Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus is a circular square of moderate size and an important transportation hub in the part of London called Westminster. Five streets meet at the square and it is surrounded by shopping malls and fast food stands.

It was built in 1819, according to the design of architect Nash,with the intention of joining the shopping streets of Piccadilly Street and Regent Street. It is sometimes called the Time Square of London, due to the large neon ads screened on one of the buildings called Monico (located at its north-east, between Shaftesbury Avenue and Glasshouse Street). The first ad was installed already in 1910. Across the square, one can see a fountain with a winged statue referred to as Eros, which commemorates the famous politician Lord Shaftesbury.This statue by Alfred Gilbert was the first one in history to be made of aluminium. Its image has been used as a symbol of the newspaper Evening Standard. On the southside of the square, you will find the Criceton Theatre. Constructed in 1874, the theatre’s auditorium and box office are located underground. On the northside of Piccadilly Circus stands the London Pavilion from 1859. Originally, it was used as a concert hall, however, it was later transformed to a shopping mall. After being connected to the neighbouring Trocadero, the new building is now known as London Trocadero. On the square, tickets to music and theatre shows can be purchased; however, there have been cases of fraudulent vendors in the past. Piccadilly Circus is considered to be the entry point to London’s entertainment, because it connects the theatres on Shaftesbury Avenue, Haymarket, Coventry Street and Glasshouse Street. In its surroundings, restaurants and shops with designer clothes can be easily found. There are shops like GAP, Virgin Megastore, Lillywhites etc.