Central London Articles

My Picks of The Best Things to do Near Piccadilly Circus

Check out the Theatre district

The Theatre District in Piccadilly Circus London is home to many theatres, such as the Piccadilly Theatre, the Apollo Theatre, and the Criterion Theatre. If you run out of theatre tickets you could quite literally take a minutes walk from Piccadilly and move on to the next theatre. Or, if you’re not in the mood for historic theatres for plays, you also have a bunch movie theatres lined up. 

You’re also treated to a lot of interesting thing when you walk through Piccadilly circus and my favourite of these is the amount of street performers you can come across when you go through the theatre district. Enjoying a performance right outside famous theatres is one of the best free things I enjoyed during my visit, because anything outside the theatre, and well, admission is free! 

📍16 Denman St, London W1D 7DY, United Kingdom

Piccadilly Lights

This is also home to the iconic Piccadilly lights, and let me tell you the Piccadilly circus at night is one of the top things to do in London that I recommend. It is the largest advertising display in Europe, and out of the many things to see in nighttime, you’ll find that there’s a specific monitor there that is angled in such a way that the pictures almost come to life and burst out of the screen! 

If you’re an entrepreneur and looking to advertise a business right in one of London’s best spots for exposure, the Lights themselves actually have their own social media accounts. Where people could contact for any advertisements they want to showcase along the vicinity of Piccadilly Circus. 

📍Piccadilly Circus, London WIJ 9HP, United Kingdom

Regent Street

Regent Street is best described as a shopping arcade in London. Not a lot of things to do around this street but there is a long line of luxury shops, restaurants and more! Seriously, if for some reason you don’t like how heavy your wallet is feeling then, a short walk from Piccadilly circus would easily fix that. 

Regent Street is also home to several famous landmarks, including the Liberty department store, the Royal Academy of Arts, and the iconic Regent Street Cinema. To top it all off, smart entrepreneurs also set up coffee shops along the area so you could take a break before going on a shopping spree in the many designer shops. 

📍307 Regent St., London W1B 2HW, United Kingdom

Fortnum & Mason

There’s no denying that the heart of London is tea, and if you want a traditional and authentic English tea then head on over to Fortnum & Mason! This is famous for its Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, which offers a traditional English afternoon tea experience. The tea salon also serves some sandwiches, scones, and cakes, and you guessed it, all of which were specifically made to complement tea. 

When I was visiting Piccadilly Circus, I was already living in London for a few months now so I thought I already had the English tea experience multiple times, but there’s nothing like the traditional tea that Fortnum and Mason serves! 

📍181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1A 1ER, United Kingdom

Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain

The Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain was erected in 1892 to commemorate the philanthropic works of the 7th Lord Shaftesbury, a Victorian politician and philanthropist. Though officially known as the shaftesbury memorial, it is now known as Eros, after the winged statue of Anteros, the god of love, that sits atop the fountain. 

It is downright a beautiful sculpture and its location in the center of town gives tourists the vibrant atmosphere of the hustle and bustle around Piccadilly Circus, and serves as a landmark if you’re planning to take you’re exploring to the nearby Leicester Square or Coventry Street. 

📍Piccadilly Circus, London W1J 9HS, United Kingdom

Crystal Maze

Right on Shaftesbury avenue, just walking distance of Piccadilly Circus is, in my opinion one of the best things you could do with your friends! The Crystal Maze is, well, a maze live experience in London. It is a cooperative experience where guests are led through a sequence of tasks by a qualified Maze Master.

In order to receive extra time in the ultimate task, the dome, visitors must cooperate to win crystals from the physical, mental, skill, and mystery-based tests. There are plenty of things in Picadilly circus that are worth visiting and we never thought we’d have as much as we had when we were competing a gainst each other and solving puzzles. 

📍22 – 32 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 7EU, United Kingdom

Burlington House

If you’re the type to enjoy museums and galleries more than going through a maze, then another underrated attraction near Piccadilly Circus station is the Burlington House. The Geological Society of London, the Linnean Society of London, the Royal Astronomical Society, the Society of Antiquaries of London, and the Royal Society of Chemistry are among the five academic societies that call the area home.

Burlington House was built in the early 1800s, and it has a long and colorful history. Originally owned by the Earls of Burlington, it was a private Neo-Palladian mansion that was eventually transformed into a public structure. Our trip here was actually very educational and we managed to learn about different societies and the history tied to this house. 

📍Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD, UK

James Palace

Henry VIII constructed St. James’s Palace in the early 16th century, and it has a long and illustrious history since then. For more than 300 years, the palace has served as the home of the English monarchs and has played host to some of the most significant moments in royal history. The palace is a well-liked tourist attraction as well as a resident’s due to its exquisite construction.

I love London architecture and the James Palace is a stunning example of why. It’s cool how they managed to mix Georgian Architecture with long stretches of red brick. As far as galleries in London goes, the palace also holds a lot of beautiful artwork, everyone should check out. 

📍Marlborough Rd, St. James’s, London SW1A 1BQ, United Kingdom

Japan Centre

Piccadilly circus is one area in London that is pretty diverse. The Japan Centre is well-known for its extensive selection of Japanese cuisine items, which include bento boxes, fresh sushi, and sashimi. A selection of Japanese candies, snacks, and beverages, such as sake and green tea, are also available to tourists.

For people like me who are interested in learning how to prepare Japanese food, the center also provides workshops and cooking classes. I thought I would be a master after a few workshops but soon it became painfully clear to me I might need a ton of practice to make it the way chefs can. 

📍35b Panton St, London SW1Y 4EA, United Kingdom

M&M’s world

I highly recommend this joint to anyone with a sweet tooth looking for things to do in Piccadilly. M&M World is a colorful and fun experience for visitors of all ages. The store is filled with M&M’s merchandise, including clothing, accessories, and toys, as well as a wide range of M&M’s candy in every color of the rainbow.

I wouldn’t say that the prices here are affordable but they are reasonable seeing as M&M  is one of the world’s most iconic candy brands. It’s also cool that you can personalize gifts here and candy! If you can’t decide on places to eat, why not eat at a huge candy store?

📍1 Swiss Ct, London W1D 6AP, United Kingdom

St James’s Piccadilly

Designed by the famous British architect Sir Christopher Wren, The church is built of red brick with Portland stone dressings and has a barrel-vaulted ceiling. The church has been the setting to many royal family events and with a history that dates back to the 17th century, it is worth a short pitstop in Piccadilly Circus in London. 

We were able to explore the church and learn about its rich history. The church is also known for its inclusive Anglican community and its vision for a just society and a creative open-hearted church and we were absolutely delighted to meet some of them. 

📍197 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9LL, United Kingdom

Maison Assouline

Located near the church in Piccadilly circus is a famous little spot for antiques. I got to say that I absolutely love this joint. Whether you want a quick gift for someone or if you want to refurbish your flat with quirky items then this is the spot! 

Luxury coffee table books that are as beautiful and informative as they are are a specialty of Maison Assouline. Maison Assouline offers an exclusive line of furniture, limited-edition gift items, and antique collectables. Maison Assouline is a concept store for culture, founded by Martine and Prosper Assouline as a refuge for those seeking style, culture, and art de vivre. 

📍196A Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9EY, United Kingdom

Jermyn Street

Now, Within walking distance of Piccadilly Circus underground station. You’ve got Jermyn Street. Not much shopping to be done here really unlike the nearby Oxford Street and Oxford Circus, but what this spot shines in, is the selling of high-end men’s clothing. The suits that British people wear in movies basically, which I personally think is kinda cool. 

A shop I’d like to highlight is Hawes & Curtis Flagship Store, as I was able to have my first ever tailor-made suit here all while being guided by the friendly staff. 

📍St. James’s, London, UK

Trafalgar square

The name of the square honors the Battle of Trafalgar, one of the biggest naval battles fought on October 21, 1805, off the coast of Cape Trafalgar, that saw the British victory over France and Spain during the Napoleonic Wars. 

The marble column standing 145 feet (nearly 50 m)-tall is topped by a statue of Lord Nelson and guarded by four lions, built with melted bronze from the French Navy canons. The square also contains two impressive fountains that light up when night falls. It is found just east of Piccadilly Circus and one spot that history buffs should check out!

📍Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 5DS, United Kingdom

Looking for More Guides?

There’s a lot more places to visit in Piccadilly circus that we couldn’t possibly fit in one list, so check out some of our guides as well! You’ll find cute cafes, amazing restaurants, and even bars and clubs you could spend a memorable night in so, head on over!