criterion Theatre stands out because of its beautiful interior. It opened in 1874, during the Victorian era.

The theatre has now been operating for over 150 years, and is run by a trust, who reinvest any profits into restoring and running the venue. Plays and musicals are the main focus, so why not find out what’s on when you’ll be visiting London?

Royal Academy of Arts

The Royal Academy of Arts at Burlington House in Piccadilly is a hub for art in all its forms. Art is created, discussed, and of course displayed here, via a packed programme of events and exhibitions. As the name indicates, this is an art school as well as a gallery, and is also a major champion of the arts.  

The revered institution dates back to 1768, and some displays are free to enter. This venue has also hosted an annual Summer Exhibition since the start, and it’s the world’s largest open-submission art exhibition.

K2 red telephone prototype

If you do pay the Royal Academy a visit, don’t miss the original prototype for the iconic British red telephone box. Sir Giles Gilbert Scott’s K2 (Kiosk Number Two) design is made of wood, and became Grade II listed in 2019. Since 1924, the prototype Ks has stood outside the Royal Academy on Piccadilly.

The World Time Today clock and the Frank Pick memorial

If you arrive at Piccadilly Circus tube station, don’t miss the world clock before departing. It was installed during the 1920s, and the central strip displays the time all over the planet. The clock has a sturdy wooden frame and a black sign saying “The World Time Today” across the top. 

Also at this underground station is the Frank Pick memorial, honouring a former Chief Executive of London Transport. It has a tube sign bearing his name, plus eight desirable human characteristics on the wall in gold lettering. 

Afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason (or Caffè Concerto)

Smart department store Fortnum and Mason on Piccadilly is famed for its food hall – and its Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. This is one of the best places in the city to tuck into scones loaded with cream and jam, pretty cakes, and finger sandwiches. As the store’s food hall specialises in tea, it’s a fine place to sample a new brew, too. 

Don’t miss the soaring central atrium at Fortnum’s, as Londoners often call it. If you can’t quite stretch to the afternoon tea, you could try picking up picnic goodies in the food hall instead, to enjoy in a London park on a dry day, such as St James’s. Alternatively, try Caffè Concerto’s afternoon tea instead. 

Where to Stay in Piccadilly Circus

Hotels

• £££ – The Ritz | 5* | Restaurants, bar, & gym | At 150 Piccadilly
• £££ – Ham Yard Hotel | 5* | Restaurant, bar, gym, & spa | Between Piccadilly Circus & Soho
• £££ – The Dilly | 5* | Restaurant, bar, gym, pool, & spa | At 21 Piccadilly
• ££ – The Cavendish | 4* | Restaurant, bar, & room service | On Jermyn Street
• £ – The Z Hotel Soho | Bar & 24-hour reception | Near Piccadilly Circus & Leicester Square

Where to Eat in Piccadilly Circus

Hard Rock Cafe

Any music fan wondering where to eat in Piccadilly Circus has to consider visiting the Hard Rock Cafe. You can admire all sorts of rock and roll memorabilia while you dine, and it has a cool vibe. Expect American diner style fare, including burgers. 

Fortnum and Mason 

As well as the food hall and tea salon, Fortnum’s offers a number of fine places to eat. And of course is famous for its afternoon tea!

For a real treat, take a table for food, drinks, or both at 45 Jermyn St., FIELD, The 3&6 Bar, The Parlour, or The Wine Bar. 

Veeraswamy

London and in fact the UK’s oldest Indian restaurant has been serving spicy food in Piccadilly Circus since 1926. It offers elegant Michelin-starred dining, and an interior like a Maharaja’s palace. 

Caffè Concerto

Caffè Concerto is located on Piccadilly, and specialises in Italian fare, plus celebration cakes. When you want to find places to eat in Piccadilly Circus for all-day dining, this one serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus afternoon tea. 

Where to Shop in Piccadilly Circus

Regent Street

Regent Street runs between Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus, and is home to a number of Piccadilly Circus shops. Don’t miss mock-Tudor-fronted department store Liberty or Hamleys, London’s oldest and largest toy shop.

Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason, Fortnum’s – or F&M – is famous for its fabulous food hall. This specialises in tea, preserves, chocolate, and sweets. You can also have afternoon tea at the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon here, and also shop for fashion, beauty, and homeware.

Burlington Arcade

Burlington Arcade was the first shopping arcade in the world, and offers history, elegant neoclassical surroundings, and upmarket stores. (Its also amazing at Christmas!)

Arc’teryx

Arc’teryx is a Canadian outdoor brand specialising in adventure clothing and equipment. The branch on Piccadilly is the brand’s European flagship store. It offers two floors of apparel and other outdoor goods. 

Bookshops (Hatchards and Waterstones Piccadilly)

Classic Georgian fronted Hatchards offers snug leather seating, featured sections on the Royal Family and Winston Churchill, book signings, and events.  

Waterstones Piccadilly, meanwhile, is London’s biggest bookstore. Specialisms include children’s books, fiction, history, travel, and art. Everything from classics and even first to the newest releases is stocked here. 

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