Piccadilly Circus, London
Now, Piccadilly Circus is not a literal circus, though with the crowds, neon lights, and eccentric street performers, you鈥檇 be forgiven for thinking you鈥檇 stumbled into one.
The origins of the name Piccadilly trace back to a 17th-century guy, Robert Baker鈥攏ot a baker himself, mind you, but a tailor who made a fortune selling "piccadills"鈥攆ancy ruffled collars. Baker did so well peddling these neck braces that he built himself a swanky mansion in the area. The aristocrats, clearly not fans of upstart tailors living large, mockingly dubbed it 鈥淧iccadilly Hall.鈥� The joke鈥檚 on them鈥攖he name stuck, and now it鈥檚 on the map.
At the center of the circus (once actually circular until 1886), stands a statue famously misidentified as Eros. In truth, it鈥檚 Anteros, Eros鈥檚 lesser-known brother鈥攖he Greek god of requited love (less wild romance, more emotionally mature affection). Because apparently, even gods have to deal with (and occasionally get tired of) complicated relationships...
Just behind him, look up, and you鈥檒l see the legendary wall of illuminated billboards lighting up the north side. The first glowing ad appeared there in 1908, promoting Perrier mineral water like it was the elixir of life. For a perfect 鈥淚鈥檓 in London鈥� kind of photo, stand at the corner of Regent Street and get those lights framed behind the Tube sign.
Now, take a peek underground. Hidden beneath the chaos, you鈥檒l find two gems. The Criterion Theatre鈥攂uilt in 1873, and mostly below street level鈥攚as once ventilated with pumped-in fresh air to counter gaslight fumes. Next door, Piccadilly Circus Station is one of the few fully subterranean Tube stops in the network.
Over on the western side, history buffs can spot a rare relic: a 1935 police call box鈥攐ne of the last of its kind. And if you're really sharp-eyed, look for one of the Seven Noses of Soho, a quirky sculptural series. Word has it, if you find all seven, unimaginable wealth awaits you. So, go for it!
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 鈥� Part 1, Piccadilly Circus becomes the chaotic landing spot for Harry, Ron, and Hermione after the Death Eaters crash Bill and Fleur鈥檚 wedding. It鈥檚 all running, panicking, and nearly becoming roadkill via double-decker bus. The scene was shot right in front of the Gap store, just off the main circle鈥攓uite the fashion-forward place to dodge dark wizards. In the book, they land at Tottenham Court Road, but the filmmakers clearly wanted a little more drama and dazzle.
Well, aside from possible magical encounters and spontaneous nose hunts, it鈥檚 the heart of London鈥檚 West End. Basically, it鈥檚 where London throws on its glitter, grabs a coffee, and says, 鈥淟et鈥檚 go!鈥�
The origins of the name Piccadilly trace back to a 17th-century guy, Robert Baker鈥攏ot a baker himself, mind you, but a tailor who made a fortune selling "piccadills"鈥攆ancy ruffled collars. Baker did so well peddling these neck braces that he built himself a swanky mansion in the area. The aristocrats, clearly not fans of upstart tailors living large, mockingly dubbed it 鈥淧iccadilly Hall.鈥� The joke鈥檚 on them鈥攖he name stuck, and now it鈥檚 on the map.
At the center of the circus (once actually circular until 1886), stands a statue famously misidentified as Eros. In truth, it鈥檚 Anteros, Eros鈥檚 lesser-known brother鈥攖he Greek god of requited love (less wild romance, more emotionally mature affection). Because apparently, even gods have to deal with (and occasionally get tired of) complicated relationships...
Just behind him, look up, and you鈥檒l see the legendary wall of illuminated billboards lighting up the north side. The first glowing ad appeared there in 1908, promoting Perrier mineral water like it was the elixir of life. For a perfect 鈥淚鈥檓 in London鈥� kind of photo, stand at the corner of Regent Street and get those lights framed behind the Tube sign.
Now, take a peek underground. Hidden beneath the chaos, you鈥檒l find two gems. The Criterion Theatre鈥攂uilt in 1873, and mostly below street level鈥攚as once ventilated with pumped-in fresh air to counter gaslight fumes. Next door, Piccadilly Circus Station is one of the few fully subterranean Tube stops in the network.
Over on the western side, history buffs can spot a rare relic: a 1935 police call box鈥攐ne of the last of its kind. And if you're really sharp-eyed, look for one of the Seven Noses of Soho, a quirky sculptural series. Word has it, if you find all seven, unimaginable wealth awaits you. So, go for it!
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 鈥� Part 1, Piccadilly Circus becomes the chaotic landing spot for Harry, Ron, and Hermione after the Death Eaters crash Bill and Fleur鈥檚 wedding. It鈥檚 all running, panicking, and nearly becoming roadkill via double-decker bus. The scene was shot right in front of the Gap store, just off the main circle鈥攓uite the fashion-forward place to dodge dark wizards. In the book, they land at Tottenham Court Road, but the filmmakers clearly wanted a little more drama and dazzle.
Well, aside from possible magical encounters and spontaneous nose hunts, it鈥檚 the heart of London鈥檚 West End. Basically, it鈥檚 where London throws on its glitter, grabs a coffee, and says, 鈥淟et鈥檚 go!鈥�
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Piccadilly Circus on Map
Sight Name: Piccadilly Circus
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
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