One of London’s Busiest Road Junctions

Piccadilly Circus is the heart of London’s theatres, cinemas, famous restaurants and night clubs.

It takes its name from a 17th century frilly collar called a picadil.

At the south-western side of the Circus stands the Shaftsbury memorial fountain.

The fountain was erected in 1893 to honour the 7th Earl of Shaftsbury for all the work he had done for the poor in the area.

It is topped by Alfred Gilbert’s winged aluminum statue of Eros, the Greek god of love, although its official name is The Angel of Christian Charity.

Piccadilly Circus is most spectacular at night when all the brightly-coloured signs are lit up.

Address: Piccadilly Circus, SW1

Directions: Piccadilly Circus tube